PhantomKnight
CS! Gold
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,527 
Likes: 3,130
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 0:32:12 GMT -5
|
Post by PhantomKnight on Oct 15, 2023 12:46:48 GMT -5
I finished Season 1 back on the 6th and am currently just over halfway through Season 2.
My overall thoughts on Season 1 are that it's quite good and very solidly laid the groundwork for what the show needed to be. In retrospect, like I said before, it makes sense that they were more focused on establishing the feel of the show, the underlying structure of it, the characters, atmosphere, etc. And the fact that they were able to deliver a number of really good and engaging standalone episodes as the season went on certainly helped. They weren't all winners, though. Episode 9, Space, for example, was honestly pretty dull. But this is a good example of a season getting stronger as it goes on and the Season 1 finale, The Erlenmeyer Flask, was very thrilling and leaves things in an exciting place.
And as a result, Season 2 has been even stronger and really delivering on the promise of the show. Even though it was necessitated by Gillian Anderson's pregnancy at the time, the arc of the first eight episodes of Season 2 gave the show a solid creative drive and it represents what I like to see in these network procedurals: a strong mix of standalone episodes with serialized elements running throughout. And Episode 2.08, One Breath, has got to be one of the best X-Files episodes so far -- if not THE best. They really have been hitting their stride here. The most recent one I watched last night was Die Hand Die Verletzt, the one about the town with demon worshippers on the school board who bring forth an actual demon (played by Mr. Kaplan from The Blacklist lol), and where Bulldog from Frasier gets eaten whole by a boa constrictor, and I love when this show can also go full-on horror like that.
Glad I finally started watching this show.
|
|
IanTheCool
CS! Gold
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 21,492
Likes: 2,864
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 7:37:07 GMT -5
|
Post by IanTheCool on Oct 15, 2023 13:13:09 GMT -5
I finished Season 1 back on the 6th and am currently just over halfway through Season 2.
My overall thoughts on Season 1 are that it's quite good and very solidly laid the groundwork for what the show needed to be. In retrospect, like I said before, it makes sense that they were more focused on establishing the feel of the show, the underlying structure of it, the characters, atmosphere, etc. And the fact that they were able to deliver a number of really good and engaging standalone episodes as the season went on certainly helped. They weren't all winners, though. Episode 9, Space, for example, was honestly pretty dull. But this is a good example of a season getting stronger as it goes on and the Season 1 finale, The Erlenmeyer Flask, was very thrilling and leaves things in an exciting place.
And as a result, Season 2 has been even stronger and really delivering on the promise of the show. Even though it was necessitated by Gillian Anderson's pregnancy at the time, the arc of the first eight episodes of Season 2 gave the show a solid creative drive and it represents what I like to see in these network procedurals: a strong mix of standalone episodes with serialized elements running throughout. And Episode 2.08, One Breath, has got to be one of the best X-Files episodes so far -- if not THE best. They really have been hitting their stride here. The most recent one I watched last night was Die Hand Die Verletzt, the one about the town with demon worshippers on the school board who bring forth an actual demon (played by Mr. Kaplan from The Blacklist lol), and where Bulldog from Frasier gets eaten whole by a boa constrictor, and I love when this show can also go full-on horror like that.
Glad I finally started watching this show.
Excellent. Glad to hear. Yeah, the season 1 finale is pretty awesome. Space is almost always mentioned as one of the worst episodes of the series. But when you have episodes like Ice and Eve around it, its fine.
The arc at the beginning of season 2 is crucial for the entire series going forward, pretty much. Die Hand has always been one of my favourites. So creepy. I'm excited for you to get to the big story arc that starts at the end of this season.
