Michaela and Ed reconvene after a month away from recording to talk about their trip to New York, before delving into an episode that is packed with literary allusions and chicken bits.

Michaela and Ed get a break from so-so formulaic episodes this week thanks to one Vince Gilligan, who makes his X-Files writing debut with a strange and inventive science gone wrong story.

Also, apologies for all the US politics talk at the beginning, this episode was recorded the Sunday after the election.

Things get extremely gross this week as Mulder and Scully try to stop a deadly virus from spreading. Apologies in advance for the number of times the word "pustule" is said in this one.

Michaela and Ed reminisce over the bad old days, Mulder and Scully get the run around by a creepy dead kid, and we discuss the true nature of The Călușari.

Mulder and Scully go to Florida to investigate a killing in a community of sideshow performers, most of whom are more normal than most Floridians. Michaela and Ed talk about why this is one of the best episodes of the whole series, as well as dead squirrels.

Michaela gets existential and Ed has a fine time as Mulder and Scully go on a less than exciting cruise in the Norwegian Sea.

Mulder and Scully go in search of invisible animals, and Michaela and Ed wish the episode was as fun as that sounds.

The alien plot is revealed, we reflect on youth, and how the Carter-Spotnitz collab works.