im a huge fan of space; both outer and personal

Episode 14: Gender Bender

Ya’ll, this episode was so weird. I don’t know why, but I felt like watching this episode was the equivalent to an X-Files-induced acid trip. Amish people and aliens are obviously not too different from each other (both of them are kind of foreign concepts who would ask a lot of questions about television, etc)... but this was just. So weird. And I’m watching X-Files, so that’s saying a lot.

I also had no idea what was going to happen once I saw the title of this episode. Given that we’re in the early ‘90s, I was like “what the heck is this topic going to be????”

There was also a sort of cultish uncomfortable “Midsommar” sense when watching this episode. So creepy. I cannot even begin to describe how uncomfortable “Brother Andrew” made me feel. I think maybe the 45 minute episode was just not enough to fully flesh out the story that they were trying to tell with this creepy weird crew of Amish-like people, since there was just a lot going on here. Perhaps they’ll be back in the future?

Interesting, how willing they were willing to go in 1994 in regard to the mixing up of gender roles and sexuality between men and women. Not enough Mulder-and-Scully interaction, but that’s to be expected. Gotta keep us all wanting more, right?

Episode 13: Beyond the Sea

Ohhhh BOYYY do I love when shows like this really turn the tables. This kept us on our feet, switched around the dynamic between Mulder and Scully, and very deeply turned this show into something very personal. Did it feel a bit gimmicky? Maybe. I don’t know.

I loved Scully’s desperation, the way she is so absolutely believing what’s happening but not wanting to, and how this time it’s Mulder who has to be convinced. It gives a bit of a glimpse, too, to what it could have been like if their roles were permanently reversed. 

(Potential spoilers below)

Okay. I do think meh, it’s a bit convenient to show Scully’s parents and then immediately kill off her dad. Very plot-device-y. But I think it’s okay, for this show, which it’s also in it’s very first season and really needs to pull out all the stops. The way the song is used throughout the episode is absolutely eerie-- and this is NOT a song I normally think of as eerie. I actually felt sad for Scully, saw her pain and anguish and confusion and the way she so much wanted to believe, possibly for the first time so far in this show ever. 

And we JUST met her dad!!!

That could be a testament to GIllian Anderson’s acting, the writing, or just that I’m already very invested in the show and the characters, and the fact that Scully thus far has not had very emotional reactions to much of anything yet (Ice is still my favorite episode in terms of the emotional aspect and plot), and this shows a vulnerability we haven’t really seen yet.

I liked this, for that alone.

And man, is that guy creepy. I’d hate for that to be the guy who can speak to my dead loved ones. Talk about a messenger.

Episode 12: Fire

I must say, so far I think I enjoy some of the “monster-of-the-week” episodes (the one-offs that don’t carry over into other episodes) more than I’ve been enjoying some of the ones connected to other episodes, like with the weird guy or whatever. I don’t know if it’s just because they’re reminiscent of sci-fi movies and storylines and I like how they wrap up, or if the writing is just more exciting and the side-characters are often more fleshed out?

I loved the weird creepiness of the man, and the children, and the absolute jealousy that was going down with Scully when all of the interactions were happening between Mulder and Madame Ex-Girlfriend (which is such a weird move for this show, for some reason). It’s cool when from right off the bat we know all the truth of what the secrets are, and then we have to watch Scully and Mulder try to figure it out too. 

Creepy pryo guy and the little British kids wins as being creepier than and more unsettling than a lot of horror movies I’ve watched. Don’t ask me why.

I’d watch this episode again. I just need Madame Ex-Girlfriend to not show up. 

Episode 11: Eve

Yooooooo. This one was crazy. Some of the things I loved about this one:

1. Mulder and Scully having to really work as a team

2. Creepy children

3. A very unknown ending, honestly. 

I like when they break from the regular “UFO/alien” format. I know that’s the point of the show, but the episodes where they show more creativity and force the characters to think outside the box are my favorite. And the “monster of the week” for this episode was so frickin weird. I feel like one of the marks of an interesting episode (for me, at least) is if it could be a stand-alone episode, or if I could use it to entice someone into watching the X-Files without having to give them a ton of background. 

(Spoilers below)

From the BEGINNING of the episode, the two little girls were absolutely unsettling. I spent the entire episode trying to figure out the mystery of these creepy kids, especially since they seemed to have stories that they were telling about what happened, and had some sort of knowledge of each other? The scene in the diner with Mulder and Scully (almost like they were playing house) is one of my favorites. Ugh. I can’t explain why, but the two of them with the kids and all getting sodas together was super entertaining. Even FBI agents have no idea what to do with sneaky precocious alien preteens! 