|
|
PhantomKnight
CS! Gold
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,527
Likes: 3,130
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 0:32:12 GMT -5
|
Post by PhantomKnight on Oct 30, 2023 19:06:39 GMT -5
I'm now currently 2/3rds of the way through Season 3. Last night, I watched Piper Maru and Aprocrypha, the 2-parter that introduces the Black Oil and also where Skinner is targeted for not closing the case of Scully's murdered sister. I am still really digging this show, and they sure know how to pull off these various 2 or 3-parters that tie into the overall alien mythology. Speaking of, the three-episode arc that closes out Season 2 and opens Season 3 are some of the best of the show so far. I was even so into the first two, that when each of them ended, I was surprised because it did NOT feel like 45 minutes had gone by. Also, I'd watched The Blessing Way late on Sunday night of last week, but the ending made me want to keep going, so I did -- even it was close to 1 a.m. lol, but I went back the next night and re-watched Paper Clip. Seriously some of the most gripping and suspenseful episodes they've done up to this point. But then there's Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose, which has got to be one of my favorite episodes so far, if not my favorite, period. The writing in that one is just so beautiful and sad and great, and Peter Boyle is fantastic in it. Just goes to show that The X-Files is just as strong at crafting the standalones as they are the mythology episodes.
Oh, and I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Nisei and 731, the two-parter dealing with the train with the alien body and bomb on board/the alien abductee support group that Scully comes across, as well as War of the Coprophages -- probably one of the most unsettling for me, personally, and the tongue-in-cheek 4th wall break of the roach scurrying across the screen. Darin Morgan has sure been one of the standout writers for the show so far.
|
|
IanTheCool
CS! Gold
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 21,492
Likes: 2,864
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 7:37:07 GMT -5
|
Post by IanTheCool on Oct 30, 2023 19:32:19 GMT -5
Yeah, I love that three parter. Its great stuff. Perhaps my favourite of the series. Clyde Bruckman's may be their most celebrated episode, but Morgan has another one coming up I also love a lot.
|
|
PhantomKnight
CS! Gold
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,527
Likes: 3,130
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 0:32:12 GMT -5
|
Post by PhantomKnight on Oct 30, 2023 21:45:34 GMT -5
I just got done watching Pusher, Vince Gilligan's second episode. Another VERY strong standalone.
|
|
IanTheCool
CS! Gold
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 21,492
Likes: 2,864
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 7:37:07 GMT -5
|
Post by IanTheCool on Nov 5, 2023 19:54:03 GMT -5
Rewatching the show, I'm really liking Doggett as a character. Monica Reyes on the other hand...
Watching the actress try to hold her own with Gillian Anderson and Robert Patrick is just kinda sad.
|
|
PhantomKnight
CS! Gold
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,527
Likes: 3,130
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 0:32:12 GMT -5
|
Post by PhantomKnight on Nov 5, 2023 20:07:12 GMT -5
Finished Season 3 last night. The show's still going strong for me. One thing I haven't mentioned yet is how much I've really come to like Skinner as a character. Partly because Mitch Pileggi is just so damn good, but also because they've done a good job of developing him as an ally to Mulder and Scully. I quite liked the episode near the end of Season 3 that was mostly about him and his personal life and the case of the week intersecting.
|
|
IanTheCool
CS! Gold
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 21,492
Likes: 2,864
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 7:37:07 GMT -5
|
Post by IanTheCool on Nov 28, 2023 18:24:39 GMT -5
|
|
PhantomKnight
CS! Gold
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,527
Likes: 3,130
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 0:32:12 GMT -5
|
Post by PhantomKnight on Nov 28, 2023 19:26:50 GMT -5
Got two episodes left to go in Season 4, and again, another very strong season overall. The Scully cancer storyline has brought in a new layer to the dynamic of the show that's just as interesting, and both the mythology and standalone episodes continue to be compelling each in their own right -- with some exceptions. The episode about the idea of past lives, for example, came off as kind of forced and wooden to me, the El Chupacabra one was sort of lame, but for every one that maybe doesn't hit, there are others that make up for them. Home is definitely one, probably one of the best standalone episodes so far, along with Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man, Paper Hearts, Small Potatoes, Never Again (with Jodie Foster as the voice of a tattoo), etc. Also, Zero Sum has been one of the best mythology episodes so far for me. They've definitely been hitting a stride overall. |
|
IanTheCool
CS! Gold
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 21,492
Likes: 2,864
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 7:37:07 GMT -5
|
Post by IanTheCool on Nov 28, 2023 19:52:55 GMT -5
The past lives episode is awful, I definitely noticed that on this rewatch. I kinda like the el chupacabra one though.
|
|
PhantomKnight
CS! Gold
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,527
Likes: 3,130
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 0:32:12 GMT -5
|
Post by PhantomKnight on Nov 28, 2023 20:08:02 GMT -5
The past lives episode is awful, I definitely noticed that on this rewatch. David Duchovny's acting in that episode, especially when he's in the trance, felt so emotionless. It was especially disappointing, too, cause it was a Glen Morgan & James Wong episode. |
|
PhantomKnight
CS! Gold
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,527
Likes: 3,130
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 0:32:12 GMT -5
|
Post by PhantomKnight on Dec 5, 2023 12:41:17 GMT -5
Okay, I'm onto Season 5 now. Two episodes in.
