Invocation (The X-Files)

"Invocation" is the fifth episode of the eighth season of the American science fiction television series The X-Files.

The series centers on FBI special agents Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) and her new partner John Doggett (Robert Patrick)—following the alien abduction of her former partner, Fox Mulder (David Duchovny)—who work on cases linked to the paranormal, called X-Files.

Ten years later, Billy's mother Lisa Underwood is called to the local elementary school.

Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) and John Doggett (Robert Patrick) arrive at the police station to see Billy.

Scully suggests that Billy is an alien abductee, but Doggett believes Ronald Purnell, a local delinquent, may have been involved in the boy's disappearance.

When Billy is returned home, his brother and father are uneasy about his presence; Lisa is blind to these problems.

Elsewhere in town at a gas station, Josh Underwood is lured from his father's car by a pony and horse trailer.

As his abduction unfolds, the star-like symbol Billy and the psychic drew is shown to be a painted logo on the trailer for Cal's Pony Ride-Along.

The police and the two FBI agents go to Jeppy’s home and find Josh in a compartment under the floor of his horse trailer.

[11] Fox promoted the episode with the tagline "How can a child disappear for ten years... and not age a single day?

"[12] Television Without Pity writer Jessica Morgan rated the episode a B−, and, despite the moderate praise, finished her review with the statement, "I miss Mulder.

Club awarded the episode a "B−", writing that it is "an okay entry that’s kept from being completely forgettable by some memorable shots […] and some decent Scully/Doggett banter.

"[14] Handlen held a mixed feeling toward's Doggett's backstory, noting that its introduction "does push the character in ways that undermine some of his strongest traits".

[14] Robert Shearman and Lars Pearson, in their book Wanting to Believe: A Critical Guide to The X-Files, Millennium & The Lone Gunmen, rated the episode two-and-a-half stars out of five.

However, "Invocation" sees him "[break] protocol and [behave] like a bully" because of a case reminiscent of that of his deceased son's, a situation that, the authors reason, is too similar to Mulder's own search for the truth about his sister, Samantha.