The X-Files: 10 Things We Learned From Mulder And Scully Meet The Were-Monster

1. Despite All The Joking, The Episode Asked Some Serious Questions

We've met the monster, and he is us. The overall theme of Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster might be seen as "life is full of mundane horrors" or "man is the true monster" but that would be far too simple. While the episode has lots to say on the banality and frivolousness of modern existence, despite all the joking, it hits a little deeper than that. Guy Mann, the lizard creature bit by a human who begins to transform into one - and immediately finds an urge to find a job (security), a mortgage (shelter), a burger (food), and watch porn (procreation, or the urge at least) - may be pointing out how trivial it all seems, but at the same time, he - and Mulder, frankly - can be looked at as delivering a deeper message: life is still to be cherished. "I know this sounds weird, but until a few days ago, I didn't know we died" Mann says, and really, how many of us spend much time thinking about it, in the truest sense? We know death is inevitable, but we often don't stop, don't look away from the mundane job, the daily routine, the little stuff, to really cherish the moment. Mann is being literal, since until a few days earlier, he wasn't self-aware, but the rest of us might as well be in the same boat. Then there's the idea of escape - all Mann wanted to do was get away from humanity and go back to his simple life as an animal - and you can't really blame him. But maybe we choose to believe in something more, some greater purpose, some truth (that is a little out there) instead. There's probably lots more you can mine from the episode as well, and it certainly deserves a second viewing. In the end, Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster may not be an instant classic - but it's pretty darn close. What did you make of Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Follow us on Twitter: @WhatCultureTV