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Season Two
"the truth is out there"
2X01Little Green Men
SummaryMulder's having a crisis with the X-Files closed. He and Scully are separated, and his skills are being wasted on surveillance duty. So who can blame him if he goes off to something more intriguingly alien?? Even if it's all the way to Puerto Rico. An interestingly open-ended episode, all in all. We get our first "real" (?) look at the Samantha abduction. (I say "real" because this version of the incident seems to be the one that's taken as canon hereafter... along with this version of Samantha.) We see Scully "making herself at home" in Mulder's apartment, explaining it away to the agents who show up by saying that she feeds his fish in his absence. In the end result, did we achieve contact in this hour? Are the aliens coming, or have they been here all along? In typical X-Files fashion, the answer could be anything. Best or Worst MomentI liked the "reunion" scene between Mulder and Scully after he returns to his surveillance tapes. After having seen what he can't be sure that he's seen, he consoles himself with the fact that he's still got his work (such as it is). Then, in a rather matter-of-fact fashion, he adds that he's still got Scully. Taken in context with the earlier "Deep Throat"-inspired meeting, it was touching. The Host
SummaryThis was a great episode. There was something really creepy and fascinating about it — enough to lose yourself in the story for the hour that it's on, but not enough to make you worry about your life the next time you decide to venture into the sewers. (Okay, that was facetious... although this probably made some of us a bit nervy the next time we had to use an outdoor biffy.) That's some legacy that Darin Morgan leaves as Flukeman. He was truly a memorable TXF monster that — like all "good" monsters — can be viewed in a sympathetic light. After all, he was merely a by-product of humanity's lack of respect for the environment and, like all living things, was only trying to survive. Aside from that subtext, however, this episode also gave us a touching back story in the continuing tale of M & S (not to mention some defining "Mulder vs. Skinner" moments). Best or Worst MomentTell me honestly, when you watch this one — isn't it refreshing to see how much Scully supports her partner? (And of course, I'm talking about the "more than a professional loss" moment.) In later years, when there clearly should be more between the two of them, she is often so much colder than she is here... sadly, I think that the transformation has been an intentional acting choice on the part of GA. Blood
SummaryWith the West Nile virus making its way west, is there anything we can spray out there to "scare" away the mosquitoes? I liked the grab bag full of science and near-science that made up this episode. While it ran the risk of appearing like so much malarkey, it managed to succeed. The part involving the digital readouts is a bit outlandishly "X-File-ish" given the final scene with Mulder's cell phone, but the rest of it held a certain amount of believability and relevance. Anyway, the more times I watch this, the more I enjoy it — which certainly says a lot about the episode and the success of a season that was forced to start in a Scully-lite manner. Best or Worst MomentFor a rather serious episode that had "kill 'em all" as a theme, I have to go with something a little lighthearted as my best moment. It occurs when Mulder is in the hospital and he happens to glance at the TV. He thinks he's seeing one of those messages when the screen displays nothing but the words "DO IT" in big bold letters. Two screens later we all breathe a sigh of relief that it's just an ad for a fitness club. Sleepless
SummaryNot a great episode, but hey, we have Krycek's first appearance and a whole lot of sizzling moments between him and Mulder. (I especially liked the "background" provided by the scene where Krycek tells Mulder he doesn't appreciate being ditched, claiming that while at the Academy, he was one of the ones who believed in his work.) On the plot side, we play around with the theme of how it may be better to die than to live forever at a cost. (In this case, of having no sleep and therefore no escape. It sort of reminded me of our genie's problem at the end of season seven.) I'm not sure what to make of a guy being able to project images so real that they can kill, but I suppose the human mind can be very susceptible. In any case, stories like this do touch on very relevant matters of war and the never-ending campaign to create better soldiers. It doesn't surprise me if someone thinks that a price should be paid. Best or Worst MomentPick any of the Mulder/Scully moments in this one in which Krycek is hovering in the background, either as our pair huddle in close quarters speaking in low voices or as they're having one of their more "intimate" telephone conversations. Duane Barry
