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episode reviews season 1 Pilot: Here we go, the first episode in which we meet Scully and Mulder. It's clear from the first time they meet, that they are very different: two sides of the FBI coin. 'Spooky' Mulder has gained a reputation at the Bureau, one which Scully knows the others make fun of him for. Mulder knows her work, "rewriting Einstein" in her college thesis. It's also clear the aim of the men in suits: if the sceptic writes reports, the truth will hopefully never emerge. Philes know different, but that's by the way. The only thing I think doesn't fit in this episode is the latter half of the graveyard scene. Why on Earth do they laugh? I think Scully's delirious, but if anyone would like to tell me otherwise... season 5 Unusual Suspects: This was a good episode which I enjoyed. A good look into the lives of the Lone Gunmen and an interesting sideline peek into Byers' lovelife. Three excellent central performances from Messrs. Haglund, Braidwood and Harwood and a strong supporting cast. Verdict? Very funny. Redux: This episode is excellent: extremely powerful, and well-directed by Mr. Manners. It's mainly a Mulder-centric ep, since Scully is taken ill with her cancer. The most punishing moment to do with this, I would say, is when TLG reveal the vial to be filled with water, and only that. Along with this, Scully's nose-bleed makes the viewer not only wonder what is wrong, but hope for her safety. Again, this episode is a major part of the Mythology that overrides TXF, featuring great performances from all. Verdict? Excellent. Redux II: This is the sequel, or the second part, of "Redux" (LOL, the II at the end would signify that. Pretty obvious, Kathryn ;) It basically deals with the events in the previous, the Cigarette-Smoking Man pressing home the point that Mulder "is much more useful to us alive", Mulder visiting Scully in hospital, the congressional hearings. For me, the most important points in this episode are Mulder meeting Samantha, and the revelation of Blevins as the mole, on Roush Biotechnology's payroll. The best quote from the episode is brilliantly played by WBD: "Quit the FBI. Come work for me." Verdict: Another excellent episode. Detour: You know something? I really enjoyed this. Really liked it. It was very tense for most of the episode, and the trapped-in-the-forest idea, for me, involved me more in the plot and thus made me pay more attention to it. I didn't particularly like the red eyes staring at me from a distance, but, Scully singing was amusing. As was the news I heard that at one EXPO Gill and the audience joined in a chorus of "Joy to the World". Wish I'd been there. Verdict: An enjoyable, scary X-File. Christmas Carol: An amazing episode which I thoroughly enjoyed. Direction, writing, music, and acting practically faultless, particularly by GA. The flashbacks of Scully's life gave the viewer an interesting insight into the events which shaped her before she came into the Bureau, particularly concerning her faith and relationship with Melissa. A beautiful moment [and not just because I'm OBSSE] was when she gave Emily her cross. Also, the ending was a fantastic cliffhanger played perfectly by Gillian. Best quote: "Flinch and you're dead." Verdict? So I like Det. Kresge. So what? Post-Modern Prometheus: I'm going to do something here that will probably astonish you: I'm going to freely admit that I haven't seen this episode in full. I have seen small parts of it, that look both pretty weird and pretty good at the same time. The black and white photography, for example, both adds to the episode and makes a refershing change from the norm. And I've been informed that CO does a pretty good job as the Great Mutato. But until I see it, this review can be designated "Unfinished", and placed by the CSM into the Pentagon... at least for now... Emily: The sequel to "Christmas Carol". I still like this, but not as much as its predecessor: it's slower in some ways. That's probably because it focuses more on Emily and the dealings with the Syndicate. I enjoyed it, however, and there were some excellent parts, especially when it dealt with the relationship between Scully and Emily. Kitsunegari: "Fox hunt". This episode marks the return of Robert 'Pusher' Modell, who first appeared in "Pusher". In my opinion, this episode carried on from where "Pusher" left off. Mulder is still a target for his mind games, for his influence. This time, we discover a woman is related to Modell, his twin, who carries the same influence. I think for me, the end scenes were the most effective, whereupon Mulder is trying to figure out who is the real Scully. Apart from that... the room painted 'cerulean blue' was really well done! Verdict? Different, but enjoyable. Schizogeny: This was quite strange, although it featured some good performances. Again, I think, this goes back to First-Second season, where there weren't as many episodes featuring the Mytharc. Then again, Mulder and Scully are closer than they've ever been to the truth... Verdict? Same for the following episode. Frightening, but good. Chinga: I thought this was quite good. I quite enjoyed the Scully-on-holiday theme, and it was nice to have a return to what could be classed as a First-Season episode. The doll was most definitely King-like and could have come out of one of his horror novels. A quirky X-File. Verdict? Scary, but cool. The special effects at the beginning are excellent. Kill Switch: Yippee! In my humble opinion, the best episode ever - and my all-time favourite. What do I like about it? Where to start? The beginning is classic X-Files, and from then on, it just gets better and better. Some very snappy lines from genii Gibson and Maddox, two great leads [as always] from DD and GA, a attitude-filled performance from Kristen Lehman as the Invisigoth and a fantastic plot add up to what I think is one of the best