The X-Files episode 3 preview: Creator on Mulder and Scully's son William and emotional arc ahead

After a successful two-night premiere of The X-Files, the upcoming chapter will find FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully investigating a new case, which has a monster in it. Episode 3 is titled Mulder & Scully Meet the Were-monster, which airs this Monday, 1 February, at 8pm EST on Fox.

The synopsis reads: "When a dead body is found in the woods, Mulder and Scully are called in to investigate whether it was an animal attack, a serial killer or just maybe a strange creature as described by eyewitnesses. Meanwhile, Mulder is able to confront some of his own demons about feeling disillusioned with his life's work in the all-new Mulder & Scully Meet The Were-monster."

The premiere episode titled, My Struggle, featured an UFO crash site, an alien abductee, conspiracy theories, and the return of Cigarette-Smoking Man (played by William B Davis). Episode 1 ended with the Cigarette Smoking Man saying: "We have a small problem: They've reopened the X-Files," to one of his associates.

Davis teases his character's return in the sci-fi series in an interview with TV Insider. "I thought it was final [in the series finale]. Oh, yeah. But I thought it was final for every death."

Davis's character appeared to have died in the original series finale (that aired in 2002). Davis was sceptical about his return, but admits: "I was delighted to be involved. One doesn't get to play a villain of that sort, that often...a character with that desperation and fearsome commitment to what he needs to do. That ruthlessness, I guess. So it connected with me."

The Founder's Mutation's episode also showed a glimpse of Mulder and Scully's son William, whom they gave up for adoption to keep him safe. Creator Chris Carter says that William's introduction is a big part of the emotional plot.

Carter reveals: "It's a big part of the emotional arcs for these characters. We learn how they feel in ways we haven't seen before. What's interesting is the passage of time, their feelings have changed; they've grown and deepened."

Actor David Duchovny believes that William's arc is more highlighted from Scully's point of view. "It's more of a storyline that was played through Gillian's character this year. There was a lot of focus from her character on the William stuff, and I think as her partner, ex-partner, the father—maybe, who knows?—of the child, I'm sympathetic and in pain as well, but it was more of a story for Scully."

While Gillian Anderson adds: "She's emotional. There's a lot of thoughts and feelings and conversations about it—the choices that they have made, and the impact that has on their lives today. It's a big theme."