SummaryThis is a decidedly different X-Files episode, what with the hostage drama taking up a large part of the show. It's generally good stuff and Steve Railsback plays his role brilliantly. Yes, he may be delusional, but it's difficult not to believe at least part of his story. There are, however, little details around the whole escapade that don't pass close scrutiny. Not only does Duane Barry technically escape from two places over the course of this adventure (from the mental institution first and from custody in hospital later), he is incredibly efficient with both of them. I mean, he's at Scully's apartment in basically no time at all. As I've said before, Special Agent Scully must have a very large and prominent listing in the telephone book. Either that, or Duane Barry really does have alien contacts. Best or Worst Moment"Ode to Red Speedos" anyone? I'm not saying that I'm so shallow as to select that as best moment, but I had to mention it, in case you happen to be one of the three people on earth who aren't aware. Actually, my pick for this episode is actually a worst moment. Whatever possessed Scully to scan that implant thingie with a grocery store merchandise scanner?? And after having done so, whatever would make it squawk like that?? Ascension
SummaryClassic TXF and another example of an episode that would unquestionably wind up near the top of anyone's "best of" list. Most of us view this as the middle part of a three-episode arc that terminates with One Breath, creating the most significant of all TXF subplots — the abduction and return of Dana Scully, which (surprise!) is the basis of virtually everything else that happens to her throughout the remainder of this series. The pace is almost unbearable here, as we feel Mulder's desperation and are shocked by the extent of Krycek's villainy. We also get emotional, character-defining moments between Mulder and Mrs. Scully, moments that speak volumes with minimal words. But mostly, this was an hour for action. In terms of that action, the scene of Mulder dangling from the tram stands out for me. (And since I actually went up to Grouse Mountain in 1989, it was one of those moments where I thought to myself — hmm... wonder if that's the same car I rode in?) Best or Worst MomentDD creates quite a "look" for himself in this episode (and into One Breath), through which you can clearly see that Mulder's very sanity is teetering on the brink. My specific favourite moment is the closing sequence where Mulder is surveying the scene again on top of Skyland Mountain (after that wonderful conversation with Mrs. Scully)... and then looks up forlornly into the dark sky. This theme is repeated at the end of the next episode, 3, when Mulder sits alone on a hillside fingering Scully's cross. 3
SummaryI wish this episode could have been stronger — storywise — so that the complaining shippers couldn't possibly be so vocal about their hatred of it. (Or maybe there's just no stopping that sort of thing.) I, on the other hand, found much to like about this episode. And yes, I'll fully admit that the majority of what I liked involved physical characteristics of DD/Mulder's body. He was just so irresistibly sexy in this hour (and I don't care how much chemistry he did or didn't have with girlfriend Perrey Reeves) that I couldn't help but indulge in shallow admiration. Anyone who's read my reviews knows that don't normally focus on that aspect of the show, but heck — this episode was about vampires, for God's sake. And the whole plot was pretty lame even as far as vampires go. The only real, redeeming moments were the ones that focused on Mulder's guilt/pain over Scully's disappearance. (And yes, yes, YES, he displayed a kajillion tons more anxiety over her loss than she ever displays over his abduction six years later!!) Best or Worst MomentThe shaving scene. That kiss. Definitely a "slow burn" kind of incineration. I implied in my fic (Truths Untold) that the Mulder/Fowley "descent into hell" kiss in Amor Fati was hot, but this was the original hot kiss. There. Let this be my one and only shallow TXF review. One Breath
SummaryThere was always something about this episode that stayed with me for hours after watching it, no matter how many times I did so. I've already covered the specifics of this one in my top ten list, so I won't bother repeating myself here. Suffice to say that this was so elegantly executed that I didn't mind the overt symbolism or the matter of the "does she or doesn't she exist" Nurse Owens. If you stop to consider, there was a lot going on here over the course of an hour's program and something made it all work. Amazing. Best or Worst Moment"I had the strength of your beliefs." In an episode full of messages and meaning, simple lines of dialogue still stand out. And when it comes to moments of Scully being emotionally open, I pounce on them. I must admit that I've never totally understood her statement (even though I made up my own story about it), but that makes it all the more memorable. Firewalker
