I just finished watching the entire X-Files series on DVD

[Brandonv]

I just finished watching the entire X-Files series on DVD, and I would like to post some quick thoughts.

I started collecting the X-Files seasons on DVD back in July, and I just watched I Want To Believe this evening. I had already seen both movies and most of the episodes when they originally aired, but I found it much easier to keep track of the mythology watching it over the span of 5 months instead of 9 years.

I am happy to say that I found the whole series plus the two movies enjoyable. I even liked season 8 and 9, which I remembered not liking very much originally. I really liked the search for Mulder plotline in season 8, especially since I couldn't remember what happened. I do kind of feel that the show was loosing steam during season 9, but I think that there where still some really good stories. I also like the characters of Dogget and Reyes.

I know that there was a mixed reaction to I Want to Believe, and I have to admit that I was a bit underwhelmed myself when I first saw it in theaters. But I have come to like the movie more the couple of times I have watched it on DVD. While I still think the story itself is just average, I think David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson did a good job reprising their roles. I see it as a good Mulder and Scully movie, but a "meh" X-Files movie, if that makes any sense.

Watching the latest movie after just finishing season 9, I was wondering what happened to Dogget and Reyes. Are they in hiding also? Do they still work for the FBI? I also found it a bit strange that Mulder was forgiven so easily after being found guilty for murder. I guess the current powers that be in the FBI must know that Mulder was really innocent?

I would still like to see one more X-Files movie that deals with the mythology, and I also wouldn't mind seeing Dogget and Reyes again.

 

[Broccoli]

M&S were on the run because Mulder was a fugitive and Scully was on the run, making her a sort-of accomplice. D&R, even though they helped, didn't go with and can't be fully proven to have helped with the breakout. D&R, in theory, should still be working at the FBI as of XF2 (unless they decided to leave for other reasons in the interm).

I actually liked season 9 and think D&R could have carried the series. The mytharc was shotty at best at that point, however.

 

[Aragorn]

The biggest problem with season 9 was keeping Scully after losing Mulder and the contrivances made in order to make it work. If they would've let them both go and start a clean slate with Doggett and Reyes, the season may have still been the last, but at least it could've been better.

 

[Trippy]

Gillian Anderson wanted to leave for Season 9 too, but FOX wouldn't let her out of her contract.

I've been buying the new repack seasons (they're cheaper) and think I'll start over tonight with the pilot

 

[Harvey]

I did an epic rewatch a while ago (or, for me, an epic watch for the first time--has it really been two years!?). That thread should still be around here somewhere.

Despite all the negativity, I think season eight is the best of the series, more polished than any of the earlier seasons and much more focused than any of the later seasons. I'm not big on season nine, since both Mulder's continued absence and Scully's continued presence (often reduced to continued cameos) are a hard plot contrivance to take. I really enjoy the second film, though. Many of the negative reviews were negative because of expectations (it wasn't an alien story) or because it wasn't a very accessible movie (if you're not aware of the William story, much of the film falls apart).

 

[Too Much Fun]

While I'm one of those X-Files fans that really doesn't care for seasons 8 and 9 in general (and even a lot of season 7 annoys me), I have to give some love to "Improbable", an episode so awesome it almost justifies that whole last season, because we wouldn't have got it if the show ended earlier, and that would have been a shame. I can't believe it, but an episode in the ninth season that doesn't even have Mulder in it is one of my all time favourites because of this one. The French music was hilarious and for some reason perfect, and Burt Reynolds was amazing, especially in his scene with Scully and Reyes.

 

[Bad Bishop]

Gillian Anderson wanted to leave for Season 9 too, but FOX wouldn't let her out of her contract.

Do you blame the network? She wanted a (well-deserved) raise for the later seasons, the network agreed but wanted her for season 9. Hard bargaining but completely fair.

 

[Nowhere Man]

Just reading the title my first reaction was holy shit. I always liked X-files I kept up with it as much as possible and more than any other show other than TNG and Smallville. I have been contimplating buying the series, but it's on tv.all the time. I have to say that I liked both movies, proud of you for watching the whole thing, I would have skipped episodes.I just hope we get a 3rd movie with the aliens and true closure.

 

[Aragorn]

"Scully, I've discovered the cause of armageddon! It's not natural disasters or aliens or biological warfare or Revelations -- studios making crappy end of the world movies is what will bring about the end of the world!"

 

[TheMasterOfOrion]

9 seasons, wow what a marathon

I wouldn't have been able to do that one

 

[Greylock Crescent]

I just started watching the series -- for the first time, no less. I've been slowly making my way through season 1. It's a long, long way to season 9 though.

It's good to know that there are some good things to look forward to in Seasons 8&9.

 

[Holdfast]

I have been contimplating buying the series, but it's on tv.all the time.

Yeah, same here. I have the first season, but it's just on TV too much for me to feel justified buying any more. Still like watching the reruns though.

 

[sidious618]

Every few years I watch the series again but I do skip a number of them.