21 reviews
For the first five years the X-files didn't have a Holiday episode. This is one of the best Holiday episodes that I've seen. I'm not going to write about the plot that I can say is marvelous. Let me tell you the the acting that is great, the music really wraps you in the mood for the episode, the lightning is very good, and yes: The plot is more than good. Wonderful performances by Edward Asner and Lily Tomlin spice the episode. Just four characters in a mix that really made a Merry Merry Christmas.
Mulder and Scully find themselves in a situation where they need to thrust themselves and maybe they have to find out about how much they care about each other and maybe how much they love each other. Of course the plot wouldn't have worked without previous knowledge about how Mulder and Scully think. Maybe if you see this episode as your first X files episode it wouldn't make sense, but if you are connected to the characters you will love this one, one of the best of season 6 an one of the best of the whole series.
Mulder and Scully find themselves in a situation where they need to thrust themselves and maybe they have to find out about how much they care about each other and maybe how much they love each other. Of course the plot wouldn't have worked without previous knowledge about how Mulder and Scully think. Maybe if you see this episode as your first X files episode it wouldn't make sense, but if you are connected to the characters you will love this one, one of the best of season 6 an one of the best of the whole series.
Continuing with the X-files-lite theme of season six, How The Ghosts Stole Christmas takes a funny look into the personalities of Mulder and Scully and their relationship with each other. This is a story more appropriate for Halloween, but told as a Christmas tale. Mark Snow's use of the organ and harpsichord are perfect for this episode, giving it a nice, unique feel. This episode has the smallest cast in the history of the X-Files, with only two guest stars, Ed Asner and Lily Tomlin as the ghosts. The two do a great job as the star-crossed lovers who attempt to get Mulder and Scully to commit a double murder. It is funny to hear all of Mulder and Scully's shortcomings revealed by the ghosts. The set of the haunted house is very cool-looking and perfect. This is definitely not an episode to show to a newcomer to the X-Files. It deals with all the quirky aspects of our favorite agents that we've come to learn and love over the years. A newcomer would just be lost. But, for the long-time x-phile, this is a fun episode that delves more into the relationship between Mulder and Scully. If you're not into that, and just want to see scary monsters and freaks, this is not the episode for you. I enjoyed the episode a lot for those reasons. However, because of the less than x-files feel to it, I don't give it full marks. Still, How The Ghosts Stole Christmas is a good Halloween story for Christmas time.
- Muldernscully
- Jan 23, 2007
- Permalink
My wife and I dated while watching the Xfiles every Sunday evening during it's original airings. We LOVED it. This Christmas themed episode is one of our favorites especially the Mulder "left cheek sneak" line! We also just found out that it's original air date 12/13/98 was just the DAY AFTER we got married! We watch this episode most every Christmas! Just the right balance of light-hearted comedy, paranormal and plenty of Mulder- isms and Scully-isms. Love it!
I do like the actual screen writing in this episode. The ghosts bring out a great character summary of each of the main players (M&S). I also think this story fits nicely into the over-arching storyline that develops M&S relationship over the years.
Would really like to know what those gifts they got each other at the end are?
I do like the actual screen writing in this episode. The ghosts bring out a great character summary of each of the main players (M&S). I also think this story fits nicely into the over-arching storyline that develops M&S relationship over the years.
Would really like to know what those gifts they got each other at the end are?
This episode started my X-Files obsession 18 years ago when I was 12 years old. It still stands out as one of the best episodes in the series and one of the best Christmas themed tv show episodes in television history.
- medo-66312
- Jun 18, 2021
- Permalink
This episode had excellent cinematography and really creepy ghost special effects. I love how it begins with Mulder narrating to Scully the ghost story. I like it how Scully finally comes to admit the house their in is really haunted. This episode revolves around Mulder and Scully's love for each other and how the ghosts are aware of that love. It is kind of like a metaphor. The last 5 minutes where really suspenseful and had me biting my nails even though this is more of a comedy episode. The ending is really cute with Scully and Mulder exchanging gifts on Christmas eve. A rather touching and extremely weird episode.
- koalablue_1993
- Aug 9, 2008
- Permalink
One of the best non alien episodes yet. Ed Asner & Lily Tomlin where absolutely fantastic. Definitely without a doubt some the best guest star casting done on this show to date. On it's own it was good but Lily Tomlin & Ed Asner made this episode, in my opinion, one of the best episodes.
- elmodaddysgirl
- Oct 3, 2019
- Permalink
This episode is one of my favorites because it's Halloween and Christmas rolled into one, and they pulled it off perfectly. There is the old house, a tale of a lover's pact long ago, Mulder being Mulder and searching for ghosts on Christmas Eve (of all days), and Scully dragged along when she really wanted to be somewhere else. I liked the addition of Lily Tomlin and Ed Asner as the ghosts. They weren't what you expected, and they weren't what Mulder expected, either. Scully: "You know what's weird? Mulder, she's wearing my outfit." Mulder: "How embarrassing." Scully: "Well, you know what? He's wearing yours." And then they're off in this huge house that's a tricky maze.
