X-Files Rerun "The Erlenmeyer Flask"

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X-Files Rerun "Roland"

"I don't think they'll be performing this experiment on Beakman's World."
Originally Aired 5/6/94

I always watch an episode twice before I start writing my review. Usually the first time is to sit back and enjoy it, then the second time I'll pick out phrases and scenes that I can highlight. During the second time watching "Roland", I noticed David Nutter's name was attached as the director. I believe he's partially responsible for the success of this episode. I don't think the plot is all that thrilling, with jet engine experimenting and cryogenics, so it would have to rely on the actors' performances to get anything interesting out of it. Which is exactly what David Nutter did through the casting of guest actor Zeljko Ivanek as the title character. He brings a sweetness and sadness to the role of Roland. This episode also contains one of my favorite pieces of music from the entire run of the series, "Roland's Theme", which is a simple tune on the piano that is both sad and haunting.

Something I've always noticed in movies and television is that when people have dreams or visions, it's always in the 3rd person. You never see them performing an action through their own perspective, so as a director I would strive to be as accurate as possible, deadlines be damned! I know why they reuse footage; I'm just being silly and nitpicky. Another small nitpick is that I would think as the temperature of Roland's popsicle brother increased, he would lose his psychic link. Instead its Scully who asks Roland to turn off the machine. I guess that explains the ending scene where Roland brushes his hair before leaving the half-way house- is Arthur still inside of his head?

X-Files Rerun "Born Again"

The "No Witty Subtitles" Edition
Originally Aired 4/29/94

"I'll say something crazy, you'll shoot me down; rinse and repeat."

This episode might be more enjoyable if it didn't feel just like "Shadows" from earlier in the season. It's a Law & Order-styled plot with revenge from beyond the grave, this time via reincarnation in the form of an 8-year old girl. Years ago several cops were involved in a dirty deal, with one of them being a reluctant participant so he was "offed" by the rest, only now he's getting revenge through young Michelle Bishop. Mulder and Scully are called to the scene when one of those cops dies, leaving Michelle as the only witness. Cue The Twilight Zone theme. While I was never a huge fan of The X-Files theme, it does have that same simplistic hum of The Twilight Zone's, and is a good fit for following these wacky supernatural shenanigans in each episode's teaser.

I do like the way the investigation unfolds though, as Mulder discovers the mutilated dolls match the wounds inflicted on Charlie, while his wife mysteriously receives Origami that Michelle also has a fascination with creating. Another interesting point is that they use hypnosis on Michelle to make her relive her past lives under Mulder's assumption she's Charlie Morris, which reminds me of Mulder's therapy to learn details of his sister's abduction. Since I'm watching this after seeing Season 4's "The Field Where I Died", that episode also used the same hypnosis to relive past life experiences.

"Born Again" isn't among the worst episodes of this first season, though Howard Gordon's name would be attached to better episodes over the next 3 seasons. After writing reviews for these first four seasons and now redoing them, I'm sensing a few patterns in my style of writing and also of the series. An absence of one-liners from Mulder is a clue to the quality of an episode, while an absence of a good caption from me is another.

X-Files Rerun "Tooms"

"You can get the next mutant."

Originally Aired 4/22/94

Best red herring ever?

Following the Pilot and the Season One finale, I believe this is the most important episode of the first season. “Beyond the Sea”, with the introduction of Scully’s family, gives this episode a run at that claim; however “Tooms” is the first sequel in the series’ history. A few earlier episodes this season can be connected as the foundation of the mythology (“Pilot”, “Deep Throat”, “Fallen Angel”, “E.B.E.”), yet the events of those episodes were never followed up, like the disappearance of Max Fenig. Besides featuring the return of one of my favorite villains, Eugene Victor Tooms, this episode also features the return of the mysterious suited smoker, and introduces the X-Files’ superior, Assistant Director Skinner.

I really liked the introduction of Skinner because Scully’s job of debunking Mulder was never really followed up on as much as I think it could have been. While she did type up reports during episodes and she was always challenging Mulder’s theories, she only met with that Section Chief Blevins guy one other time. I bet there might have been the idea to keep Mulder and Scully at odds longer but producers and writers may have noticed the chemistry of Gillian and David, so they changed plans. So I think Skinner was there to add that mysterious element; is he a friend or a foe, even a tool of this smoking man? And adding him actually brought them closer together.

After making this statement, I have another: while I love “Squeeze”, I’ve rarely watched “Tooms.” It’s probably strange but I can’t explain it. I just remember that Tooms is released on parole, and then he tries to frame Mulder, before getting grinded into bits under an escalator. It is a really fun episode with plenty of creepy moments and humor from Mulder. Tooms just acts way creepier here and what I call his “liver vision” is more effective. Though I still wonder if he hibernates 30 years, then wakes up to feed, how did he ever age enough to become a healthy-looking 30 year old man? It could have been cool to follow up on the body they found in concrete and how he was actually linked to Tooms, though the direction they went with the story worked well enough. Another thing I want to mention is that people have said The Cigarette-Smoking Man is the series’ version of Darth Vader, yet after seeing him sitting in the chair with his weathered face, he is more like the Emperor in the Star Wars movies. He’s the puppet-master who’s pulling Skinner’s strings.

