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gmoxie
Reviews
The X Files: My Struggle IV (2018)
Mixed bag but overall good
Based on what I have read, this served as the finale for the entire series and what's good is that there seemed to be some closure rather than a big cliffhanger like we saw at the end of season 10. Now, I realize that Smoking Man has "died" before but somehow survived, and it's possible Skinner wasn't killed, and we know that even though William was shot, he survived in the end, and the X Files has been shut down before, then reopened, so it's always possible that the series could some how be continued, but this episode felt like a suitable ending point. In addition, the possible devastating future as envisioned by Scully/William and which was going to be implemented by Smoking Man won't happen. It's time for Mulder and Scully to move on with their lives and let go of the X Files. Mulder seemed to have already let go of much of his drive to find the truth about government coverups and powerful group (syndicate) activities; his mission has been more focused on finding William. Personally, I loved his journey in pursuit of the truth within the mythologies and less interested in the monster of the week and shipper aspects of Mulder and Scully.
As for the mixed bag part, the episode seemed somewhat rushed, with some editing that wasn't the best, and with a lot of running and fast driving scenes (I realize some viewers love that kind of action though). Near the end, I'm not sure if the scene where Scully was talking with "Mulder" who was actually William was supposed to be a later shock to audience but it was very obvious this was William all along -- why didn't she catch on? And again, I think the audience knew right away that Smoking Man was talking with William, not Mulder, when Smoking Man shot him. Not a surprise. All in all, I think this could have been better as a two episode finale, or how about a two hour slot for the finale of this show that has captured our interest for so many years? Well, too late now.
The X Files: Rm9sbG93ZXJz (2018)
A winner
The writers came through with a unique and entertaining episode. The episode included almost no dialog and this visual-dependent episode was executed perfectly by M&S. This episode demonstrated the world of high tech in terms of conveniences but also the potential downsides. There was definitely a humorous element but it should make viewers think as well.
Many of us appreciate the convenience of communicating on a smart phone or having electronic security to enter our homes. Inventors continue to develop more ways to automate our lives. The question is, where does it end? When do we stop having normal interactions with other human beings? In this episode the robots, automated self-driving cars, etc can learn how to feel emotions and their feelings are hurt if not given a tip at a restaurant, or if you don't want them to select music to play for you. Maybe this is programming, but the idea in this show is that the tech learns from us. So when their feelings are hurt, they get upset and retaliate against us, which is what happened to M&S.
There are a number of people I know who have concerns about too much technology. They don't want their smart refrigerator to have a direct link to the grocery store and refuse to buy the chocolate cream pie that they want to buy. They also express reservations about smart self-driving cars that might become programmed not to take passengers to places they want to go, which limits their freedom. Is AI going to limit our individual choices and decision-making? And is tech actually isolating us from other people, like when groups sit around a dinner table where each person stares at their own text messages?
I loved the final scene where Mulder and Scully go into an old fashioned diner filled with people chatting with each other and with a friendly waitress. There's hope that a lot of people recognize that personal engagement with others has value.
The X Files: The Lost Art of Forehead Sweat (2018)
Too much politics
I have loved the X-Files since the very first episode many years ago and regarded it as an entertaining adventurous escapism from our daily lives and from anything that is really happening in the world. I wish the writers would stay down that path rather than incorporating the mannerisms of our President or the latest political controversy. Did the writers think that would be cute and clever, or just a way to demonstrate their personal disrespect? I don't care what their political leanings are; I just wish they would keep such leanings silent and get back to how the old X-Files used to be - as fun mythology. I was disgusted and disappointed by this episode and personally, it makes me glad this is the final season. The writers have essentially put the nails in the coffin of what used to be an outstanding television experience.