Alpha

"Alpha" (English "Alpha") is the sixteenth episode of the sixth season of the TV series "The X-Files". The episode belongs to the "monster of the week" type and is not related to the main "mythology" of the series.

Agents Mulder and Scully are investigating several deaths resulting from an attack by a wild animal that is considered extinct - the Asian red wolf variety. Mulder and Scully are joined in the investigation by a local sheriff, a dedicated hunter of rare animals and a female canine specialist whom Mulder met via the Internet.

Cryptozoologist who tracked down (and, according to him, caught) In China, the mythical extinct 150 years ago dog of the fictional breed "Wangshang Dol", becomes a werewolf. At night, he turns into a large dog, similar to a large wolf with glowing red eyes, and attacks people. On the paw prints found at the scene of the attack, the fifth finger is visible, which is not typical of ordinary dogs.

Transformations are not tied to the phases of the moon and occur every night. Transformations happen quickly and do not cause visible pain to a person. At least once he turns into a dog of another breed (a serbernara) in order to escape from persecution. The behavior of a werewolf suggests that in the guise of a dog he does not lose his mind, but retains human intelligence and cunning. You can get rid of the curse only by dying.

One of the characters in the episode says that in Chinese myths, dol can symbolize evil and is able to open doors, steal women and disappear into thin air.