X-files - more season 1 reviews

Episode 11 – Eve

Two men are exsanguinated (their blood mostly drained) in identical deaths where the only witnesses are their daughters, both eerily similar. The girls are then both abducted. Initially Mulder believes alien abduction is involved, but it gradually turns out that both daughters were conceived with IVF. The doctor involved, Dr. Kendrick is one of a number of cloned ‘super soldiers’ created in the government sponsored Lichfield Experiment. She is trying to continue the cloning process. It turns out that one of the original clones is responsible for the abduction. The two girls manage to escape their captor by poisoning her. As Mulder and Scully take them back home, they try the same trick on them and attempt to escape. Mulder realises just in time and manages to recapture the girls who are then held in a ‘safe’ place. We see at the end, that the doctor attending them is Dr. Kendrick.

This was, I think, the first episode of The X-files that I ever saw, and as such, is one of my favourites so far. The story twists and turns nicely and the two girls are suitably spooky. It is interesting to see that the two girls rather strongly resemble images of Mulder's sister we see later in the series.

Episode 12 – Fire

Members of British aristocracy are being burnt alive, with no clear cause of the fires. Mulder is approached by an old flame, Phoebe Green, from his days in Oxford who wants his assistance in solving the case. They are assigned to help protect Sir Malcolm Marsden and his family as they arrive in the US. The psychotic killer, who can somehow create and control fire, has followed them and taken the place of the caretaker for their home. As he gets closer to the family, Mulder becomes drawn back into his old relationship. Mulder must overcome his fear of fire in order to rescue the family and Scully from the killer.

This episode has moments of brilliance – the special effects are impressive, and Mark Sheppard plays the psycho killer very well. It is also interesting to see how Scully’s jealousy of Mulder’s relationship with Phoebe develops. However, the ridiculously plumy ‘British’ characters, and the Mulder’s rather unnecessary phobia overcoming actions do stop this from being a classic episode.

Episode 13 – Beyond the Sea

Scully sees a vision of her father, only to receive a phone call immediately afterwards from her mother to say that he has passed away. Two teenagers are abducted by a serial killer and the only lead is Luther Lee Boggs, a killer who is days away from the gas chamber and who claims a psychic connection with the victims. He draws in Scully by claiming to have a message from her recently deceased father. Mulder has previous dealings with Boggs however, and is doubtful. Acting on initial information leads Mulder into a trap where he is shot. Scully persists though, but fails to get Boggs the clemency he wants. He does eventually hand over the information to her, and she is lead to the killer, who dies in a fall as he escapes. Scully avoids the danger after a warning from Boggs. Boggs offers Scully her father’s message if she will be a witness to his death, but she chooses to attend to Mulder instead.

This is clearly the standout episode of the series so far. It is no surprise to see Brad Dourif play an unhinged character such as Boggs, but he does it very well. It is interesting to see something of a role reversal with Mulder playing the sceptic and Scully the one who is more inclined to believe Boggs. However, this episode belongs to Gillian Anderson, who puts in an astonishing performance. Although she has done well in the series so far, there has not been anything to suggest she is as good as this The Silence of the Lambs style confrontation with Boggs is easily awards worthy.

Episode 14 – Gender Bender

A man picks up a woman in a club and takes her home. After they have had sex, he suddenly begins foaming at the mouth and dies. The ‘woman’ he picked up appears to morph into a man and leaves. Mulder links the case with previous ones where the victims have alternated between being male and female. The deaths have been caused by extremely strong concentrations of pheromones. Mulder finds that the deaths have originated in Massachusetts, near where an Amish style religious sect resides. The agents do not get many answers from the sect but Scully encounters a man who has a mysterious hold on her. Meanwhile, Mulder observes an odd embalming type ceremony. It turns out that one of the sect members has left and may be responsible for the deaths. Meanwhile, an escaped victim of the killer leads Mulder and Scully to him . he escapes, only to be caught by the sect members who take him away. When Mulder and Scully return to the community, they find it abandoned with only unusual crop circles left.

Much like the gender bending killer, this episode is rather confused. The sect is clearly implied to be an alien species, but can they all shift gender – and what exactly is the purpose of this? Some atmospheric scenes lift this a little but the viewer is ultimately left rather unsatisfied.

Episode 15 – Lazarus

Scully is helping a fellow officer, Jack Willis catch a serial bank robber, Warren Dupre and his wife Lula. As they attempt to apprehend Dupre, he shoots Willis and Scully returns fire, killing Dupre. As doctors rush to save Willis, there seems to be some sort of body swap as Dupre’s spirit invades Willis’ body. Scully’s previous relationship with Willis clouds her judgement as Mulder is convinced that he is possessed by the criminal. Scully is taken hostage by Willis and Lula, where it turns out that Lula had double crossed Dupre. As Mulder just gets to Scully in time, the diabetes Willis suffered from kills him.

