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The X-Files

Of all the great things about television, the greatest is that it’s on every single day. TV history is being made, day in and day out, in ways big and small. In an effort to better appreciate this history, we’re taking a look back, every day, at one particular TV milestone.

IMPORTANT DATE IN TV HISTORY: October 13, 1995

PROGRAM ORIGINALLY AIRED ON THIS DATE: The X-Files, “Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose” (Season 3, Episode 4). [Watch on Netflix]

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT: Besides the simple fact that “Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose” is one of the best and most entertaining episodes of The X-Files, there are a few specific reasons why the episode stands out among the many fine episodes of this series.

The vision of Bruckman’s body time-lapsing into decrepitude among a bed of flowers. It’s got a dash of Ray Harryhausen to it, which only makes it more interesting.

Peter Boyle’s A+ performance as Bruckman, a psychic whose gift/curse is that he can tell how people are going to die. Mulder and Scully end up needing his help to track down a killer of psychics, and Boyle, a gifted comedic actor, brings a great big streak of oddball pathos to the role.
Boyle would end up winning the first ever Emmy Award for The X-Files, as Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama. Episode writer Darin Morgan would also win the Emmy for writing this episode.
Bruckman’s response when Scully finally gives in to her curiosity and asks him how she’s going to end up dying. Bruckman’s response: “You don’t.” It was always great when so-called “monster of the week” episodes of The X-Files tossed in moments that made you think about the alien conspiracy at large.

[You can watch the “Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose” episode of The X-Files on Netflix]

Joe Reid (@joereid) is a freelance writer living in Brooklyn. You can find him leaving flowers for Mrs. Landingham at the corner of 18th and Potomac.

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