Retro Review - The X-Files: Season 1

Photo by Mike Petrucci on Unsplash

With the upcoming release of the 11th series of “The X-Files” in January of next year, I thought it might be fun to look at a previous review I did of a series of which I was and am a huge fan. “The X-Files,” which I reviewed quite a few years ago, and which follows on quite nicely from the previous retro review.

I may, as a result, look into reviewing the new series and perhaps previous ones over time. It is a show that had a tremendous impact on me, and I hope the below review will encourage you to look into the series yourself if you’re not already a fan.

So without further adieu, let’s go back in The Delorean (oops, wrong franchise), and revisit the first series of “The X-Files"…

The X"-Files: Season 1 Review

Although the truth is indeed out there, there is a brief non-truth is this review, as it dates from a while back, like the first few reviews I have posted thus far. However, it does change my own views of this great TV series, and I hope you enjoy reading it.

Recently I purchased “The X-Files complete seasons box set”, for a relatively cheaper price at amazon.co.uk, than would be available at other retail stores. A Good deal all in all, and is a rich seam to mine of great content and style.

I've always been a fan of The X-Files since i saw it air on TV. I never especially saw the series in order; it was always through random episodes that aired at a late-night schedule: a rather enjoyable way to watch each one, I thought. Because of this, I was able to absorb each episode for what it was worth as an individual piece on its own terms, rather than being the part of a larger puzzle.

I was able to get lost in this wonderful world of two F.B.I agents, with wonderful chemistry and a unique relationship, as they explored the darker side of science fiction/fantasy. A darker side which included, but was not limited to, the paranormal, abnormal, and downright strange, with an ever-present background aura of a government conspiracy, hiding "something".

As the tagline of the show suggests, "The Truth if Out there" and indeed, this is the main theme of the show, the ever-present search for that something, the truth, the reason behind everything. But I do love how the show would not always wrap things in a neat little bow, how it would always leave something tantalizing to suggest that whatever storyline dealt with, there was always something else out there ready to be gleaned from it, continued or re-visited.

Now that I'm able to watch all the seasons in a row, it's a blissful feeling.

I've just recently finished season 1, and I can safely say, I think I will be consuming the rest of the seasons in a similar, frenetic fashion. It's clear to see how the makers of the show were feeling their way around with the proceedings, exploring neat ideas, and generally setting the tone for what was to come. I especially like how Mulder behaves in the series pilot; he is cocky, slightly full of himself, and funny in a kind of edgy, sly way.

As this progresses, and things change, it's clear that Duchovney, as he went along, managed to find the right balance; the initial palette of paints having been narrowed down to a sufficient level as to portray the character, not only convincingly but with a certain magnetism and self-righteous attitude that never once comes off as the ravings of a mad man.

Mulder is essentially one of us, but he happens to believe in things which a lot of people, when asked straight, probably wouldn't admit to believing in, without them thinking they’d be call deranged or led to question themselves in some way. To Mulder, the unexplained is explainable, but not in the way Scully would have it, through scientific rationality and theory.

He believes whatever is unexplained has an explanation, but not in the realms necessarily of normal "accepted" science, and this is what I love about the character: his willingness to "believe" and go where others might not. A prime example of this is in the episode "Fallen Angel", where Mulder attempts to find out the truth behind the government cover-up of a crashed object.

He is audacious enough to attempt to get behind a highly sensitive and secretive government containment area and to challenge authority on the highest levels of power. Mulder is essentially the rebel of the show, and it'll be interesting to see the places his character goes when the show develops further.

As for Scully, I think she is a necessary component of the show and adds the 2+2 = 4 dynamic to the relationship between her and Mulder. She is the skeptic; in many ways, representative of the rational aspect of the show, and it is the tension between these characters that gives the show its spark. It also gives a nice character arc for both her and Mulder, in that because each character represents something completely different, there is the inherent opportunity to change those characters in interesting ways that can create emotional energy later on.

