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Reviews
The X Files: Fight Club (2000)
Horrendous episode
Was almost going to say this is the second worst X Files episode after 'First Person Shooter' but at least that one had the good grace to be so bad I was able to stop watching after 5 minutes. This episode is incredibly bad but kept me believing there would be a turn that would make things make sense, but I got fed up with ten minutes left and stopped watching.
This is an absolute stinker. It's played as a "comedic" episode but it has no charm other than the very first lookalike gag that did make me chuckle. There's nothing I can say that others haven't already. Just don't repeat my mistake and give this episode any chance to settle in.
The X Files: Tithonus (1999)
Great episode horrendous ending
This is a really great Scully-centric episode. Many Scully episodes are ones where she's just investigating something vaguely religious or whatever, she hardly gets to flex her FBI muscles. In this one she's paired with some rookie still wet behind the ears and we're reminded that she's one of the most driven and competent agents in the FBI. Mulder takes a back seat aside from providing occasional support, but Scully is finally able to draw her own conclusions. This is a really compelling and interesting central mystery, Geoffrey Lewis is a great feature in this, and I love the characterization of Scully searching for the actual truth while her temporary partner just wants to railroad some guy. The only bad part of this episode is that it ends on the blandest of all possible bowties on the case from Mulder. "Death only comes if you're seeking the opposite" or whatever. It's such a dull way to end what was otherwise a Top 20 episode. It's almost like they ran out of time writing or editing this and just rolled David Duchovny out there half-drunk to figure something out for himself. Obviously they had to do something at the end of the episode to show Scully is alive and well, but I would have much preferred this episode just end with them both bleeding out and Fellig accepting his death. I think it would work fine and give more emotional weight than the utterly bland bedside wrap up Mulder gives us.
Great episode I just wish I was in that editing booth so I could tell Vince Gilligan to try a little harder.
The X Files: All Souls (1998)
Strongest religious episode so far
I have no idea why so many viewers aren't understanding the thread between Mulder and Scully's central episodes. Personally I think this is one of the strongest Scully Faith episodes I've seen so far. Rather than dealing with just blind faith or some weird exorcism or something, Scully actually witnesses something unbelievable and is conflicted about it. I think the central framing of this episode being told retrospectively through a confessional helps square Scully's behavior with her existing characterization as "the skeptical one". Obviously constantly writing Scully as "the skeptical one" would be insanely boring which is why we're given these occasional episodes where Scully is more inclined to believe an unexplained phenomenon than Mulder is. I think the story and visual effects concerning the Seraphin are cool; I think the effects concerning the devil character are a little hokey. All-in-all though I think this is the best execution on the occasional "Scully believes Mulder doesn't" inversion episode.
The X Files: Never Again (1997)
Poorly timed good character study
I think this is poorly slotted into the subplot about Scully finding out she has cancer. I think the writers intended this as Scully's "midlife crisis" upon finding out about the cancer, but I think it feels hollow on that end. Which is a shame because on its own it's a fairly good study of Scully, her backstory, how she engages with her work and the stresses it places on her. It's natural for her to have this rebellion and personal crisis regarding this cancer diagnosis, but this episode is halfway between that actual diagnosis. I think this episode would have benefitted from either taking place before Leonard Betts, or from having an additional buffer before it to give Scully more time to settle into this depression. Much like Mulder in '3' X-Files seems to be okay with directly plunging a character into their own side story about their depressive spiral without enough context. Fortunately this episode is not nearly as confusing and lackluster as '3' was.
The X Files: Paper Hearts (1996)
Beyond the Sea Redux
I'll start by saying I think this is a pretty good episode. I like Tom Noonan as a character actor (love him in Hell on Wheels). There's a fun wink wink line in here about his role as the serial killer in Manhunter that I find fun. But like other reviewers have said Mulder's behavior in this episode is a little hard to square with his other beliefs and what he's already seen about his sister (but he's nowhere near as out of character as in Field Where I Died). Now you could say he was maybe playing the long game against Tom Noonan the whole time, but if that's true the show definitely made no efforts to let us in on that. I'd say my biggest gripe is just that this episode somewhat rehashes the ideas in Beyond the Sea but with a far less compelling plot and, nothing against Tom Noonan, but he's no Brad Dourif. Obviously there are some differences between the two, but in terms of "the team is caught in a tricky investigation and a convicted serial killer seems to be their only hope" they're pretty similar. I watched Season 1 about 2 months ago and I feel like that episode is much crisper in my mind, Dourif's scene command and menace much more captivating, and it's mystery more satisfying yet just as unexplained as this episode.
