Ep 1. Within (1)

Following the cliffhanger season 7 finale, season 8 of The X-Files kicks off with a bang. The episode titled "Within (1)" opens with a distressed Scully feverishly searching through the wreckage of her suburban home. Her baby, William, has been abducted by unknown assailants. Mulder soon joins the search and the pair teams up once again to uncover the truth behind the kidnapping.

As they delve deeper into the investigation, it becomes clear that the same forces that have been targeting Scully for years are behind William's abduction. The team uncovers a twisted web of lies and corruption that leads all the way to the top of the FBI. Mulder and Scully must use all of their skills to navigate the dangerous conspiracy and find William before it's too late.

In addition to the baby abduction plot, "Within (1)" features a subplot centering around a hacker group that is illegally accessing sensitive government data. The team must determine if these hackers are working with the abductors, or if the two cases are completely unrelated.

As always, the chemistry between David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson as Mulder and Scully is top-notch. The characters have evolved greatly over the years, and the actors are masters at playing the nuanced relationship between the two agents. The episode is action-packed, tense, and thought-provoking. Classic elements of The X-Files are present, such as the dark cinematography and eerie music, but the show also feels fresh and modern.

"Within (1)" will leave viewers on the edge of their seats, eager to see what happens next. It is a strong start to a season that promises to deliver more mystery, intrigue, and alien conspiracies. The X-Files may be in its eighth season, but it shows no signs of slowing down. Fans of the show will not be disappointed with this thrilling episode.