Whenever Scully does voice-overs in the teasers, I feel like I'm getting a science lesson, replete with big words I don't understand. Scully does it again in Biogenesis, the season finale for season six. I love the use of the crazy monkeys when Dr. Merkmallen is meeting with Dr. Barnes. The monkeys can sense that something is not quite right with that artifact. Why is it that animals are always the first to sense these things? After seeing the crime scene, Scully asks Mulder the question all of us are wondering; what his motives are after the syndicate has been destroyed. What do you still have left to find? --My sister-- The original quest is still alive. One thing I've always liked about the x-files is the casting of minor guest roles such as landlords or a store manager. They are very minor roles, but they get the perfect actors for them. They do it again with the landlord of Dr. Sandoz. He only has a few lines, but he is so convincing in that small role, as if he really is a landlord. Also, that Dr. Barnes is a very creepy guy. He is very well cast. I like the continuation of S.R. 819. Krycek has Skinner by the you-know-whats and he has to spy on Mulder and Scully and record their conversations. Though what Dr. Barnes needs that tape for is beyond me. It's fun to see Chuck Burks return. After the death of Pendrell, Chuck is our FBI office comic relief, though in a different way. We also get a shot of the pencils in the ceiling of Mulder's office during the Chuck scene. It's funny that they used the over-used cliché of horses neighing when trouble is approaching, this time in the form of Alex Krycek, coming to kill Dr. Sandoz. If horses can always detect trouble like that, then we need to have horses at all security checkpoints in airports instead of humans. Could've prevented 9-11, perhaps. I love the final shot of Scully standing before the spaceship submerged in water. One of the best final shots ever in an x-files episode. Biogenesis is a very fun episode. It takes the mythology in a new and interesting direction.
7 Reviews
Season Six
zkonedog7 July 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Starting with the sweeping landscape shot of Los Angeles, the show's new home after filming five seasons in Vancouver, Canada, the Sixth Season of the X-Files epitomized the concept of change in nearly every aspect. Coming on the heels of "Fight The Future", the writers & producers were "flying by the seat of their pants" for the first time. Chris Carter always had a five-year plan for the show (he wanted to spin it off into a series of movies), but FOX likely made it too lucrative for him to walk away. As a result, this Sixth Season (especially at the very beginning) had a serious change of tone that almost rendered a different (if not altogether bad) show for quite some time.
In regards to the mythology episodes, the season starts with the aptly-titled "The Beginning", in which the "new mythology" plotline is begun, centering on the notion that perhaps mankind is itself extraterrestrial in origin. After a two-part episode ("Two Fathers" and "One Son") that wraps up the original Syndicate mythology by explaining the ultimate fate of the alien-human hybrid program, the finale ("Biogenesis") again returns to the "humans as aliens" plot, where Agent Scully makes the greatest scientific discovery in human history on the African coast. I like how they tied up the Syndicate angle this season, and I was fascinated by the "we are actually part alien" idea (I just wish Season Seven would have done something interesting with it).
Also during this season, the stand-alone episodes were of much more comedic nature, as well as focusing on the Mulder-Scully relationship more than ever. The stand-alones that really shine are "How The Ghosts Stole Christmas" (a merry romp through a haunted house), "Triangle" (a fantastic nod to the Wizard of Oz), "The Unnatural" (Mulder's love of the National Pastime is explored), and "Field Trip" (one of the best episodes, concept-wise, of the entire show). Also, "Dreamland 1 & 2" is a unique two-parter that showcases the humor, fantastical plots, and relationships of the show all at once!
This season will always have special meaning to me, as it was the season I began watching live episodes. As a rookie coming into the show, the comedy and wacky plots featured in show were just "what the show was" to me, and thus I was able to appreciate them fully. After a few re-watches, though, I am always jarred by the sudden change of tone (from serious to comic) and the intense focus on the Mulder/Scully "shippers" (something Chris Carter once said he never wanted to do). The episodes aren't bad, per se, just so different than anything preceding them.
Overall, I was impressed by the mythology episodes this season and intrigued by the inventive concepts of the standalones. While no longer my favorite season of the show, my nostalgia helps me to appreciate the wackier antics a bit more than most.
