This episode is a MESS. It’s an episode that teases a surprise return from a former main character and doesn’t deliver. It’s a big ole unsatisfying tease that’s only purpose is to show that the Super-soldiers have a weakness: magnitite.

Plus there is some of the worst dialogue in the series ever here. I like Terry O’ Quinn, but he’s the only good thing here.

Season 9 didn’t learn the lessons from season 8 that the show could be reinvigorated with a new lead and not rely on the charm of DD’s Mulder. It’s fine to have him referenced and give small updates, but to have an entire elixir dedicated to him as a major plot point and not pay it off is not fair. They should have simply written him off fully with fewer references and also not create him to be with mythological hero throughout s9.

Season 9 will forever, most likely, remain my leave favorite season of XF even before 10 and 11 (which I think were held together by their very strong and interesting stand-alone episodes).