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The X-Files: I Want to Believe (Three-Disc Special Edition + Digital Copy)

Amazon Price: $23.99 List Price: $34.98 Not yet released By: 20th Century Fox

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 100 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

The feature film The X-Files: I Want to Believe is a satisfying if unspectacular installment in the X-Files series, taking place an unspecified time after the show's nine-year television run. Former agent Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) is now a doctor, while Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) is being hunted by his former agency and living in seclusion. He and Scully are summoned back by a case involving a missing agent and a former priest (Billy Connolly) who claims to be able to see clues to the agent's whereabouts psychically, though his initial search turns up only a severed limb. Don't expect the usual cast of characters; the FBI has completely turned over (except for the George W. Bush portrait), and the only reason Scully and Mulder are back is because agent Dakota Whitney (Amanda Peet) remembers his success on similar cases involving the unexplainable. Don't expect the same rogues' gallery either; unlike the previous X-Files feature film, which was inextricably linked to the series' convoluted mythology arc (and served as a bridge between the fifth and sixth seasons), I Want to Believe is a stand-alone piece that makes use of the series' roots in horror/sci-fi and moody Vancouver, B.C., locales. Also unlike the previous film, which was almost self-consciously shot for the big screen, this film is on a smaller scale, like a double-length episode of the series. But it's still a good reminder of the creepy vibe that hooked fans for years. And the relationship between Mulder and Scully? It seems to have resumed pretty much where it left off, at least when you take into account the long period of separation. But stick around for the end-credit sequence to take in all the possibilities for the future. --David Horiuchi

Beyond The X-Files: I Want to Believe on DVD

Stargate SG-1 on DVD

Buffy the Vampire Slayer on DVD

Stargate Atlantis on DVD

Stills from The X-Files: I Want to Believe (Click for larger image)

The X-Files: I Want to Believe (Single-Disc Edition)

Amazon Price: $18.99 List Price: $29.99 Not yet released By: 20th Century Fox

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 100 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

The feature film The X-Files: I Want to Believe is a satisfying if unspectacular installment in the X-Files series, taking place an unspecified time after the show's nine-year television run. Former agent Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) is now a doctor, while Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) is being hunted by his former agency and living in seclusion. He and Scully are summoned back by a case involving a missing agent and a former priest (Billy Connolly) who claims to be able to see clues to the agent's whereabouts psychically, though his initial search turns up only a severed limb. Don't expect the usual cast of characters; the FBI has completely turned over (except for the George W. Bush portrait), and the only reason Scully and Mulder are back is because agent Dakota Whitney (Amanda Peet) remembers his success on similar cases involving the unexplainable. Don't expect the same rogues' gallery either; unlike the previous X-Files feature film, which was inextricably linked to the series' convoluted mythology arc (and served as a bridge between the fifth and sixth seasons), I Want to Believe is a stand-alone piece that makes use of the series' roots in horror/sci-fi and moody Vancouver, B.C., locales. Also unlike the previous film, which was almost self-consciously shot for the big screen, this film is on a smaller scale, like a double-length episode of the series. But it's still a good reminder of the creepy vibe that hooked fans for years. And the relationship between Mulder and Scully? It seems to have resumed pretty much where it left off, at least when you take into account the long period of separation. But stick around for the end-credit sequence to take in all the possibilities for the future. --David Horiuchi

Beyond The X-Files: I Want to Believe on DVD

Stargate SG-1 on DVD

Buffy the Vampire Slayer on DVD

Stargate Atlantis on DVD

Stills from The X-Files: I Want to Believe (Click for larger image)

The X-Files Movie 2-Pack (I Want to Believe / Fight the Future) [Blu-ray]

Amazon Price: $39.99 List Price: $59.99 Not yet released By: 20th Century Fox

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Let's just hope... 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 6 people found this review helpful.

Let's just hope they got the transfer done nice and clean this time as the THX anamorphic release done a few years ago had picture problems with Fight the future. No matter where I purchased it.(8 different copies) They all had the same problem. A line going across the screen just about the middle of the picture for the first half of the movie.(Seemed to be a layer problem as when the layer changed at the dead end road before the train scene it went away) FOX says we have never heard about or seen this problem but they would not watch the disc when I ask them to as well. THX won't even respond as well. The first release that was letterbox (4x3) format was clean no problem there but the anamorphic picture is much better when made correctly plus they added DTS to that as well. I have high hope's it will look great on Blu-Ray. We will see.

The X-Files: I Want to Believe (+ Digital Copy) [Blu-ray]

Amazon Price: $25.99 List Price: $39.99 Not yet released By: 20th Century Fox

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 100 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

The feature film The X-Files: I Want to Believe is a satisfying if unspectacular installment in the X-Files series, taking place an unspecified time after the show's nine-year television run. Former agent Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) is now a doctor, while Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) is being hunted by his former agency and living in seclusion. He and Scully are summoned back by a case involving a missing agent and a former priest (Billy Connolly) who claims to be able to see clues to the agent's whereabouts psychically, though his initial search turns up only a severed limb. Don't expect the usual cast of characters; the FBI has completely turned over (except for the George W. Bush portrait), and the only reason Scully and Mulder are back is because agent Dakota Whitney (Amanda Peet) remembers his success on similar cases involving the unexplainable. Don't expect the same rogues' gallery either; unlike the previous X-Files feature film, which was inextricably linked to the series' convoluted mythology arc (and served as a bridge between the fifth and sixth seasons), I Want to Believe is a stand-alone piece that makes use of the series' roots in horror/sci-fi and moody Vancouver, B.C., locales. Also unlike the previous film, which was almost self-consciously shot for the big screen, this film is on a smaller scale, like a double-length episode of the series. But it's still a good reminder of the creepy vibe that hooked fans for years. And the relationship between Mulder and Scully? It seems to have resumed pretty much where it left off, at least when you take into account the long period of separation. But stick around for the end-credit sequence to take in all the possibilities for the future. --David Horiuchi