SummaryThis fails where Ice and Darkness Falls manage to succeed, so why is that? My first guess would be that the characters are to blame, but that obviously isn't the only reason why. Still, this group was somehow far from endearing, while the folks who were along for the adventure in both of the previously mentioned episodes seemed likeable. (Or maybe that's just me; count Shawnee Smith among my "acting irritants" — her voice drives me up the wall.) In any case, I think this hour proves that if the only new thing a writer has to offer is a different looking infection/affliction (i.e., deadly "asparagus tips" versus worms or fireflies), it doesn't necessarily result in a good X-File. Best or Worst MomentDid you catch the end of this episode and its reference to a 31-day quarantine period for our agents after the fact?? Given that this was Scully's first case back after her abduction, what a welcome back to work that must have been for her! Red Museum
SummaryThose who run religious cults are only marginally more worthy than intolerant and ignorant souls who think nothing of making fun of those who are different. So basically, there wasn't much for me to like in this one. Throw in something about growth hormones being injected into cattle (the same hormones which may or may not also be given to kids in the guise of super-vitamins), alien DNA testing and a peeping Tom who has been abducting kids (and branding their backs) and whoa — what we have here is failure to adhere to a focused plotline. Does all this really belong together under one story? And it's somehow related to the "purity control" of The Erlenmyer Flask? I think I'm confused. Chris Carter took a wrong turn (or two, or three) in this one. It probably should have been a one-off episode that had nothing to do with the show's mythology. Best or Worst MomentGrowing up in the '70s with nothing but the CBC to keep me amused, The Beachcombers was one of those shows that I often watched because nothing else was on. The late Robert Clothier (the guy who waved Scully over to his truck) was a classic in this series as a cantankerous old man named Relic. In this episode, he says a line with the same contemptuous passion that defined Relic for more years than I can remember... when Scully points out that the hormone is safe, he pooh-poohs it with "Says who? The government?" Excelsius Dei
SummarySomething about old men maintaining their vitality with the help of magic mushrooms, the growth/use of which awakens pissed-off other-worldly entities that go around wreaking havoc in an old folks' home? This one had its moments — in particular, one funny one in which a patient named Hal flashes his "plumbing" at our agents — but when all was said and done, it didn't hook this viewer. As with a few other shows this season, I think the teaser sequence led me to anticipate a much stronger episode than what eventually transpired. That said, I was still left with a vague sense of sadness at the end when — as a result of the patients no longer getting their "mushroom medication" — the inhabitants of the institution were reduced to living vegetables with no real awareness of or passion for life. Best or Worst MomentThe scene of the attempt to drown Mulder and Michelle in the washroom was well put together and convincing. A wet Mulder — even fully clothed — is always worth enjoying for its shallow appeal. Aubrey
SummaryDreams are answers to questions that we haven't yet learned how to ask. It's funny how that comment has stuck with me all these years, making Aubrey one of those odd episodes of which I remember very specific details. Things like Mulder's confession of curiosity regarding a woman named "BJ". Things like BJ's simple drawing that Mulder later manages to connect to the World's Fair when he sees a similar shape in a photograph. And things like Scully's discovery of BJ's secret while in the washroom with her. While the story itself was flawed (but sufficiently engaging), this one works for me due to the human emotion behind the story. It wasn't difficult to see BJ as a real person. The fact that her personal struggle continued beyond the confines of this hour made me wonder about her as the credits rolled. Best or Worst MomentOne of my all-time favourite TXF Mulder/Scully moments is in this episode. As they're driving out (to see Cokely?), Mulder tells Scully that she's putting forth a rather "extreme hunch". When she basically accuses him of doing that on a regular basis (well, okay, the actual line was something like "I seem to recall you having some pretty extreme hunches"), Mulder gives her his best "who me?" smile and replies, "I have not." Irresistible
