X-FILES SEASON 11: I WANT TO BELIEVE AGAIN

I've yearned for another "X-Files" resurgence, if only because Season 10 so hit the mark. Nonetheless, after a two-year wait, Season 11 at long last begins (and with 10 episodes to characterize it), commencing Jan 3, at 8 pm on Fox. 

Evidently, a continuation of Season 10's "My Struggle" motif will resume, but the general creatures; conspiracies; shady governmental procedures; and clever misleads will remain a common part of Chris Carter's re-entry into the weird, the inexplicable and sometimes startlingly rational. 

Agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) helm the return (of course), with Walter Skinner (Mitch Pileggi); Cassandra Spender (Veronica Cartwright); and her ex-spouse, the ever reliable Cigarette/Smoking Man (William B. Davis) guest starring. Nice and nostalgic, just as it should be...

With "Grimm" and "Sleepy Hollow" now out of commission, and no guarantee that "Exorcist: the Series" will spawn a Season 3, it's nice to see "X-Files" take the reins for more "Night Stalker" inspired devilry. (Say, that comical, Kolchak tangent of Season 10 was quite neat, don't ya think?) Anyway, from what the promotional photos signal, it looks like we're in for some somber stuff on this continuation for the "truth", but then it wouldn't be "X-Files" otherwise, would it?

Perhaps, when all is said and done, it's best that these revivals come infrequently, if just to ensure we savor them more; but I do hope the latest return will lead to regular manifestations (even if Anderson claims this will be her last hurrah; please say it ain't so!). There's always room for paranormal and alien encounters on television, regardless of the participants; and besides, these eerie accounts hold more honesty than anything we're apt to find on the distorted, mainstream news.

X-Files: The Belief is Back!!!

“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.)

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.  

Hannibal Season 3 Commences...

Though it seemed NBC was set to axe "Hannibal", the show has endured with a new season premiering the first week of June...but how much longer will it last? I, for one, do hope the series extends beyond the third season and that if bumbling NBC eventually tosses it, the likes of Amazon, Netflix or A&E will be come to the rescue.

Because the series has haunted me so, I've decided to establish a post for my reflections. (Should have done so for "Bates Motel" this past season, but hey, there's always next time around, right?)

Anyway, as I'm sure many of you will attest, "Hannibal" is an extraordinary concoction: a complex, thinking person's plunge into splatter and the macabre, which also dares to probe moral issues. Mads Mikkelsen is superb as the calm but chilling Dr. Lecter, and the supporting cast, which includes Hugh Dancy, Laurence Fishburne and Gillian Anderson, is equally enthralling. 

Anyway, here's wishing the best to the new season and (with bloodied fingers crossed) a long, gruesome life to the devilish saga. Bon appetit!