X-Files Flashback: Frankenstein-Inspired Episode That Gripped Millions Still Haunts Fans!

On November 17, 1998, X-Files fans were set to witness one of the most remarkable episodes of the cult series: “Post-Modern Prometheus.” Written and directed by none other than the series creator Chris Carter, this 5th episode of season 5 is undeniably one of the best in the fantastical saga.

A Bizarre Episode!

Remember this! The episode starts with comic book pages, before diving into the deep America of Albion, Indiana. Local resident and avid bizarre talk-show fan, Shaineh Berkowitz, spotted Mulder on the famous Jerry Springer Show.

She claims to have been impregnated 18 years ago by… something, while unconscious. A monster, an alien… it’s unclear! And as if that wasn’t enough, it happens again: Shaineh is pregnant once more, and the strange phenomena resume.

Mulder and Scully hence arrive in this remote area and uncover a sketch of the suspect. With a malformed head and two mouths, it matches a comic character created by Shaineh’s son, Izzy—the infamous “Great Mutato”. This monster, a kind of Frankenstein from local folklore, is claimed to have been seen by everyone.

Led by Izzy and his buddy Booger (yes, that’s his real name), Mulder and Scully venture into the woods of Albion. There, amidst mosquitoes and branches slapping their faces, they spot a massive figure, a kind of Hulk who missed his nap.

Chasing the Great Mutato

While pursuing it, our favorite agents encounter Dr. Francis Pollidori, a geneticist a bit too passionate about the Hox gene (the kind of guy who talks about DNA at the dinner table and puts everyone to sleep). Mulder, true to himself, senses a modern-day Frankenstein, while Scully, the voice of reason, suspects it’s all a hoax staged by comic-loving rednecks.

But the atmosphere quickly shifts to a gothic drama: Pollidori’s wife is assaulted like Shaineh before her, the doctor quarrels with his father and ends up killing him, because apparently, family disputes in Albion are settled in Greek tragedy style. Meanwhile, the poor “Great Mutato”, a tender heart under his double mouth, weeps bitterly while burying the body.

Mulder and Scully’s investigation leads them to the father of Dr. Pollidori, but it’s already too late! The situation has already escalated to a family tragedy. Meanwhile, the good doctor, torch in hand and ego overheating, leads an angry mob in pursuit of the “Great Mutato”. But surprise: it’s Mulder and Scully who first encounter the creature, before being surrounded by villagers in a Frankenstein redux.

Dramatic Twist!

And then, a plot twist worthy of a telenovela finale: the “Great Mutato” speaks up. Yes, he talks, and quite eloquently at that! He reveals that he is the result of a botched experiment by Dr. Pollidori, and that the doctor’s father, motivated by a burst of humanity, took him in and raised him as his own son.

The old man, clearly inspired by Cupid and perhaps too much loneliness, even tried to create a companion for him through dubious hybridizations with farm animals (which explains why Izzy vaguely resembles a pig, but hush). The crowd, moved, realizes that the “Great Mutato” is monstrous only in appearance, while Pollidori ends up in custody.

To wrap up this story on an unlikely note perfectly in tune with the X-Files spirit, Mulder and Scully take their new mutant friend to a Cher concert, his absolute idol. And as everyone dances under the glitter, the screen freezes into a comic strip: end of an episode that balances drama, tenderness, and pop culture. Notably, it’s impersonator Tracey Bell who plays Cher, who couldn’t make it to film her appearance.

Quirky Horror Ambiance

The episode “Post-Modern Prometheus” is quintessentially quirky, born from Chris Carter’s desire to pepper the 5th season with offbeat episodes. The creator of the show often wanted to inject humor into the series, frequently stepping aside; he enjoyed leaving the mythology on the sidelines for a while to bring some lightness amid the drama, fantasy, and macabre atmospheres.

Carter also aimed to make this episode poignant, drawing inspiration notably from James Whale’s Frankenstein (1931). The X-Files creator sought to marry modern science with the retro aesthetic of black and white, while intertwining the original myth with other fairy tales to craft a story centered on a monster in search of love.

Moreover, the theme of genetic creation was deepened thanks to the participation of Anne Simon, a biologist and scientific consultant on the series. Carter even visited Indiana University in Bloomington to meet a colleague of Anne Simon, a specialist in genetic manipulation in flies.

Portraying Mutato

In this context, he envisioned the character of the “Great Mutato”. Interestingly, he later discovered that Matt Groening had already used this name in a Simpsons spin-off comic. After a simple phone call, Chris Carter received Groening’s blessing to reuse the mutant’s name.

It’s worth noting that the “Great Mutato” is portrayed by Chris Owens, who was later cast to play Agent Jeffrey Spender. The actor had to spend between 5 to 7 hours in makeup. He wore a latex mask, contact lenses, and dentures. Nominated 7 times at the 1998 Emmy Awards, “Post-Modern Prometheus” won the award for Best Art Direction.

Even today, it is considered one of the most original episodes of the series. Truly a little masterpiece in black and white, undoubtedly the greatest aesthetic and narrative achievement of the paranormal show.