I found this one of the more disturbing and distressing episodes yet, though largely because it dealt with human illness. The way the story was woven into a part of the mythology, that being Scully's cancer, was incredibly effective and Scully's scepticism in this episode is neatly handled.
Fun fact: Sydney Lassick plays Chuck Forsch in this episode, the roommate of Howard Spuller at the resident's home and this was one of his final roles. Some two decades and a bit earlier, he played the role of one of the core characters and residents at the mental institute in the classic film, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. This episode certainly has that feeling and it is reported that writer John Shiban was inspired by the film for this episode.
An ingenious story about Scully getting closer to death intertwined with a monster of the week plot line. Season 4 has been very dark and is getting darker. Scully comes to the realization that she is dying. When she privately cries in her car it's gut-wrenching. People see ghosts if they are going to die soon. The killer in this episode is kind of dropped out of nowhere. It's eye-rolling. But the Mulder & Scully moments are gold and the acting, especially the mental patients, is really good.
Secondary characters in this episode: None
Interesting episode; it reminds me of how a nightmare I had as a kid involving going into the back of bowling alleys and finding apparitions/ghosts. Perhaps it was of this, maybe I saw the episode on TV back then, must've forgotten, that caused me to dream it. Plus, this aired just 2 days before my 13th birthday. The end made feel sad about Scully, the way she reacted after telling Mulder about what she saw earlier.
Shout by odetospotBlockedParent2021-05-13T20:46:59Z
I would rate this episode, but I am just a human being.