Although this case ends up as an X-File, Scully's initial involvement is rather unclear. This episode suffers from some rather average performances from the actors playing Willis and Lula. It is a shame as the connections with Scully’s past could have thrown up some interesting situations. Unfortunately, this will just go down as one of those ‘interesting idea but average execution’ episodes.

Episode 16 – Young at Heart.

1989 – a prisoner witnesses a doctor treating another inmate, John Barnett, but the doctor threatens him and tells him the inmate is dead, although we clearly see the ‘corpse’ blink. Cut to the present day and Mulder’s past seems to come back to haunt him as the supposed ‘dead’ prisoner is recommitting crimes and threatening Mulder, who had previously testified against him. John Barnett had been treated by Dr. Ridley, who had developed an anti-aging procedure. Deepthroat reveals to Mulder that Barnett is in contact with the government and is trying to do a deal with them to hand over the anti-aging secrets. Barnett attempts to attack Scully but is shot by Mulder and dies on an operating table without handing over the secrets.

A pretty solid episode with yet more clues about Mulder’s past and present personality. We get to see maybe why he does not follow the rule book too closely in this episode. There are some good ideas about meddling with nature and we get to see a very brief appearance from CSM as he attempts to get the information about the anti-aging process from Barnett before he dies.

X-files - Season 1 reviews

So here goes!

Episode 1 – Pilot

Scully meets Mulder for the first time as she is asked to report on the validity of his work. Together they investigate the mysterious deaths of several young people in Oregon. Mulder is convinced that they show signs of alien abduction, but Scully is more sceptical. They eventually find the man responsible to be Billy Miles, a teenager who has been in a ‘waking coma’ at hospital. He claims that he has been abducted and taken for testing on a ship. Scully’s report cannot support or refute this claim. The only evidence she has is a small metallic nasal implant that ends up in CIA hands with the Cigarette Smoking Man (CSM).

An impressive opening, it is easy to see why this was picked up for a full series. The chemistry between the leads is already significant and the show is well scripted. It has a dark, dreariness that must have been pretty original in the mid 1990’s. Acting is strong in most cases, though a bit wooden in parts. The only ‘effects’ seem a little dated, but this actually enhances the show, making clear that it is about story and character over flashiness. The idea of a wider conspiracy is toyed with and major aspects to follow including CSM and the abduction of Mulder’s sister are given to us.

Episode 2 – Deep Throat

Mulder and Scully investigate the disappearance of a test pilot in Idaho after he has been affected by a skin disorder. He suspects a military cover up. He is warned off by a mysterious man in a bar and realises his phone is tapped. Once there, he believes that UFO parts are being used by the military to build planes. After the pilot returns, apparently having had some of his memory wiped, the agents are told by the military to leave town. Mulder takes off on his own and enters the base, where he sees a UFO like plane. He is then captured and injected with an unknown substance. As he is stretchered through the base, he appears to see the UFO plane but then has his memory altered. He cannot remember what he saw when he is released. Mulder meets with the mysterious man again, who implies that what he saw was a UFO and that aliens do exist – he also tells Mulder that his and Scully’s lives could be in danger.

Apart from an abrupt change in hairstyles for the leads, this continues with the good work. Again, a major character, Deepthroat, is introduced. We also get some idea of the steps Mulder is willing to go to to prove the existences of extra-terrestrials – and how far the cover up could reach. The chemistry continues positively and there is a humorous appearance from a young Seth Green. This also sees the familiar theme tune and title for the first time,

Episode 3 – Squeeze

Scully is approached by a ruthlessly ambitious colleague to look at the case of a serial killer who takes the liver of his victims. On investigation, Mulder finds a fingerprint tying the killer to a similar cases that have happened every 30 years since 1903. They discover the killer is Eugene Tooms and that he can seemingly squeeze and stretch himself to gain access to his victims homes. As Mulder and Scully get near to catching their suspect, he attacks Scully at home. As Mulder comes to the rescue, the two agents manage to capture Tooms, though it is implied he may not be able to be kept behind bars for long.

This is the first episode that takes on a ‘horror’ style and is genuinely creepy. It is also the first 'stand-alone' episode. Tooms makes a disturbing character whose motives and origins are never fully explained. We also see some of the hostility that the other agents have towards ‘Spooky’ Mulder and the loyalty that Scully has now developed. A memorable episode that will remain one of the greats.

Episode 4 – Conduit

Sioux City Iowa – a teenage girl, Ruby, disappears while camping with her little brother. She is the daughter of a woman who claimed to have seen UFOs when younger. When Mulder and Scully investigate, they find that Ruby has a reputation for running away. The case is similar to that of Mulder’s sister’s disappearance and he becomes obsessed. Her brother appears to be channelling digital messages though, writing what seems like nonsense in binary, which, when analysed, shows significant writings, art and music. Eventually, Ruby returns, showing signs of alien abduction but her mother wants to say she had run away. The episode ends with a tape of Mulder speaking of the night his sister was abducted.

A moving episode, which showcases some strong acting from Duchovny. This sort of story will become fairly typical of the X-Files. The theme of Mulder’s true obsession is well developed in this Close Encounters influenced episode.