Beyond The X-Files: I Want to Believe on DVD

Stargate SG-1 on DVD

Buffy the Vampire Slayer on DVD

Stargate Atlantis on DVD

Stills from The X-Files: I Want to Believe (Click for larger image)

The X-Files - The Complete First Season (Slim Set)

Amazon Price: $32.99 List Price: $49.98 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Twentieth Century Fox - Model: FOXD2232250D Amazon Marketplace: 86 new & used starting at $16.99

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 388 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A Very Good Season, Not THE Best Though... 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

X-Files season 3. Ah, bliss. The show had not yet become overly complicated, and the dismal days of Doggett and Reyes were far off. Just Mulder and Scully and some good old fashioned recurring conspiracy characters for ya!
I like this season. It is one of the top four I would say, and many people will disagree, calling it the best set of episodes the series has to offer. I couldn't argue with that, it just all has to do with personal preference.
Season 3 is actually pretty lighthearted, with some interesting twists and turns intertwined throughout. The mythology episodes in this season, however, are some of my least favorite, dealing with the alien healer Jeremiah Smith, the black oil, and a digital recorder with evidence of an alien conspiracy. This does have an exception, however. "Nisei" and "731", especially the latter, are two of the most exceptional episodes ever created. It is also a delight to witness Alex Krycek under control of the black cancer, towards the end of the season. Let's just say that when it leaves his body in the abandoned missile silo, chills ran up my spine. Truly haunting!
As far as monster of the week episodes go, I have to say I wasn't a huge fan of this bunch. "Avatar" wad particularly annoying for me, adding a convoluted Skinner plotline and just throwing out the paranormal element in the middle of the episode. There are also many comic elements to these MOTW episodes. Jose Chung is possibly the most famous comic X-Files episode. Personally, I like the darker, more frightening episodes the best, but nontheless these are all a delight to watch.
"Quagmire", while not scary in the least, is a very fun episode because it almost tricks you into thinking that Mulder is wrong just this one time, but then again the truth is never what it seems. Keep an eye out for this one, there is a great balance of chemistry between Mulder and Scully.
The special features are in abundance here, with deleted scenes, behind the scenes, commentary, interviews, and promo spots. It will keep you busy for hours.
Any X-Phile must pick up this set. Hell, I think any fan should own at least seasons 1-6, as they are terrific, all of them. But season 3 is a terrific investment, and some of the best hours of the best sci-fi series of all time.

Editorial Review:

Studio: Tcfhe Release Date: 12/02/2008 Run time: 1104 minutes Rating: Nr

The X-Files - The Complete Second Season (Slim Set)

Amazon Price: $32.99 List Price: $49.98 Usually ships in 24 hours By: 20TH CENTURY FOX - Model: X-FILES: 2 Amazon Marketplace: 73 new & used starting at $20.89

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 143 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Good Season, No Missing Episodes 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

My review is simple. I just received my copy of this season and "Anasazi" the episode that many claim is missing, is included on Disc 6 and plays without difficulty. For any non-fans out there, I will put in my two cents and say that The X-Files is a good show and as most of the reviews below state, this is a pretty good season. If you're looking for great science-fiction, here it is, just make sure to start with the first season (as if that wasn't obvious anyway).

Missing Episode 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I've read here that only Amazon.com sold or still sells the season with the last episode missing, I just want to let people know that I bought this season at Best Buy a couple months ago and the season finale is missing. I was very frustrated. I am going to take it back next week and exchange it. I am going to have them put the new 6th disc in a dvd player to make sure it contains the final episode. Great season, though!

X-Files Season 2 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

It's great to have whole seasons on DVD- no commercials :) Still one of the best TV shows I've ever seen.

Editorial Review:

Studio: Tcfhe Release Date: 12/02/2008 Run time: 1150 minutes Rating: Nr

The X-Files - The Complete Fourth Season (Slim Set)

Amazon Price: $35.99 List Price: $49.98 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Twentieth Century Fox - Model: FOXD2232855D Amazon Marketplace: 71 new & used starting at $19.40

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 29 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Gorey, bloody, and really dull. 1 out of 5 stars.
1 of 4 people found this review helpful.

I love The X-Files. It's a fantastic show. Season 4 is a huge let down. I gave season 4 one and a half stars out of pity. The acting is ok and a few episodes are interesting. Most of the episodes are more like something you'd see from the show Tales From The Crypt. They substitute plot for gore and blood. A lack of imagination, lame plots, no humor, lack of creatures, and redundant themes make up Season 4 of The X-Files.

Season 1 was good. Season 2 really good. Season 3 average. Season 5 average. Season 6 awesome. Season 7 fantastic.

Continuing its greatness 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Even though the episode Avatar from season 3 was the first episode I watched on TV, it wasn't until this season that I started to get heavily into the show and it's continued ever since, barely missing a single episode. It's this continued success and type of stories they told that make it one of my favorite shows ever, if not my absolute favorite. While season 4 had a couple of uneven parts, it's still largely one of their best years.

Herrenvolk: A pretty good premiere as Mulder investigates a colony looking after bees while protecting Jeremiah Smith. 8.5/10
Home: A controversial, violent and genuinely unsettling episode of a bunch of deformed family members trying to conceive. 8.5/10
Teliko: Rather average episode of a man absorbing the pigmentation of African-Americans. 6/10
Unruhe: Incredibly creepy and the first episode that made me a fan of a killer who projects his thoughts into photographs. 9/10
The Field Where I Died: Great premise but bad execution as Mulder is hinted of sharing a past-life with a cult member. 7/10
Sanguinarium: Another decent episode of medical doctors being possessed for a ritual. 6.5/10
Musings of a Cigarette-Smoking Man: Excellent episode as we see the past of everyone's favorite chain smoker. Best chocolate monologue ever. 9/10
Tunguska: Intriguing mythology episode as a rock carrying the Black Oil is found and an old enemy resurfaces. 8.5/10