When they start meshing with the adult Eves... and the “We just knew”??? Creepy as heck. I hope they return to this, since the end was left kind of open-ended. I haven’t watched Orphan Black but I imagine this was like that but on steroids. Can’t even believe this was an X-Files episode.

Episode 10: Fallen Angel

I dont know what it is about this episode, but it... didn’t really wow me. I have a bad feeling about Mulder continuously meeting with this guy in secret, and for some reason this episode felt kind of filler to me. I liked that Mulder and Scully were actually on the same side this time, and I thought Max was an interesting guest for this episode. I enjoyed watching it but beyond that there was not too much I wanted to comment on. Maybe on a rewatch one day. :/ 

Episode 9: Space

I see they were on a bit of a roll here with the monosyllabic episode names. 

For some reason this one following Ice seemed strange. I can’t put my finger on why, except that maybe I expected the camaraderie (and tension) between Mulder and Scully to be astronomically higher, but it felt more like I was grasping at straws, even though there were some nice moments. I also once again get weird feelings about having “Old Friends” characters, which this one has. A hero of Mulder’s (not necessarily the same thing but ya know). I tried really hard to not be prejudiced against the character, but it just bothers me when they’re included. Let the other characters be strangers, gosh darn it! See how well it worked for Ice?

Apparently they were filming this episode when the pilot first aired, which made everything feel very chaotic and all over the place, which is super interesting to me. I can’t even imagine trying to film an episode when the beginning of the show begins to air and blow up nationally. How do you focus??!?!

(Spoilers ish)

Of course the guy Mulder has been fawning after for years has a whole alien background. Is he just drawn to problematic alien-infested people? I kid.

I guess I’m noticing a theme, whether intentional or not, that people connected to Mulder or Scully end up being The Thing That The Episode is About. 

I think this also would’ve been a cool movie plot, with a famous astronaut with a hidden story beneath the heroic one everyone knows that comes back to be his downfall. I feel like the aliens in this episode are a bit confusing though somehow, but perhaps I just need to rewatch it. It was interesting, for sure. I guess it’s hard to follow Ice. 

Episode 8: Ice

You guyzzzzzzzzz.

This episode would be amazing even as just a standalone. Loved it. I felt like I was watching a thriller movie. I actually enjoyed all of the unfamiliar characters, I liked the chemistry, and boy was there chemistry (there was science, and then there was whatever was happening with Mulder and Scully).

Best episode so far. There was immediately lore, suspense, a “found footage” aspect, drama, intensity. I think what I also liked is I couldn’t predict exactly what the end of this episode was going to be, unlike many of the previous episodes. It followed less of a “formula.” 

WATCH THIS EPISODE, or at least up to this episode, to decide whether you like the show or not. I feel like this was an excellent depiction of what it could be. 

(Some spoilers below)

Now, obviously there are things we’ve seen before (especially since COVID, ha): isolation, super-spreadable deathly disease, an Among Us-kind of “who is sus” kind of thing going on. But when everyone is accusing Mulder of being the imposter infected person and Scully sticks by him no matter what.... AGHJHRfjnd. The stool samples, body in the freezer, the NECKS. CHECKING EACH OTHER’S BODIES I DIIIIE.

When they all decided to go to sleep in the midst of it all.... you can bet I was more on edge than I can remember having been while watching a fictional television show.

Was this other people’s favorite?!?! We’ll see how I feel for future episodes, of course. But so far this is a top. 

Episode 7: Ghost in the Machine

This episode made me so angry. 

Guys.

I really hate when these “Old Friends” characters are called in, no matter what their purpose is. I hate them. It always seems wrong to me. I want to see Mulder and Scully together, but also the “Old Friends” always just have a ... bad vibe.

Honestly the writers themselves said they don’t know much about computers, so right off the bat we have a story that’s unrealistic-seeming in a show about paranormal activity.

I’ve seen other things with living computers (Smart House DCOM, anyone?), and I guess I was just so frustrated with everyone in this episode for either believing the lie or for just being annoying. Sorry, ya’ll. 

Episode 6: Shadows

Okay, this one was cool. 

I have to say, I actually really like episodes of shows that feel kind of “standalone,” since it makes it really easy to introduce the show to people who have never seen it before (another one that comes to mind is Don’t Blink from Doctor Who). 

Apparently this episode was written to show Mulder and Scully helping other people, which is interesting as a concept since I guess before this episode they’re more “solving a mystery” than helping people?? I don’t know, it seemed like they helped people in every episode.

(spoilers)

I didn’t find this episode to be too too scary but I did find the idea compelling, and liked seeing Mulder and Scully step into this role as outsiders who slowly are pulled into the story. I love me a ghost story, and for some reason the involvement of the ATM felt very 90s to me.

