Teliko

The third episode of the fourth season of The X-Files, titled "Teliko," directed by Jim Charleston, presents a complex narrative that intertwines themes of race, immigration, and the supernatural. Written by Howard Gordon, the episode opens with a chilling sequence in which a man named Samuel Aboah (played by Michael E. Rodgers) is seen stalking his victim in a dark alley before brutally attacking him. This initial scene sets the tone for an episode that grapples with uncomfortable social issues while weaving in elements of horror and mystery.

As the story unfolds, Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) are called to investigate a series of bizarre murders linked to Aboah, who is rumored to be connected to an African legend about the Teliko-a creature that feeds on the pituitary glands of its victims. The investigation leads them into the heart of a community dealing with fear and suspicion regarding immigrants. The pacing of "Teliko" is uneven; while some scenes effectively build tension, others feel sluggish and overly reliant on horror tropes. The episode attempts to balance the supernatural with social commentary but often struggles to find a cohesive narrative thread.

Visually, "Teliko" employs a dark aesthetic that enhances its themes of fear and otherness. Charleston's direction captures both the eerie atmosphere surrounding Aboah's attacks and the emotional turmoil experienced by those affected by the murders. The cinematography utilizes shadows and dim lighting to evoke feelings of dread, particularly during scenes where characters confront their fears regarding Aboah. Critics have noted that while the visual storytelling is effective, it sometimes falls into clichés associated with horror films, which can detract from its originality.

The performances in this episode are noteworthy but uneven. Duchovny delivers a solid portrayal of Mulder's determination to uncover the truth while grappling with societal prejudices surrounding immigration. Scully's skepticism provides a rational counterbalance; however, her character feels somewhat sidelined in this episode compared to Mulder's more prominent role. Aboah's character lacks depth; while he is presented as a monstrous figure, viewers are left wanting more insight into his motivations and background. This lack of development ultimately undermines the potential impact of the narrative.

Thematically, "Teliko" raises significant questions about race, xenophobia, and societal perceptions of the "other." The episode critiques how fear can lead to scapegoating and violence against marginalized communities; it highlights how myths can be manipulated to justify prejudice. However, some critics argue that the execution feels superficial, lacking the depth necessary to engage meaningfully with these complex issues. The portrayal of African folklore as ominous rather than as rich cultural heritage risks reinforcing harmful stereotypes.

In conclusion, "Teliko" is an ambitious but flawed entry in The X-Files that attempts to tackle pressing social issues through the lens of horror and science fiction. While it offers moments of tension and intriguing ideas about race and identity, it ultimately falls short in fully realizing its potential.

This feels like a filler episode and nothing more. The first one writing is lazy and uninteresting, and it's written by the same author who wrote the Haitian episode. If you enjoyed that, think of this as half as interesting. I found myself browsing the Internet on my phone after about 30 minutes - it was that bad.

The concept for this monster of the week is original and the execution is makes for a good scare.

But the plot is weak and the progression seems lazily written. Revelations for the case come out of the blue with no clear origin.

Quite a few nonsensical actions on Mulders part (why would the UN lady know anything?) and dialog is lacking too at times. Both Scully and Mulder even inject political philosophies about xenophobia that don't really seem to follow at all from the story.

The main cast of course never disappoints meaning episode is not a complete waste. The guest stars do a decent enough job.

But all in all what seems like a script written in a hurry with little to no supervision.

Season 4 of The X-Files was a new production crew building upon earlier Mythos. And so, this episode was overlooked.

There is a new "Victor Eugene Tooms" - Samuel Aboah (Willie Amakye) who can contort himself into a coffee can much like Tooms could. But where Tooms has an insatiable appetite for exactly five human livers per sleep cycle, Aboah has other physiological needs: as he as no pituitary gland.

This is also the first time we hear the phrase "Deceive, Inveigle and Obfuscate" which along with "Deny Everything" and "Apology is Policy" is added to the X-Files list of things that cannot be "programmed, categorized, or easily referenced".

Skully solves part of this conundrum from behind a microscope while Mulder chases down clues including tapping his new contact Marita Covarrubias, giving Mulder access to a man who tells him some remarkable stories from his African country of origin about a lost tribe of "Ghosts".

Never mind how Aboah can squeeze into a food cart in a hospital and escape from a Quarantine area, never mind how he can crawl into small storm drains. This guy can fit into any area his head can fit into, no matter how small.

So while in the American continent, as evolution produces Liver Eating, Long Lived aberrations, in Africa parallel evolution produces what we see here.

This episode plays out in darkened rooms and at night, where things that must not be seen are performed with impunity.

Mulder and Scully investigate when several black men in Philadelphia are found dead, with their pigmentation in their skin gone.

The relatively low score does surprise me somewhat, I thought this was really rather good.

Definitely vibes of Squeeze, with Aboah playing The Tooms part, but there are biological differences at play, but he's equally as sinister, and of course we have the focus of the eyes glaring our from confined spaces.

Had Squeeze not existed, this would have been a ten, but as it's essentially a rehash, it does lack some of the originality. Home was a tough one to follow, but this was a very good watch, it definitely has the horror vibe going on.

Some very good scenes, I liked the part where Aboah met Duff by the car, that was so creepy, and I of course enjoyed the scenes with Zakes Mokae, great actor with an awesome speaking voice.

8/10.