The X-Files: The First Season
On September 10, 1993, audiences first met FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. Played by relative unknowns, David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, there was no way of knowing that they were about to embark on a fascinating, funny, tedious and frustrating journey that would span 9 season and two movies. Fox revived it's seminal sci-fi series last year for a 6 episode run and it proved successful enough to warrant a second go round that is expected to premiere early next year.
There was no way of knowing at the time that the show would become the worldwide phenomenon it is today. That it's catchphrases would be spewed by everyone from hardcore fans to people who have maybe never watched an episode before. So much of the show's DNA has been ingrained into our popular culture. The believer and the skeptic. The will they/won't they back and forth. Little gray men. "The truth is out there." The show has inspired almost every sci-fi show that has come after it and it's rabid fan base is still as passionate about the show as it was when the show first premiered 24 years ago.
As we prepare to re-open the X-Files once again, let's take a look at the show season by season, starting with the one that started it all. These look backs will be structured in a way to help people who maybe want to binge the show but aren't sure they can make it through 208 episodes and 2 feature length films before the show returns early next year. So, we will take a look at each season's mythology episodes, the very best standalone episodes, better known as "Monster of the Week episodes, the season has to offer, the episodes you can skip and end with an overall grade.
Now, without further adieu, let's go back to where it all began.
"Pilot" - I know that technically the pilot episode is a mythology episode, but I love it so much that it's getting it's own special slot. Outside of the necessary setup for the show's premise, the pilot episode is a template for the majority of X-Files episodes that follow. Mulder and Scully are assigned a case that has some sort of unexplainable bent, he gets excited about the extra normal possibilities, Scully offers a plethora of plausible possibilities, Mulder rejects them, we (and most times Mulder) are privy to weird shit that could be paranormal or extraterrestrial in origin, the episode ends with no firm explanation of what really happened. It also introduces some key elements of the show's overall mythology: the possible abduction of Mulder's sister, Samantha, marks on an abductees body, missing time, the first appearance of the Cigarette Smoking Man, the government cover up. It's a strong pilot that gives you a great idea of what to expect going forward. Duchovny and Anderson kill it and if it wasn't for the unnecessary topless Scully scene, it would be perfect.
Mythology
"Deep Throat" - The second episode of the show is a continuation of the pilot. Mulder and Scully meet an ally in their quest to uncover the truth. Jerry Hardin's Deep Throat is the first person with knowledge of a government conspiracy to come forward and try to guide our intrepid agents, for their benefit or his, we never know. The episode itself is a bit run of the mill. Mulder and Scully head to Idaho to investigate the reappearance of an Air Force pilot who may have been driven a little crazy piloting aircraft with UFO tech. The episode is the first to feature what would become a well used trope of Mulder sneaking onto government bases and getting roughed up. And how about a young Seth Green as a stoner that gives the agents some information?
"Fallen Angel" - Not only does Mulder get caught and beat up a lot by government agents, he also finds himself in front of disciplinary committees quite a bit. These are always great because Duchovny excels at angry acting. After a tip from Deep Throat sends the agents to the site of a potential UFO crash, Mulder finds himself facing the possible shut down of the X-Files. The episode introduces NICAP member, Max Fenig. There is an invisible alien? Maybe. An abduction of some sort. Confusing. X-Files.
"E.B.E." - The acronym stands for "extraterrestrial biological entity" and this episode finds Mulder and Scully on the hunt for one while at the same time being helped and hindered by Deep Throat. This episode is great because there is so much anticipation. Will we actually see an alien? How far is the show willing to go? It also gives Jerry Hardin's Deep Throat a great monologue towards the end of the episode that deepens his character while still keeping him somewhat mysterious. Oh yeah, this is also the first episode featuring lovable conspiracy theorists, Langly, Byars and Frohike, the Lone Gunmen.
"The Erlenmeyer Flask" - The first season finale ratchets up the conspiracy and kicks the overall series mythology into overdrive. It lays the building blocks for things that would become mainstays of the show, for better or worse. Mulder and Scully find material that can only be described as extraterrestrial. The "Crew Cut Man" assassin is introduced. We start seeing the building blocks of hybridization and colonization and one person doesn't make it out of the episode alive. All this and you start to see Scully question her firm scientific beliefs. A solid ending to a solid debut season.
