The X Files - The Post-Modern Prometheus

 Okay, so maybe I can't agree with The Great Mutato's impregnating two locals in his home area, but I do like how Scully and Mulder halt the mob with their pitchforks and torches as they plan to execute their "monster", a result of an inconsiderate scientist's (John O'Hurley, ever so stern and coldly scientific, without much in the way of real humanity, the perfect mad scientist and biproduct of Universal Studios) experiments, taking him out to a Cher concert. It is on the nose that The Great Mutato's favorite film is "Mask", with Cher and Eric Stoltz. Filmed in B&W -- again, an on-the-nose tribute and homage to horror classics of a bygone era -- but still set in the 90s present day, Mulder and Scully investigate a Jerry Springer late night surreality TV fan's claim she was impregnated (she had her tubes tied) without the ability to interfere. A second victim, this time the wife of O'Hurley's scientist, Dr. Pollidori (yep, on the nose), also claims she was impregnated similar to the mother (Pattie Tierce) of comic book artist, Izzy (Stewart Gale). So I can't just be cool with that at all. But seeing Scully smile while dancing a bit with Mulder at a small concert with a Cher look-a-like as The Great Mutato gets all excited because he's actually treated to something by kindness gets me, obviously.

I just know I'll be writing so much more about this in the future, but for now, I'll say that you have inspired cinematography, clearly reaching way back into the annals of horror to get certain shots just right. And the story recreating Frankenstein with a bit of a spin into "The Elephant Man" terrain seems to fit The X-Files just right. Who would be more sympathetic to The Great Mutato than Mulder and Scully? The pop culture references to the Jerry Springer audience of the time -- a time I recall quite well -- are pointed and Scully's comments on this kind of "cultural stereotype" as Mulder seems more comfortable (if less gullible since his shaken beliefs have left him jaded and his heart not so willing to embrace the fringes) in such small town places provide much amusement if just as a blast from the past. This series does sort of date itself a bit, but since I was a teenager during most of the 90s, I am more susceptible to the charms of the little pop culture time stamps that emerge. 

Since I know that "Christmas Eve" and "Emily", a two-part Scully-centric arc, are so much more intense and emotional, "The Post-Modern Prometheus" is a fun bit of gimmicky satire, with just the right bit of comedy and heart to help combat the rather icky deformed lab man experiment knocks up two women without their consent baggage. I could see that being quite a problem this episode can't totally justify in anyway, despite the two mothers gladly appearing on Jerry Springer with their own deformed babies, since neither of them actually asked for them. As of now: 3/5.