Review of X Files, The: Season 8 Boxset

Introduction

So here we are in season 8 of The X-Files. The show really should have ended in the previous season, but Fox wanted a bit more. They still managed to squeeze some good episodes from Carter and his chums, but the rot has rather set in by now when it comes to the mythology episodes. This season was first broadcast in 2000/2001.

Here are the episodes that make up the 8th season.

Within (part 1 of 2)

The story carries on from the season 7 cliffhanger "Requiem", which started out well but then started chasing its tail. More tail-chasing here, but first we get to meet Agent John Doggett (played by Robert Patrick), who will go on to take Mulder`s place alongside Scully on The X Files. The episode also sees a quick turn from regulars The Lone Gunmen, as well as Gibson Praise (last seen in season 6 opener "The Beginning"). Doggett questions Scully and Skinner in order to find Mulder, and they end up in the Arizona desert trying to find him.

Without (part 2 of 2)

The story continues with the hunt for Mulder, but the waters are clouded by the return of Brian Thompson`s shape-shifting Alien Bounty Hunter. However, it all descends into some chaos towards the end, with a rehash of some earlier plotlines.

Patience

Doggett works his first case on The X Files with Scully. The episode is perhaps a little clumsy as it tries to show the differences between Doggett and Scully, but if you`ve watched the show then you`ll have seen those differences in the previous 2 episodes. A return to the "monster of the week" format, a shame about the heavy handed handling of the story.

Roadrunners

This episode harks back to season 5, when we had episodes which featured less of the main characters. In this one, Scully goes out on her own to investigate a case (a distinct trait of Mulder`s) in a remote part of Utah, where she discovers a small town inhabited by a strange cult who worship a strange wormlike creature that needs a new host.

Invocation

This episode reminded me of season 2`s "The Calusari" which featured a young boy possessed by his evil dead twin. In this episode, a boy who disappeared in 1990 suddenly reappears in 2000 without any explanation. He hasn`t aged a day, but he refuses to communicate with anyone. Scully & Doggett pursue different lines of enquiry to find out why. This episode is rather weak and confused.

Redrum

A lawyer wakes up and finds himself in jail. He has been detained for the murder of his wife, and is shot when being transferred to another prison. Then he wakes up again, a day before all this happens. He has no memory of yesterday, only tomorrow. For him, time is ticking back to the day of the murder, and he realises that he must change history. An excellent stand alone episode, reminiscent of the early days of the show.

A bit of trivia here. Joe Morton (who plays Martin Wells in this episode) also appeared with Robert Patrick in Terminator 2: Judgement Day as Miles Dyson.

Via Negativa

A Scully-light affair, with Doggett and Skinner working a case of a religious cult leader who invades people`s dreams. This episode reminded me of season 2`s "Sleepless", but there was still plenty of new material here.

Surekill

Another story reminiscent of early seasons (although not specific episodes), as Scully & Doggett work to find a mystery killer who can shoot people through walls, ceilings and other obstacles.

Salvage

A monstrous nod to Robert Patrick`s biggest film role (the T-1000 in Terminator 2), as Scully & Doggett hunt down a man who appears to be changing into metal. As Doggett says "you can only see metal men at the movies". Or can you? Rather preposterous but still quite a good episode.

Badlaa

Another slightly confused story, as an Indian mystic who can inahbit other people`s bodies travels to America to exact revenge. This story had some resemblences to season 2`s "The Host" and also "Humbug", but wasn`t as good as either of those.

The Gift

Another Scully-free episode, as Doggett investigates an old case of Mulder`s to try and track him down. He travels to a small town where the residents have a secret that they`re trying to protect.

Medusa

A cracking little story this one. Scully and Doggett fight against a stubborn rail manager and a tight deadline in order to discover the source of a mystery disease found in the Boston underground system. For once the CDC are helpful to their cause (unlike season 2`s "F. Emasculata").

Per Manum

Oh dear. The mythology returns, with alien babies and cover ups flying everywhere. Scully begins to question her own pregnancy, and we meet a new double crossing shady government figure in the shape of Doggett`s old friend Knowle Rohrer. This is the first of 4 mythology episodes in a row!

This Is Not Happening (part 1 of 2)

A chance for the writers to snip off a few loose ends is lost, as Carter & Spotnitz start chasing each other`s tails.

An alien abductee is found barely alive in the desert. Doggett and Scully race to the scene, convinced of a connection with Mulder`s disappearance.

The friendly shape-shifter Jeremiah Smith also returns briefly, and attempts to use his powers to heal the abductees. We also meet the latest addition to the X Files team, Special Agent Monica Reyes (who apparently specialises in ritualistic crimes and religious cults). Mulder is found dead at the end of the episode. But we all know that he`s been "dead" before....

DeadAlive (part 2 of 2)

Mulder is buried, but another abductee (Billy Miles) who was found dead suddenly comes back to life. Skinner orders Mulder to be exhumed, and he is alive (but only just). Scully is suspicious of the recovery of Billy Miles and wonders if the same thing will happen to Mulder.