Terma: Part 2 as the agents try to locate the rock and further questions into the mythos. 8.5/10
Paper Hearts: Great episode as Mulder tries to deal with the fact Samantha may not have been abducted but kidnapped by John Lee Roche, a serial killer.
El Mundo Gira: Meh episode of a love story involving 2 brothers, a woman and a Mexican legend. 5.5/10
Leonard Betts: Disgusting and funny all at once as an EMT doctor shows signs of regenerative abilities. 8/10
Never Again: It's either weird or funny but an episode with a tattoo voiced by Jodie Foster who wants to kill is...neat. 7.5/10
Memento Mori: Along with One Breath as one of the best X-Files episodes ever as we discover Scully's medical condition and Mulder's search for an answer. 10/10
Kaddish: Back to meh status as the agents investigate a murdered Jew seemingly brought back from the dead. 6.5/10
Unrequited: Cool episode of a Vietnam vet capable of invisibility hunting down military officials. 8/10

Tempus Fugit: Part 1 of one of their best two-parters as Max Fenig from Season 1's "Fallen Angel" is killed during a plane crash with a possible UFO and military interference. 9.5/10
Max: Part 2 as the hunt for Max's "proof" continues. Intense crash sequence. 9.5/10
Synchrony: Iffy but good episode of a time traveller capable of fast-freezing a team of scientists.
Small Potatoes: Hilarious episode of a shape-shifter impregnanting women with tails. Some funny Mulder business. 9/10
Zero Sum: Good mythos episode as Skinner tries to cover up a crime that involved the bees introduced in Herrenvolk. 8/10
Elegy: Creepy episode of a mentally challenged patient and his connection to apparitions of victims just recently killed.
Demons: Intriguing episode of Mulder trying to uncover the circumstances behind Samantha's disappearance. 8.5/10
Gethsemane: Great finale as Scully seemingly betrays Mulder and his faith and life is rocked by a terrible truth. Big cliffhanger. 9/10

Overall, season 4 is similar to season 3 as some of the best episodes of the entire show's run are inbetween episodes that are just simply good. While a couple miss, more often than not, these episodes are supremely entertaining and evidence of a show still in its stride.

Editorial Review:

Studio: Tcfhe Release Date: 12/02/2008 Run time: 984 minutes Rating: Nr

The X-Files - The Complete Fifth Season (Slim Set)

Amazon Price: $37.99 List Price: $49.98 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Twentieth Century Fox - Model: FOXD2232860D Amazon Marketplace: 68 new & used starting at $16.30

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 75 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

4.5; a good hit-and-miss season 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

The fifth season of the X-Files is one of those kind of seasons where if there's any moments that aren't as stellar as previous years gets at least a bit excused. Reason is that this was mainly the time when the crew were also working on the X-Files feature film, "Fight the Future". As such, certain episodes were either entirely centered on one of the agents, or they appeared in a support kind of way and not actually directly involved with the case. So trying to get a big-budget movie up and going plus a season's worth of episodes can cause some strain but instead of a lackluster season mainly being blamed for bad writing, is this a season that indirectly suffered or is it good while also being a little flawed.

Redux: Taking place after the shocking cliffhanger from "Gethsemane", Mulder tries to find clues to Scully's illness in a government building. Great opener. 9/10
Redux II: Scully's health continues to get worse, a bizarre cure is found, a surprise guest returns and a mole is revealed (intense scene this one). 9.5/10
Unusual Suspects: Intriguing but okay episode about the first start of the Lone Gunmen and their introduction to Mulder. 6/10
Detour: In the spirit of "Darkness Falls", the agents are lost/trapped within the woods by a group of near-invisible creatures. 9.5/10
The Post-Modern Prometheus: Quirky, bizarre episode of a demented town with a Cher-loving Frankenstein. 6.5/10
Christmas Carol: Scully investigates a case that has her finding a young girl and also revisiting memories of her sister. 9/10
Emily: One of their best episodes as Scully tries to find what's wrong with Emily and Mulder tries to find a cure. 10/10
Kitsunegari: One of the series' best villains basically gets whipped and becomes a pansy and somebody new is introduced. Disappointing. 5/10

Schizogeny: Meh episode in a trio of meh episodes about an abuse sufferer who uses a strange method to get her revenge...and it involves trees. Yeah. 5.5/10
Chinga: Written by Stephen King, this possessed doll episode is alright but could've benefited from additional writing. 6/10
Kill Switch: Intriguing but almost forgettable episode about a particularly violent A.I. system. 6/10
Bad Blood: Along with "War of the Corpophages" and "Humbug" as one of the funniest comedies in this Rashomon vampire tale. 9.5/10
Patient X: Cool mythology episode as a strange alien race is found and Scully is introduced to a fellow abductee. Mulder's shift to super skeptic is jarring to say the least. 8/10
The Red and the Black: Another cool one as Scully tries to remember what happened on the bridge at the cliffhanger of "Patient X". 8/10
Travellers: Slightly forgettable, slightly good episode about an FBI agent in the 1950's investigating a case that involved Mulder's father. 7/10
Mind's Eye: Great episode about a blind woman somehow able to see through the eyes of a killer. Awesome performance by Lili Taylor. 9/10

All Souls: Another good one that explores Scully's faith, closure from "Emily" and girls who are targeted by dark forces. 8/10
The Pine Bluff Variant: Good concept but slow episode about Mulder undercover with a terrorist cell in possession of a nasty virus. 6.5/10
Folie a Deux: "madness shared by two" in French, Mulder is suspected of being delusional when he keeps seeing visions of a creature. 8/10
The End: A young boy who was the apparent target of an assassination attempt uncovers a new addition to the mythos, returning characters and new ones and a surprising end to the titular files (sadly spoiled on the menu). 9/10

For all the meh and bad episodes that sometimes show up on this season, it's hard not to fault it entirely because of the filming of the film as well as this was the end of the Vancouver era and soon started the Los Angeles era. So while there's some definate goodies on here, there's also the occasional clunker.