I don't think it's a bad episode, I just think this is another case of X-Files failing to one up itself on its own concept. We've run into that already and based on some episode synopses it looks like I'll be seeing it again in other episodes.
The X Files: Terma (1996)
Confusing shark jumping mess
I'll be honest I find this to be a really disappointing end to the great setup of the initial first parter. I found this episode insanely hard to follow, packed with absurd twist after twist, and ex machina after ex machina. I just watched it and I probably couldn't explain to you how any of the plot threads from Tunguska were resolved.
The senate hearing felt really obtuse. Mulder shows up just in time but it never seemed like he was truly in danger from the hearing in the first place. The "black cancer" threat was,,, resolved? Mitigated? Covered up? With like,, barely any effort. Mulder seems to be immune from it because of,, plot armor? I don't know. I really genuinely have no idea what was going on for most of this and come away frustrated.
Thankfully it's not a massive slog full of padded runtime like some of the worst episodes are. And thankfully there is still drama to be engaged with and stakes to the "mystery" unlike more boring episodes are. I can't say this truly goes nowhere like some frustrating episodes do, but I can say it fails to resolve in ways that feel satisfying or even engaging. Maybe it's laid some tracks for the meta-plot to follow but as of right now I feel like this episode was a big let down.
The X Files: The Field Where I Died (1996)
Abysmal snooze-fest
This is one of few episodes I've considered skipping part way through because of how completely boring it is. The episode starts strong enough with an interesting cold open followed by some search team heroics. The initial team meeting with the drama about preventing another Waco is dramatic enough. Lots of shows have proven the Waco angle is a rich vein that still captivates audiences. The Criminal Minds Waco parallel episode is a standout for me. We all love a cult it seems.
Anyway, after that scene we lose steam quickly. The multiple personalities gimmick is somewhat interesting if a little played out, but for some reason this episode (and Mulder) force the spook of the week to be something about past-life regression. Is this a semantic contrivance that has basically no effect on the plot to ensue? Yes! Is Mulder really out of character amounts of cranky about it for no discernible reason? Yes! Gone is the teasing happy-go-lucky Mulder of other episodes and in his place is,,,, I dunno, Tony Shaloub in Monk? I have no idea. It's insanely hard to parse Mulder's episode in this. Past lives or DID, either way the episode takes us to a hypnotherapist. Whereas the featured actress does some interesting character work with her multiple personalities over the next 6 minutes we're treated to an absurd closeup of David Duchovny saying some words while barely trying to make his eyes water. This is maybe the most egregious runtime padding of any X-Files episode I've seen so far. If that's not enough though we also get to see Scully thumb through some filing cabinets for the next 4 minutes which provides no advancement of the plot other than unearthing the "mysterious" photographs from the cold open.
Anyway, the episode ends with the FBI & ATF completely botching their second go at the raid. For people so concerned about not repeating Waco or Jonestown they sure don't try to learn from either of those examples. So what was the point of any of the preceding action trying to find some random bunker? Apparently none! Were shown a barn full of dead bodies set to the corniest generic religious choral music of all time and meant to feel sorry for a bunch of people we've never seen on screen or developed any sort of empathy for other than just being told their randos who happen to be in a cult. How'd they end up joining? Do they have captivating lives full of emotional connections? None of your business! And what, am I supposed to believe Mulder believes he's somehow star-crossed lovers with some random woman he meets in one random cult investigation? Believing he and Scully are connected through past lives is one thing, but developing an emotional connection so quickly for some lady who says she saw you die in the Civil War?? What's with all the tears?? Completely unearned. I cared more about Mulder and that freakin vampire chick and that should tell you something.
A bunch of random cliches, brainless plot contrivances, and boring padded runtime add up to this being a total snoozer of an episode that lacks redeeming qualities to watch for. Can't recommend skipping this more.
The X Files: Grotesque (1996)
Underrated creepy episode!
This episode could have had more Kurtwood Smith, but the creep factor on this one is much higher than 'The List'! Sure there's no meta plot in this episode, but it's a great self contained story. David Duchovny basically does what Hugh Dancy ends up doing in Hannibal 20 years later and it's just as compelling and creepy.
I'm surprised to find that people don't find the plot interesting or thematically deep. Plus criticism of the investigation and the relative competence of Mulder and Scully is only seeking to poke holes. All X Files stories need to have varying levels of "competent investigation" for the convenience of the drama, that's the conceit of television, and given the eventual perpetrator I think it can be forgiven that the police didn't catch on sooner.
Great atmospheric episode that shakes up the standard X Files ambiance a little. David Duchovny shines as his sanity diminishes. Worth watching.