- staciarose20
- Dec 11, 2016
- Permalink
Just brilliant! I could rave from the rooftops on how great this episode is. I just love it!
"How The Ghosts Stole Christmas" is a Halloween-Christmas episode rolled into one & is known to be the lowest budget episode of Season Six, and has the smallest cast (up until season 11's episode "Rm9sbG93ZXJz".
I agree with pretty much every other reviewer on this episode. It's just simply the best. Definitely one I watch every Christmas without fail. It's also an episode that is so easy to remember because of the story it tells and because it's a stand-alone episode that doesn't follow on from the previous one. As soon as the episode starts, it just takes me right to where Mulder & Scully are. I can only imagine David Duchovny & Gillian Anderson must have had a blast making this episode.
A 10/10 episode for sure that never gets me tired of watching. The story, the music, the chemistry between the characters (especially between Mulder & Scully), the feel-good christmassy feeling it gives. You're sure to feel exacly the same.
An episode I could watch all year round, and not just at Christmas!
"How The Ghosts Stole Christmas" is a Halloween-Christmas episode rolled into one & is known to be the lowest budget episode of Season Six, and has the smallest cast (up until season 11's episode "Rm9sbG93ZXJz".
I agree with pretty much every other reviewer on this episode. It's just simply the best. Definitely one I watch every Christmas without fail. It's also an episode that is so easy to remember because of the story it tells and because it's a stand-alone episode that doesn't follow on from the previous one. As soon as the episode starts, it just takes me right to where Mulder & Scully are. I can only imagine David Duchovny & Gillian Anderson must have had a blast making this episode.
A 10/10 episode for sure that never gets me tired of watching. The story, the music, the chemistry between the characters (especially between Mulder & Scully), the feel-good christmassy feeling it gives. You're sure to feel exacly the same.
An episode I could watch all year round, and not just at Christmas!
- darryl-jason
- Feb 9, 2022
- Permalink
- aurrora_australis
- Oct 13, 2006
- Permalink
Let's be clear: this episode is NOT bad, actually it is even one of the best, but I really don't like it. I think that people who occasionally watch X-files and love Mulder and Scully characters shouldn't watch this episode, as what disturbs me most in it is that it completely ridicules them. Story is clever, acting is excellent, directing, picture and visual effects are impressive, but I hate the image of the series it shows. It is too wordy, demonstrative, exaggerated, off-board, out-of-character, light-hearted, without an investigation, without suspense, without darkness, without thrills: not X-files. I can't believe in ghosts shown and given for real, these ghosts are very unpleasant to me, I don't like the way they torment Mulder and Scully and the harm they say and do to them, and I don't like the way Mulder and Scully behave and react. So, it's clear, this episode that is not an X-files episode and in which Mulder and Scully are not Mulder and Scully could not suit me.
- camille_bourg-1
- Sep 26, 2010
- Permalink
- classicsoncall
- Jul 24, 2017
- Permalink
Mulder and Scully investigate strange goings on at a Ghostly House on Christmas Eve.
I can see this becoming part of my Christmas routine, I can see myself wrapping presents, having a glass of wine, with this Christmas cracker on the telly.
It's gloriously fun, it's wonderfully atmospheric, it's fair to say it really is one of the most bizarre episodes ever made, but I feel like they captured something quite wonderful here, they got the tone spot on.
Great acting, Anderson and Duchovny truly shine from start to finish, the format allows a deep, and lighter exploration of their respective characters, Scully finally getting to hear that she seems to function only to prove Mulder wrong.
When this was conceived, I can't help but wonder if Chris Carter hadn't watched an episode or two of the wonderful M. R. James series, A Ghost story for Christmas.
It's slightly more Halloween than Christmas, but it's wonderful, a real treat, 9/10.
I can see this becoming part of my Christmas routine, I can see myself wrapping presents, having a glass of wine, with this Christmas cracker on the telly.
It's gloriously fun, it's wonderfully atmospheric, it's fair to say it really is one of the most bizarre episodes ever made, but I feel like they captured something quite wonderful here, they got the tone spot on.
Great acting, Anderson and Duchovny truly shine from start to finish, the format allows a deep, and lighter exploration of their respective characters, Scully finally getting to hear that she seems to function only to prove Mulder wrong.
When this was conceived, I can't help but wonder if Chris Carter hadn't watched an episode or two of the wonderful M. R. James series, A Ghost story for Christmas.
It's slightly more Halloween than Christmas, but it's wonderful, a real treat, 9/10.