Editorial Review:

Studio: Tcfhe Release Date: 12/02/2008 Run time: 820 minutes Rating: Nr

The X-Files - The Complete Third Season (Slim Set)

Amazon Price: $32.99 List Price: $49.98 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Twentieth Century Fox - Model: FOXD2232260D Amazon Marketplace: 74 new & used starting at $20.99

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 388 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A Very Good Season, Not THE Best Though... 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

X-Files season 3. Ah, bliss. The show had not yet become overly complicated, and the dismal days of Doggett and Reyes were far off. Just Mulder and Scully and some good old fashioned recurring conspiracy characters for ya!
I like this season. It is one of the top four I would say, and many people will disagree, calling it the best set of episodes the series has to offer. I couldn't argue with that, it just all has to do with personal preference.
Season 3 is actually pretty lighthearted, with some interesting twists and turns intertwined throughout. The mythology episodes in this season, however, are some of my least favorite, dealing with the alien healer Jeremiah Smith, the black oil, and a digital recorder with evidence of an alien conspiracy. This does have an exception, however. "Nisei" and "731", especially the latter, are two of the most exceptional episodes ever created. It is also a delight to witness Alex Krycek under control of the black cancer, towards the end of the season. Let's just say that when it leaves his body in the abandoned missile silo, chills ran up my spine. Truly haunting!
As far as monster of the week episodes go, I have to say I wasn't a huge fan of this bunch. "Avatar" wad particularly annoying for me, adding a convoluted Skinner plotline and just throwing out the paranormal element in the middle of the episode. There are also many comic elements to these MOTW episodes. Jose Chung is possibly the most famous comic X-Files episode. Personally, I like the darker, more frightening episodes the best, but nontheless these are all a delight to watch.
"Quagmire", while not scary in the least, is a very fun episode because it almost tricks you into thinking that Mulder is wrong just this one time, but then again the truth is never what it seems. Keep an eye out for this one, there is a great balance of chemistry between Mulder and Scully.
The special features are in abundance here, with deleted scenes, behind the scenes, commentary, interviews, and promo spots. It will keep you busy for hours.
Any X-Phile must pick up this set. Hell, I think any fan should own at least seasons 1-6, as they are terrific, all of them. But season 3 is a terrific investment, and some of the best hours of the best sci-fi series of all time.

Editorial Review:

Studio: Tcfhe Release Date: 12/02/2008 Run time: 1104 minutes Rating: Nr

The X-Files: The Complete Collector's Edition

Amazon Price: $299.99 List Price: $329.98 Usually ships in 24 hours By: DUCHOVNY,DAVID - Model: 024543476788 Amazon Marketplace: 30 new & used starting at $139.49

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 102 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

The Paranormal Anthology of a Lifetime 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

The X Files Collection is a worthy hobby and next to Star Trek is certainly one of largest of the television series DVD collections, running an extra two seasons longer than the maximum seven season Star Trek series. Although The X Files is not the longest running television media franchise, it can boast being one of the longest running SF series airing for nine seasons between 1993 and 2002. At around 1100 minutes per box, you are looking at approx. 9 boxes with 165 hours of viewing. That is nearly 1 full week of non-stop X Files. Very few DVD series can come even remotely close to that. Get going collecting right now and you could build up the series collection in no time. By the end you will have a television paranormal anthology that defines the word awe. This is the kind of item that requires 1 hour a day of your time over the course of a year. The X Files creator Chris Carter nails a powerful television series premise, setting up a fringe paranormal bureau of investigation that is at odds with its own department, the government, the military and just about everyone else, with the immortal tagline "The truth is out there". Fox "Spooky" Mulder (David Duchovny) is the workaholic basement-dwelling good-looking nerd with a heart of gold and a mind for the criminal macabre, all things supernatural and who runs the X Files department. He is teamed with Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), the rational doctor turned FBI agent who is asked to write reports on the X Files cases by her cynical boss. Most episodes play along with the theme of Mulder witnessing a paranormal event while Dana gradually arrives on the scene only after it is over, missing it all, or discovering something odd at best. This kind of regular plot occurrence bonds the characters and is what makes The X Files so enjoyable. The inside DVD case is nothing special and even has some failings with some editions coming with a seventh bonus disc that is just sitting in a slot in a piece of card and falls out easily, bouncing around the box. However not all boxes have this bonus seventh disc item. The more important six discs with episodes are firmly in place in a plastic flip case inside a thick season box that slides into a wider cardboard presentation holder for the shelf and looks quite good. Although the inside is slightly flimsy, these DVDs are presented on the cheap and so economically The X Files seasons are sound value for money but the presentation is nothing to brag about and when we get around to seeing what is on the discs we will not be so blown away either. There are 4 episodes per disc, and 6 discs in total for a grand total of 24 episodes. Some discs have a few deleted scenes... and that is about it. On the episode discs there are sometimes commentaries and not much in the way of bonus material for most seasons except for some international clips with Mulder and Scully speaking in Japanese for a scene. Other seasons have more bonus material. The actual presentation is not short of shoddy work. They could have at least provided us with the X Files remastered in 5:1 Dolby Digital but have instead just presented the series as it was aired in 2:1 surround. Again, everything here is on the cheap... but it is still the X Files. The transfer quality however is very good for most of it. Since the show was shot in full frame, these dimensions are retained. It is not until season 5 that the X Files go Widescreen 1.78:1

