Darin Morgan, 50% of X-Files' Awesome

I am one of those seemingly rare people who is convinced that what made X-Files great was not the overly slogging and convoluted yet pointless mythology, but the truly excellent one off episodes. Which is baffling to even me, as I normally champion a series doing an intensive ongoing story, but the X-Files... just didn't have a well thought out mythology, alternating between screaming "CONSPIRACY!" and "SISTER!" as if it was suppose to be deep and meaningful, most of the time it was unwatchable. But when they did their monster of the week episodes, the series truly shined. As I rewatch some of my favorites, I came across a single name in connection with several of the early episodes, each more memorable than the last. So, if you are looking for a quick X-Files marathon of quality, I present the Darin Morgan anthology!

Season 2 - Episode 2 "The Host"

The Flukeman is likely one of X-Files most famous monsters. And this is where our Darin Morgan journey begins. Not because he wrote this episode, but in fact, he plays none other than the big fluke himself! While the episode is not one of those writing triumphs that some of the later entries on this list are, it definitely makes up for it with the monster. Darin Morgan was first brought into the series to suffer under ten tons of makeup, but as you will quickly see, he made FAR more of a mark on the series with his writing...

Season 2 - Episode 3 "Blood"

Now we start getting into the good stuff. After that fluke of a role, they gave Darin Morgan the opportunity to write an episode for them. And here we begin to see some of the hallmarks of his episodes
 such as bizarre events (even by X-File's standards) and an undercurrent of dark humor. The episode also gets bonus points for including the ever present Sci-Fi staple of William Sanderson. (And a personal one from me for having John Cygan, who voiced one of my favorite Metal Gear characters later.) Of course, as this episode was co-written with the duo of his brother Glen Morgan and James Wong (probably most notable for creating the character Tooms in the first season, as well as The Thing knockoff episode "Ice" and inbred mutant family shindig "Home") the episode doesn't quite get up there with his solo efforts, but almost.

Season 2 - Episode 20 "Humbug"

Having joined the writing staff at this point, Darin Morgan was let loose with an episode of his own. For me personally, X-Files kinda hovered in an area of "It was pretty okay, I might keep watching" and into an episode that is the first I'm willing to call "REALLY GOOD". Centered around the freak community and even featuring a killer conjoined twin that can detach and enjoys burrowing back into bodies. This episode also features two notable actors in Twin Peaks' Michael J. Anderson, and science fiction TV actor who you see in everything, but you never know is name Alex Daikun. This episode is definitely the point where the show became something watchable.

Season 3 - Episode 4 "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose"

An BOOM X-Files truly hits it out of the park! Featuring the immortal (If in renown, if sadly not physical existence) Peter Boyle as a psychic who only sees when people will die, along with a serial killer targeting various diviners. (Note too that once again, Alex Daikun returns, a genre TV good luck charm, or omniscient alien from the future? You decide. ) This episode is the first to really get the wonderful symmetry in poignant philosophy and dark humor. Proving that there is some justice in the medium, both Boyle and Morgan won Emmys for this episode. You can skip nearly all the episode that come before, but definitely don't skip this one.

Season 3 - Episode 12 "War of the Coprophages"

The one with the killer Roaches. But OH so much more than that. Calling upon the notion of insectoid miniture robots and even War of the Worlds itself, the episode is full of moments of humor and moments of just plain "UGH!" Nevermind Mulder getting the hots for a bug lady and nearly scoring! If not for the wheelchair bound robotics expert of course. This is an episode where nearly every moment is a delight. If not for his next episode, it likely would have been the best of the season. But of course, there was a final episode written by him...

Season 3 - Episode 20 "Jose Chung's From Outer Space"

YEOW! That's a bleepin' dead alien all right. From Outer Space is easily the best episode the series ever produced. (With "Bad Blood" coming in a close second) Mired in ufology concepts and notions, There is not a single scene in this episode that is not a giggling masterpiece. Featuring Smoking aliens being abducted, a foul mouth yet helpfully censored detective, Alex Trebek and Jesse Ventura as Men in Black, and ridiculous aliens from the Earth's Core. This episode more than anything makes me wish I was living in a parallel universe where someone smacked Chris Carter upside the head and handed the keys over to Darin Morgan. Would the series have lasted as long? Probably not. But god DAMN if it wouldn't have been a ride! Sadly, Morgan left the staff after this episode, but at least he went out with a bang! Even if you only saw Venus.

Season 3 - Episode 22 "Quagmire"

Didn't I say Morgan left the series? Well, he stuck around long enough to help with the script for the Nessie knockoff. Once again, you can tell it wasn't pure 100% Morgan, but that doesn't stop it from being quite fun, such as the scene on the lake with Mulder and Scully trapped out in the "middle" of the lake, and even the end of the ever sinister Queequeg.  Not often do Monster of the week episode put their character's center stage, but this one managed to. Not too shabby for a lake monster episode.

Season 4 - Episode 20 "Small Potatoes"

Darin Morgan's involvement in the series ends where it began, playing a monster of the week. Fortunately, it is a wonderful episode in its own right. A rash of tail babies leads into the story of a shapeshifter who likes to knock women up as Luke Skywalker. Bonus points for once again mocking Mulder, double bonus for using the Mulder/Scully shipping as a plot point!


While they kept trying and even had a few good ones on par with that excellent third season, I can't help but wish they had kept Darin Morgan on. Give his brother and James Wong the other half of the series, and you'd have something spectacular, veering between horror and dark humor. Now THERE is a series for the ages. (If only Fringe had thought to keep him around for more than the first season, it wouldn't have had as poor a showing as it did, but that is a rant for another day."

So, Darin Morgan, I salute you and your efforts to make X-Files truly special!