Nisei ('Mythology'): The Plot Thickens

I love 'Nisei' and it's direct sequel '731'. I can simply refer to them as the 'train episodes' and most X-Files fans would know what I'm talking about. Funny though because 'Nisei' doesn't have too much to do with the 'train' itself and rather opens up the X-Files mythology to brand new levels of confusion. . .but in a good way. 'Nisei' is a rare X-Files mythology ep that manages to be both dramatic and a bit fun.



I love the myth-arc but while it is stimulating plot wise it sometimes lack the fun and atmosphere of the more popular 'MOW's. 'Nisei' and '731' are the kind of myth-arc episodes that MOW or general fans of X-Files can grab on to. And this is mainly because the plot revolves around a twisted form of our own reality and it is kind of freaky. And unlike other myth-arc episodes, 'Nisei' has elements to it that you can truly believe have or is happening, mainly because, well, it has, in some way or another.

I studied a lot of modern Japanese history a few years back and one of the most fascinating and intriguing aspects of Japanese history was the WWII period. If there ever was an excuse to deny technology it was in the Japanese case. They still had an outdated moral and government code that was backed up by current technologies that weren't meant for such an attitude. Imagine the Spanish Inquisition with high tech airplanes and sophisticated medical equipment. Haunting. But that was the technological trap the modern Japanese found themselves in: forced into a world they weren't necessarily ready for; old values confronting a new world.

And during that confusing time for the Japanese, they did much of what their Nazi counterparts did and experimented on humans just to see how it worked. And even more terrifying, the United States, the victor of WWII, gave German and Japanese scientists immunity to share their science. This is all TRUE. It has nothing to do with the X-Files. But the X-Files managed to put this into the plot of 'Nisei' and make the very imaginative parts of it seem just a bit real. And thus the myth arc contains something parts true and parts fantasy but all fun.



I really enjoy Nisei for other elements as well. The X-Files had always implied that not all UFOs were purely alien (see 'Deep Throat') and 'Nisei' focuses on the more human side of government/alien conspiracy and that, for a time, is interesting. In this two part arc, I enjoyed it mainly because the writers started something interesting and didn't write themselves into a hole like they would in seasons 6 and 7. But the true revelations come out in '731'. 'Nisei' simply sets up what is an amazing two parter that is, perhaps, the cream of the crop for the myth-arc.