It's hard to deny that some of the original series' most popular and beloved episodes tend to include the funniest, whether they be season three's Jose Chung's From Outer Space and Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose, season four's Small Potatoes, or season five's Bad Blood. There was always something great about the show letting loose to have fun with its characters, narrative, formula, structure, and so on, especially when everyone involved tended to rise to the occasion and bring their comedic A-game. For newcomers who thought the show was only about serious encounters with aliens and monsters, Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster might seem alienating, especially coming off the one-two "serious" punch of My Struggle and Founder's Mutation, but for longtime fans, the episode perfectly tapped into what has always made the series unique: Its willingness to be different tonally and creatively week to week. Aside from being a hilarious hour that allowed Mulder and Scully to lighten up as Rhys Darby stole the show in all his dog-loving, trope-skewing, drive-thru-line-misunderstanding, skipping glory, the episode also acted as a love letter to the fans, replete with some great references - like a mention of the late Queequeg and the reappearance of a certain red speedo - and even a tongue-in-cheek acknowledgment by Scully of her much-theorized-about immortality. Toss in Kumail Nanjiani as the episode's real monster, and it's hard not to come out the other end of it satisfied. Agree with this ranking, or do you have your own favourite? Let us know in the comments. The truth is out there - stay informed by following us on Twitter: @WhatCultureTV
Writer, film enthusiast, part-time gamer and watcher of (mostly) good television located on the fringe of Los Angeles, who now has his own website at www.highdefgeoff.com!