Of all the season ending/opening stories so far, I think Gethsemane and Redux I and II might constitute the weakest. Mainly because they try to put forth the idea that all of the alien conspiracy stuff is a hoax when, especially all these years later, we know that's bullshit. I mean, there's still six seasons (counting the two revival ones) and two movies to go, and suuuure, all of these events have been a hoax. Right. Also, the cliffhanger for Season 4 was weak as well. I don't know if it played all that much better back in '97, either, because it was common knowledge that a movie was already in the works, right? So, did they really expect people to believe that Mulder had killed himself? It just seems pointless. That said, Redux Part II still proved to be a pretty compelling episode, but I can't help but feel that the hoax idea is just proving to be a pointless detour.
|
|
IanTheCool
CS! Gold
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 21,492
Likes: 2,864
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 7:37:07 GMT -5
|
Post by IanTheCool on Dec 5, 2023 17:54:16 GMT -5
Kind of, but there are a lot of elements of the hoax that are substantial in what is happening overall
|
|
thebtskink
CS! Silver
Join Date: Jul 2000
It puts the lotion on its skin or else it gets the hose again.
Posts: 19,462
Likes: 4,984
Location:
Last Online Nov 21, 2024 13:25:50 GMT -5
|
Post by thebtskink on Dec 7, 2023 17:56:31 GMT -5
|
|
IanTheCool
CS! Gold
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 21,492
Likes: 2,864
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 7:37:07 GMT -5
|
Post by IanTheCool on Dec 7, 2023 18:02:10 GMT -5
Huh, missing song, that's kinda neat
|
|
IanTheCool
CS! Gold
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 21,492
Likes: 2,864
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 7:37:07 GMT -5
|
Post by IanTheCool on Dec 26, 2023 17:31:59 GMT -5
|
|
PhantomKnight
CS! Gold
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,527
Likes: 3,130
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 0:32:12 GMT -5
|
Post by PhantomKnight on Dec 27, 2023 13:50:57 GMT -5
Slowed down just a bit in recent weeks. I still have six episodes to go in Season 5, then I get to the first movie. The most recent episodes I watched were the 2-parter that introduced the faceless alien colonists and which apparently sets up the movie, partially. In true X-Files fashion, it was a strong 2-parter. Also in true X-Files fashion, lots of really good standalones this season, too. The Post-Modern Prometheus (black and white episode) and Bad Blood (the comedic He Said, She Said kind of episode) have been two of the highlights. Wasn't crazy about Unusual Suspects, aka the Lone Gunmen origins episode/the series' 100th -- I know that was because production on the movie was still wrapping up at the time, and Fox wanted to get the new season rolling at the time, so they went with that idea, but it's still odd that the official 100th episode was...that. The Stephen King co-written episode definitely had his hallmarks and the one co-written by William Gibson was good, too. Overall, another strong season so far. |
|
IanTheCool
CS! Gold
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 21,492
Likes: 2,864
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 7:37:07 GMT -5
|
Post by IanTheCool on Dec 27, 2023 14:30:52 GMT -5
I like the Gibson episode quite a bit more than the King episode. Bad Blood is just plain great.
|
|
PhantomKnight
CS! Gold
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,527
Likes: 3,130
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 0:32:12 GMT -5
|
Post by PhantomKnight on Dec 27, 2023 14:53:14 GMT -5
I like the Gibson episode quite a bit more than the King episode. Bad Blood is just plain great. Agreed, re: Gibson and King. And honestly, Bad Blood might be one of my favorite episodes so far, period. The writing in that episode is just fantastic, and the comedy doesn't feel forced at all. |
|
thebtskink
CS! Silver
Join Date: Jul 2000
It puts the lotion on its skin or else it gets the hose again.