In regards to the mythology episodes, the season starts with the aptly-titled "The Beginning", in which the "new mythology" plotline is begun, centering on the notion that perhaps mankind is itself extraterrestrial in origin. After a two-part episode ("Two Fathers" and "One Son") that wraps up the original Syndicate mythology by explaining the ultimate fate of the alien-human hybrid program, the finale ("Biogenesis") again returns to the "humans as aliens" plot, where Agent Scully makes the greatest scientific discovery in human history on the African coast. I like how they tied up the Syndicate angle this season, and I was fascinated by the "we are actually part alien" idea (I just wish Season Seven would have done something interesting with it).
Also during this season, the stand-alone episodes were of much more comedic nature, as well as focusing on the Mulder-Scully relationship more than ever. The stand-alones that really shine are "How The Ghosts Stole Christmas" (a merry romp through a haunted house), "Triangle" (a fantastic nod to the Wizard of Oz), "The Unnatural" (Mulder's love of the National Pastime is explored), and "Field Trip" (one of the best episodes, concept-wise, of the entire show). Also, "Dreamland 1 & 2" is a unique two-parter that showcases the humor, fantastical plots, and relationships of the show all at once!
This season will always have special meaning to me, as it was the season I began watching live episodes. As a rookie coming into the show, the comedy and wacky plots featured in show were just "what the show was" to me, and thus I was able to appreciate them fully. After a few re-watches, though, I am always jarred by the sudden change of tone (from serious to comic) and the intense focus on the Mulder/Scully "shippers" (something Chris Carter once said he never wanted to do). The episodes aren't bad, per se, just so different than anything preceding them.
Overall, I was impressed by the mythology episodes this season and intrigued by the inventive concepts of the standalones. While no longer my favorite season of the show, my nostalgia helps me to appreciate the wackier antics a bit more than most.
As the Season Ends, a New Beginning
andyetris24 October 2006
Strange artifacts have been discovered on the African coast and a local professor (Michael Chinyamurindi) brings them to the U.S. for further study. When both the professor and the artifacts disappear Mulder and Scully look into the case. Strangely, even depictions of the artifacts cause violent seizures in Mulder! With Mulder increasingly incapacitated Scully goes for answers to Navajo medicine man Albert Hosteen, who is hospitalized himself. Meanwhile the Cigarette Smoking Man's secret agent in the FBI, Diana Fowley, reappears as does the villainous Alex Krycek. Finally Scully's pursuit of the source of Mulder's illness leads her to the source of the artifacts on the African coast, where she makes an astounding discovery.
This, the season 6 cliffhanger finale, is a solid episode that offered X-Files viewers hopes of a new beginning for the show's UFO mythology. The sense of urgency has returned as Chris Carter took a leaf from the books of 'alien genesis' theorist Erich von Daniken; the show seemed to be moving towards a new explanation of humanity's place on earth - although not one much consistent with the ideas previously explored!
This, the season 6 cliffhanger finale, is a solid episode that offered X-Files viewers hopes of a new beginning for the show's UFO mythology. The sense of urgency has returned as Chris Carter took a leaf from the books of 'alien genesis' theorist Erich von Daniken; the show seemed to be moving towards a new explanation of humanity's place on earth - although not one much consistent with the ideas previously explored!
Season 6 Review
ametaphysicalshark3 April 2008
Season Six of "The X Files" is brilliant. It's astonishingly good, beating out even classic seasons like 3 and 4 for the title of my favorite. Sadly, it would also be the 'plateau season' after which The X Files entered into a three-season period which didn't quite match expectations, in particular the final season. Season 6 takes The X Files in a bold new direction, replacing some of the more formulaic monster of the week episodes with original, inventive classics like "Triangle", the "Dreamland" episodes (humorous quasi-mythology episodes? Unthinkable), "Drive", "Arcadia", and "Field Trip". It's a change that The X-Files needed, but it's a shame that the series grew as far astray from its roots as it did in season 7.
I didn't mind the addition of more humor. Frankly, it was needed after the extremely dreary season 5. It's not overbearingly silly, and it's brilliant writing for the most part. Season 6 marked the addition of Emmy-winning cinematographer Bill Roe, who works brilliantly with the directors to create a fantastic aesthetic feel to the series, markedly different from the first few seasons, but great in its own way. The actors are now doing better than ever, with David Duchovny reaching the peak of his skill. The variety and different feel of so many episodes gives Mark Snow a chance to show off his skill and do something different on occasion.
