Babylon (The X-Files)
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"Babylon" is the fifth episode of the tenth season of The X-Files. Written and directed by Chris Carter, it aired on February 15, 2016, on Fox.[1]
Plot
In Texas, a young Muslim man prays and goes about his daily routine. After driving to a motel to meet a friend, they then head over to an art gallery called Ziggurat for an art opening, which is later revealed to have been showcasing controversial depictions of Muhammad considered offensive to Muslims. Prior to leaving the car, they hold hands and say a prayer and then walk into the gallery, which shortly thereafter explodes. One of the men, now presumed to be a suicide bomber along with his friend, survives but is incapacitated in a vegetative state. Meanwhile, other bombers are shown to be planning another attack.
Back in Washington, D.C., Mulder and Scully meet Agents Miller and Einstein, both younger counterparts to the agents (believer and skeptic) but Miller is more extreme. While Agents Miller and Einstein leave to solve the bombing in Texas, Mulder asks Einstein (instead of Scully due to her recent loss) to meet up with him while Scully meets Miller in Texas.
Mulder and Einstein's relationship starts off rocky due to Einstein's extreme skepticism. Scully and Miller get along well but clash with bigoted Homeland Security agents who try to silence him. The agents try to find a way to communicate with the dead bomber. Miller, who had worked with the FBI in Iraq, tries to speak with him in Arabic, while Scully checks his ECG for any subconscious reaction.
Arriving in Dallas, Mulder comes up with an idea to communicate with the comatose bomber. Einstein gives Mulder psilocybin mushrooms, making Mulder high. He wanders into a rodeo themed bar where he dances and passes out. In his dreams Mulder is on a ship being beaten by the Cigarette Smoking Man. He sees the comatose man in his mother's arms. He speaks to Mulder in Arabic.
Mulder wakes up in a hospital and is scolded by Skinner. Einstein reveals that she had given Mulder a placebo, despite Mulder's objections considering his powerful and profound experience. Mulder later spots the bomber's mother hoping her presence would wake him up. However, the man dies. Agent Miller asks Mulder about his dreams, after trying to remember Mulder says, "Babil al funduq" which turns out to be the name of the hotel where the other bombers are hiding, Babylon Hotel. FBI SWAT agents arrive at the hotel and capture the bombers.
Mulder later questions human nature and their beliefs, but then hears a loud sound of trumpets, suggesting it is the voice of God.
Casting
This episode features the return of The Lone Gunmen (portrayed by actors Tom Braidwood, Bruce Harwood and Dean Haglund) which had been announced in July 2015. Since the characters had been killed off in the ninth season, it was unknown how their characters would appear.[2] Chris Carter explained that he would not reference The X-Files season 10 comics where The Lone Gunmen faked their deaths.[3] The Lone Gunmen's appearance was nearly cancelled as casting agents were unable to find Dean Haglund as he moved to Sydney, Australia. Haglund was informed by Bruce Harwood at a convention of the inquest.[4] In the episode, they appear in Mulder's hallucination.[5]
The casting of Lauren Ambrose and Robbie Amell as Agents Einstein and Miller was also announced in July 2015.[6]
Eric Breker, who plays Agent Brem in this episode, previously appeared as several different characters in various episodes, including "Apocrypha", "Demons", "Emily" and "Christmas Carol".[7]
Reception
"Babylon" was met with mixed-to-negative reviews from critics, and was faced with controversy over accusations that the episode was Islamophobic in its negative portrayal of Muslims and Islamic beliefs.[8] On Rotten Tomatoes, the episode received a 64% approval rating and an average score of 6.6/10. The consensus reads: "The sloppy 'Babylon' represents an unfortunate stumble, but Mulder and Scully's interactions still offer fans enough incentive to tune in."[9]
In its initial broadcast in the United States on February 15, 2016, it received 7.07 million viewers,[10] a decrease in viewership from the previous week of 8.31 million viewers.[11]
References
- ^ Carter, Chris (February 15, 2016). "Babylon". The X-Files. Season 10. Fox. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
{{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter|episode=ignored (help) - ^ Connolly, Kelly (July 22, 2015). "The Lone Gunmen set to return to The X-Files". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
- ^ Hayner, Chris E. (January 15, 2015). "How 'The X-Files' will resurrect the Lone Gunmen". Zap2it. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
- ^ Ma, Wenlei (January 28, 2016). "The Lone Gunmen almost didn't make it in new X-Files series". News.com.au. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
- ^ Franich, Darren (February 12, 2016). "X-Files first look: The Lone Gunmen return!". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
- ^ Ausiello, Michael (July 21, 2015). "The X-Files Revival Adds Robbie Amell and Lauren Ambrose as New Agents". TVLine. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
- ^ "The X-Files Revival Easter Eggs". TVLine. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
- ^ Dan Martin. "Is The X-Files Islamophobic and transphobic?". Guardian. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- ^ "Babylon". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
- ^ Porter, Rick (February 17, 2016). "Monday final ratings: Grammys and all other shows hold". TV by the Numbers. Tribune Digital Ventures. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
- ^ Porter, Rick (February 9, 2016). "Monday Final Ratings: 'The Bachelor' and 'Scorpion' Adjust Up". TV by the Numbers. Tribune Digital Ventures. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