I liked the ending as well with Mulder telling Scully that a change is coming. After watching Seasons 3 and 4 and noticing that the final standalone hints at what’s to come in the finale, it seems like “Tooms” could be better suited before “The Erlenmeyer Flask”. Now we'll have two more standalones to ponder what’s on the horizon for Mulder and Scully.

X-Files Rerun "Darkness Falls"

"Come out, come out, wherever you are!"
Originally Aired 4/15/1994

If his X-Files career didn't pan out, Mulder could've always been a catalog model.

I recall this is one of the earliest episodes I watched when I got into the series through Sci Fi Channel reruns some 6 or 7 years ago. It's one I've always liked, though unfortunately the quality of many other Season One episodes has reduced the impact of "Darkness Falls."

Just like the previous episode, "Shapes", this episode also makes use of the forests of Vancouver. The bugs that attack the loggers in the forest don't look like they'd be a threat, but don't let their appearance fool you. The cocoon that they spot high-up in a tree is pretty neat and it makes sense that Scully should spot it since she's not a believer, so her "Oh my God!" face really sells the threat of the bugs.

Time may not have been kind to "Darkness Falls" since it slipped down my list of favorites but this rewatch helped to boost it's standing. It's in the vein of classic horror movies, which isolate a group of people, then force them to team up against ghouls or ghosts. Night of the Living Dead featured a swarm of zombies surrounding a house, The Thing had a crew in Antarctica, and "Darkness Falls" uses glowing insects. The X-Files isn't just a creature show though, as it always used great characterizations, too. They spent the first ten minutes of the episode showing and telling us that the eco-terrorists are a nasty group of people who's actions left Mulder, Scully, and friends stranded in the foods. Then, in X-Files fashion, they add one of those "terrorists" to the group for added tension.

Even though Chris Carter was the series' creator, he didn't seem to have much success in creating weekly monster tales for Mulder and Scully. "Darkness Falls" was a turning point for Chris and proved that he wasn't going to be outdone by his writing staff.

These bugs got nuthin' on The Smoke Monster!

X-Files Rerun "Shapes"

"It's made for a woman but strong enough for a man."
Originally Aired 4/1/1994

You don't need to give him CPR, he's already dead.

This episode is fine to look at, which is a good example of the gloomy Vancouver setting for filming the tv series. The moments that are interesting are few and far between, however its still a better Native American werewolf story than Twilight.

"Shapes" begins with a cattle ranch that is under attack from an animal, which brings Mulder and Scully out to investigate because Mulder thinks its more than just an ordinary animal. I did appreciate that they tried to link the werewolf story to Native American lore; also the moments of continuity when Mulder says this is the first "X-file" case and Scully mentions her father. There is also a nice touch from the director, who focuses the camera on a rattling glass of alcohol, while the werewolf attack is out of focus in the background. The werewolf transformation is fine, too; although the blurry/slow-motion werewolf attacks look hackneyed and totally 90's.

Since writing these X-Files reviews on my own blog, I've been adding a quote from each episode or some other quote which I feel is funny. However "Shapes" rarely offered anything in the way of fun dialogue from Mulder, which seems to be the measuring stick for determining quality X-Files episodes; no Mulder jokes means not worth a rewatch. I wouldn't call this worst episode of Season One, though, as that dishonor still goes to "Space."

X-Files Rerun "Miracle Man"

"A few thousand grasshoppers does not constitute a plague."
Originally Aired 3/18/1994

Smoke 'em if you got 'em!

I assume the inspiration for this episode came from the surplus of televangelists that populated tv channels back when The X-Files debuted. It feels more like a parody of them once you see the people rejoicing in the reverend's tent and hear all of Mulder's comments about Elvis and Woodstock. Other than those comments from Mulder, I can't say this episode is a particularly exciting one.

This case is brought to Mulder and Scully when a faith healer's powers may be killing rather than saving. It is known that Scully is Catholic, yet Mulder is the one who believes in Samuel's powers, then he has a vision or two of a young girl that represents his missing sister. I could actually do without that part of the episode. Felt a bit shoe-horned into the episode. And then there's of course the token law enforcer standing in the way. His grudge with the reverend and his son was a bit contrived. I guess it would have made more sense to me if the reverend was presented as more of a crook but they really didn't get into much of his personality at all. He's just a victim that seemed caught in the middle.

I can't say this is a poor episode, because its not, it's just not all that thrilling. Maybe I would've liked it more if those kinks were worked out in the story. The acting is fine and Mulder's one-liners are enough to outweigh the bad.

X-Files Rerun "E.B.E."

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