“The X-Files” returns to Fox (Jan 24) for six new episodes, which should
please its legion of fans.
This type of revival (like “Ash vs Evil Dead”) is probably the best (and most consistent) way followers can get their fix, even though an “X-Files” movie franchise should have furthered the flow. Alas, “I Want to Believe” faltered at the box-office. (Personally, I thought its Frankenstein, stem-cell based story was rather inventive and in tune with the series dark formula, but it got eclipsed by "The Dark Knight”, which was destined to crush any form of competition.)
This type of revival (like “Ash vs Evil Dead”) is probably the best (and most consistent) way followers can get their fix, even though an “X-Files” movie franchise should have furthered the flow. Alas, “I Want to Believe” faltered at the box-office. (Personally, I thought its Frankenstein, stem-cell based story was rather inventive and in tune with the series dark formula, but it got eclipsed by "The Dark Knight”, which was destined to crush any form of competition.)
With the franchise's testing-the-waters return, some episodes will act as stand-alones, while other parts will thematically
connect to the original series' mythology. Whatever the story content, Chris Carter is again at the helm (a plus), even directing a few installments, as are its acting principles, David Duchovny as Fox Mulder and Gillian Anderson as Dana Scully. Mitch Pileggi and William B. Davis are also back to stir the nostalgic flavor.
If the truth be known, despite "I Want to Believe'"s miscalculation, “X-Files” should have been reinstated long before this. Heck, a few direct-to-disc movies would have acted as a decent bridge to a new weekly series. (Also, there’s
a big audience for these monster-of-the week shows, as “Grimm” and Fox's very own "Sleepy Hollow" have demonstrated.) Nevertheless, better late than never. Let’s hope the brief revival leads to a longer extension, but that all depends on what's offered this time around.
Personally, an unpretentious, head-on, alien/monster approach ensures success. A lot of prelude chatter, with no creature and/or paranormal manifestations, won't do. We know what "X-Files" is; so why tease us with mere insinuations? As long as the basic concept is rekindled, there's no reason to believe this one should fail.
Darn football game delayed the premiere, so I'll have to catch it later. Not pleased. Couldn't stay up any later since I had to go into work all the earlier the next morn due to circumstances relating to the massive snowfall we received this weekend. For something as highly publicized as the "X-Files" revival, I would have expected much better scheduling for the intro. What a shame...
ReplyDeleteFinally watched "My Struggle", and I gotta say, the conspiracy component was pumped mighty high.
ReplyDeleteFound Mulder's swing from doleful cynic to high-powered believer the installment's main attraction. Well, the Roswell scenes were also pretty strong; only wish they could have lasted longer or that there could have been more.
I wouldn't call the episode any sort of world-shaker, but it sure did hold my interest. Don't know where things are headed, but I'm sure willing to hang on to find out.
Anticipated a stronger link between "My Struggle" and "Founder's Mutation", but I guess it's okay that such didn't prevail. The latter had an old-school "X-Files" tone, which was nice, with a plot that smacked of "Scanners".
ReplyDeleteI was most impressed by the evolutionary references, with footage shown from "Escape From the Planet of the Apes" and "2001: A Space Odyssey": nice touch, which ties in with the show's whole alien evolutionary theme.
"Mulder and Scully Meet the Were Monster" was a fun episode. The lizard man was both sympathetic and funny; oh, and his attire was a lovely nod to Carl Kolchak. Every so often, I do enjoy these lighter episodes. They can be a nice diversion from the general, brooding stuff.
ReplyDelete"Home Again"--pretty solid, eerie entry, with a more-or-less local context for me.
ReplyDeleteInteresting use of Petula Clark's "Downtown" to punctuate the horror.
Well, we're four episodes in on the six-part revival; so far, so good.
BTW: The episode's neo-Golem inclusion was rather neat: not necessarily original at its core, but effective nonetheless.
Delete"Babylon" was engrossing, but disturbing all the same due to its terrorist element. I found the surreal "power of suggestion" aspect the episode's saving grace: the thing that made it go down easy. Probably should re-explore the installment later down the line.
ReplyDelete"My Struggle II" sure was a tense one (with a strong insinuation that its events could possibly happen or something thereabout), and what an ending! I like the way the story swung back to the season opener, but there's so much more to explore. I sure hope we're not left hanging.
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