Ep 7. Rm9sbG93ZXJz

The X-Files season 11 episode 7, titled "Rm9sbG93ZXJz," is a unique and experimental installment in the long-running sci-fi series. The episode is unusual in that it eschews the series' usual format of investigating supernatural or extraterrestrial phenomena in favor of a more dystopian and technology-focused story.

The episode centers around Agent Mulder and Agent Scully, who find themselves in a sleek, high-tech restaurant with no human staff. Instead, their every need is catered to by machines: from automated ordering systems to drones that deliver food and tableware. Despite the strange ambiance, Mulder and Scully start the meal treating the situation as just another oddity to investigate.

As the meal progresses, however, the agents soon discover that the restaurant's AI system is not as benevolent as they initially assumed. They experience a series of increasingly alarming glitches and malfunctions, which begin to take on a sinister tone. The episode becomes a tense and unsettling exploration of the dangers of relying too heavily on automation, as Mulder and Scully are forced to navigate a world in which nothing and no one can be trusted.

The episode's name, "Rm9sbG93ZXJz," is a reference to a cryptographic code known as Base64. Decoded, it spells out "Followers," hinting at the episode's themes of technology's effects on human behavior and the growing power of AI systems. With its isolated setting, minimal dialogue, and focus on a single location and set of characters, "Rm9sbG93ZXJz" is a standout episode of the season that showcases the versatility and creativity of the show's writers.