Are there any thoughts on this episode written by the great Vince Gilligan?

This is an episode that has grown on me over the years. It’s an episode that is unique in the sense that our main characters are not the main characters in this episode. They are, in fact, antagonists, but not the main ones of the story. I find it interesting that our main character “Rob Roberts” seems like an ordinary Joe, but he has an extraordinary compulsion: the compulsion to eat human brains. He is a monster, but he’s trying not to be one. The people he kills are actually despicable. The first victim is a douchebag customer. The second is this jerk of a guy just watching the apartment complex. The third is of course Derwood Spinks, ex-con who blackmails Rob for a silly VCR out of revenge for losing his job and he happens to know Rob is the killer.

While Rob murders, you almost root for the monster to win because he’s so sympathetic. That’s the power of Gilligan’s writing and also Kim Manners’ direction. While many might complain Mulder and Scully aren’t the main focus in the investigation, I think that’s the “secret sauce” so to speak. It is experimental and that’s a good thing.

I think maybe if this episode was featured in the earlier season, it could have become a classic. It’s an underrated gem and another win for Vince Gilligan.