User Reviews

The fantastic first part of a two-part Mythology episodes introducing the black oil. The black oil is probably my favorite mythology storyline as pretty much all the episodes involving the black oil score pretty high in my book.

I just love the idea of a creepy oily thing taking control over your body after entering it. Some really creepy scenes involving the black oil here, I especially loved the scene where the possessed woman burned those evil agents.

Besides the great myth story, it also had some great character moments. Especially Scully who was reminded of her sister, and Skinner who was shot by the same guy that shot her sister.

Best part of the episode was Krycek's return, I always liked him but he really becomes part of the story from this episode onwards. There is just something about that guy.

I'm giving this episode FOUR stars.

Here's the beginning of another compelling two part story, usually done in service to the mythology arc. You wouldn't think an inanimate object could be introduced as an X-Files character, but the Black Oil makes it's appearance in this episode, transferring from person to person in global pursuit of - what? It's not fully answered by the end of this or even the next episode, so take your pick - Mulder? Krycek? The digital tape? Curious minds want to know.

There's a lot going on with the FBI closing Melissa Scully's murder case, Skinner's intent to keep an unofficial investigation going, and Krycek (Nicholas Lea) looking for the highest bidder in his quest to dump the digital tape and get his revenge for the failed assassination attempt orchestrated by the Smoking Man (William B. Davis) in 'Paper Clip'. We also get some background on the Black Oil entity dating all the way back to 1953 when a submarine detail was assigned to search for a missing in action P-51 Mustang fighter plane.

After a while all of this gets rather confusing so you have to pay attention, and I find that getting these reviews down is helpful in retaining some memory of what happened during the series run. Otherwise, one's recollection of events is tainted as the story ensues while adding even more new characters, making things as slippery as some of that black oil.

Amazing episode with so much character development. I have so many questions. Who were those agents who came down on skinner on the murder investigation? Then why did skinner get shot by one of the killers in the same cafe? Khychek was selling government secrets smart guy? Also if khrychek didn't kill mulders dad the who did? What's this aliens motive? Why is it jumping from body to body?

I feel as though they are setting us up for a few big reveals in the next episode. Can't wait to see the reveal of what the aliens motives are.

Also scully has taken a back seat in this episode perhaps she'll see on the next episode that the killer of her sister also shot skinner.

French divers find a plane in the sea

A man inside yells out, "Help me!"

A sailor, Gauthier

Helps black oil get away

Which jumps to Krycek while he takes a pee

It has actually been a while since I reviewed Apocrypha so I had completely forgotten what this episode was about. Piper Maru is the first episode in one of the best Mythology two parters in the series. My favorite is the Anasazi, Blessing Way, Paper Clip trio but I might say this is perhaps my favorite. The teaser shows a french diving team who are out searching for an old sunken P-51 Mustang from WWII. Let's get this said right off the top. I love that airplane. Not necessarily the one in the show specifically. But the P-51. I just love it. OK so one of the divers, wearing a giant MegaMan submarine suit finds the plane and sees a man alive trapped inside! But when he comes to the surface he doesn't report anything strange happening at all. For the first time we are introduced to the black oil. All the sailors aboard the ship return with sever radiation burns except for one who is later found in his house with no recollection of the past week while he himself was possessed with the black oil. It transfers to his wife who follows Mulder who is following a salvage/American secret trader to Hong Kong where he learns she has been working with Krycek. Mulder catches Krycek only to have him then possessed by the black oil in the men's room. I don't quite understand the purpose of the black oil following Mulder to Hong Kong just to jump to Krycek. Doesn't really make sense. Unless it was trying to find Krycek and it was following the trader lady also. I don't know. The episode also has a bit of a side story with Skinner and the investigation into finding the killer of Scully's sister. Skinner receives word that the case is going to be closed and tells Scully that he is going to do all he can to keep it open. Due to this he receives a threat from several men in a diner where he apparently eats often. After the threat which doesn't phase Skinner at all, a man at the diner starts to make a scene over a phone call and when Skinner tries to break it up he is shot by none other than the killer of Scully's sister. Good episode with a great episode to follow it up with means I give the episode a 10 out of 10.

Piper Maru/Apocrypha is about Mulder and Scully uncovering clues involving an alien entity and a sunken World War II aircraft.

Not my favourite myth-arc double, the story plenty vague and overwrought. Plus Scully's sister's killer is found, by trying to stop it from being pursued. Which is rather conveniently wrapped up and not garnering the weight it deserves.