Netflix This: ‘The X-Files — The Unnatural’

Usually when we tell you to Netflix This on The Movie Mash, we tell you to watch a whole movie or recommend a series from the first episode, and trust me, you should listen to us, we know what we’re talking about. But this time I’m going to do things a little differently. Asking you to watch all of The X-Files is an admittedly tall order; it ran for 9 seasons (!) after all.  So, to save you a bit of trouble I am going to recommend The Unnatural, in my opinion, the best episode of the entire series.  It is the nineteenth episode of the sixth season and falls under the category of episodes known as a “Monster of the Week” so there is no fear of spoilers.

Basically all you have to know is Mulder (David Duchovny) is an FBI agent workaholic dedicated to unraveling an elaborate conspiracy about an impending alien invasion and a government cover up; Scully (Gillian Anderson) is a little more down to earth so to speak. Just a brief overview and I will let you get to it.

The bulk of the story follows an all black baseball team called The Grays in 1947 Roswell, New Mexico. The star player, one Josh Exley, who is on track to break Babe Ruth’s homerun record, can attribute his otherworldly baseball skill to the fact that he is indeed not from this world. But as a “negro” prodigy he has enemies to worry about here on earth as well. From Klan members to alien bounty hunters, the poor extraterrestrial guy is constantly on the lookout. A friend in the Roswell police department catches wind of a KKK hit on the slugger and takes it upon himself to act as body guard. The friendship struck by the two men is based initially on duty but cemented in mutual respect and the secret held by Exley.

Duchovny wrote and made his TV directorial debut with this episode and his dedication and heart are apparent throughout the work. The idea that loving a woman can transform a man is nothing new, but the concept of the love of a game doing this to a man is, well, romantic. The way the characters describe their passion for baseball comes off as real, not as an unreasonable obsession.

Exley talks about his first time viewing a game and one can’t help but feel the pride and delight in him. In a time when America was so concerned about Communist reds and equal Blacks, the game of baseball was a unifying force, bringing good people together for a wholesome game. But like any episode of The X-Files, tranquility cannot last.  Even as the episode ends there is love and kindness that simply makes the viewer feel good.

Take this episode as a sample of what is to come with the series. Some episodes are much, much darker and some are much sillier, but the entire experience is truly magical. As Mulder and Scully continue through their years together with the FBI, their relationship becomes more complicated, becoming a driving force for the last few seasons. If you want to see a slow, beautiful build up of characters, please watch the series, you won’t be disappointed, but if you simply want to watch a feel good episode of television, just watch The Unnatural.

Netflix This: X-Files — The Unnatural