Picks for best episodes:
"Drive"- great concept, great guest star in Bryan Cranston, nice writing throughout. Beautifully-done teaser that immediately lets us know there will be a break from formula here.
"Triangle"- hilarious, great acting, costumes, art direction, score, use of music other than the original score, and long takes that aren't just long takes, but GOOD long takes which move the episode at a great pace. Proof that Chris Carter is a capable director.
"Dreamland/Dreamland II"- brilliant humor-filled episodes with sections of seriousness and even slight exploration of the mythology. You have to love Mulder struggling with a wife and kids who aren't his. Plus, there's a Mulder Porn Joke. Mulder Porn Jokes are always spectacular.
"Two Fathers/One Son"- fascinating mytharc two-parter that could have been a reasonably effective ending to the mythology. Shame it wasn't.
"Monday"- The X Files as an action/thriller/sci-fi thing. Executed brilliantly.
"Arcadia"- Oh come on? Mulder and Scully 'married'? Perfect planned community? Monsters that kill you if your house isn't 'perfect'?
"Field Trip"- What a great episode, even when you know the twist in advance.I'll never forget seeing it for the first time and being shocked repeatedly though.
Sadly, the season finale "Biogenesis", while fun on its own and promising an intriguing and different (and completely unneeded, contradictory, and muddling) direction for the mytharc, is in many ways signs of things to come. The concluding episodes for this three parter are at the start of season 7, and season 7 does not start well. The Colonization arc picked up enough steam to eventually do well enough, but the mytharc would never be the same again.
In short, season 6 of "The X Files" is probably one of the absolute greatest television seasons in history. It's almost impossibly good and consistently fantastic. It's a shame the series would take a dive after this, and nobody who tuned into season 7 in late '99 was expecting it not to continue this sort of excellence. Oh well.
Season average based on ratings for all episodes: 8.68/10
I didn't mind the addition of more humor. Frankly, it was needed after the extremely dreary season 5. It's not overbearingly silly, and it's brilliant writing for the most part. Season 6 marked the addition of Emmy-winning cinematographer Bill Roe, who works brilliantly with the directors to create a fantastic aesthetic feel to the series, markedly different from the first few seasons, but great in its own way. The actors are now doing better than ever, with David Duchovny reaching the peak of his skill. The variety and different feel of so many episodes gives Mark Snow a chance to show off his skill and do something different on occasion.
Picks for best episodes:
"Drive"- great concept, great guest star in Bryan Cranston, nice writing throughout. Beautifully-done teaser that immediately lets us know there will be a break from formula here.
"Triangle"- hilarious, great acting, costumes, art direction, score, use of music other than the original score, and long takes that aren't just long takes, but GOOD long takes which move the episode at a great pace. Proof that Chris Carter is a capable director.
"Dreamland/Dreamland II"- brilliant humor-filled episodes with sections of seriousness and even slight exploration of the mythology. You have to love Mulder struggling with a wife and kids who aren't his. Plus, there's a Mulder Porn Joke. Mulder Porn Jokes are always spectacular.
"Two Fathers/One Son"- fascinating mytharc two-parter that could have been a reasonably effective ending to the mythology. Shame it wasn't.
"Monday"- The X Files as an action/thriller/sci-fi thing. Executed brilliantly.
"Arcadia"- Oh come on? Mulder and Scully 'married'? Perfect planned community? Monsters that kill you if your house isn't 'perfect'?
"Field Trip"- What a great episode, even when you know the twist in advance.I'll never forget seeing it for the first time and being shocked repeatedly though.
Sadly, the season finale "Biogenesis", while fun on its own and promising an intriguing and different (and completely unneeded, contradictory, and muddling) direction for the mytharc, is in many ways signs of things to come. The concluding episodes for this three parter are at the start of season 7, and season 7 does not start well. The Colonization arc picked up enough steam to eventually do well enough, but the mytharc would never be the same again.
In short, season 6 of "The X Files" is probably one of the absolute greatest television seasons in history. It's almost impossibly good and consistently fantastic. It's a shame the series would take a dive after this, and nobody who tuned into season 7 in late '99 was expecting it not to continue this sort of excellence. Oh well.