Season 1:
(*****/5)
The Paranormal Anthology of a Lifetime starts right here
The X Files: Season one, delivers as a fine example of how such a simple premise can land like a bombshell on the international television scene. There are no real cheap budget restrictions evident either, as what is on display is mostly quality acting and storytelling using natural American environments. Most of the characters in the X Files series are found in the pilot episode `pilot' on disc 1, however Assistant Director Walter S. Skinner (Mitch Pileggi) doesn't show up until near the end half of the Season in episode 20 - `Tooms'. Deep Throat (Jerry Hardin) does not appear in the Pilot show, but is in the first episode. `The Lone Gumen' John Fitzgerald Byers (Bruce Harwood), Melvin Frohike (Tom Braidwood) and Richard 'Ringo' Langly (Dean Haglund) appear in episode 16 - `EBE'. The Cigarette-Smoking Man (William B. Davis) makes quite a few appearances. The series gels from the word go with some enthralling SF thought and implementation. Not since Star Trek had the world seen a series like it before. Apart from a lot of episodes borrowing from films like `Wolften' and `The Thing' the X Files was doing wholly new stuff that even movies like `Good Will Hunting' have borrowed from. Season one of the X Files is mostly about alien abductions, government conspiracies, shape shifters, wild men, poltergeists, artificial intelligence, body snatching parasites, the face on Mars, UFO crashes, eugenics, psychics, hermaphrodites, possession, aging, faith healing, werewolves, alien insects, alien bacteria, reincarnation and alien DNA. Although many of shows might not be completely logically and even have some serious plot holes, the general weirdness going on still makes the show one of the best ever. `EBE' is the most popular show in Season One, next to the cliff-hanger last episode `The Erlenmeyer Flask'. `Fallen Angel' is a classic UFO crash X Files episode, `Shapes' is scary and `Darkness Falls' is a great original alien story. The bottom line for The X Files: season one is that it is a classic. It is not necessarily the most conspiracy orientated X Files season because it covers a lot of paranormal ground. The real bonus is seeing Mulder and Scully looking really young.

Season 2:
(*****/5)
The Critically Acclaimed Season II
Although X Files: Season one landed like a bombshell on the international television scene, it was Season two that sent it flying up the rankings with Mulder and Scully on every magazine cover from the bottom to the top shelf. Season two kicks off from the cliff-hanger ending of Season one where the X Files has been shutdown, Mulder and Scully have been reassigned to separate bureau departments and Deep throat has been murdered. Assistant Director Walter S. Skinner (Mitch Pileggi) is in from the start, this time with a more active role in the field along with the Cigarette-Smoking Man (William B. Davis) and `The Lone Gumen' John Fitzgerald Byers (Bruce Harwood), Melvin Frohike (Tom Braidwood) and Richard 'Ringo' Langly (Dean Haglund), who are all reoccurring characters from Season one. Deep Throat has been replaced by a new Deep Throat character, the mysterious Mr X (Steven Williams) and Mulder has been teamed up with a new agent named Alex Krycek (Nicholas Lea) who may be working for the Cigarette-Smoking Man. There are also more revelations about Mulder's missing sister and some strange history about his dad. So the season starts very differently, upping the paranoia levels with a stronger focus on government conspiracy and developing this theme throughout most of the episodes. There is also much more hard-hitting action and gets very violent in parts with Scully even getting beaten-up badly in most episodes. Season one was more about delivering individual episodes covering a broad general range of paranormal topics whereas Season two links more episodes together by homing in on a unified underlying cause that the government is trying to protect. Still though there is plenty of room for the separate paranormal episodes that are just as good as the unified ones (known as "the mythology" or "mytharc" episodes). Season two has a greater mix with much more original ideas than Season one did. It also boasts a lot of recognizable supporting actors you have seen in the movies. Season two of the X Files is mostly about - SETI projects and the Wow Signal, mutants, toxins, military experiments, sleep deprivation, alien abductions, vampires, NDEs (near death experiences), ancient life forms, alien human hybridization, ghosts, fetishes, the devil, Wicca, voodoo, alien bounty hunters, alien abduction of animals, rapid aging, circus freaks, demonic possession, viruses, dark matter and cannibalism. In Season two the episodes are more logical than Season one, less general weirdness, and more explanation, but still has some rough edges, and questionable moves by the main characters at times, but that is only cribbing. `The Anasazi' is the most popular show in Season Two and also the cliff-hanger last episode, but `Duane Barry' `Ascension' and `One Breath' are all classic episodes about Scully's abduction. `The Host' is a great monster story and `The Calusari' is very freaky. `Our Town' is downright horrific. In fact `The Calusari' caused the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) to give the whole Season box an 18 certificate (strictly for adults only) because of scenes involving children committing murder (the BBFC has banned these types of films before, so the UK was lucky to even get the 18 cert). The episode also had strong themes of child murder and violence towards children. There are a number of episodes that contain totally gross content that is hard to stomach. `3' could be the worst X-File episode of all time. It really stands out as a poor episode among the rest. The bottom line for The X Files: season two is that it is widely considered by fans to be the best season of them all. The last episode is a great way to finish off the season with lots of revelations and some more exposure of what the truth might be. There are quite a few `to be continued' double episodes in this season also. This season has 25 episodes!, the most any X Files season has to offer but as a note, watch out for the last episode "The Anasazi" which may not be on the last episode disc but is on the seventh bonus disc (the only episode on that disc)!

