“Blood” is an episode that manages to weave a thoroughly confounding mystery. Unfortunately, the reason why the mystery is so difficult to penetrate is the simple fact that it simply makes no sense whatsoever — no matter what kind of spin you try to put on the events. The result is less-than-average: a genuinely suspenseful ride that ends with absolutely no satisfaction.

The episode is built around the premise that a seemingly disparate group of small town citizens are receiving alarming “messages” through electronic devices (LED readouts, elevator lights, ATMs, cell phones, watches, microwave displays, etc.). After seeing the messages (which usually are a variation on the “Kill them all” theme), these people promptly murder whoever is around. Mulder is called in to investigate and, eventually, he finds … that he’s also seeing messages, but has no idea who or what is behind it all.

The episode gets a great deal of credit for its procedural elements — Mulder investigating the crimes, piecing together the information, turning to Scully and the Lone Gunmen for help. And without question, the paranoia the episode feeds upon (that any small town could turn violent) is palpable. And, too, this is an episode about fear — about using fear to control people. All of these elements work quite well within the episode. But unfortunately, the narrative isn’t able to weave them altogether into a cohesive whole.

For instance, a large part of the episode is centered around the possibility that insecticide testing could be a trigger. There’s also a strong hint that, whatever is at work, is orchestrating all of this for a purpose. But how on earth could subliminal messages be sent, on cue, to such random items as a microwave and car garage tuning computer? It’s almost inexplicable — unless one wants to consider an omnipotent adversary (in which case, why bother with the experiments at all?). Besides, how is it that Mulder just so happens to continue to find X-File cases?

Overall Grade: C-

“Blood” wastes some very good suspense and performances from its guest characters. Ultimately, separating Mulder from Scully isn’t a great decision for the series. And once they are back together, I am sure things will pick up. In the meantime, episodes such as this one just don’t do a whole lot for the series.

Characters: Sci-Fi, TV Reviews
Filed under: Season 2

Related Articles:

1.13 – Genderbender – X-Files Review

2.01 – Little Green Men – X-Files Review

1.20 – Tooms – X-Files Review

1.11 – Fire – X-Files Review

1.16 – E.B.E. – X-Files Review

1.14 – Lazarus – X-Files Review

2.04 – Sleepless – X-Files Review

2.02 – The Host – X-Files Review

1.23 – The Erlenmeyer Flask – X-Files Review

1.01 – Deep Throat