"Monster of the Week"
"Squeeze" - This was the first X-Files episode that really kind of scared me. It tells the story of Eugene Victor Tooms, a man who extends his life by periodically feasting on gall bladders. The episode is pure creepy horror and features the first time Scully gets to go full bad ass. The character of Tooms proved so popular that he was brought back towards the end of the first season in an episode that also features the first appearance of Assistant Director Walter Skinner (Mitch Pileggi).
"Ice" - A terrific bottle episode that finds Mulder and Scully taking a team of doctors and scientists to an Arctic outpost to investigate the previous team going crazy and killing each other. The episode is claustrophobic in the best way and you're never sure who to trust. It features some great practical effects and toys with the notion of what is out there that we don't know how to deal with. It also features a fine performance from Felicity Huffman.
"Eve" - After two fathers are killed in the exact same fashion on different coasts, the agents are pulled into a eugenics plot involving mentally unstable female clones. You seriously can't go wrong with creepy twins and a delightfully unhinged performance from "Frasier's" Harriet Sansom Harris.
"Beyond the Sea" - This is the first episode where you really see what a gift to the show Gillian Anderson really is. After the untimely death of her father (the incomparable Don S. Davis), Scully is thrown for a loop when she accompanies Mulder to meet with death row inmate Luther Lee Boggs. Boggs is bargaining for a lesser sentence by using his psychic powers to help the FBI locate a missing couple. Mulder's profile helped put Boggs away and he plays the role of the skeptic, while Scully finds herself believing in Boggs after seeing visions of her father and hearing Boggs tell her things he couldn't possibly know. This role reversal really works. It puts Scully front and center for really the first time and Anderson sells the hell out of the conflicting emotions and grief Scully is feeling. This isn't the last time that Gillian Anderson will walk away with an episode, but you never forget your first time.
You Can Skip These
"Space" - Oy vey. I'm sure there is a great X-Files story to be told about a NASA commander haunted by the extraterrestrial ghost he encountered on a space walk, but this overwrought, laughable mess is not it.
"Fire" - This episode has a cool concept, a pyrokinetic who also happens to be a pyromaniac terrorizes a diplomat and his family, but the execution is super sloppy. A never before seen and never to be seen again romantic interest for Mulder and a super intense fear of fire that we never hear about again plus a squandered guest star "Supernatural"s Mark Sheppard, as the aforementioned pyro make this a huge bust.
Overall Grade: B+
The first season of The X-Files really excels at setting a template that the show would follow successfully for the next few season. It is great watching Duchovny and Anderson's chemistry grow. They may not be the most memorable episodes the show produced but they are fun and there a couple of classics mixed in.
Check back soon as we take a look at season two and feel free to comment with your favorite season one episodes or let me know if you disagree with any I have singled out.
As we prepare to re-open the X-Files once again, let's take a look at the show season by season, starting with the one that started it all. These look backs will be structured in a way to help people who maybe want to binge the show but aren't sure they can make it through 208 episodes and 2 feature length films before the show returns early next year. So, we will take a look at each season's mythology episodes, the very best standalone episodes, better known as "Monster of the Week episodes, the season has to offer, the episodes you can skip and end with an overall grade.
Now, without further adieu, let's go back to where it all began.
"Pilot" - I know that technically the pilot episode is a mythology episode, but I love it so much that it's getting it's own special slot. Outside of the necessary setup for the show's premise, the pilot episode is a template for the majority of X-Files episodes that follow. Mulder and Scully are assigned a case that has some sort of unexplainable bent, he gets excited about the extra normal possibilities, Scully offers a plethora of plausible possibilities, Mulder rejects them, we (and most times Mulder) are privy to weird shit that could be paranormal or extraterrestrial in origin, the episode ends with no firm explanation of what really happened. It also introduces some key elements of the show's overall mythology: the possible abduction of Mulder's sister, Samantha, marks on an abductees body, missing time, the first appearance of the Cigarette Smoking Man, the government cover up. It's a strong pilot that gives you a great idea of what to expect going forward. Duchovny and Anderson kill it and if it wasn't for the unnecessary topless Scully scene, it would be perfect.
Mythology
"Deep Throat" - The second episode of the show is a continuation of the pilot. Mulder and Scully meet an ally in their quest to uncover the truth. Jerry Hardin's Deep Throat is the first person with knowledge of a government conspiracy to come forward and try to guide our intrepid agents, for their benefit or his, we never know. The episode itself is a bit run of the mill. Mulder and Scully head to Idaho to investigate the reappearance of an Air Force pilot who may have been driven a little crazy piloting aircraft with UFO tech. The episode is the first to feature what would become a well used trope of Mulder sneaking onto government bases and getting roughed up. And how about a young Seth Green as a stoner that gives the agents some information?