- Sleepin_Dragon
- Sep 13, 2022
- Permalink
- morrison-dylan-fan
- Dec 27, 2018
- Permalink
- padresteve
- Dec 5, 2023
- Permalink
I didn't realize it when I saw it first run but now that I'm binging the series, I was laughing so hard. This has to be one of my favorites if not the favorite of the series.
- getting2me
- Jul 7, 2022
- Permalink
After five seasons, The X-Files had established itself as TV's top sci-fi drama--almost unquestionably. As such, series creator/showrunner Chris Carter was given a much longer creative leash in Season Six--a decision that produced wonderfully oddball (but endearing) episodes like this holiday classic.
For a very basic overview, "How the Ghosts Stole Christmas" sees Mulder & Scully on a Christmas Eve stakeout (Mulder giddily; Scully reluctantly) at a supposedly haunted house. Upon heading inside, the duo discover there is no "supposedly" about it when two apparitions (played by Ed Asner & Lily Tomlin) appear and deconstruct--both physically & emotionally--each agent's holiday experience.
"Ghosts" represents what I consider to be The X-Files at perhaps its creative peak. Having just moved production from dull-and-dreary Vancouver (perfect for the first five campaigns) to sunny Los Angeles, the episodes in S6 followed suit, containing much more levity and experimentation. Yet, this being 90s episodic TV, the show didn't stray too far from its "skeptic vs believer" premise. In other words, the perfect formula for creative success!
All of this is on display here. The Mulder-Scully banter is top shelf, Carter's signature monologues are delivered perfectly, and the "holiday hijinks" is fun and something new for the show. Asner & Tomlin (two film/TV vets) are perfect for their comical--but philosophically deep--roles. Also notable are the very beginnings of Mulder/Scully romantic hints that would pick up steam as further episodes progressed. Not bad for a "bottle episode"--made on essentially one set with just four cast members to save a little money before the winter hiatus.
Now, I'm not sure that "How the Ghosts Stole Christmas" will hold up as every-December viewing if you are not an "X-Phile". It takes understanding the basic natures and shared experiences of the Mulder & Scully characters to truly appreciate the jokes, one-liners, and general atmosphere of the piece. But I will also say this: just by sheer happenstance, this was one of the first X-Files episodes I ever saw as I was first getting into the show. In that sense, "Ghosts" actually provides a really great template for what the show is all about. It hits all the key beats of what made the show so beloved.
As an X-Files fanatic, this is a slam-dunk watch for me every December. For a show often known by its long-arc mythology of aliens and conspiracies, "stand alone" episodes like this one are often what provide the best re-watch value. That's certainly the case with "How the Ghosts Stole Christmas".
For a very basic overview, "How the Ghosts Stole Christmas" sees Mulder & Scully on a Christmas Eve stakeout (Mulder giddily; Scully reluctantly) at a supposedly haunted house. Upon heading inside, the duo discover there is no "supposedly" about it when two apparitions (played by Ed Asner & Lily Tomlin) appear and deconstruct--both physically & emotionally--each agent's holiday experience.
"Ghosts" represents what I consider to be The X-Files at perhaps its creative peak. Having just moved production from dull-and-dreary Vancouver (perfect for the first five campaigns) to sunny Los Angeles, the episodes in S6 followed suit, containing much more levity and experimentation. Yet, this being 90s episodic TV, the show didn't stray too far from its "skeptic vs believer" premise. In other words, the perfect formula for creative success!
All of this is on display here. The Mulder-Scully banter is top shelf, Carter's signature monologues are delivered perfectly, and the "holiday hijinks" is fun and something new for the show. Asner & Tomlin (two film/TV vets) are perfect for their comical--but philosophically deep--roles. Also notable are the very beginnings of Mulder/Scully romantic hints that would pick up steam as further episodes progressed. Not bad for a "bottle episode"--made on essentially one set with just four cast members to save a little money before the winter hiatus.
Now, I'm not sure that "How the Ghosts Stole Christmas" will hold up as every-December viewing if you are not an "X-Phile". It takes understanding the basic natures and shared experiences of the Mulder & Scully characters to truly appreciate the jokes, one-liners, and general atmosphere of the piece. But I will also say this: just by sheer happenstance, this was one of the first X-Files episodes I ever saw as I was first getting into the show. In that sense, "Ghosts" actually provides a really great template for what the show is all about. It hits all the key beats of what made the show so beloved.
As an X-Files fanatic, this is a slam-dunk watch for me every December. For a show often known by its long-arc mythology of aliens and conspiracies, "stand alone" episodes like this one are often what provide the best re-watch value. That's certainly the case with "How the Ghosts Stole Christmas".
- lassegalsgaard
- Jul 22, 2024
- Permalink
- dave-48711
- Nov 26, 2020
- Permalink