I STILL WANT TO BELIEVE: The promising return of The X-Files...

The spoilers are out there...

After it's two night, two episode "event" comes to a close, what is left until the rest of the season unfolds is only promising.

This of course comes as no surprise to myself at the very least, as I was one to enjoy The X-Files when it was arguably at its worst, in the depths of its ninth season. However, what makes this stand out from that past series is the modernisation to the characters and the world surrounding: Mulder and Scully left in a state of disdain for one another as their relationship crumbled from their past appearance in the 2008 mixed bag "I Want to Believe", in addition to the leaps and bounds technology has made and its impact on society since then. In the realm of technology, eight years might as well be a life time.

That's what upheld my interest through the struggle that is "My Struggle", the pilot episode for the new miniseries. Whilst still enjoyable and not devoid of merit by any means, certainly better than what The X-Files can present at its worst, it suffered from its own breakneck pace. There is no brakes on this train, you're moving from plot point to plot point with almost no time to take it all in, and there's a lot to take in considering this new-found mythology has essentially scrapped everything that was established by the entire franchise thus far. Yes, it does retain some elements from the past, but it ultimately starts anew with a new mythology arc to entice a new audience that simply does not and even if they did, would not catch up on 201 episodes of TV. 

The on-off now former FBI agents are called upon when a hotshot host Tad O'Malley calls upon Mulder to investigate the government conspiracy once more with the revelation of the character Sveta, a woman who, just like Scully contains elements of alien DNA, orchestrated by who else but said government. And, just when it kicks off and Mulder makes his leap to break through and expose the truth via Mr. O'Malley, the forces that be stop them before they get the chance and Mulder goes back to square one, O'Malley nowhere to be seen and Sveta presumed abducted... again.

When I put it like that, it makes it seem like I really didn't enjoy it, but the thing is - I did. It might just be that burst of nostalgia seeing these characters interact once more, but that can't be the case for someone, such as myself, who has only just watched the series and films prior. The conspiracy, whilst at a rushed pace to compensate for less episodes and somewhat frustratingly yet understandably working from a now blank slate, is intriguing. The thing is... the next episode "Founder's Mutation" really blows it out the water. Sorry, Chris. You'll have your next shot soon.

The meat of where The X-Files has arguably always lied is in the standalone "Monster of the Week" formula episodes, but this does something clever to maintain interest in the show's overall arc: interweaving the related mythology into the case at hand. Visions of Mulder and Scully together with their estranged son William is almost heartbreaking, a bizarre contrast from the unexpected amounts of gore placed on screen throughout this episode. It also has a comedic element, whilst not the focus of the episode, is much more present than that of the past episode, with some of the aspects of the humour surprisingly below the belt. It just is a strong, solid entry from a writer/film maker that has always provided great material for the show alongside his other regulars Glen and Darin Morgan.

With the immediate correction of its course before stumbling over a still noteworthy episode, I don't see why I wouldn't continue watching the show as it airs, and so should you. X-Files fan or not, it's still worth a try.

201 DAYS OF THE X-FILES: chipping away at the behemoth...

Resuming after an unabashedly long period of silence...

I, myself for many years have wished to watch from the beginning to the end of the cultural phenomenon that is The X-Files, but to no avail...

So when a new mini-series was announced to continue where it left off a whole 13 years past its ending, with FOX launching a campaign to watch an episode every day until it's première, it couldn't be a better time to start, right?

The show's quality is unquestionably good overall, excelling to great at points, with some episodes becoming genuinely disturbing or unsettling. (Here's looking at you, The Host.) But, here I am in the midst of season 2, no longer being able to deny that episodes can potentially range from being bad to as aforementioned mind-bogglingly great. As for every episode like The Host or very early on in season 1, Squeeze, there's a Firewalker waiting for you, and while it never reaches the levels of unwatchable, they really do struggle to pull me in for their running time.

Quality aside, I complain about the show but I can't bare to pull myself away from it, a definitive first-world problem arises: 201 episodes is a lot to stomach. That is what previously put myself and other friends off of watching The X-Files. However, once you break into it and pass the first season, you're in flying colours and at least myself can't stop watching. An episode a day isn't enough, sometimes I can sit through 4 or 5 in one day. It's an insatiable demand with plenty of supply, only stopped by mortality... primarily sleep deprivation. Watching now is in all likeliness the best way to do it, as when it approaches January next year and it continues, the understanding of all of the show's past nuances and lore can only be rewarding. A time investment that pays off with even more of an investment of said time.

What more is there to say? If you love or even passively like television to some extent, which probably accounts for almost everyone, put the X-Files on your watch list, hell, start it right now. 201 episodes sounds like a lot and believe me it sure is, but believe me again, it sure is worth it.

TWIN PEAKS revival in 2016... scratch that... 2017: what made it so special to begin with?

I'll see you again in 25 years...

Twin Peaks was and still is a pretty perfect example of a cult phenomenon - still maintaining a large enough following over 25 years later, rife for a comeback, which is indeed happening after a brief scare involving David Lynch's departure and subsequent boycott. Crisis averted.

Enough baseless appraisal. What is it that made Twin Peaks so memorable? How is it that such a short-lived stint on America's then third place broadcast network could attract such a following?

One simple thing: character, for me at least. Everything within Twin Peaks reeks of character, even it's idyllic setting, but from the moment you're introduced to the FBI's Dale Cooper, you are succumbed to intrigue as he blabbers away diligently to his tape recorder also known as Diane. This quirk alone builds the charm that is ultimately Cooper, a charisma so great it becomes nigh impossible not to like him. This follows onto each of passing characters and their locale, crafting a sense of nostalgia, this coming from a viewer whom only stumbled upon this show in recent years.

It is simply Lynch's masterpiece, as together with partner Mark Frost, the two created a balance, notably restraining Lynch's abstract nature in his films, allowing the show to have a goofy quality that adds to its unique nature. On the note of restrictions, the restrictions of the show being on ABC and of course the show's downfall due to the network's incompetence more than anything is what hampered it's progress, in addition to the waning interests of both of the show's creators during the second season and horrific anti-climax during said season. This lead to that 25 year unsolved cliffhanger (that I thankfully wasn't even in existence to wait for), which will finally be resolved with the show's return, with the passage of time hopefully being manipulated to the show's benefit, seeing these bizarre and often juvenile characters pushing the envelope of grand or great grandparents.

Leading onto the cultural impact Twin Peaks brought, it's had countless references and parodies as well as influenced all forms of media, ranging from it's habitat of television, film and video games, with video games taking up a large percentage of the influence with such lovely titles as Alan Wake, Deadly Premonition or a ham-fisted reference in Gone Home that take liberties from the series whilst being their own unique property. It's not only what Twin Peaks brought to it's audiences from it's own face-level existence, but the aforementioned director behind it: David Lynch, but not his own individual talent, but the prospect of a big screen director coming to the small screen. Whilst now you have directors such as Martin Scorsese behind shows such as Boardwalk Empire and going so far as to praise television as the next great medium, it was a different story with this show's conception in 1990. Television was largely avoided by film makers up until that point, opting to stick with the one-time feature-length experience, missing out on the benefit of a lengthy continuous story that can grow over time, instead of being condensed into one sitting.

There is oh so much more that can be said about Twin Peaks, with it's return to be welcomed by the collectively open arms of it's fan base, with a final note to the fan base being: don't be surprised if the new series is more in the vein of Fire Walk With Me, which I myself would not be all too saddened by. Only more excited.

"Diane, 11:30 A.M. February, 24th. Entering the town of Twin Peaks..."