SummaryAn effectively executed story about one of TXF's creepiest villains, Donnie Pfaster. (Too bad when they picked up the thread in season seven's Orison that they made a mess of it.) A significant part of why this story worked was because of people's reactions to a rather nondescript man. We had a sympathetic small town cop overwhelmed by the sadistic nature of this guy, we had frightened street walkers fearing for their lives (and this is always an interesting angle because we tend to think that hookers are expected to face danger on a daily basis), and we had Mulder thinking that he's just there to provide a bit of profiling advice, waiting for the right moment to dismiss it as not being an X-File and then taking his partner out to a football game. Who would have thought that the usually cool and collected Dana Scully would do the big "freak out" thing, seek professional help, and then end up being the final victim of this sickie? (And yes, the contrived manner in which that came about prevents me from rating this one higher.) Best or Worst MomentThis one's easy — gotta be that scene when Scully freely lets her guard down in front of Mulder, without thinking about it. (After all, there's perhaps all of two instances of that really happening in this entire series — here and in season six's Milagro.) DD's reaction work as bang-on as Mulder must have been seized by ten different emotions all at once in that moment. Die Hand Die Verletzt
SummaryIck. I've always thought that there was much about this creepy ep that I should/could have liked, but it just ended up being unsatisfying. Somehow, the occult theme in this one wasn't all that interesting, despite the raining toads, huge snakes, and disconnected beating hearts. I kept wanting to know why this was going on, whatever was it that compelled these seemingly ordinary people to have committed their lives to the so-called black arts? (Or maybe that's totally realistic — that ordinary semi-professional folks in small towns would find such a pursuit an interesting way to spend their off-hours?) I've read that this script came out of a suggestion that someone write a story about a man who gets swallowed by a snake. I'd have to say perhaps we need a bit more to go on to create a memorable story that goes beyond gross special effects. Best or Worst MomentThis was sorta stupid — talk about stepping out of the frying pan and into the fire. These misguided devil-worshipping folks think that they should sacrifice a couple of FBI agents in order to swing around the balance of power?? Fresh Bones
SummaryFrom the occult last week to voodoo this week, I didn't really care for this one either (although ratings-wise, it was the highest rated TXF episode of the first two seasons). And like most eps that I don't really care for, I have only vague memories of what really happened during the hour. The only part that I recall being impressive was the "twist" at the end about the fate of the boy Chester. Otherwise, in much the same way as Die Hand Die Verletzt, this seemed like just another opportunity to provide some gross out moments within a plot that kills folks in the guise of suicide. At least in the end, there is some justice to be had as we see Col. Wharton being buried alive. Best or Worst MomentDon't know whether to categorize it as best or worst, but Scully's hallucination/voodoo moment is one for the ages in terms of gross TXF scenes. Would she have actually choked to death if she hadn't thought to grab her little "protective" pouch? Colony
SummaryA season in which the main mythology eps made sense and were relatively easy to follow. Wow. If this is where it all began, it's truly lamentable where it all ended up. What did we get in this one? An intriguing case of look-alike abortion doctors who are systematically "offed", an introduction to Mulder's relatively dysfunctional family, bad guys maybe playing on both sides of the field, and the first appearance of the mighty morphin' ABH. (And I have to ask the nitpicky question — how does such a transformation affect clothing? Whenever The Hulk did his thing, he always tore through David Banner's clothes....) Wonderful work on the scenes between brother and "sister" on the part of DD and Megan Leitch — she consistently has great chemistry with him. Oh, and what viewer can forget what s/he felt at the end of the episode when Scully hears Mulder's voice on the phone — while "Mulder" stands there in front of her. No wonder this one was a no-brainer for inclusion in my top ten defining eps list. Best or Worst MomentAs good as this whole episode was, it was the teaser that had me gripping the edge of my seat from the very first second. The words uttered by Mulder as we glimpsed the end result of his harrowing adventure sure had me wondering what could ever have happened to bring him to this point. End Game
