The X-Files (S1.Ep20) – “Darkness Falls”

April 18, 2021 Leave a comment

The X-Files (Series 1 – Episode 20) – “Darkness Falls” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Director:Joe Napolitano Writer: Chris Carte Cast: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Jason Beghe

This was another of those “Bottle episodes” which are usually restricted to one location to save money spent on the other episodes. Just like it happened in “Ice”, the constraints somehow help making this one of the strong ones (though apparently filming this was a bit of a nightmare because of weather conditions, in fact if you pay attention the weather/rain continuity is all over the place). The sense of dread and suspense created while Mulder and Scully anxiously wait for the day to arrive hoping the generator will last long enough to supply list for them because “they come at night” is a fairly basic plot line but it’s very effective. I quite like the downbeat ending too, though after all that build up, it all seemed to happen a bit too fast. One of those times where I wished the episodes were a bit longer than those 46 minutes.

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The X-Files (S1-Ep12) – “Fire”

March 25, 2021 Leave a comment

The X-Files Season 1 – Episode 12 – “Fire” ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Director: Larry Shaw Writers: Chris Carter, Chris Carter Cast: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Amanda Pays, Mark Sheppard, Dan Lett.

The story of the “man who can start fires” is not among the most original, but it’s elevated by the rather spooky interpretation of Mark Sheppard (who would later star in both Supernatural and Battlestar Galactica).The script is by Chris Carter who finally seems not just understand the characters better but also to be having fun writing for both Mulder and Scully. What makes this a particularly entertaining episode is the “triangle” between Mulder, Scully and the British Agent, an old-flame (pardon the pun) from Mulder’s past. There’s also something interesting about Mulder being afraid of fire, though they don’t quite resolve that in the most convincing way and by the end they seem to almost forget about it. Overall, a decent episode, though I have to say, watching the back to back, these cliffhanger endings are beginning to feel a bit obvious

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The X-Files (S1 – Ep11) – “Eve”

March 24, 2021 Leave a comment

The X-Files – Season 1 – Episode 11 – “Eve” ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2

Director: Fred Gerber Writers: Chris Carter, Kenneth Biller, Chris Brancato Cast: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Harriet Sansom Harris,  Erika Krievins, Sabrina Krievins, Jerry Hardin.

Here’s the X-Files finally showing the potential of what the series could do. A Intriguing premise, a plot full of twists that keep you guessing and 2 creepy twins (or probably more than 2) in the best horror tradition of freaky children, who as we know can be more terrifying than any monster (just a bit of a shame they can’t act too well, but at least the look the part).The story crams a lot in it but the episode is pretty well paced and never really feels rushed. Equally creepy and unsettling is Harriet Sansom Harris who plays the doctor (or spoiler alert Eve 6), you might have recognise her from her later role in Desperate Housewife (I seem to remember she was pretty weird there too). A nice cameo from Deep throat keeps is all rooted (even if a bit remotely) into the whole mythology saga, which will eventually explore the issue of cloning quite a lot. Good to see Mulder and Scully doing some proper investigation too! Definitely one to add to the watch list.

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The X-Files (S1.Ep10) – “Fallen Angel”

March 24, 2021 Leave a comment

The X-Files – Season 1 – Episode 10 – “Fallen Angel” ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2

Director: Larry Shaw. Writers: Chris Carter, Howard Gordon, Alex Gansa. Cast: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Frederick Coffin, Marshall Bell, Jerry Hardin, Scott Bellis.

At this point in the series the X-Files started really to play with the ideas about government conspiracies. Of course it had all been there right from the start but this is where the show’s so-called “mythology arc” really gets into gear.This will reach great heights towards season 3 (arguably one of the best season not just of the X-Files but to any TV series) and unfortunately it will get itself a bit too tangled up towards the later seasons. It also introduces the shadowy idea that the X-Files could be shut down any moment (and as fans know, this is going to happened more than once) as well as the character Max Fennig, who will come back later on and play a crucial role in season 3. The X-Files is still trying to find the right formula to all these elements which it’s exploring, but even if a lot of this episode is rather unmemorable (in fact it’s as if I was watching it for the first time), a lot of what will make the show great can be seen here, even if in small doses.

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The X-Files (S1.Ep9) – “Space”

March 24, 2021 Leave a comment

Season 1 – Episode 8 – “Space” ⭐️

Director: William A. Graham Writers: Chris Carter Cast: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Ed Lauter 

This is often regarded as the lowest point of the entire 10 year series and I can see why: I complete honesty I cannot find a single redeemable feature in it, from the uninspiring intro all the way to the terrible speeches at the end and everything that was in between.For a start it’s really boring, and that’s its greatest sin: it feels like a 10 minutes story stretched over 40-something. An untrusting story, with bland character and in which Mulder and Scully are basically left to do pretty much nothing but watch other people looking at screens: they bring nothing to the table, neither their experience, not their charm. The actual idea of dealing with real space exploration could have been quite a refreshing change from aliens but its execution is so lame (mixing stock shots of shuttles with a cheap-looking NASA station) that they should have dropped it. I gave this one enough time already, so enough talking about it.The only good thing about watching it today is that to erase it from my memory as quick as possible I can watch another one straight away without having to wait a week.

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