Ratboy (Krycek) returns with an offer of a cure for the virus that Mulder has been infected with, but only if Scully gives up her baby. Can they pay that price?

Three Words

Mulder returns to action in an unofficial capacity, but this is another of those annoying episodes where everyone gets set up by everyone else in their hunt for "the truth". The quest takes Mulder (ably assisted by The Lone Gunmen) to a central statistics bureau where census data is processed.

Empedocles

From one mythology to another, as we learn something about Doggett`s son (alluded to in the opening episodes of the season). Reyes notices similarities between a new case and the case of Doggett`s son that she helped to investigate. This is another confused story that doesn`t sort itself out in time for the ending.

Vienen

The new odd couple, Mulder and Doggett have to work a case. And here we go again. This time the black oil virus is suspected of causing deaths on an oil rig (how original!) Mulder, Scully, Skinner & Doggett all manage to get themselves in Kersh`s bad books by taking on the case. Mulder gets fired by Kersh.

Alone

Scully begins maternity leave, but then soon comes back to work. Doggett is assigned a new partner, Agent Leyla Harrison to help investigate the death of a man whose son has now disappeared. Mulder, now fired from the X Files, still manages to work on the case.

Essence (part 1 of 2 - or should it be 4?)

Here we go again. Tail chasing time, courtesy of Mr Carter. The end of the season approaches, so time for some cliffhanger. Not in the season 2 classic "Anasazi" mould though. This time Mulder and Doggett work together again, to look at the attack on the genetics lab featured in "Per Manum". Billy Miles has returned and is attempting to destroy evidence. A friend of Scully`s comes under suspicion after switching some pills at Scully`s house. Agent Reyes helps Scully, and even Krycek lends a helping hand.

Existence (part 2 of 2 - or should it be 4?)

Reyes and Scully head to the country to prepare for the birth, leaving the men behind to investigate the conspiracy. The ever-dodgy Knowle Rohrer tries to get information out of Doggett, who refuses and follows Rohrer to find out what he`s up to. Ratboy finally gets his comeuppance, and the baby finally gets born. But you just know we haven`t heard the last about it!

A final note in this long introduction. Congratulations to Fox, who have finally decided to send ALL of the discs of the set for review, not just a select few. This makes a reviewer`s job much easier!

Video

As it has been since season 5 onwards, a 1.78:1 anamorphic transfer is on offer here. Again, the quality is excellent throughout, with no noticeable artefacts and no problems to be seen. After the series left Vancouver it got sunnier, but this season has turned out to be a bit darker than previous seasons. We`re back to a few more dark scenes with those good old torch beams cutting through them.

As you would expect for a science-fiction drama, there are plenty of special effects used throughout the season, ranging from simple make-up effects to full-on CGI blowouts. Almost all of the effects look good and add to the quality of the episodes.

Audio

A DD2.0 surround soundtrack (the same as first broadcast) is on offer and does its job well. If played through a home cinema amp with surround mode on, you`ll find some work for rear speakers and some interesting audio effects.

Now we`ve reached the 8th season, Mark Snow`s scores aren`t quite what they once were, but season 8 does have a few new themes running through it, so a slight improvement on the previous season. Hardly any trendy songs this time round (e.g. season 7`s Moby tracks).

Features

I must admit to still being very disappointed by the extras. Only 2 audio commentaries, which seems a bit mean. Surely someone has something to say about the show?

Still only a handful of deleted scenes (surely there were more than a few minutes of them given that over 1000 minutes of the show are presented on the disc), and where are the "blooper reels" that have gained the status of the holy grail now the show is over?

All of these extras can be accessed on the relevant individual discs, and there are more on the final disc, including documentaries and featurettes about the season and special effects, plus trailers for each show. They become tedious after a short while.

You also get some "international clips" which are just short dubbed scenes from various episodes. These are interesting but not of lasting value. There`s also a new DVD ROM game in which you have to help find Mulder.

It`s a reasonable package of extras, but there could have been so much more.

Conclusion

The addition of more characters to the team has given the series some more freshness, with Robert Patrick in particular doing a good job with the bullish, ultra-sceptic Doggett. The "monster of the week" episodes on offer here are largely good, with a few classics mixed in with them. Some new writing and directing talent has also given us some good stories. It`s just the mythology that disappoints, as the writers seem intent on tying themselves in knots and playing tricks, instead of just unravelling the story and telling us the truth.

Overall though, it`s a tricky decision to recommend the set. In its own right this is a great DVD set, with great picture and sound and a reasonable selection of extras. But quite a few fans might already own the VHS box set of the season. And if you do I can`t really recommend that you shell out another 70 or 80 pounds for the DVD edition. Yes the picture and sound are better (and you get a widescreen picture). Yes there are extras. But I still don`t feel that there are enough extras to justify more expenditure if you`ve already got the VHS. The only reason to upgrade would be the vastly improved picture/sound quality.

If you didn`t splash out on the VHS set though, then this is definitely for you. A chance to enjoy some of the last good episodes of the show in fantastic DVD quality.

But if you`re looking for an introduction to the show, go for one of the earlier seasons first.....