SummaryThings go south quickly in the second half of my favourite mythology two-parter. Picking up where things left off last hour, DD gets to throw GA around (and didn't he look coldly menacing as he did so??) as Scully is taken captive by ABH-as-Mulder. He wants to make a deal with the real Mulder to exchange her for Samantha. What an awful choice for Mulder to make. And yet, with Samantha's blessing, he makes the trade and lives to see his "sister" plunge into the cold depths of a raging river. After another angsty moment with Dad and revelation of the "truth" (?) at the abortion clinic, we can imagine that Mulder is quickly unravelling. On some level, he is willing to die just so that he can know the truth about his sister, as shown by that desperate scene with the ABH. Great stuff all around here, from Scully refusing to be left behind by her agonized partner (even through one of their most vehement disagreements) to Skinner stepping up to the plate to help out his agents (and suffering quite a beating to achieve it). Best or Worst Moment"I found something I thought I'd lost..." I anticipated Mulder's next words correctly ("...faith to keep looking") when I first saw this episode because to me, that faith defines his character. And as I'll keep saying whenever the topic turns to how TXF unfolded in its later seasons, I so wanted that faith to be rewarded. All these people who ever told Mulder his sister was alive were just consistently lying, right? (By the way, runner-up for best moment happened just a few seconds before that statement. The big grin that Scully gives him upon his awakening was almost blinding in its brilliance.) Fearful Symmetry
SummaryThis one had a great teaser sequence. In fact, among the excellent teaser sequences that TXF offers up on a consistent basis, this one stands out in my memory. It's an invisible elephant, after all — how much better can it get? Unfortunately, the episode doesn't quite measure up, despite an honest attempt. I appreciate the conservation theme (regardless of whether or not aliens are involved) but to paraphrase Scully, the militant types attracted to such causes tend to piss me off with their tactics. Which is to say that the black and white thinking of people like Kyle Lang tend to alienate people who might otherwise be supportive of their principles. Best or Worst MomentOoh — Mulder being left in the room to be battered by Sophie was frightening to watch. Honorary runner-up moment was the teleconference call to Frohike and Byers where the former announces that he's been working out for Agent Scully's benefit: "I'm buff." Dod Kalm
SummaryRed alert — bad Star Trek retread on the horizon! I admit that the concept is intriguing (just as it was for ST) but in both cases, the problem of resolving the plot is insurmountable. How can the physical changes that age a person's body ever get reversed? If it can be done, we would no longer have old age, or people dying from it. Unbelievability aside, however, we were treated to some interesting, introspective moments from both of our heroes as they consider their fate. (Mulder, it seems, will maintain his sense of humour right through to the end.) In that sense, we saw some realistic emotional responses, such as Mulder's comment about how this is "not fair", along with Scully's newfound wisdom about life as a result of her recent ordeal. Best or Worst MomentNot so much worst moment as worst makeup. Too bad DD didn't raise the same sort of stink as William Shatner supposedly did and request that they lighten up on the number of "layers" being applied to his face. I somehow suspect that DD/Mulder will age a lot more gracefully than what we were shown here. Humbug
SummaryThis would definitely make my top twenty list. Darin Morgan's first effort was filled with clever dialogue, fascinating images, and straight out mockery of the show and its characters. Humbug was a fun ride, even with all the requisite squeamish things that typify the freak show circuit. It was a welcome change of pace to encounter an X-File that — while not merely presented as a funny distraction — gave us time to relax and consider the oddities of life. No matter how different, people are still people. This episode illustrated how — deep down — we all have the same hopes and dreams, not to mention the same desires for a "normal" existence. Best or Worst MomentLike War of the Coprophages, this one had a whole slew of moments that would qualify as "best" for the series as a whole. Ones that automatically pop into my mind are Scully's trick with the cricket (which as we insiders know, wasn't really a trick, making it all the more icky), Mulder being pegged by Mr. Nutt as a Fibbie, the mutual "robe closing" moment between Scully and Lanny, Mulder's "I'm doing that right now as we speak", our intrepid agents' exhumation of the potato, and the final sequence with the wide shot of Fox Mulder striking a pose as Dr. Blockhead describes the ignominy of life as someone "like him". The Calusari
