The Tempus Fugit/Max two-parter is quite unique to mythology episodes. It deals with the alien conspiracy, but in a very small, concentrated way. I think it loses a little something without the syndicate or Krycek being involved. It just resolves around the mysterious item that Max Fennig was carrying and the nameless man trying to cover it all up. The suspense and drama are still what carry this two-parter, because the story really doesn't advance the alien conspiracy mythology at all. But with Rob Bowman and Kim Manners directing these episodes, they are still fun to watch. I like Kim's use of showing Mulder and Scully's reflections while watching the Max Fennig tape. Showing the back flash of the passengers getting sucked out of the airplane was quite amazing, like a big budget film. It's nice to see Scully show a sense of humor again(these two episodes are kind of unique in that way), when she expresses that she fears the mental institution might lock Mulder up as well. Finally, it is sad that they killed off Agent Pendrill's character. He was so fun to watch with his crush on Scully. I wish they hadn't done that, but no one is safe from dying on the x-files. No one.
Review of Max