I really liked the ending of this one. I think with a show like X-Files, having these open-ended “nothing was truly solved, was it?” moments can be powerful, and also can be a doorway for future episodes if they ever want to return to it (plus I think if all of their episodes ended in a “okay, case closed” then we’d lose interest... I think.

A lot of other things about this are that this episode was inspired by a horror movie (called The Entity), and the episode later was adapted as a book (called Haunted). 

Also-- special shout out to Scully for referencing Poltergeist. I see you, you non-believer who watches paranormal movies. ;)

Episode 5: The Jersey Devil

What the heck!!!!!

This episode was so weird, mainly because I’ve heard of the Jersey Devil but this was such a weird take on the whole thing, plus Mulder out of his suit??? I guess he only has two looks: uptight square suit, and absolute bum. Good to know.

Also, seeing Scully’s personal life was so intriguing to me and seeing all the other things she has going on. I hope they keep doing this, it’s actually really interesting to see the juxtaposition of the X-Files stuff plus their real non supernatural lives. 

(spoilers)

Scully at the end deciding she didn’t want to keep going out on dates with what’s-his-face (irrelevant) and casually saying so to Mulder....... I am so excited for whatever the heck is happening. Mulder clearly jealous yet married to the job, naturally. We’ll see about that. The tension between the two of them is insane and I can’t believe we had to sit through most of that episode with them being separate.

I am thoroughly confused by the depiction of the little Jersey Devil family thing that was happening in this episode, and the fact that Mulder ended up in jail over it. His whole story line seemed to just be showing how deep into cases he gets and how much he lives for his work and his dedicated to solving them, and showing that Scully isn’t used to that level of dedication and she has this other life and other options. Honestly when Mulder was basically camping out on the streets of New Jersey it just made me realize, “man, this guy has no friends or family, huh?”

All in all........... I honestly really liked this one. I give it an A. 

Episode 4: Conduit

Hmm, seeing a theme here. “Happened 20 years ago...”

How does Mulder keep constant tabs on all of these different cases floating around and popping up at different intermittent years? I’d lose track of all these random cases.

Honestly, this one was... kind of weird? It was just sort of strange the way the family approached the UFO situation, and how personal Mulder took it all, considering he does X-File things for a living and suddenly this one he takes personally? And Scully should see that he’s able to be professional and knowledgeable about all these different cases regardless of personal things, right?

I mean... it’s not like this was the only random long-term case he’s been having an eye out for. 

I dunno. We’ll see where this goes. I’m confused about what the heck is happening with the family at the end of the episode and whatnot. This will probably all pop back up again. 

Episode 3: Squeeze

Oh, I liked this one. For some reason things about “it happens every 30 years” and stuff like that always end up being interesting, because there’s this feel of folklore to it and a whole mystery about “why is it x amount of years specifically” and “how do they not get caught?”

I read online that this episode was the one that hooked a lot of people. I can see that.

 (some spoilers beyond).

I also, I’m sorry, love how nervous Mulder gets when he realizes that Scully is supposed to be next. Also, the cliff hanger ending?? Whenever shows like this do these it’s so interesting because, I mean, that leaves the door open for to go back to it one day if they, want, or not. It keeps us thinking about it. And since this episode aired in 1993, that 30 year mark is in about a year and a half. I can’t wait. 

Episode 2: Deep Throat

Ah, a military episode. And for episode 2!

For some reason the formatting of this suddenly was making me feel like I was watching Law & Order: Supernatural. It felt almost like I was watching another detective show except that there was something a little weird. Which I guess... is sort of the premise of it?

I’m intrigued. I’m loving it. Especially Scully, but also Mulder. Maybe it’s because he’s so soft spoken and seems to have so much hurt and empathy. I don’t know. This was such an interesting choice for a second episode.

Spoiler below...

I was not expecting Mulder to lose his memory??? In the second episode?? I thought maybe they’d want us to get their dynamic down a bit more before throwing a curveball like that. But then he seems fine?

Oh, i’m gonna like this.

Episode 1: Pilot

AND WE BEGIN!!

I have been wanting to watch this show forever. And I’m so excited to finally get to see it.

Episode 1, Season 1 had everything I’d expect of an early 90s drama. Pantsuits, the sound of phones ringing the background, some overdramatic acting. And we immediately get Dana Scully and Fox Mulder having some....... very intense chemistry.

You should’ve seen my eyes bug when he put his hand on her back. I love how immediately we get into an interesting story, and they’re on the road together as partners. This is just. Such a vibe.

Also just an interesting first episode, because... will every episode be aliens like this? Not exactly like this, but is it only extraterrestrials? I like the whole idea of the little marks on their bodies. And we’re seeing the Mulder is sneaky but knows his stuff, and Scully is absolutely no nonsense. 

I am so excited to go on this adventure. Only 217 to go...