1993-1994
Created by Chris Carter
Starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson
It's really one of those shows that DVD was made for, isn't it? After all, regardless of attempts at an overarching mythology, The X-Files wasn't really appointment television, even when it's ratings were at their zenith. It was something you either caught in re-runs on FX when that network started up, or on cheap VCR tapes, so watching it, all of it, in order, seems like the way to go. The flaws show up a little more readily--one is never going to watch this first season and not be almost totally repelled by Gillian Anderson's haircut, and marathoning episodes also means watching her get the shit beat out of her every other episode or so. At a certain point, one begins to wonder if Chris Carter has some sort of twisted misogyny going on--cause he sure likes punishing his female lead. As can be expected, the one-shot "monster of the week" episodes are hit or miss, but considering there's nowhere to turn these days for a straight-up Native American werewolf storyline, even weaker hours have a relative interest to them. Besides the excellent cinematography (which is in part due to the noticeably low budget,) the relationship between the two leads is one of those rarely perfect choices--as could be evidenced in the later years, when Duchovny moved on to an interminable series of bad, bad choices, The X-Files foundation was built on these two actors, and the chemistry between them. Even in these early episodes, with unwieldy dialog being spat out in long monologues and cliched voice-overs, the tension that exists between Scully and Mulder moves the show quickly through the paces. When the stories start to lag, and no flashlight scenes and moody music can repair it, it's the back-up character actors that often bridge the gap--and what a large group. Any fan of 24, The Wire or Deadwood is going to enjoy watching X-Files on an even nerdier adventure than they're already on: spotting their favorites chewing up scenery in scene-stealing roles. Brad Dourif, Zelko Ivanek and "that guy who played Curtis Manning" show up, steal the viewers heart, and, more often than not, get killed in some gruesome (yet poorly lit) fashion.
Although the X-Files grew into something of a stronger metal in later seasons (and they ended up in anamorphic widescreen with a higher budget,) there's enough on Season 1 to make it worth a return. The mythology that helped to crash the entire franchise headlong into a miserable disappointment was still a fresh, interesting aspect of the show, and the allegiance of Chris Carter's writing staff to creating good television is one that one wishes would serve as a goal of current employees in the field. Yes, the Files have flaws--but nowhere do these become apparent in this gem of a season.
-Tucker Stone, 2007
While I waited for 24 to start back up, I was in need of some kind of serial drama in my life. So I watched the first four seasons of the X-Files and totally got hooked. More of my regular shows are back on now so it'll be some time before I watch the rest, but I do thoroughly enjoy it. And yeah, Curtis played like three different characters throughout the season (or maybe it was over a few of them). That was exciting (RIP Curtis Manning).
Posted by: Justin Charles | 2007.02.07 at 16:11
With the first four seasons watched, don't rush to watch the rest... It's pretty much downhill from here.
Posted by: Todd Murry | 2007.02.09 at 18:36