After a life-imposed hiatus, I am back and will be posting regularly again. Whilst I took a break from posting, I didn't however take a break from rewatching the paranormal adventures of my favourite pair of FBI agents and selecting my top five episodes from each season. So without further ado, here are my picks from season two...
(Again, these are listed chronologically rather than in order of preference.)
1. One Breath
This was a really hard one to decide on, as it's essentially the third-part of the three-part story started in 'Duane Barry' and 'Ascension', but after considering copping out and counting all three episodes as one, I finally decided that 'One Breath' is the best out of the three. Whilst not as action-packed or exciting as the other two, this episode features a lot of beautiful character moments and despite Scully having barely any lines until the end of the episode, marks a really significant turning point in the relationship between Mulder and Scully. When Scully mysteriously reappears in a coma three months after her abduction, Mulder sets about trying to uncover the truth about what happened to her and who was responsible. This leads to an epic confrontation between Mulder and CSM (another reason why this episode won out), with Mulder finally gaining the upper-hand (albeit briefly) over his nicotine-loving nemesis, with two amazing performances from David Duchovny and William B. Davis respectively. It's a real 'hell yeah' moment, as Mulder's frustration reaches boiling point and it's also really interesting to see CSM in a semi-vulnerable light, something which will continue and deepen as the series goes on and his grip on things slowly deteriorates. This episode is also notable for fleshing out Skinner's character more, giving us an insight into his beliefs in the paranormal and his military background. It is really Mulder's love for Scully that drives this episode however, and which makes it so memorable. Having never given up on finding Scully, Mulder is more driven than ever to find out what happened to her now that she is back, yet gives up his chance at revenge in order to attend her bedside and ultimately bring her out of her coma. Their eventual reunion upon Scully's awakening is understated but beautifully done, highlighting the deep devotion Mulder has for her with minimal dialogue. There may not be any aliens or explosions in this episode, but give me some good old Mulder and Scully feels and you've got a winner!
 |
| And he thought smoking was the biggest hazard to his health! |
2. Red Museum
This episode about a series of kidnapped teenagers, a vegetarian cult and cows being injected with alien DNA (it's better than I make it sound!) combines everything I love about The X-Files. Shady government conspiracies, creepy goings-on and just a touch of the absurd. But what I really love about this episode, is that it starts out as another seemingly stand-alone case-of-the-week episode, but over the course of the story it transpires that the events unfolding are actually closely tied to the bigger conspiracy and the show's overarching mythology. Whilst not essential viewing to understand the bigger myth-arc (and let's be honest, it can be difficult to follow at the best of times anyway!), it features many call-backs and references to earlier episodes and plot-threads which really elevate it above another 'government do shady things in small town' story. It also inadvertently introduces a number of elements which will become huge factors in later seasons, such as the concept of 'walk-ins' (a body whose original soul has left and been replaced by another) and the reference to The New Age commencing in December 2012 (the planned date for colonisation revealed in the series finale 7 seasons later). The standout scene from this episode is when Scully recognises the Crew Cut Man as the man who assassinated Deep Throat in the previous season's finale. Hairs-on-the-back-of-the-neck-raising! I also like how this episode is left semi-unresolved. As much as you get a general idea of what was going on in the town, the case isn't definitively solved and no-one is brought to justice, another recurring motif in the series.
 |
| It's a drastic strategy to shame litterers, but effective! |
3. Irresistible
'Irresistible' may be one of my favourite episodes of the entire series, let alone season the second season. There are just so many amazing elements to it that I couldn't possibly do it justice. From its genuinely scary opening to the tense and deeply heart-wrenching finale, this episode fires on all cylinders and delivers top-notch X-Files. Centring on death-fetishist and murderer Donnie Pfaster, the episode is notable for containing no paranormal elements whatsoever, a rarity for the series. Throughout, the episode constantly makes us question what we are seeing and keeps us guessing right up until the end as to Pfaster's real nature. The realisation that he is just a twisted, evil human-being and not some kind of mutant or demon is somehow more terrifying and unsettling. Nick Chinlund's performance as Pfaster is one of the series' best, up there with Doug Hutchison as Eugene Victor Tooms. The way he infuses the character with an unassuming sickly-sweet charm, all-the-while barely concealing the bat-shit craziness which lies underneath is wonderfully traumatising to behold. It's no wonder the series revisited the character years later. I also really appreciate how this episode takes the opportunity to further develop Scully's character, showing how her recent abduction by Duane Barry has affected her and the full-blown onset of her PTSD. It's a truly moving and heart-breaking moment in the episode's climax when, upon being saved from Pfaster, Scully finally stops putting on a brave face and breaks down in Mulder's arms. Tears everywhere!
