X-Files S10 Episode 6 Mini Review

This second half of the episode named 'my struggle', a name that now makes sense. It is also the last episode of the season (que disappointed 'aaw' sounds). It starts with a monologue by Scully, mirroring the monologue by Mulder in the first half. Of course, Scully monologueing has more history on the show, what with her reports often wrapping up an episode and all.

Einstein and Miller (Faux Mulder and Phony Scully) are back as well. The episode could have done without them. Einstein at least has something to do (helping real Scully), though that role could have been better fleshed out if filled by the nurse we've come to known. Miller, for most of the episode, only seems to be present to show the audience he still exists, before being awkwardly shoehorned into the plot. Monica Reyes makes an appearance, which is only interesting to the most hardcore of fans, since she is one of those later season characters. Like T-1000.

The overall plot, however, is great. It really ties the show together. The main conflict kind of reminds me of 1989's Batman, which is always a plus. One notable difference is the scale, X-Flies amps it up to a global level. The ending is surprisingly open, hinting at the possibility of more to come. I certainly hope so, because watching the past six episodes have been a blast. Still, it does feel somewhat unresolved. For an episode that so neatly ties up older loose ends, it also creates a few.

X-Files S10 Episode 5 Mini Review

The intro follows a young Islamic man on his way to a building called 'Ziggurat' (a ziggurat is an ancient Mesopotamian structure said to have inspired the Tower of Babel), where he and an accomplish blow it, and presumably themselves, up. The tone is so different from other X-Files episodes that I assumed to be watching a program airing prior to the X-Files until the familiar opening theme started.

The actual episode bends back into a tone we're more accustomed to. Mulder talks about trumpet like sounds from the sky, a somewhat topical reference, and likens them to Biblical narrative. Which opens up interesting dialogue between him and Scully, who is religious (Mulder is not). Both in the opening and closing of the episode. Then, to get the ball rolling, we receive exposition from two young new agents named Miller and Einstein. They are overly Mulder and Scully -esque, only younger. I'm immediately uncomfortable with this. What is happening? Is Fox (the network, not Mulder) trying to sneak in a soft reboot? I want the real Scully and Mulder dammit! If there's anything the show's history has thought us is that simply replacing the agents doesn't work. Spin-offs on the other hand are fine. Luckily, Mulder and Scully still get ample screen time. These new kids are still making me nervous though.

The episode centers around religious extremism, the most topical subject the new season has put forward so far. There is one plot point of which the logic eludes me. I'm keeping this spoiler free, but I'm sure those who've already seen the episode know what I'm talking about. Other than that and faux Mulder and Scully, it's a pretty solid episode. The visuals especially are highly enjoyable.

X-Files S10 Episode 4 Mini Review

A pretty awesome slasher inter cut with moving family drama on Scully's side.

There are two types of shots that seem out of place. One because of the camera angle and the other is a handful of flashbacks which highlight the time passed in an awkward manner. On the other hand, there are plenty of cool visuals to balance it out. One of them being the beams of light from flashlights crossed like an 'x' right after Mulder says "back in the day is now". I don't know about you guys, but I'm a sucker for that kind of iconic imagery.
The main antagonist, 'Trashman', is an instant classic. I honestly think you could easily make a feature length film about this guy. The episode explains his inception with new age principles half correctly taken from eastern concepts. However, it strongly reminded me of a Jewish concept instead. Though I can't elaborate any further without wandering into spoiler territory.
The episode ends in a rather moving and intimate way. Mostly carried by Gillian Anderson's heartfelt interpretation of the script.

X-Files S10 Episode 3 Mini Review

A fun monster of the week episode that is very much in line with the tone of such episodes in the original series. There's not much to say about this episode as it is pretty straight forward. It's hilarious, has a sweet ending and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

X-Files S10 Episode 2 Mini Review

The opening scene is fantastic. Although its subject material might be somewhat dark, there is a definite Raimi -esque camp present. In other words, perfect X-Files material. When Mulder and Scully arrive they look exactly like they're supposed to. All the looks poses and dynamic in dialogue are reminiscent of exactly why I once fell in love with the series in the first place. The episode's tone has a wide range. There's tension, humour, reflection, action -and there's some stuff about William in there that's pretty heavy. Episode 1 was fine, episode 2 is great. I love it. I can recommend this episode to anyone, but to give a bit of a clearer idea, I can recommend this episode to fans of The X-Men and The Avengers: Age of Ultron especially. Parents and caretakers are also sure to have their heartstrings tugged.

X-Files S10 Episode 1 Mini Review

The episode starts out with a opening monologue by Mulder, explaining what everyone should already know by now. The rest of the episode feel awesomely classic. The conversations carry the proper weight and sucks the viewer right in. Though that might have come at the cost of humour, of which there was little to go around. Mulder looks scruffy, in accordance with the plot, which creates the danger of Duchovny looking like Hank Moody. This effect was averted early on in the episode however when Mulder declines a drink. His acting, of course, also doesn't play a small part in bringing us back ten years. Gillian Anderson is equally enjoyable on screen and delivers some of the most poignant lines of the episode. Impressive when you consider she's the one not suggesting vast conspiracies. Her hair seems inconsistent throughout the episode. A superficial observation of course, but none the less odd for such a big production. The end of the episode is highly satisfying, I'm definitely tuning in for the next episode.