Season 3:
(*****/5)
Alien Black Oil
X Files: Season two, widely considered the best X Files season by fans, sent the show flying up the rankings with the season finishing in a cliff-hanger `to be continued' ending with the possibility that Mulder had been blown up by the Cigarette-Smoking Man (William B. Davis). The first episode of X Files season three is also another `to be continued' which in the second episode results with Mulder and Scully back as a team with an X Files mandate directly instigated by Assistant Director Walter S. Skinner (Mitch Pileggi). `The Lone Gumen' John Fitzgerald Byers (Bruce Harwood), Melvin Frohike (Tom Braidwood) and Richard 'Ringo' Langly (Dean Haglund), the mysterious Mr X (Steven Williams) are also back. The Well-Manicured Man (John Neville from "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen") is introduced. Alex Krycek (Nicholas Lea) also makes a return. Deep Throat (Jerry Hardin) appears in a dream sequence and in a special effect. A lot of characters in the previous seasons episodes almost make surprise apperances towards the end. Between Season Two and the start of Season Three there is a whopping three-part X Files episode. The X Files is firmly reinstated at the FBI. The Cigarette-Smoking Man is having a hard time pleasing his bosses. There is lots of double-crossing. There is more history and revelation about Mulder's dad. However instead of making every other episode conspiracy orientated, Season Three decides to bulk the conspiracy right at the start and middle, with a little at the end for a low-intensity cliff-hanger, but leaves room for lots of sequential individual episodes with some that may actually be better than the mythology episodes, which is a change from Season Two that has better mythology ones. Season Three is less violent than Season Two and the hard-hitting action has been toned down (Scully doesn't get beaten-up as much this time). Season Three writers go back across the same grounds as Season One covering a broad general range of paranormal topics. Still though there is plenty of room for dealing with the unified underlying causes that the government is trying to protect and there is a greater revelation about a `date' for a threat that faces the Earth. Season Three also boasts a lot of recognizable supporting actors you have seen in the movies. It has also redone the opening theme. Season three of the X Files is mostly about - Majestic 12, human experiments, lightening, clairvoyance, reincarnation, fat-sucking vampires, phantom limbs, empathy, alien autopsies, stigmata, alien robots, astrology, gargoyles, alien black oil, willpower, shaman, organ theft, eye witness testimony, succubus, lake monsters, mind control and colonization. In Season three the episodes are much more logical, with very few episodes going for general weirdness, with more explanation and hardly any rough edges, with the characters doing more believable things. `Piper Maru' is the most popular show in Season Three because it contains our first images of the mysterious Alien Black Oil that became synonymous with the X Files. However the individual shows `Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose' about psychics, `Jose Chung's 'From Outer Space'' about eye-witness testimony are great episodes and very memorable. So are `Quagmire' about lake monsters, `The Walk' about astral projecting serial killers, the `Nisei' about alien autopsies and the `Grotesque' about demons is scary. `Talitha Cumiare', the low-intensity cliff-hanger episode is an interesting mythology episode. Although not as gross as Season Two, all of the episodes are highly enjoyable. There are a lot more murder orientated stories so it feels a little bit like the other `Millennium' series that X Files creator Chris Carter produced. The X Files: Season Two it is widely considered by fans to be the best season of them all but Season Three can hold its own. There are quite a few `to be continued' double or triple episodes in this season.

Season 4
(*****/5)
Alien colonization or lies?
X Files: Season four follows in the steps of Season three, produces a virtually unstoppable series of great episodes, now that it has been firmly established as mainstream TV series viewing, finished with the `to be continued ending' of Mulder getting caught between a shape-shifter alien and a miracle-working alien battling it out, revealed that there is a possibility that the truth he is searching for has something to do with hegemony and the alien colonization of planet Earth. The Cigarette-Smoking Man (William B. Davis) is back along with Assistant Director Walter S. Skinner (Mitch Pileggi). The mysterious Mr X (Steven Williams) is here, but also introduces us to the new mystery deep throat type contact, Marita Covarrubias (Laurie Holden). Back are `The Lone Gumen' John Fitzgerald Byers (Bruce Harwood), Melvin Frohike (Tom Braidwood) and Richard 'Ringo' Langly (Dean Haglund). The Well-Manicured Man (John Neville from "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen") is here. Alex Krycek (Nicholas Lea) has a surprise. Deep Throat (Jerry Hardin) even turns up again even though he has been dead for over three seasons. The X Files season four goes for the formula of giving us the conclusion to the previous season's cliffhanger but immediately spins right back into the individual episodes about various supernatural things that is more like season one, however this only lasts for half the season and the remaining half has some of the best X Files the series has had to offer so far. There is more mythology however there is lots of revelation to suggest that the X Files is being misled to believe that Aliens exist. This season also boasts a lot of recognizable supporting actors you have seen in the movies. Season four of the X Files is mostly about - alien colonization, inbreeding, mutant albinos, past lives, demonic surgery, the cigarette smoking man's past, serial killers, deadly cargo, El Chupacabra, Jewish mysticism, deadly tattoos, resurrection, dying, stealth assassins, UFO crashes, time travel, reproducing shape shifters, Skinner's crime, mind control and aliens in the ice. Episodes ``Tempus Fugit' Unrequited', `Tunguska', `Synchrony' stand out the most but the best episode is Skinner's cover-up of a crime in the episode `Zero Sum'. Ending sets the scene for Season five.

Season 5
(*****/5)
The Critically Acclaimed Season V (This season goes Widescreen)
X Files: Season five follows in the steps of Season two, produces a virtually unstoppable series of great episodes, now that it has been firmly established as mainstream TV series viewing. Although the `to be continued ending' of Season four is not the best beginnings to a season, and the first few episodes are a bit dodgy, this is all forgiven when the screenwriters decide to go back and follow in the steps of Season 2's acclaim. There is a crazy role reversal. Mulder believes that the hegemony and the alien colonization of planet Earth is a con to detract from what is simply a series of government experiments on the citizens of planet Earth and the alien agenda just subterfuge. Scully however is absolutely convinced that Mulder was right all long and so takes the lead role as the paranormal investigator while Mulder turns sceptic. This character switch works wonders and kudos to the screenwriters for doing it. The Cigarette-Smoking Man (William B. Davis) is dead as is Mr X (Steven Williams), however packs of Morleys turn up from time to time. Assistant Director Walter S. Skinner (Mitch Pileggi) is more aware that something paranormal is going on and even sides with Scully when Mulder lambastes both for being delusional. Marita Covarrubias (Laurie Holden) has a secret. `The Lone Gumen' John Fitzgerald Byers (Bruce Harwood), Melvin Frohike (Tom Braidwood) and Richard 'Ringo' Langly (Dean Haglund) are back and even have their own private episode of how they came to be together. The Well-Manicured Man (John Neville from "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen") is back and Alex Krycek (Nicholas Lea) has another surprise in store. Deep Throat (Jerry Hardin) is gone, long since dead, however Section Chief Scott Blevins (Charles Cioffi) from Season 1 (and a bit of Season 4) is back for a very important double episode. There is also the introduction of Special Agent Jeffrey Spender (Chris Owens) who also plays a significant role. Robert Modell (Robert Wisden) from Season Two's Pusher is back.