X-Files ever. Verdict? Amazing. Bad Blood: Hee hee... what can I say? Very, very funny, almost on a scale with "Small Potatoes". An excellent script, as usual, from Vince, and it was good to see both Agents' viewpoints in the way that we did, replaying scenes with Mulder and Scully acting differently - as least, in the way they think they did. The coolest part? When the trailer kept going round... and round... and round... till Mulder decided to stop it. It was still quite scary, IMO, but not 'conventionally' scary. Scary in a horror sort of way. Verdict? Very funny, and very well-acted. Patient X: I love this episode for one main reason. Spender. No, I really like him... I think he's a great character, and, well... this episode is great, too. Let me put forward my POV. This is probably one of the most satisfying Mytharc episodes I've seen so far: Mulder's scepticism surprising, but redeemed with the introduction of Cassandra Spender - a brilliant performance by Veronica Cartwright. The only thing I didn't like was the kiss. You know the one I mean. Yes, that one. Marita and Alex. Two words: No Way. Verdict? Again, excellent, featuring some fantastic performances. The Red and the Black: This episode is a follow-on, if you like, from the previous "Patient X". I think, for me, anyway, the best moment in this episode was when Mulder picked up the small piece of paper on his floor: "Things are looking up" stared back at him... and he was tackled by Alex Krycek, Ratboy himself. IMO, the best part of this scene is the kiss between them, a 'good luck' thing, if you like, NL has been known to claim at many an EXPO. Slash writers may think differently. Verdict? Excellent, but I think you have to see the two episodes as 'one'. Travelers: This was great. I really enjoyed it. It gave the viewer some interesting information concerning Mulder's father, and further enhanced the background of the X-Files Division within the FBI. True, the thing that lurked down people's throats wasn't particularly nice, but when did the content of the X-Files themselves claim to be nice?... Verdict? Great acting, and well-directed. Mind's Eye: This was absolutely amazing, albeit a different, slower content than usual episodes. It boasted a wonderful performance from Lili Taylor as Marty and the rest did an excellent job, too. I didn't know who she was before she appeared in The X-Files, but she is very talented, and, IMO, fitted in well with the rest of a great cast. Verdict? Brilliant. All Souls: A great episode, which probably featured Scully's faith more than most. I found it a little confusing, but it was good as a character-centric piece of work. Again, another brilliant piece of acting by GA and some good supporting by other actors. Well-directed. I enjoyed this. The End: This was great. I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. From the introduction of Fowley to the burning of Mulder's office, it was an episode that I really liked and continue to like. Perhaps it was because it was the 'pinnacle' of the fifth season. Verdict? Great, with some excellent performances - particularly from the boy who plays Gibson Praise. season 6. The Beginning: Hmm. I really didn't know what to expect when I first watched this. I have to admit, I didn't like it that much. Despite a totally disgusting beginning to this episode, which harked back to MOTW episodes [Mulder and Scully investigate things that fly out of people], I disliked Fowley's involvement [because she's on the side of the csm], and I thought that the episode seemed quite confused. It didn't seem to really gather momentum and come together as an episode until the very end... that's enough of the rant, but, IMHO, not a good start to the the season. Especially when Mulder and Scully's duties have been misplaced... Drive: I liked this better. A non-stop episode, with a beginning that really involved the audience, as if we were seeing events as they were actually happening. The direction, acting and editing were all good. A real on-the-edge-of-your-seat type of episode, one that we haven't really seen before. Verdict? Excellent. Reminded me of Kill Switch in some ways. Triangle: I'm a noromo, right? So I wasn't expecting much of this episode, at least in terms of the supposed 'kiss'. In fact, as an episode, I quite liked it. I especially enjoyed the non-stop camera on Scully. I thought that added to this episode, and kept the viewer watching. The acting was good by all of the cast. I liked the mergence of the two Scullys, also. I didn't think this was really an X-Files, however. Perhaps it was the techniques used, or the fact that the setting, both time, and physical, were dramatic changes from normal. As to the kiss, well... I wonder what Sharon would think? The Ghosts That Stole Christmas: Hmm. I don't know about this one. Surreal is the word, I think. I didn't like it that much, since I tend to prefer the 'Mulder and Scully, in the basement office, go out on cases and unusual happenings' episodes generally. The beginning, I think, seemed forced - Mulder happens upon this house, and calls Scully to help him investigate it. On Christmas Eve. Is it an X-File? Or what? We don't get a lot of background in the beginning, as practically all of it is set in the house. Also, Scully's cool, calm, collected aura was broken a little too easily, especially when Mulder shines the light under her face. With all she's seen... however, I'm not surprised she was spooked, especially by the female ghost. It was also quite 'shippy, more so than most episodes - veru much so *too* 'shippy for my liking. However, you didn't seem much of a reaction when their 'bodies' were discovered [as a deceased couple]. So there is hope for us noromos ;) ...Verdict? All right, not one of the best Files I've seen. The inside of the house was cool, though - it looked as though it was made for Cluedo :) all done - for now. more reviews to come... top