SummaryThis episode seemed to hold so much promise, but when it ended, I was disappointed with it. I think it suffered from the obvious Exorcist and Omen similarities, proving once again that taking on subject matter that's been done well in the past is not easy unless you have a bang-up new angle to throw into the mix. What we got here — a dead twin having an influence on his still-living brother, resulting in those who attempt to "get in the way" being killed in quick succession — made for a violent and action-filled hour, but nothing of it was too terribly original. Best or Worst MomentThe teaser, once again. Seeing the "oh my God, there's tragedy ahead for that little kid" during the first few minutes of this hour prepared me for a much better episode than what I got. F. Emasculata
SummaryHow do you stop a terrible contagion from spreading and what risks would you take to ensure that it all stops "here"? Would you control the disease by controlling (i.e., withholding) the information? It seems more and more likely that what played out here in this episode (government secrecy and testing) could be the way of the future when it comes to these types of crises. Of course, there's a certain relevance to the subject matter of this episode as I write this in mid-2003. Apart from West Nile, we're in the throes of a global health crisis surrounding a largely unknown disease called SARS, which has shown itself to be unexpectedly virulent and extremely deadly in the absence of proper precautions. Unfortunately, it's not just the internet that makes the world a small place these days — there are no two points on the planet that require more than twenty four hours to travel between, making the rapid spread of anything a foregone conclusion. If the unthinkable were to happen, however, I don't think it make a difference to us whether the affliction were man-made or a cruel twist of Mother Nature... it's just scary. Best or Worst MomentIn the midst of the "all business and no fun" seriousness of this semi-mythology episode, the moment that stands out for me is the "take care of yourself" sentiment exchanged by our heroes as they conclude one of their phone conversations. It was both realistic and touching... a natural moment for the situation that they were in. Soft Light
SummaryThis was Vince Gilligan's first script for TXF and interestingly, he wasn't part of the show's staff at the time. I thought it was a well executed story that featured an effective performance by Tony Shalhoub in the central role. (On the other hand, the actress who played Detective Ryan — who also appeared in the infamous Genderbender episode — did not strike a sympathetic chord with me at any point. Despite Scully's identification with Ryan's challenges in the "old boys' club", I didn't much feel sorry for her when she was reduced to a puddle late in the hour.) This is an example of an X-File that seems somewhat absurd, but given the quality writing and sympathetically drawn character, I'm able to suspend the disbelief and go along for the ride. I liked how the initial "spontaneous human combustion" theory branches out into the highly technical science that Chester Banton is actually involved with. Even though there are the usual "how can that be??" aspects to certain plot elements, this episode plays out successfully, particularly when it comes to the government's interest in harnessing this man's "talents" and the mysterious Mr. X's involvement in capturing him for study. Best or Worst MomentSpeaking of X, this is somewhat of a funny moment, when you get right down to it. Mulder meets him in the stairwell of the train station and the basic gist of the conversation is that X tells Mulder that he (X) is "not at your beck and call". (Apparently our Mr. X hasn't totally recovered from the abuse that he got from Scully and Skinner in End Game.) However, wasn't it nice of him to came all the way from DC to Richmond to tell Mulder this? Our Town