The X Files season five is some of the best X Files to date. More mythology and more major revelations, means that you will be hooked from disc 2 onwards, right to the staggering finale. There are also a few supporting actors you have seen in movies. And yes, thankfully after 3 seasons of Scully's overrun cancer suffering, this is about to come to an end. Season five of the X Files is mostly about - pre-X files back stories, Scully's cancer, mothman, mystery offspring, Frankenstein, Modell the pusher, psychotherapy, witchcraft, AI, vampires, extraterrestrial wars, hoasting alien experiments, blind psychics, Angels and Demons, government toxins, monsters and ESP. Episodes "Kitsunegari", "Kill Switch", "Bad Blood" and "All Souls" stand out as great non-conspiracy episodes, but the final episode is one of the best mythology episodes to date. The best episode is "Folie À Deux" which has a terrific monster story and some really mad special effects for a television episode. Season 5 is all top stuff.

NOTE: Remember before moving onto Season 6, you are supposed to watch X Files the movie first (sold separately to the box set).

Season 6:
(*****/5)
Picking up where the Movie left off... and this season has Bruce Campbell!
X Files: Season six has Mulder reconstructing a private X Files after the destruction of his affairs at the end of Season five. This is very much a mythological alien invasion packed season. Mulder is back and believing that the hegemony and the alien colonization of planet Earth is not a con but a real threat and no longer sees it as just being a government propaganda vehicle. Scully is back to her critical ways. The Cigarette-Smoking Man (William B. Davis) shows up again. Assistant Director Walter S. Skinner (Mitch Pileggi) is here for more of his director of FBI lecturing the bizarre duo. `The Lone Gumen' John Fitzgerald Byers (Bruce Harwood), Melvin Frohike (Tom Braidwood) and Richard 'Ringo' Langly (Dean Haglund) are back. Alex Krycek (Nicholas Lea) makes a return. Special Agent Jeffrey Spender (Chris Owens) has more screentime who alongside Agent Diana Fowley (Mimi Rogers) have been assigned the X Files which they ignore and censor. Apart from the main theme of an alien conspiracy the single episodes stand out as some of the funniest of the X Files seasons. Season six of the X Files is mostly about - Alien hegemony, sonic death, time travel, altered states, demons, weather, ghosts, photography, poisons, astral projections, leviathans, killer dogs, fantasies, the lone gunmen, baseball playing aliens, hallucinogens and alien artefacts. The episodes are so good it is hard to pick out the best of the lot. The episode "Rain Man" is absolutely hilarious. "Terms of Endearment" features Bruce Campbell who is excellent in everything and it is a pity they didn't keep his character on for more. "Tithonus", about a crime scene photographer, is quite creepy. "SR 819" is like the movie DOA featuring Skinner dying from a mystery illness. "Arcadia" is about a strict neighbourhood that hides a secret monstrosity. "Agua Mala" is one of the best monster hunting episodes to date. "The Unnatural" is the classic episode where a baseball player is really an alien. Season 6 is worth every penny. If you thought the X Files couldn't get better then this one puts the X back in the files.

Season 7:
(*****/5)
The Mulder Abduction (where David Duchovny leaves the show)
X Files: Season seven is full of Special Agent Mulder but effectively he leaves the X Files at the end of this season only to make guest star appearances in the next two seasons, so this is the last season to see Mulder full-time. Season seven begins with Mulder facing a problem of an extraterrestrial telepathy that threatens his life. Scully is off trying to discover the meaning of life in terms of new facts that have presented themselves in religion and biology. A whole pile of questions concerning the alien agenda are answered in the first few episodes and what happened to Mulder's sister. The Cigarette-Smoking Man (William B. Davis) is back along with Assistant Director Walter S. Skinner (Mitch Pileggi). `The Lone Gumen' John Fitzgerald Byers (Bruce Harwood), Melvin Frohike (Tom Braidwood) and Richard 'Ringo' Langly (Dean Haglund) make a few shows. Alex Krycek (Nicholas Lea) makes a return. Special Agent Jeffrey Spender (Chris Owens) is dead as is Agent Diana Fowley (Mimi Rogers). Season six of the X Files is mostly about - Alien hegemony, telepathy, mutants, luck, Millennium's Frank Black, speed, demons, magicians, Christian snake handling, Mulder's sister, reality TV, computer games, celtic voodoo, a cure for cancer, wild women, love, Hollywood, tobacoo, fighting, genies and Mulder's abduction. This Season changes to try and provide a new type of humour halfway through and so the style varies along with the X files / Cops hybrid show and the mixing in of Millennium (You may want to see all of Millennium before you watch this Season as it ended before Season 7). Season 7 has a lot to offer. Of course it really all hinges on the two episodes `Closer' about Mulder's Sister and Mulder's finale in `Requiem'. Season 7 is probably the oddest of the traditional Seasons (1-7) because of the pace changes and David Duchovny resigning himself for only guest star roles in the last two Seasons (apparently he wanted to do other things like film). It is sad to think that this is the end to Spooky and we have enjoyed being with him now for a run of 7 Seasons which lasted 7 years.

Note: effectively this season is the end of the X Files for many fans. Duchovny is practically gone and the producers reduce Scully's role. Instead they try to lead the show with Dogget and Reyes who appear in Season 8 and 9 which happen to be also the worst seasons of the X Files. There are only a handful of good episodes (could even fit on 2 discs) and Season 9 doesn't even contain a deserved wrap up of the traditional Mulder/Scully storyline and even ends with a cliff-hanger. The much tooted `the truth' double episode ending in Season 9 doesn't contain anything new you haven't learned already. You may just as well stop here.

