tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post2115074119591031928..comments2024-03-29T04:57:26.162-04:00Comments on John Kenneth Muir's Reflections on Cult Movies and Classic TV: The X-Files: "Babylon" (February 15, 2016)John Kenneth Muirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-2590836826556587082016-02-18T10:23:07.308-05:002016-02-18T10:23:07.308-05:00If I avoided putting ideas out that foster hatred,...If I avoided putting ideas out that foster hatred, I'd never put any ideas out. For any idea, there's someone who will hate it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-88161536065980595112016-02-18T10:22:01.898-05:002016-02-18T10:22:01.898-05:00At the beginning of the episode, I groaned. I'...At the beginning of the episode, I groaned. I'd hoped for something other than the cliches Muslim terrorist. I felt disappointed.<br /><br />But it got much better when it became apparent (and later confirmed by the mother [even though it was through her own 'trip']) that Shiraz didn't detonate his bomb (if he had, would he really have survived?) He dies, but he breaks out of his bubble.<br /><br />I was impressed that Miller and Einstein are subtly shown to be very, very smart. Miller picks up on the fake DHS agents pretty quickly, and Einstein nearly instantly.<br /><br />And yes, Einstein is the science person, but she also picks up on the relationship between Mulder and Scully, even if she makes a joke about it.<br /><br />And this episode finally breaks out of something that's bugged me about the whole mini-series. In the original series, a lot was left unsaid or unresolved. The mini-series had been way, way to explicit. This episode wasn't.<br /><br />Did Einstein really give Mulder a placebo? Or did she say that to cover her butt? Did Mulder really astrally connect with Shiraz? Or is he just such a good detective that the 'trip' was more of him just putting pieces together in inspiration? And what about the mother's prayers?<br /><br />I also like the way that having the mother there with her unconditional love and absolute certainty that her son did not murder anyone kept the whole motherhhood thread going.<br /><br />And seeing the Lone Gunmen again was a blast.<br /><br />As for bubbles, CITOKATE all the way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-29302324325762642092016-02-17T19:54:40.837-05:002016-02-17T19:54:40.837-05:00I liked how this episode continued the theme of cr...I liked how this episode continued the theme of creation from the <br />previous episode. Last week the street artist's thoughts of hatred for the way <br />the homeless were being treated created a literal monster. This week an artist <br />created a depiction of Muhammad which was insulting toward Muslims. That <br />creation incited Islamic extremists to attack the art museum. The episode <br />certainly isn't saying that act of terrorism was in any way justified. It's just <br />saying that people need to be careful about the ideas their putting into the <br />world. Words do have consequences. We have the freedom in this country to <br />express ourselves in the way we want. But don't we also have a responsibility to <br />censor ourselves. Avoid putting ideas out there that may foster hatred. Todd V.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-91990585020992640102016-02-17T19:12:55.778-05:002016-02-17T19:12:55.778-05:00It is mind-blowing me how Chris Cater's storyt...It is mind-blowing me how Chris Cater's storytelling skills (as well as his associates, Wong, the Morgans, etc,) are as as sharp, insightful, and politically/culturally relevant as ever. Almost all artists never regain their peak after a long layoff. But he sure has!<br /><br />I love the idea of music being a universal language. I always thought that was one of the most brilliant aspects of "Close Encounters".James J. Caterinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01457868136494514710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-30164703136576541362016-02-17T18:07:38.670-05:002016-02-17T18:07:38.670-05:00Psychedelic trips may be a good topic for Mondays ...Psychedelic trips may be a good topic for Mondays Cult TV Faces of...<br /><br />SGBSGBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07137406272001346149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-40257766041056789562016-02-17T17:36:42.732-05:002016-02-17T17:36:42.732-05:00Just wanted to make one addition; Fringe has to be...Just wanted to make one addition; Fringe has to be mentioned in terms of shows that deal with psychedelic trips ;) Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-14882442404031740612016-02-17T17:07:44.963-05:002016-02-17T17:07:44.963-05:00John good review of yet another excellent X-Files ...John good review of yet another excellent X-Files episode that managed to deal with radical Islamic terrorism in a new honest way. The bubbles are so true. True that Fox News is official news organ of the Republican party as it is 100% true that MSNBC is official news organ of the Democratic party complete with the thrill running up Chris Matthews leg.<br /><br />SGBSGBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07137406272001346149noreply@blogger.com