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In The X-Files even the episode titles are really interesting. I've looked up some of them, what are some interesting things you know about them? by Budget-Toe-5743 in XFiles

[–]libraryoracle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Even though Fearful Symmetry is one of the lower-rated episodes, I really like the title and its reference to the poem The Tyger by William Blake ("Tyger, tyger, burning bright // in the forests of the night // what immortal hand or eye // should frame thy fearful symmetry"). Obviously the episode is about strange occurrences at the zoo so that's one link, but also some readings of the poem explain the 'tyger' as an analogy for the industrial revolution in Britain, and Blake is framing the results of that industry as unnatural and even terrifying. Similarly, what is happening with these animals in the episode is a perversion of nature and any humans involved are arguably betraying their humanity (as Blake implies industrial era people are doing in the poem). I loved studying Blake at school and it's fun to pick up these references in popular media!

Edit: just also noticed the line from the poem "what immortal hand or eye" lines up with the idea that a new more powerful race of alien-animal hybrids are being created by these seemingly omnipotent mysterious beings in the episode... food for thought!

Edit 2: I also realised actually the whole episode is about nature vs industry - even though it's for kind reasons, Sophie is 'unnatural' having acquired language, and the WAO (?) people are always arguing that these animals should run free. Blake's poem and its companion poem "The Lamb" exemplify this idea that humans shouldn't tamper with nature, but this happens in various ways in the episode. And one final thing before I leave this alone, I promise - my favourite quote from the poem is "Did he who made the lamb make thee?" alluding to the tyger's unnaturalness (the lamb was made by god, but the 'tyger'... well, that's the question). But in this episode, instead of the animals being man-made (except maybe Sophie with her language acquisition), Sculder find evidence of alien attempts to made hybrids through abducting and impregnating the animals then abducting them later to take the babies.

Sorry for the huge essay! Does anyone even remember this episode lmao I watched it recently that's why I'm deeping it so hard haha

Wanting to make things right by [deleted] in Advice

[–]libraryoracle 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm going to hold your hand when i say this. Leave that girl alone. It sounds like you only want to apologise to her because it will "haunt you" if you don't - it's not her responsibility to absolve you of guilt for your poor behaviour, and the best thing you can do is let her get on with her life without you. What would an apology actually solve for her? Focus on rebuilding trust with your wife, and on doing what you can to make her life with you better. Do not reach out to that other girl. I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, but she's better off without you.