The first episode of season three opens with the rewatch of season nine MSR-centric episode, Trust No 1. The ninth season of the show sees Scully plagued by constant fear for William - for his safety, for what he is, for how he came to be, etc. She assuages these fears by telling William what she, herself, still can't quite accept in the poignant opening voice-over. Over the course of the episode, Scully finds herself in situations where she must push back against shadow men with red right hands who assume access to her: her health, her privacy, her relationships and choices. Scully must overcome her fear in order to reclaim power by speaking a truth which transforms all shadows to her son, William, and essentially, herself.

This triumph is seemingly limited for the character, however, as the episode ends on a melancholy note, recalling that though she believes in her love for William without doubt, she does not have Mulder to complete the circle and restore her hope, as he has done in previous Scully dreams, like Per Manum.

Listen to the full case file and perceive the truth for yourself