The X-Files season 11 episode 1 preview: My Struggle III

No one trusts anyone, everything is in shadow, and an alien virus causes trouble in the latest episode of The X-Files season 11.

Will Mulder and Scully ever get a break? On the original run of The X-Files, they were constantly being assailed by aliens one episode and gross trash monsters the next. It takes a lot of mental fortitude to deal with both bad coworkers (Alex Krycek is the cubicle mate from hell) and shadowy government conspiracies.

Add in the possibility not only of extraterrestrial life, but of ghosts, psychic powers, and cryptozoological beasts, and anyone would have a bit of breakdown. Thankfully, the amazing FBI duo is still going strong for season 11. The season opener, “My Struggle III,” picks up right where the six-episode season 10 left off.

It would have to, really, given that “My Struggle II” ended with a looming alien plague and a seriously ill Mulder. It got so bad for poor Mulder that he was in need of a stem cell transplant. But who would have to be the donor? Why, William, Mulder and Scully’s long-lost and maybe-miraculous young son.

Now, it appears that the same alien infection, known as the Spartan virus, is still threatening our species. That’s thanks in large part to the Cigarette Smoking Man, a government agent who’s so tenacious that he survived a seemingly direct hit from a rocket back in season 9.

The return of the Cigarette Smoking Man

However, as shown in season 10, the badly burned agent returned, and with a vengeance. His slow-burning covert operation seems to have finally come to fruition, now that the Spartan virus is devastating people’s immune systems throughout the United States.

So, what’s going to happen in “My Struggle III”? Its preceding episode ended with a cliffhanger, wherein Scully is face-to-face with an alien spacecraft. Will we get to see what happens immediately after? Or, will we be faced with a conveniently healed Mulder and some missing time?

In stills from “My Struggle III”, it looks as if Scully faces some serious health consequences between lying in a hospital bed and sporting suspicious-looking cuts and perhaps even a strange sunburn. But, surely, director Chris Carter won’t knock down one of the best characters in the show in the first episode. Uh, right?

What about William?

As the trailer shows, it looks like Mulder will recover. But will Scully be taken down by the virus, too? Or is she suffering from another, equally strange malady? And will the couple ever be face to face again with the mysterious William? How does their young son figure into the encroaching web of conspiracy?

If nothing else, Mulder and Scully appear to be facing some classic X-Files scenarios in the alien-focused “mytharc” episodes. These include meeting in a parking garage, dealing with people who just love to sit in the shadows, and the ever-present Cigarette Smoking Man. Naturally, resources like trust are in pretty short supply.

Next: 15 times The X-Files’ Dana Scully was the best character on TV

“My Struggle” and “My Struggle II” were also unfortunately panned by critics. They found show runner Chris Carter’s story and directing to be clumsy. Still, even if similar trends continue into “My Struggle III”, fans are sure to watch. They’re likely champing at the bit to get going and see what’s happened to our favorite alien-fighting duo.

“My Struggle III” airs this Wednesday on FOX, at 8:00 p.m. ET.