Episode 5 – The Jersey Devil

A man is dragged into the woods and eaten alive in New Jersey in 1947. A ‘wild man’ is chased down and shot by the sheriffs department. In the present day and there has been a similar case. The case resembles the myth of the Jersey Devil. Mulder goes against the local authorities and sleeps on the streets to try to catch the ‘devil’. It turns out that it is actually a wild woman who is killing and eating people. Mulder and Scully attempt to catch the woman alive, but the local police shoot her dead.

What starts out as a ‘horror’ episode takes on a more human story by the end, with us having sympathy for the wild woman. We see something of Scully’s personal life in this episode as she goes on a date. We also see how strong the connection she has with Mulder is. A fairly average entry into the X-files, though the reveal in the last scene is rather predictable!

Episode 6 – Shadows

In Philadelphia, a secretary mourning the suicide of her boss, Lauren Kite is attacked at an ATM machine by two thugs, both of whom then turn up dead, their throats apparently crushed from the inside. Could Lauren be capable of telekinesis? Mulder and Scully come up against the NSA who are investigating the company for terrorist connections. It turns out that Lauren’s boss was murdered and his ghost is protecting her from the new boss of the business who is determined to shut her up. With the culprits caught, Lauren moves to a new city – has her boss moved with her?

A neat little ghost story which takes some unexpected directions. This episode is let down by some daytime soap standard acting, with the pre-credits scene being particularly horrific. The terrorist links are interesting in the current climate and no doubt would be played up more nowadays.

Episode 7 – Ghost in The Machine

In Virginia, the MD of Eurisko, a computer company dies in an accident that seems to have been caused by the computer system. Mulder is asked to assist by an old colleague who is trying to get himself out of trouble. He claims Mulders work as his own and is eventually killed by the out of control Artificial Intelligence System. Eventually Mulder succeeds in shutting down the system which several government departments are attempting to get their hands on.

Probably the weakest entry into the catalogue so far. Some interesting ideas, but this all seems a little dated. Yet more themes of ambitious colleagues from Mulder and Scully’s past that will come up again. Another appearance from Deepthroat makes things interesting but this will not go down as one of the best episodes.

Episode 8 – Ice

Contact is lost with a research team in Alaska so Mulder, Scully and a group of research scientists fly out to investigate. They find that all the previous inhabitants had been infected with a parasite that made the hosts violent to each other. As the team become infected, they become increasingly paranoid and two members die. Scully discovers that if they introduce a second parasite to the body, they will kill each other off and they cure the final host. After they are evacuated, the base is allegedly destroyed.

It is unclear whether this is a homage or a copy of John Carpenter’s The Thing. However, originality aside and this episode has some great touches. The increasing paranoia allows some heated arguments between the two agents and we get to see how much they have grown to trust each other. The scene where they check each other for parasites is brimming with sexual chemistry. Xander Berkley makes his obligatory appearance in the series and a young Felicity Huffman also features.

Episode 9 – Space

A space shuttle pilot in charge of NASA mission control is seemingly possessed by an alien spirit in the form of the face of Mars. Mulder is called in when a NASA scientist suspects sabotage and they assist in getting a space shuttle safely back to Earth

This is a pretty bad episode with little of interest, other than Mulder’s passion for the Space Programme. It is not clear why space shuttle sabotage could be an X-file and everything feels forced. File this one under forgettable.

Episode 10 – Fallen Angel

An alien ship crash lands in Wisconsin and Mulder investigates. There is a military cover up going on and Mulder is caught by an aggressive commander. While he is being held, he meets Max Fenig, a UFO obsessive. Mulder is tasked to take Mulder home but they continue to investigate. Meanwhile, the military are attempting to apprehend the aggressive, Predator style alien. Mulder believes that Max is an alien abductee when he finds a strange incision behind his ear. Mulder, Max and the alien are trapped in a warehouse by the military where Max is seemingly abducted by the alien as they both vanish. Mulder is left to face the music for his actions but Deep Throat has clearly pukked strings to save his career – but for what reasons – does he want to help Mulder, or just keep him on side.

Though this episode starts slowly, it ends brilliantly, with Duchovny clearly finding his stride as an angry Mulder facing a tribunal. Marshall Bell, a sci-fi standard, acts well though the role is fairly familiar to him. We also meet the character of Max Fenig who will reappear later. Scully has rather little to do in an episode where the alien is something of a MacGuffin. The superb closing scene makes us question the motives of Mulder’s supposed ally.

The X-Files Marathon

Having purchased a copy of the entire X-files back catalogue for the bargain price of £75 from HMV (that's nearly 150 hours of screen time!) I am going to gradually work my way through the shows. With not much to do at the moment, I will probably get through a good few episodes over the next week or so. I will give regular reviews as I go along
**SPOILERS**
As I will give a brief synopsis of each episode, I will not hold back from spoilers in my reviews. You have been warned so no complaints!