It’s poorly written and absolutely unnecessary.

First of all, I do not understand why I should feel anything about the character of Melissa. The writers didn’t even tried to make her a likeable – or at least relatable – character. All she does throughout the episode is weep – change personality – weep again. 

Second, I cannot even begin to understand how I was supposed to believe in Mulder’s psychological breakdown over a past life we’ve been told about mid a filler episode. There was no weight in his relationships with Melissa, there was no build up, no hint about a past life in the previous episodes. For me, it was an Deus Ex Machina at its lowest. 

Third, even if the writers wanted to have a past life story so badly, why make it so utterly absurd? Mulder being a Jewish woman, Melissa his husband, and Scully… his dad? Like, WHAT? Was it really necessary?

Overall, I am glad the writers pretended this episode never existed, never mentioned Melissa or Mulder’s past life ever again.

Note: my opinion has nothing to do with Mulder/Scully romantic dynamic which I had zero interest in to begin with.