"Fallen Angel" - Not only does Mulder get caught and beat up a lot by government agents, he also finds himself in front of disciplinary committees quite a bit. These are always great because Duchovny excels at angry acting. After a tip from Deep Throat sends the agents to the site of a potential UFO crash, Mulder finds himself facing the possible shut down of the X-Files. The episode introduces NICAP member, Max Fenig. There is an invisible alien? Maybe. An abduction of some sort. Confusing. X-Files.
"E.B.E." - The acronym stands for "extraterrestrial biological entity" and this episode finds Mulder and Scully on the hunt for one while at the same time being helped and hindered by Deep Throat. This episode is great because there is so much anticipation. Will we actually see an alien? How far is the show willing to go? It also gives Jerry Hardin's Deep Throat a great monologue towards the end of the episode that deepens his character while still keeping him somewhat mysterious. Oh yeah, this is also the first episode featuring lovable conspiracy theorists, Langly, Byars and Frohike, the Lone Gunmen.
"The Erlenmeyer Flask" - The first season finale ratchets up the conspiracy and kicks the overall series mythology into overdrive. It lays the building blocks for things that would become mainstays of the show, for better or worse. Mulder and Scully find material that can only be described as extraterrestrial. The "Crew Cut Man" assassin is introduced. We start seeing the building blocks of hybridization and colonization and one person doesn't make it out of the episode alive. All this and you start to see Scully question her firm scientific beliefs. A solid ending to a solid debut season.
"Monster of the Week"
"Squeeze" - This was the first X-Files episode that really kind of scared me. It tells the story of Eugene Victor Tooms, a man who extends his life by periodically feasting on gall bladders. The episode is pure creepy horror and features the first time Scully gets to go full bad ass. The character of Tooms proved so popular that he was brought back towards the end of the first season in an episode that also features the first appearance of Assistant Director Walter Skinner (Mitch Pileggi).
"Ice" - A terrific bottle episode that finds Mulder and Scully taking a team of doctors and scientists to an Arctic outpost to investigate the previous team going crazy and killing each other. The episode is claustrophobic in the best way and you're never sure who to trust. It features some great practical effects and toys with the notion of what is out there that we don't know how to deal with. It also features a fine performance from Felicity Huffman.
"Eve" - After two fathers are killed in the exact same fashion on different coasts, the agents are pulled into a eugenics plot involving mentally unstable female clones. You seriously can't go wrong with creepy twins and a delightfully unhinged performance from "Frasier's" Harriet Sansom Harris.
"Beyond the Sea" - This is the first episode where you really see what a gift to the show Gillian Anderson really is. After the untimely death of her father (the incomparable Don S. Davis), Scully is thrown for a loop when she accompanies Mulder to meet with death row inmate Luther Lee Boggs. Boggs is bargaining for a lesser sentence by using his psychic powers to help the FBI locate a missing couple. Mulder's profile helped put Boggs away and he plays the role of the skeptic, while Scully finds herself believing in Boggs after seeing visions of her father and hearing Boggs tell her things he couldn't possibly know. This role reversal really works. It puts Scully front and center for really the first time and Anderson sells the hell out of the conflicting emotions and grief Scully is feeling. This isn't the last time that Gillian Anderson will walk away with an episode, but you never forget your first time.
You Can Skip These
"Space" - Oy vey. I'm sure there is a great X-Files story to be told about a NASA commander haunted by the extraterrestrial ghost he encountered on a space walk, but this overwrought, laughable mess is not it.
"Fire" - This episode has a cool concept, a pyrokinetic who also happens to be a pyromaniac terrorizes a diplomat and his family, but the execution is super sloppy. A never before seen and never to be seen again romantic interest for Mulder and a super intense fear of fire that we never hear about again plus a squandered guest star "Supernatural"s Mark Sheppard, as the aforementioned pyro make this a huge bust.
Overall Grade: B+
The first season of The X-Files really excels at setting a template that the show would follow successfully for the next few season. It is great watching Duchovny and Anderson's chemistry grow. They may not be the most memorable episodes the show produced but they are fun and there a couple of classics mixed in.
Check back soon as we take a look at season two and feel free to comment with your favorite season one episodes or let me know if you disagree with any I have singled out.
No comments:
Post a Comment