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The X Files: Release (2002)
Release is an inceasingly rare gem late in the series.
Season 9 was always going to be rough. When my Series Cast comrades and I set off to watch and review every X-Files episode before the series 2016 resurrection I was dreading the day when it arrived. I vaguely remembered my adolescent rage towards an absentee Mulder, limited Scully and replacements that I deemed entirely unfit to carry the torch. Needless to say I was not looking forward to a single minute of this often reviled season.
Maybe it's the acceptance that comes with getting older, maybe a touch of Stockholm Syndrome, but to my great surprise one Season 9 episode managed to blow my expectations out of the water. Even more unexpectedly it is an episode that focuses on the story of Agent Doggett.
'Release' further explores the often referenced murder of Agent Doggett's son Luke. Robert Patrick once again proves me wrong in what was surely his finest work on the series. The episode is hardly an X-File with the only possible supernatural element surrounding a young agent in training, Rudolph Hayes (Jared Poe). Hayes has an eerie knack for criminal profiling, and his awkward demeanor makes for a very compelling character.
As suspected we also learn that A.D. Brad Follmer (Cary Elwes) is exactly the scumbag he seems to be. While unsurprising, the revelation of past corruption and the connection to the tragedy of Agent Doggett's son really worked for me. My jaw dropped when Follmer ultimately steals Doggett's chance at revenge, but unwittingly saves the incorruptible Doggett from himself.
I'm genuinely pleased that the writers were not afraid to steer clear of the revenge fantasy and instead tackle this with a very complex resolution that left me feeling for the character. In what was a season with low peaks and deep valleys 'Release' was welcome relief towards the end of a long and winding road.
The X Files: Existence (2001)
This one should have been the end
I've long known that X-Files would never find a way to tie up the loose ends in a satisfactory way. My only hope is that the series ends on a dignified note without opening any further mysteries the writers will be unable to wrangle. X-Files Season 8 Episode 21: Existence would have been that point and I find it rather disappointing that the decision was made to pursue a ninth season.
Season 8 comes to an action packed close with the continued terminator-like determination of Billy Myles and the growing cadre of super-soldiers. There is some intense vehicular action in the FBI parking garage that is some of the finest the series has ever produced. The action reaches a boiling point with what may be the final showdown between Skinner and his long time nemesis Krycek.
There are still a multitude of problems with this episode primarily in the form of Agent Reyes. The stilted acting and strange writing choices do their damnedest to remove any enjoyment. The scene in which Reyes attempts to sooth Scully with a mimicked whale sounds was more than a bit embarrassing for the actor and the viewer. Reyes has been imbued with a brand of oblivious stupidity usually reserved for Homer Simpson.
The episode ultimately culminates in the birth of baby William, and finally after 182 episodes of X-Files we are witness to a romantic kiss between Mulder and Scully. As many ups and downs as the series has had in storyline and quality, this moment was every bit as satisfying as I had imagined. Though there are still outstanding story lines this would have been the ideal moment to end the series. Unfortunately season 9 looms and while I'm fully on Team Doggett, I'm not optimistic the series can find a more fitting end.
The X Files: Three Words (2001)
Doggett is quickly winning me over this time around.
Revisiting the X-FIles has been a strange journey with Season 8 being perhaps the strangest leg of the trip. We're in the death throes of the series and the writers are doing their best to hold together what feels like a story that began unraveling long ago. Saddled with the woefully limited availability of their stars while attempting to help us tolerate their replacements. No small task and I have to say an admirable job was done.
Case in point is Season 8 Episode 16 - Three Words. With Mulder and Doggett sharing the screen we're presented with some large personalities sharing the screen. I must say I'm pleased with how they've handled the relationship between the two. The tug of war between both men ostensibly trying to do the right thing is compelling where it could be simply irritating.
This time around I'm much less hostile towards Doggett and can actually enjoy his presence on the show. He has his problems as a character, but for the most part he's almost a welcome relief from the malaise of Season 7.
I'd give this episode a thumbs up. Not the very best of X-Files, but definitely the best in a while. Mulder is here (for now) and I'm happy to have him back.
Highlights:
Doggett has Mulder's back even though Mulder outright refuses to trust the help. The trap set by Doggett's liaison Knowle was perfectly set and sprung on a once again overzealous Mulder. The Lone Gunmen engaged in Mission Impossible styled stunts. On- premise and hard-wired hacking always works for me.
Lowlights:
Absalom is unceremoniously wiped out in what was obviously a very misguided attempt to discover the truth. I would have liked to have unwrapped his involvement a bit more at this point. Kersh, Kersh, Kersh. How I hate Kersh.
The X Files: Pilot (1993)
First shot out the gate
We absolutely loved this episode. This was a great start to a great series and really set the pace for most of the series. If this one hadn't been done as well as it was, we wouldn't have the show we love so much.
We really enjoyed how the show creators jumped right in and very quickly introduced the characters and let us know the dynamics between Scully and Mulder. They didn't drag out this process and jumped right into the awesome weirdness that is "The X-Files"
For more in-depth review, please check out our podcast "Series Cast: The Truth is Still Out There"
http://noisysnailstudios.com/xfiles