It has to be said that I think David Duchovney and Gillian Anderson possess unique chemistry that makes it hard for anyone not to take their characters to heart, and to really embrace them as individuals. They both have a quality that could either lend itself to romance, or close friendship, and as I'm aware this is exploited later on in the seasons, I will be very interested to see this overall character arc between the two.

The number of fan videos I have seen on YouTube emphasizing this relationship has left me intrigued, and I think it's fair to say the seeds of this relationship are clearly seen through season 1, in the ways in which humor begins to find its way continually into their relationship, and the ability of Scully to follow Mulder even on the wildest trips into the unknown, is a good testament to her  sense of trust and loyalty to Mulder.

As she says in "The Erlenmeyer Flask", she trusts Mulder above anyone else, despite the fact she often questions his methods. I think the key thing to note here is the tension in the relationship between these two ultimately gives the conceptual drive behind most of what makes the character aspect of “The X-Files” work.

Other characters are always well fleshed out in episodes, despite the fact that some only are shown in one hourly episode, whilst some are recurring, and I think that's a great testament to how well the creative team is able to not only select actors that fit the roles perfectly but can great such a distinctive and unique impression on the first viewing.

The character of Eugene Tombs is a prime example of this, the never being given much to say in his two episodes, but then again, he doesn't need to. The writers have created a character that can be brought to life by a distinct and spooky look, and the actor who plays him is able to convey this beautifully, saying everything he needs to say with his offbeat looks and an uneasy gaze that speaks volumes.

The character of Deep Throat is also an interesting one, continually acting as Mulders secretive link to the potential conspiracy going on at the highest levels of power, and offering Mulder his chance to get ahead and explore new avenues of The X-Files. He is representative of this constant background noise of this aspect of the show, and I think his character is a necessary one to not only show the nature of this aspect but also to help the audience in understanding this and ultimately to question it.

As he remarks in "Ghost in the Machine", there is an element of dubious truth to everything he is saying to Mulder, and it raises the potential possibility in the audience's mind of whether he is leading Mulder on a wild goose chase, in order to keep him from finding the real truth.

What that real truth is, I have yet to put together in the overall context of the show, even though I have generally worked out the major aspects of it from the movie, and through hearing about the season finale. I do know, however, that it will be a great ride in finding out and a great opportunity to explore every facet of this great show, which continues to startle me every time I watch it.

The thing that always strikes me is that the filmmakers really seem to care about the show, and the characters, always investing a great deal of work to make each episode look as cinematically compelling as possible, which goes a long way into building up its appeal over a long term basis.

Every show is beautifully photographed to my eye, making use of shadows to extenuate the darker aspect to the show, which is its key ingredient, and never once deviating from this style, always maintaining the illusion of constant darkness surrounding the characters and events.

Even though some episodes do not have anything to do with the ever-present conspiracy, they are still brilliantly done self-contained storylines, that manage to compel even in a brief time frame, dealing with in some cases traditional notions, such as the Werewolf in "Shapes" or the serial killer in prison aspect, with "Beyond the Sea".

Although these may not be liked by all fans, I think the way they manage to integrate these ideas with the overall aspect of the show, is really brilliant, and I can't wait to watch some of the episodes I remember seeing on TV, in the overall context of the show's timeline, and seeing how they still hold up.

Ultimately, it's a great thing to be able to re-live this series once more, and not only that, but to delve into the behind the scenes aspects to show what the creative buzz and flow was like surrounding each season, and how/why the filmmakers did what they did.

Like any modern-day television series, or past TV series available on DVD, the benefits of the format continue to astonish, offering, in this case, a brilliant little booklet detailing not only the history of the show, but also the history of the audience reaction, and how fans began to respond to it, which is a valuable insight for me, given I was much younger when the series first aired and wasn't able to experience this for myself.

Now thanks to this superb collection, I can, and I can safely say, the ride has just begun.

"The Truth is out there". 

Photo by David Paschke on Unsplash

Author's Note: you'll notice I'm using two images this time and that's simply because I liked both too much to just use the one!

Update: review has been revised to correct various mistakes.