Season average based on ratings for all episodes: 8.68/10
"Who tends the flames?"
classicsoncall31 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
It's unfortunate that for two episodes in a row, it appeared that Mulder was losing his mind. It made this story seem somewhat derivative of 'Field Trip' in which Mulder was under the influence of some hallucinogenic mushrooms. This time, it appears that he's having a difficult reaction to the appearance of strange metallic objects discovered in West Africa, and brought to the States by Dr. Solomon Merkmallen (Michael Chinyamurindi). He's incapacitated by an aural noise that only he hears, driving him crazy and straight into a rubber room. Not a pretty sight for Duchovny fans.
I liked the idea of tying things back to the Navajo Indian language and seeing Floyd 'Red Crow' Westerman reprise his role as Albert Hosteen. Too bad that he's not on screen all that long, and when he is, most of the time he's incapacitated as well. All the previous players with a devious history make an appearance in this episode, forming the basis for the Season Six cliffhanger. The Smoking Man, Krycek and Agent Diana Fowley all have a sinister, underhanded presence in the story, always giving the impression that they're up to no good.
With the alien artifacts and especially with the closing scene of Scully on the Ivory Coast seeing the alien spaceship under water, the series reverts back to the idea that maybe the whole pursuit of UFO's and extraterrestrials is being given a brand new life. What really struck this viewer was Scully's opening narrative making note of five billion people that live on the planet. Not even twenty years later as I write this, we're now up to almost seven and a half billion people! Anyone feeling a little crowded?
I liked the idea of tying things back to the Navajo Indian language and seeing Floyd 'Red Crow' Westerman reprise his role as Albert Hosteen. Too bad that he's not on screen all that long, and when he is, most of the time he's incapacitated as well. All the previous players with a devious history make an appearance in this episode, forming the basis for the Season Six cliffhanger. The Smoking Man, Krycek and Agent Diana Fowley all have a sinister, underhanded presence in the story, always giving the impression that they're up to no good.
With the alien artifacts and especially with the closing scene of Scully on the Ivory Coast seeing the alien spaceship under water, the series reverts back to the idea that maybe the whole pursuit of UFO's and extraterrestrials is being given a brand new life. What really struck this viewer was Scully's opening narrative making note of five billion people that live on the planet. Not even twenty years later as I write this, we're now up to almost seven and a half billion people! Anyone feeling a little crowded?
Did someone just move the goal posts?
Sleepin_Dragon18 September 2022
A strange metallic artefact washes up on The African coast, it is brought to The U. S. and is thought to prove that extra terrestrial life existed on Earth.
I have been blown away by the quality of Series 6, and I went into this series finale with incredibly high expectations, I hate to say it, but for the most part, I felt a little disappointed.
If I didn't know better, I would have said that the show was in the hands of new people, new writers and producers, it just feels so different to what's gone before. Even the camera work looks so different. The appearances of some of the regulars feels odd somehow, as though they were made to fit around the new plot.
It feels as though we were given structure to The X Files from the black oil arc, that all feels somehow to have been ditched, in favour of a new thread.
Very well acted of course, it looks great, and once again boasts some strong production values.
Not a favourite of mine, 6/10.
I have been blown away by the quality of Series 6, and I went into this series finale with incredibly high expectations, I hate to say it, but for the most part, I felt a little disappointed.
If I didn't know better, I would have said that the show was in the hands of new people, new writers and producers, it just feels so different to what's gone before. Even the camera work looks so different. The appearances of some of the regulars feels odd somehow, as though they were made to fit around the new plot.
It feels as though we were given structure to The X Files from the black oil arc, that all feels somehow to have been ditched, in favour of a new thread.
Very well acted of course, it looks great, and once again boasts some strong production values.
Not a favourite of mine, 6/10.
Weak start to a great three parter
Sanpaco139 July 2007
Warning: Spoilers
As season finales go this was somewhat of a disappointment. I enjoyed greatly the follow up episodes at the beginning of Season 7 but this one did a little too much setting up for that storyline and didn't really leave me feeling it absolutely necessary to see the next two. I think part of the problem may be that I never saw this episode before I watched The Sixth Extinction. So I already knew what was going to happen and the cliffhanger kind of lost its effect. What was good about this episode is we are returned to Mulder's brain cancer whatever thingy which later we find out is happening because of his exposure to the black virus which he has become immune to. Anyway not much else I could say other than 7/10.
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