 |
| Just look at that creepy face. Look at it!! |
4. Colony/End Game
Whilst I restrained from the cop-out with the three Duane Barry episodes, I simply can't decide between these two and have to stretch the rules a little here. Both episodes just have so much good stuff and they really do function as two halves of a whole, making it unfair to judge one without the other. These episodes introduce a number of iconic X-Files elements, not least of all being the shape-shifting Alien Bounty Hunter. ABH is a staple in the show's mythology and this menacing figure will go on to pester Mulder and Scully for the rest of the series. The plot (focussing on cloned scientists, alien retroviruses and the aforementioned bounty hunter) is pretty outlandish and whacky, but is grounded by the lead characters enough that it never strays into the absurd. Not that there's anything wrong with the absurd. Some of the best X-Files episodes are heavy absurd! These episodes are also notable for bringing back Mulder's long-lost sister Samantha (or a clone of her anyway) and kicking off what will be a long and confusing plot related to what happened to her. The first part of this two-parter ('Colony') almost won out for its amazing cliff-hanger alone, however the scales were balanced by the badass takedown Skinner performs on X in 'End Game'. All in all, these episodes kick the show's mythology up a notch and really establish a sense of scale. They also technically feature our very first walking talking alien in ABH.
 |
| Look Mulder it's your sister! Oh no, wait...it's not. |
5. Humbug
Like 'Irresistible', this episode is one of my all-time favourite episodes of the series, but for very different reasons. While 'Irresistible' goes dark, even by X-Files standards, 'Humbug' lightens the tone and becomes the show's first explicitly comedic episode whilst still telling a rather twisted and creepy story. Following Mulder and Scully's investigation into a series of murders amongst a community of former circus sideshow performers, the episode features countless laugh-out-loud moments, all the whilst maintaining a creepy, unsettling tone naturally. From the opening teaser which toys with the viewer's expectations and flips horror conventions on their head, to the hilariously disgusting conclusion this episode is a hugely enjoyable romp with a fantastically bizarre cast of characters who I would gladly watch in a weekly series of their own. We have Jim Jim the Dogface Boy (that is until he went through hair loss and became the local sheriff), paranoid manager Mr Nutt (played by Twin Peaks' wonderful Michael J. Anderson) and Lanny the alcoholic with a partially-formed conjoined twin. Like I said, bizarre. But the standout character of the episode is without a doubt The Conundrum, a jigsaw-tattooed, mostly mute individual who will eat absolutely anything. And I mean anything! Despite having only one line in the entire episode, he definitely leaves an impression, played to perfection by the appropriately named The Enigma. Much of the humour in this episode comes from the reactions to events by our two leads and watching them try to comprehend the bonkers happenings going on around them. The final look between the pair at the close of the episode is absolutely priceless. This is quite frankly X-Files gold.
 |
| 'Peekaboo!' |
Honourable mentions this time go to 'The Host', 'Blood', 'Dod Kalm' (one of the episodes I always remember watching as a kid!) and 'F. Emasculata'. Great episodes all.
Season 3 is also a super-strong season and my list of favourites already numbers much higher than five and I'm not even done yet, so much whittling down is definitely required. But I am confident I am up to the task and will soldier on with this self-imposed burden like the trooper that I am. If Mulder and Scully can tackle alien bounty hunters, twisted serial killers and nicotine-loving sociopaths then I'm sure I can handle this.
No comments:
Post a Comment