Posts: 19,462
Likes: 4,984
Location:
Last Online Nov 21, 2024 13:25:50 GMT -5
|
Post by thebtskink on Dec 27, 2023 15:06:02 GMT -5
Yeah, that King ep isn't his best work.
|
|
PhantomKnight
CS! Gold
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,527
Likes: 3,130
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 0:32:12 GMT -5
|
Post by PhantomKnight on Dec 27, 2023 17:03:35 GMT -5
Apparently, Chris Carter re-wrote King's script so much, that he not only ended up having to get a co-writing credit, but the final product is more Carter's work than it is King's.
|
|
PhantomKnight
CS! Gold
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,527
Likes: 3,130
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 0:32:12 GMT -5
|
Post by PhantomKnight on Jan 9, 2024 14:52:34 GMT -5
The X-Files: Fight the Future (1998)
My first time watching The X-Files TV show has now brought me to the first feature film, released in theaters in-between Seasons 5 and 6 and continuing the series' overarching alien mythology storyline in a significant way. I've really liked what I've seen of the show thus far, in terms of both its standalone "Monster of the Week" episodes and its mythology ones. This film, subtitled Fight the Future, is pretty emblematic of what makes those mythology episodes so interesting in the first place, just done on a bigger scale. You can't really talk about Fight the Future as a standalone film, because it really isn't (although, I would say those unfamiliar with the show might be able to follow the plot in its broad strokes, but would miss out on the nuances/particular details). So, as pretty much an extended/big-scale mythology episode of the show, this movie delivers on what fans want. I quite enjoyed seeing a piece of the alien mythology play out on this grand a scale, and Chris Carter's screenplay leans comfortably into the show's conspiracy-fueled roots, in turn making this an effective conspiracy thriller mixed in with the sci-fi/horror aspects we've come to expect. I especially liked the Third Act of this movie, what with its very Alien-esque overtones and production design. David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson slip into their roles with natural ease, and I liked how this movie honed in on/emphasized the significance of both to each other while still managing to keep the status quo intact...at least, for now. But most importantly, the movie offers up a significant puzzle piece/revelation in regards to the alien arc that feels satisfactory/worthy of inclusion in a feature film, and building a larger-scale story around it to successful results. Making a big-budget movie of a popular TV show in the middle of said series' run always sounded like a tricky endeavor, but credit to Chris Carter, director Rob Bowman and crew for managing to make it work this well.
Now, back to our regularly-scheduled programming...
***/****
|
|
IanTheCool
CS! Gold
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 21,492
Likes: 2,864
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 7:37:07 GMT -5
|
Post by IanTheCool on Jan 9, 2024 18:01:22 GMT -5
I love the movie. I haven't seen the second movie in a long time, but now that we are finished the series, I think we'll watch it as a capper.
|
|
PhantomKnight
CS! Gold
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,527
Likes: 3,130
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 0:32:12 GMT -5
|
Post by PhantomKnight on Mar 5, 2024 20:26:26 GMT -5
Been progressing more slowly on this, post-Season 5 and the first film, but I finished Season 6 last night. I know the consensus seems to be the show was at its peak in Seasons 2-5, but I gotta say...I thought Season 6 was quite strong overall. I was admittedly thrown a bit by it having so many comedic episodes near the beginning, but it quickly settled into a nice groove. There were so many really good and even great standalones this season -- The Unnatural, Field Trip, Drive, Triangle, Monday, SR 819, Tithonus, Milagro, to name a few -- and I honestly appreciated that they wrapped up The Syndicate storyline this season, because that really was threatening to collapse in on itself, and they wrapped it up very compellingly. There's still very much gas left in the tank here. Although, I still might wait a bit/watch some seasons of other shows first before starting Season 7.
|
|
IanTheCool
CS! Gold
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 21,492
Likes: 2,864
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 7:37:07 GMT -5
|
Post by IanTheCool on Mar 5, 2024 21:31:15 GMT -5
Yeah, season 6 is really solid. Tithonus in particular I thought was excellent.
|
|
