The X-Files (S1. Ep4) “Conduit”

The X-Files (Season 1 – Episode 4 ) “Conduit” ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Director: Daniel Sackheim Writers:  Chris Carter, Alex Gansa, Howard Gordon Cast: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Carrie Snodgress

The episode is the first piece of a puzzle of one of the most vital subplot of the entire series: what happened to Mulder’s younger sister, Samantha, her possible abduction by aliens hence what drove him to start chasing little green men (or “gray” as he’s quick to point out). It’s clearly draws from films like Poltergeist as one little boy seems to be getting information from “somewhere else” though his TV set. I guess at this stage in the game the X-Files was really trying to find its own voice ripping off from already established movies and stories. Little did we know that in a few years the series will become the benchmark any alien abduction, creepy stories and the perfectly leads fir any series. This one is a rather average episode with a couple of good ideas but essential information for the rest of the series. Also it has a great final line which is as classic as they get on the X-Files: “I want to believe” (which will also become the title of the second feature film from 2008).

The X-Files (S1.Ep3) – “Squeeze”

The X-Files – Series 1 – Episode 3 – “Squeeze”

Director: Harry Longstreet Writers: Chris Carter, Glen Morgan, James Wong Cast: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Doug Hutchison 

The idea of a killer who comes out from the sewers every 30 years clearly owes a lot to Stephen King’s “It”and it is the first “monster-of-the-week” episode of the series (and one of those most memorable). It was also one of the scariest thing on TV at the time and aside from some pretty dodgy slow-motion effect during one of the killings, it’s still quite effective today, mainly thanks for Doug Hutchison’s terrifying portrayal of Tooms. In fact this character became successful that they decided to bring him back for another stint towards the end of the first season in an episode aptly entitled “Tooms”.The final scene in which Tooms is in jail licking newspapers strips to make a nest our of them and looking at at a small opening for his way out, is one of the creepiest images from the season. This is definitely a strong episode, despite various problems they had during the filming, including the director being fired (Apparently the episodes was saved in the editing room). “Squeeze” was written by Glen Morgan and James Wong who later went on to write produce and direct the movie “Final Destination”.

It’s also the first episode where Scully first shows her loyalty for Mulder against FBI rivals, adding a tiny little brick to their relationship. And incidentally this is the episode where they took the footage of Mulder and Scully walking through a door holding 2 flashlights swhich was then used for the iconic title sequence.

The X-Files (S1.Ep2): “Deep Throat”

X-Files (Season 1 – Episode 2): “Deep Throat” ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Director: Daniel Sackheim. Writers: Chris Carter, Chris Carter. Cast: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Jerry Hardin, Seth Green.

This is the episode which really sets up the so-called “X-Files Mythology” about Aliens, alien technology and Government conspiracy. It’s also the one that introduced us to the Deep Throat character who will become an essential part of this first seasonIt’s an essential episode which sets in motion so many elements which will become classic X-Files tropes, but also in a typical X-Files fashion it will leave most of the questions unanswered, so much so that a voice over was required at the end to help the audience a little bit (and even that became a signature of the series).I have to be honest, maybe because I’ve seen all the other episodes after this and I am used to a lot more outrageous events, or maybe because it’s based to commonly known stories and legends about Area 51 or the Roswell UFO incident, on this repeated viewing, I found it slightly weaker than the pilot and more obvious episode, though it does have a great ending and one of the most intriguing final lines: “They’ve been here for a long time”. Classic!! Duchovny and Anderson once again show their comedic timing while arguing about how possible or impossible the existence of aliens is. This is something they’ll do over and over again and yet they will always keep it fresh and make it work seamlessly. It is always a pleasure to watch is Gillian Anderson’s bemused smile as she tries to argue her way though Mulder’s theories. This was clearly not something in the script and yet their performances added the extra level of chemistry between the two of them.Something I have just realised, the title sequence had not ben worked out properly yet and it’s actually different from what it’s going to look like. Also worth mentioning the stoner character played by Seth Green (before his role in Buffy or Austin Power), the first of the many recognisable actors who went on to do many other things after this.