Season 8:
(***/5)
They are replacing Mulder and Scully with Dogget and Reyes,
X Files: Season eight is the one where Mulder leaves the show (in order to pursue a career in film) only to appear part time. You may even be in for Mulder's death. The show begins with a brand new introductory credit sequence which actually looks very good and there are two versions, one containing Mulder leading and one without Mulder with Scully leading. This way you know if Mulder will make an appearance or not. The new agent Dogget (Robert Patrick) is set to replace Mulder as Scully's partner. The Cigarette-Smoking Man (William B. Davis) is gone from the show. Assistant Director Walter S. Skinner (Mitch Pileggi) has more of a lead role. `The Lone Gumen' John Fitzgerald Byers (Bruce Harwood), Melvin Frohike (Tom Braidwood) and Richard 'Ringo' Langly (Dean Haglund) are back as is Alex Krycek (Nicholas Lea). Special Agent Monica Reyes (Annabeth Gish) is also a brand new addition. FBI Deputy Director Alvin Kersh (James Pickens Jr.) is really playing the bad guy this season along with the new mysterious insider Knowle Rohrer (Adam Baldwin).

Season eight of the X Files is mostly about - Agent Dogget, Gibson Praise, time travel, monster bats, religious cults, ghosts, drugs, alien pregnancy, x-ray vision, metal man, pain, Indian mystics, viruses, Mulder, alien black oil, Doggett's son, alien colonisation, mutants and Scully's child. Dogget is essentially the new sceptic so he and Scully have a lot of fun in the single episodes. Also thankfully Season eight completely omits the slapstick humour change that Season seven tried out towards the end.

The major problem however is not with this season but what the producers are hiding from us. You don't see this until season nine. Essentially Special Agent Monica Reyes (Annabeth Gish) is here to replace Scully. Yeah the producers are going to be moving in the direction of Special Agent Monica Reyes and Agent Dogget leading the X Files for Season nine and possibly more. However Season nine killed the X Files. It is easy to give this series 4 to 5 stars without knowing what the producers are planning (I originally gave it 5) but when you know the truth! you can easily dock down. So Mulder essentially did leave the show in season 7 and Scully is leading for the time being but doing bit parts in season nine

Season 9:
(*/5)
Deceptive and misleading train wreck with little Scully and practically zero Mulder
X Files: Season 9 is a problem. The way to solve this problem is easy. Stop with Season 7. If you enjoy watching good TV seasons then stop at 7. If you are an X Files fan and want to complete things then fine but you know what is happening and if not here goes. Duchovny has left the show but appears for only a few episodes between Seasons 8 and 9 and when he does turn up it's not worth it. Now we know that Dogget is the Mulder replacement, but what Season 8 didn't tell you was that Reyes was the Scully replacement. So Season 9 is mostly Dogget and Reyes investigating something. The stories are all mostly terrible and a chore to sit through. It is like the writers and producers have lost all heart. In fact X Files Season 8 should never have been called the X Files. A better title for this would be Dogget and Reyes Season 2.

The show develops the new introductory credit sequence. There are a few versions, one containing Mulder leading and one without Mulder with Scully leading. Some have Skinner, others don't. It is mostly Scully, Dogget and Reyes but looks can be deceiving... and they are because Scully is in like 5% of the show if she is in the credits.

So Agent Dogget (Robert Patrick) replaces Mulder. Special Agent Monica Reyes (Annabeth Gish) practically replaces Scully. Assistant Director Walter S. Skinner (Mitch Pileggi) leaves his lead role from Season 8 and virtually vanishes from this Season. `The Lone Gumen' John Fitzgerald Byers (Bruce Harwood), Melvin Frohike (Tom Braidwood) and Richard 'Ringo' Langly (Dean Haglund) are back for one or two episodes. FBI Deputy Director Alvin Kersh (James Pickens Jr.) isn't really heard of. Knowle Rohrer (Adam Baldwin) has a episode or two but make no mistake about it, this is all Dogget and Reyes.

Season 9 of the X Files is mostly about - water, satanic murders, skinning, serial killers, flies, Mexico, looking for Mulder, more serial killers, crashed saucers, kid's imaginations, near death experiences, numerology, the Lone Gunmen, profiling, disfigurement, psychokinesis and finally... the truth .

Season 9 is bad. I cannot see how anyone who has sat through the amazing stories that were Seasons 1 to 7 could like, let alone recommend, it. What is there good to say about it? Duchovny was the X Files. They don't even try to tie loose ends up. Even the double episode `The truth' doesn't reveal anything you haven't already heard before and ends in a cliff-hanger that has never been answered and probably never will. The producers are trying to sell us a different show under the banner of the X Files and didn't even have the courtesy to give us a decent Mulder/Scully ending. To top it off the episodes are a slog to get through and lots of them will insult your intelligence. This isn't just a bad season of the X Files... this is a catastrophe that many wish they never sat through, including me. It may well be the worst TV season for any series that I own. I think anyone who throws out boxes 8 and 9 from their X Files collection is rightly justified in doing so.

However the traditional X Files seasons 1 to 7 are excellent shows and is one of the reasons why the X Files manages to get into the Top 10 TV series of all time. Having this collection is worth every penny and you will watch it over and over again. It is an amazing journey and one well worth taking.

Pros:
- One of the best TV series of all time.
- Huge story arcs throughout the seasons.
- The dialogue and classic Mulder one-liners.
- Repeated viewing

Cons:
- You might be able to get Seasons 1 - 7 cheaper than the whole collection boxed.
- No remastering.
- Seasons 8 and 9 are terrible.

Editorial Review:

No Description Available.
Genre: Television
Rating: NR
Release Date: 6-NOV-2007
Media Type: DVD