SummaryY'know, despite the scientific education and pertinence offered by this episode towards CJ/mad-cow disease, this hour just didn't do it for me. (I mean, by rights, I should be as appalled as Scully by the thought of eating KFC, but I've merrily continued in my chicken consumption ways since seeing this ep.) Kudos for being "socially aware", however — something that I thought TXF was really good at, even when the resulting scripts weren't the most engaging. Apart from that, though, in the end, I merely saw this town as being just another one of those weird "middle America" communities that have ended up in the middle of Mulder and Scully's path over the years. These people want to eat the flesh of their neighbours so that they can live forever? Oookay... Best or Worst Moment"Help, I'm on my knees and I can't get up!" Seeing our Agent Scully almost destined for some sort of human stew was a bit alarming, but I couldn't help but laugh at how she was "restrained". There was no way that she could have gotten out of that head band thingamajig?? Or was it something about the way she was kneeling that she couldn't straighten up? Oh well, Mulder to the rescue. Anasazi
SummaryBar none, this is the best season ender in all of TXF history. (I, of course, didn't see the series ender, but nothing that I read/heard about it would make me doubt the accuracy of my previous statement.) For the fact that this hour marked my first exposure to TXF, I saw a lot of weird stuff that I couldn't possibly have understood at the time, but it was all so intriguing that I was hooked. (And luckily, I saw it in the fall of 1995 — just before the opening of the third season.) As with One Breath, this was a multi-layered episode in which there was a lot going on at a frenetic pace, but it all came together smoothly. As you might expect, this episode is a selection from my top ten page and is covered in depth there. Best or Worst MomentThe only moment I haven't alluded to in my various discussions of this episode is the Krycek/Mulder encounter. Gotta be classic, even though these two have many memorable clashes later in the series. It's incredible how Nick Lea and DD always give something extra in their scenes together. (And those of us who have heard NL describe the action during filming know how "inadvertently real" some of the pain was.) ... back to top
Overall Rating: 2.64 out of 4I did not see any of this season's episodes during their first run, which means that I was a committed fan already when I eventually caught up with them through occasional reruns and later, via daily syndication. As such, I tend to see many of these episodes through rose-coloured glasses, because the feelings were so "high" when I originally encountered them. To put it in perspective, however — and as most long-term fans would agree — these really were representative of the days when the quality was obvious on The X-Files. Worst / BestThere were many great episodes from this season and it remains the reason why I haven't sold my Season Two DVD set. (I only have two sets — this one and the previous. When my interest in TXF took an angry tumble, I briefly considered selling them. I've since changed my mind even though chances are, I'll probably never get around to viewing all the disks. I guess it's like keeping letters and gifts from an old boyfriend. My time in TXF fandom was a significant and unique part of my life, and for that reason, I see no reason to expunge all memory of it.) Anyway, it's impossible for me to choose one single best episode from a season that saw me rate seven — count 'em, seven — of them with the highest rating possible. Consider it a big tie among Ascension, One Breath, Colony/End Game, and Anasazi. Worst ep? Hmmm... of the four eps that I gave a "poor" rating to (Red Museum, Fresh Bones, The Calusari and Our Town), I'd consider it a toss-up between the middle two. I have little feeling for either of them in the sense of wanting to view them ever again. Most Disappointing / Most SurprisingGiven that I'd heard so much about "the barbecue episode", I have to pick Red Museum as the most disappointing, because all in all, it didn't deliver much of anything interesting or exciting beyond Mulder wiping sauce from Scully's face... and even that scene was arguably not that enticing. It was one of those strangely "disconnected" mythology eps — and we all know how disconnected the connected myth eps became over time — that seemed to raise a bunch of unrelated questions with no possibility of resolution. (Maybe a typical CC production??) My pick for most surprising episode from season two is Aubrey and I'm suspecting that some will be surprised by this selection. I more or less dismissed it on first viewing, but this is an episode that I like more with each subsequent viewing. Sure, it had holes galore in the plot and timeframes — as do many TXF episodes, by the way — but there was also something compelling about it, too — in a "human drama" sense, beyond an X-File. ... back to top |
Little Green Men
Other Reviews: Season 1
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