Walter Skinner was one of those characters that really had to grow on me after his first few appearances on this show. He came across as the typically skeptical boss character who would constantly be a thorn in the side of our heroes as they were trying to uncover this conspiracy throughout the show. However, the writers decided to go a different route and surprise and probably a lot of other viewers as they began to really develop Skinner into one of the show's most important supporting characters. That has been done through the mythology episodes, but with a couple of Skinner-focused episodes, used to provide some real character development to him and show him from a different angle. This episode comes off the heels of a decision that he made a couple of episodes ago and the entire thing is basically showing the consequences of that decision and the deal that he ultimately made. And while the episode's relevance to the overarching mythology can be debated, it shouldn't be up to debate whether or not this episode is awesome or not, because the simple answer there is that it is, easily beating out the previous season's Skinner-focused episode in pacing and in its tension.
This episode is the payoff of an entire season's setup with the first episode introducing us to this bee farm, which starts wreaking havoc in this episode. At first, Skinner finds himself on the side of trying to cover up any involvement by the Smoking Man and his cabal. As the episode ends, he realizes what side he is standing on and makes a decision that could have fatal consequences. The episode is full of great tension and the writing is truly excellent as it flawlessly furthers the character development of Skinner, while also adding small things to the mythology.
While the previous season's episode focused on Skinner and his relationships, this is an episode that really shows how lonely this man is at his core. He is caught in this situation that he has put himself in and there's no one who can help him. He doesn't have anyone living at home with him anymore and he's also working in the field alone. Skinner is a very tragic character who is getting more and more light shone on him and all the things that make him sympathetic. He's had a long way, but it's one that we truly appreciate.
Mitch Pileggi is an actor who didn't really get the praise he deserved for this role, but he really is a core part of this show's conscience. He's the voice of reason whenever Mulder and Scully go off on their missions, and while we like to follow them and root for them, it's difficult to not see Skinner's perspective. Pileggi has done a phenomenal job showing this man's versatility, and while he doesn't get a moment as emotional as his previous solo episode, he truly plays into the character's inherent anger, which prompts some truly great moments from this man.
"Zero Sum" is light on Mulder and Scully, but heavy on tension and great payoffs to season-long mysteries and storylines that were set up earlier. It focuses, again, on Skinner and continues to develop a character who has really grown into one of the show's most valuable players, not in the least because of Pileggi's portrayal.
This episode is the payoff of an entire season's setup with the first episode introducing us to this bee farm, which starts wreaking havoc in this episode. At first, Skinner finds himself on the side of trying to cover up any involvement by the Smoking Man and his cabal. As the episode ends, he realizes what side he is standing on and makes a decision that could have fatal consequences. The episode is full of great tension and the writing is truly excellent as it flawlessly furthers the character development of Skinner, while also adding small things to the mythology.
While the previous season's episode focused on Skinner and his relationships, this is an episode that really shows how lonely this man is at his core. He is caught in this situation that he has put himself in and there's no one who can help him. He doesn't have anyone living at home with him anymore and he's also working in the field alone. Skinner is a very tragic character who is getting more and more light shone on him and all the things that make him sympathetic. He's had a long way, but it's one that we truly appreciate.
Mitch Pileggi is an actor who didn't really get the praise he deserved for this role, but he really is a core part of this show's conscience. He's the voice of reason whenever Mulder and Scully go off on their missions, and while we like to follow them and root for them, it's difficult to not see Skinner's perspective. Pileggi has done a phenomenal job showing this man's versatility, and while he doesn't get a moment as emotional as his previous solo episode, he truly plays into the character's inherent anger, which prompts some truly great moments from this man.
"Zero Sum" is light on Mulder and Scully, but heavy on tension and great payoffs to season-long mysteries and storylines that were set up earlier. It focuses, again, on Skinner and continues to develop a character who has really grown into one of the show's most valuable players, not in the least because of Pileggi's portrayal.