The X-Files Review: Home Again

X-Files: Home Again

Director & Writer: Glen Morgan

Starring: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Sheila Larken, Tim Armstrong, Daryl Shuttleworth, Peggy Jo Jacobs, Alessandro Juliani

Synopsis: Mulder and Scully are sent to investigate the murder of a city official, which it seems no human could have committed. Meanwhile, Scully deals with a personal tragedy, which brings up many old feelings about the child she gave away for adoption.

The Good: This week’s episode is more emotional than the previous episodes so far. With the tragic call about Scully’s mother, the only bit of comedy in the episode is Mulders comments about the city of brotherly love.  The episode kicks off with a pretty gruesome death of a city official that is ripped apart… literally. This weeks monster, known as the Trashman, rips its victims arms and head from their bodies. Some pretty cool effects were used to make this look real, it was gross, I loved it! While Mulder is trying to solve this case, Scully is going through one of the hardest things a person can go through, dealing with her mother passing away. My favorite quote of the episode, “I don’t care about the big questions right now Mulder, I just want one more chance to ask my mom a few little ones.” Gillian Anderson’s delivery of that line was priceless, anyone watching felt it.

The Bad: This episode slowed things down for sure and I kind of feel like it may be to early in the season to slow the pace after such a good build up with the first few episodes. The story delivered its purpose to bring up more doubts about their son William, which is clearly going to be a season long theme, but through the episode I was starting think they were laying it on just a little too thick.  The ending for this episode also seemed to be missing, is the Trashman gone? We don’t really know, like if it appears does it have a happy face now as it kills you? The ending just wasn’t there for the monster of the week. The final words by Scully’s mom was a little awkward as well, honestly it just felt forced. I understand the purpose of them, even before Scully talked about it at the end. With how much of each episode is focused on their son, those final words from her mother really weren’t needed.

Final Thoughts: While I felt more could have been done with the Trashman, the importance of what Scully went through in this episode will be more important than the monster of the week. I’m really curious with where things are going with William. Eventually there will have to be an appearance from the son of Fox and Dana, the question is when and what will be the circumstances? The little dab at that old flame between Mulder and Scully was nice to see as well. It was a subtle  reminder of old times and how their relationship has evolved over the years.

Click here to listen or right click and choose "Save As..." to download.

Maskerpiece Theatre is sponsored by MoviePass. See unlimited movies at a theater near you for a low monthly rate.

You can also support our show by using our Amazon banners or donating on our Support Us page.

The X-Files Review: Mulder & Scully Meet the Were-Monster

The X-Files: Mulder & Scully Meet the Were-Monster

Director & Writer: Darin Morgan

Staring: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Kumail Nanjiani, Rhys Darby

Synopsis: When a dead body is found in the woods, Mulder and Scully are called in to investigate whether it was an animal attack, a serial killer or just maybe a strange creature as described by eyewitnesses. Meanwhile, Mulder is able to confront some of his own demons about feeling disillusioned with his life’s work.

The Good: This is probably my favorite episode of this season so far. There was everything you need for a good time, there was death, a monster, some comedy and a twist for good measure. Darin Morgan’s spin on humanity is the real monster was fantastic. His story in this episode of a creature that was bitten by a person and then turns into one during the day was nice surprise from the typical were-animal story. The graveyard scene between Mulder and Guy Mann, the creature that shifts into a person, confesses what is happening to him was so well written. Rhys Darby who played Guy Mann was absolutely my favorite part of this episode! His delivery on how ridiculous the human life was and how natural it was becoming for him just because he shifted into a human. It was also nice to see the show expressing how things have changed from when the original show was on tv. At the start of the episode, Mulder is going over old cases and expressing to Scully how a lot of the unexplained from before has now be debunked. Mulder continues his with his doubt as him and Scully get to the scene of the killings. My favorite question he asks being, why did no one take a picture of the creature considering everyone has cameras with them now? This of course led to Mulder chasing the creature around with his phone constantly taking photos while looking for this lizard creature. All in all, the episode did a great job of telling a story of Mulder going from rational skeptic to a believer and getting to see the truth when Guy Mann turns back into his true form before running off. Side note, kudos to Darin Morgan for the name Guy Mann, though redundant, it’s a very funny name for the creature in his human form.

The Bad- I don’t have much bad to say about this episode, but less is better when it comes to seeing the creature. Without a crazy budget, though, there isn’t much you can do, but the show pulled it off.

Final Thoughts: Like I said I didn’t have much bad to say about this episode. It was a good time all around. If anyone is looking for a easy episode to introduce friends too, this is the episode to do it. Also it is clear to see Duchovny and Anderson are getting more comfortable with each other on camera, their chemistry is flowing much better with each episode, making it feel more like old times.

Click here to listen or right click and choose "Save As..." to download.

Maskerpiece Theatre is sponsored by MoviePass. See unlimited movies at a theater near you for a low monthly rate.

You can also support our show by using our Amazon banners or donating on our Support Us page.

Review The X-Files: The Struggle

The X-Files: The Struggle Season 1 Episode 1

Director & Writer: Chris Carter

Staring: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Mitch Pileggi, Joel McHale

Synopsis: This 2016 pilot reintroduces "The X-Files" and reunites Agent Mulder with Dana Scully after the collapse of their relationship when Mulder is engaged by a TV host. Mulder proclaims new evidence that alien abductions have been faked.

The Good: Well the obvious of course, X-Files is back!!! While everything seems different, a lot of it feels the same.  Mulder is quick to believe and Scully still needs the proof but wants to believe. The episode is filled with controversy from an untrusting media reporter, to a sketchy witness that is killed just after she goes on national television stating that she lied about her abductions.  Seemingly everything that Mulder got to see as evidence is destroyed by some sort of government task force, easily setting up the potential of a season long story.

The Bad: This episode sadly is a little slow, but is worth watching. Just think though, this show has to reintroduce it self to the audience that loved it before, but also be informative to the new audience that has never seen the old series. 9 seasons is a lot to fill someone in on and I’m sure there are not very many new fans that binged watch over 150 plus episodes to be ready for this new season. That’s okay though while the story was a little lacking on the first episode it was a good introduction for where the characters are in their lives.

 

Final thoughts: This was a solid way to kick the show off. This being first part of a 2 night special, that does not involve the dreaded “To Be Continued…” ending. The story stood well enough on its own to get you to the second night which I am sure is going to fall more on the “traditional” X-Files format. We will have to see!

Click here to listen or right click and choose "Save As..." to download.

Maskerpiece Theatre is sponsored by MoviePass. See unlimited movies at a theater near you for a low monthly rate.

You can also support our show by using our Amazon banners or donating on our Support Us page.