The X-Files: The Struggle II

The X-Files: My Struggle II

Writer and Director: Chris Carter

Starrin: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Mitch Pileggi, Joel McHale, Lauren Ambrose, Robbie Amell, William B Davis

Synopsis: Mulder and Scully uncover a shocking truth with global ramifications.

Review: I’m going to step away from The Good and The Bad this time, mainly because I just want to talk about the overall episode rather than the highs and lows… mainly cause there really wasn’t any minus the cliffhanger we were all left with. Over all, the entire episode just lacked and eventually felt a little redundant. With a worldwide epidemic happening it is left to Scully and Einstein must find a way to create a cure based on the alien DNA inside of Scully. I’m no scientist, but I feel like that takes longer than a couple of hours, also from a health stand point I’m pretty sure you one bag of blood isn’t going to be enough to create enough of a vaccine for the hole hospital/world. Hey its Hollywood though, I’ll go with it. I really do enjoy Miller and Einstein, so the two of them being back in this episode is more than welcome. Sadly, though I had started to hope for a spin off with the two, I’m starting to thing they are a little too cloneish to be a spin off and more of secondary backups to give more possibilities to the writers for dialog/story purposes.

 

Mulder is on his on journey through this though. While he dodges calls from Scully and Skinner (YAY! Mitch Pileggi!!! I’m sure you all have noticed I’m a fan), Mulder makes his way towards the Cigarette Smoking Man to get answers. Probably the best part of this episode was the fight scene that Mulder has with man that was trying to obtain him. That fight scene was choreographed very well, even though Mulder no-sold that gutwrench suplex. That suplex though, it looked damn good.  Mulder ends up at the Cigarette Smoking Mans home, but refuses the cure that the man can provide. Miller shows up to “save the day” and to try to bring him back to Scully in time to get the vaccine.

Now what we are left with after that mother of a cliffhanger, Mulder appears to be to sick for the vaccine and needs their son to help him get better. Unfortunately, neither Mulder nor Scully know where their son is. Also the episode ends with a Unidentified Flying Object (dare I say UFO), that was seen earlier in the season blowing up a car, is now hovering over Mulder, Scully and Miller. And that is where the episode ends. In all of this we have no idea what happens. Ugh the anger!!! Chris Carter do not leave us hanging like that, I don’t know what executives you need to talk to at Fox, but please! Do not just leave this like that!

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: Babylon

The X-Files: Babylon

Director & Writer: Chris Carter

Starring: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Mitch Pileggi, Lauren Ambrose, Robbie Amell

Synopsis: When an art gallery that’s showing potentially offensive artwork is bombed, Mulder and Scully seek some way to communicate with the comatose bomber in order to prevent a future attack. Meanwhile, a pair of younger FBI agents on the case push, Mulder and Scully to examine their own beliefs as Scully seeks answers from neuroscience and Mulder from mysticism.

The Good: This episode is as serious as it is weird. Chris Carter did a great job at leading everyone through this story with out giving away what was actually happening. I constantly found myself wondering. Is there more to this than it appears? Where these Terrorists or were these two framed? Is it possible there is something supernatural going on here? So many questions running through my head as the episodes went on.  While this episode was closer in humor to Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster episode from two weeks ago, Babylon told a better story from an emotional perspective.  Babylon also provided something that a few of the episodes from this short season has not had, there was closer. That is something that has been lacking this season, it was nice to finally get an episode that had an ending, thank you Chris Carter! Also thank you for bringing back Walter Skinner. Mitch Pileggi always makes me smile! 

The Bad: Maybe I’m being selfish… no I know I’m being selfish, I just don’t want to say anything bad. Every week I find myself excited for a new episode of The X-Files. I keep waiting for the joy of new episodes to fade and end up disappointed by an episode, but it just hasn’t happened. The bad for me this week is that there is only one more episode. As it stands, we X-Files fans only get one more new episode. I have found myself enjoying these episodes just as much as I enjoyed the original series and frankly I’m just not ready to say goodbye again.

Final Thoughts: First of all David Duchovny tripping on “magic mushrooms” was priceless! Kudos to Duchovny for going out and having a good time! Also, possible spin off? Agents Miller and Einstein, or as I’m going to call them Mini-Mulder and Scully, were a breath of fresh air in this episode. Their characters felt like a trip down memory lane, a pleasant reminder of what Scully and Mulder use to be like. I would watch a show based on Miller and Einstein, but it would need its on legs to stand on, something different than the X-Files. If something comes out of this with Lauren Ambrose and Robbie Amell, I’m there ready to watch.

On a real world note, kudos to you Chris Carter for writing an honest script about a real issue going on in the world. The different perspectives between Mulder and Scully’s journey show how crazy this world really is. Mulder’s side showing the path of love and kindness and Scully’s the path of hate shows just how flawed this world really can be at 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.

The X-Files Review Founder's Mutation

The X-Files: Founder’s Mutation Season 1 Episode 2

Director and Writer: James Wong

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

Synopsis:  A scientist working for the DOD commits suicide. Mulder and Scully start an investigation only to discover a secret mutation experiment.

The Good: Just as I hoped this episode felt much closer to the investigational freak of the week format that was a little closer to the original X-Files that long time fans are use too. Even though this was promoted as the second night of a two night premier, Founder’s Mutation had very little to do with the first episode The Struggle. Mulder and Scully worked much better together in this episode. They are back in the thick of things solving the case of a scientist that appeared to have committed suicide.  Walter Skinner was more involved this week as well, which I am always grateful for. Skinner was doing his part to give Mulder and Scully more time to get to the bottom of things. Just because I need to say it, the “evil scientist” biting it in the end warmed my heart.

 

The Bad: This is closer to what old school fans want, but isn’t there just yet.  It is starting to feel more like home, but its like there is this unknown thing missing. I’m hoping whatever little thing that feels off fixes it self in the next few episodes, though it could just be nostalgia playing with my head. I will say this, even though I am usually a fan of flash backs and dream type things, the spots with Scully and William just felt off at times, like they don’t belong. Scully’s little snippets where much more heart warming than Mulders though, his just made my heart hurt. Oh the feels.

Final Thoughts: Mulder and Scully worked much more smoothly in this episode, which made a world of difference in the episode flowing much better. I’m sure they are just getting use to working off of each other again, but still it is a relief to see them flowing together. I loved the dynamic of the twins and I hope that is not the last we see of them, you know considering one of them melted the villains brains and then I assume they escaped. Also could we please have more Mitch Pileggi ?... Just more.

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.