Many X Files episodes focus on the supernatural, paranormal, or government conspiracies. This episode focuses on Mulder more than anything, with a supernatural twist on a deadly serious plot: child abduction. It's about a 15 year old girl taken captive by a crazed school photographer who keeps her locked in a basement, or more aptly, an oubliette. Meanwhile a previous abductee, Lucy, who was kidnapped by the same man many years before, is somehow able to experience everything the little girl is as its happening. This makes Lucy the only person who can help find the little girl. Mulder is naturally sympathetic to the case because of what happened to his sister. Scully thinks that his emotions are clouding his judgement, and that only furthers Mulder's determination of finding her. It's hard seeing Mulder dealing with these emotions on his own, especially without support from Scully, and David Duchovny's performance is suitably heartbreaking.
Another thing that sets Oubliette apart is its use of a non-supernatural killer. The creepy photographer is nothing more than a sick, depraved man with no moral compass. He kept Lucy locked up with hardly any light for 5 years before her escape, and though it isn't stated, it's heavily implied that she was molested or raped numerous times. He's one of the most deplorable villains on the show if only because of how real he is - an average guy with an average job and a hellish secret, and there are enough of those to be afraid of in the real world.
This is an overlooked X Files episode with one of Duchovny's greatest performances, great writing, and great acting all around. Though it's not necessarily the most memorable episode of the series, it's among the few that taps into realistic human fears through delicate subject matter, and deserves recognition for so successfully pulling it off.
Another thing that sets Oubliette apart is its use of a non-supernatural killer. The creepy photographer is nothing more than a sick, depraved man with no moral compass. He kept Lucy locked up with hardly any light for 5 years before her escape, and though it isn't stated, it's heavily implied that she was molested or raped numerous times. He's one of the most deplorable villains on the show if only because of how real he is - an average guy with an average job and a hellish secret, and there are enough of those to be afraid of in the real world.
This is an overlooked X Files episode with one of Duchovny's greatest performances, great writing, and great acting all around. Though it's not necessarily the most memorable episode of the series, it's among the few that taps into realistic human fears through delicate subject matter, and deserves recognition for so successfully pulling it off.