Clyde Bruckman?
MUCH to say!! I might have other personal favorites, but in my opinion this is The X-Files’ best episode. it’s about how destructive obsession can be (Clyde Bruckman’s obsession gave him his ability; Mulder’s obsession with that ability makes it hard for Mulder to see Clyde as a person) and how the answers you seek will never be satisfying anyway. (interesting that The X-Files is obsessed with death as the ultimate unknowable answer.) but the very sweet thing about this story is that what ultimately matters is connecting with other people, like Scully does with Clyde. so Darin Morgan is out here dragging Mulder, firing off some absurd humor, getting deeply philosophical, finding hope in a seemingly depressing idea, and summing up the humanism of the entire series. and probably being self-deprecating about it.
but as much as this is The X-Files’ best script, I also think Clyde Bruckman would not work without Peter Boyle. “it’s ugly” and “the KILLAH!” are the funniest line deliveries. and “how do I die?” “you don’t” gets me every time. I love how human he is. also the way he says lollapalooza
