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Never know what you might learn from X-Files trivia.

We've got a really good run of episodes here including the next one.

@@chacochicken The next episode is truly a delight and not only does Brad Dourif perform at the top of his game, but he also probably outdoes all of the weekly X-Files guest stars. At least I can't think of a more menacing appearance in the entire series. :)

@@chacochicken In preparation for your upcoming video, I rewatched the "Beyond The Sea" episode to make sure that an aspect of the plot that bothered me was actually there and not a false memory - and yes, I can confirm that the relationship between Luther Lee Boggs and Lucas Henry was not only strange, but Lucas Henry's backstory and motivation for the crime wasn't very convincing. And I've wondered before, and wonder now more than ever, whether this aspect of the show has been undone by possible rewrites or even reshoots of the original script. I mean, “Henry” started the episode like the “Zodiac” and ended it as a very interchangeable villain.

@@chacochicken Of course, the episode is anchored by Brad Dourif's fantastic performance and Scully's personal struggle with grief, which is a very strong force throughout the episode. But I also really like that Mulder is allowed to act wisely in the run-up to his "time out" after the injury and that Scully can both be a believer and is given the chance to act accordingly, as long as it's in the interest of others, but she resists Bogg's offer when it comes down to her own personal interest. I think that really gives her a lot of strength as a character. A Top5 Episode already in the first season - wow! ;)

Mark has done some really good work.

I know it gave me a nightmare or two.

I think Carter was really put off by the results of this episode and that might be why we did see the idea expanded.

The creepy child is a very effective horror trope and works well here. Reminds me of the Boys From Brazil too.

It took 3 years before they had the same salary. A crime.

Thanks, comrade.

Hey, thanks.

There's an alternate reality where that's the voice of your GPS or self-checkout machine.

Firm agree, holds up surprisingly well for a 30 year old show.

If you didn't watch the 1st season episodes on their original airing or same year reruns then a good chance you'd never see them in syndication. Let me know if you what to borrow the laser disc.

It absolutely should have gotten one, if not stand alone then a clever connection with the myth-arc clones.

I'm sure that it would been as intriguing as the sequel for Pusher was.

It's myth arc adjacent, I think, with Deep Throat and the experimental cloning program.

I think you make a good encapsulation of the episode. The misdirection works well here all the way to the end.

Eternal babe (respectfully)

I think the premise could work if it had a much more congruent script. I liked that Mulder was a fan of NASA. Astronauts from Gemini and Apollo frequently mistook their booster rocket debris for UFOs.

Certainly, Squeeze is the advent of the MOTW in its proto-stage. The nature of pre-streaming network tv just never gave writers enough time or space to really develop some concepts with a few rare exceptions. I could envision a League of Extraordinary Gentlemen run where a murderous Tooms as the real Ripper has climbed through a coal chute, powdery black as midnight looking for liver #5.

Glad you like them. I'm trying to keep improving as I go. It's been fun re-watching and thinking about how different things were 30 years ago.

@@chacochicken Where did you source all the trivia?

Picked it up from a lot of places, most things I've noticed or checked in on myself. The old Official Guide to the X-Files has a few things listed and interviews with writers or the original Usenet forums has some things too.

Good catch, I checked my notes and I had '64 down so I suppose I just misspoke here.

@@chacochicken I've heard that claim elsewhere, so you may have just repeated it. What time elapsed between the abduction and the hypnosis?

I think it was about 3 years. Their encounter was '61 and the hypnosis took place in Feb of '64.

Great, trying to make something worth watching. I've really enjoyed my re-watch so far, hope you do too.

Great, glad to hear it. Trying to improve a little each vid.

A surreal moment to be sure. I don't think I fully grasped the event as it happened.

I agree, Max is a part of X-Files canon for sure.

I just realized this is pre-Bania. He wouldn't be Kenny until '94.

That's all you get buddy boy. That's the meal!!😜.

Thanks for the kind words. Against all wisdom and good sense I abide by the rule that you never explain a joke.

I'll be honest, I watched Twin Peak in its original airing but teenage me kept getting lost.

I'm at least as funny as Seneca.

@@chacochicken I don't know. Have you written something like "The Pumpkinification of the Divine Claudius"

@@David_BeamesThat's a fair point. He did some solid work.

I wondered whether this was intentional with the casting or it was a happy accident that was utilized by the director.

@@chacochicken I think it was intentional but I didn't spot it till you pointed it out :)

Thanks! So far I enjoy doing it so we'll see where I end up.

I think Eugene was born in what 1870? By default he'd regularly eat both chicken and cod liver. I can see an alternate ending where Mulder makes this joke with his characteristic smirk.

Going to give it my best as I figure it out along the way. One episode at a time.

It's a great series and I wouldn't go to the effort to talk about it and fumble through recording, editing etc unless I loved it. There are a lot of different reasons to watch this show. If it's M+S then the new episodes are fine, if it's Myth Arc then the new series makes no sense and so on. I've found it very illuminating to rewatch this series now, 30 years later.

It's a very strange choice for Carter to have included the proposition that a NASA mission director deliberately killed a bunch of astronauts years before in a real life event.

Yes, very strange indeed. Carter had a lot of ups but also some downs - I think this is one of them.@@chacochicken

9 down, 193 to go.

Sounds like a lot of work! Almost scary. But I really hope that it will be a positive and successful endeavor for you.:)@@chacochicken

Will take it one episode at a time and see how far the spirit carries me.

Sounds like a very healthy approach to me! But I of course hope that the spirit and your audience carries you all the way. ;)@@chacochicken

Good for you for defending it. I'm glad you like it. I know I enjoyed it on the original watch but I don't think it's one that holds up.

I'm glad you like it. There are some good scenes and dialogue and moments of real tension. I think I liked this a lot more on my original watch.

Mulder and Scully have become pillars by this point. I think Lauter and Thompson are good too. There is tension and some good dialogue but the monster in this MOTW is just too nebulous and unexplainable to make the cut from bad to neutral.

The "Face on Mars" premises was not too bad but the story dragged on and lost coherence in the last third in my opinion but I totally agree there are still entertaining aspects in this episode. But still on rewatch it's still the one episode in season 1 that I will most likely skip.@@chacochicken

Yes, I think unless you want to be a completionist, Space is one of the episodes that could be passed over since so little is developed about M&S besides learning Mulder loved NASA.

The Mothman, pepperoni rolls, and guns in cars.

It's still hard to believe this show is 30 years old but seeing the intro and hearing the music make me feel just a little like a teenager again.

That's right.

Between being 2nd guessed and Mulder's cabin fever/save the worm, she is so intensely exasperated.

there are many many moments in season 1 were you can clearly see Scully so close To asking for another assignment from the FBI @@chacochicken

Hey and the dog even lived.

What a difference a decade makes. The Thing was a bust that received terrible reviews but 10 years later Ice is considered one The X-Files very best. Although opinions on The Thing have shifted to far more positive.

Absolutely! I also saw x-files "Ice" before Carpenters "The Thing", so I was not prejudiced in any way. After all what Carpenter did more graphic in "The Thing" X-files did more family friendly in "Ice" but with a lot of suspense. @@chacochicken

I did too. Definitely agree.

Same

I concur and X is full of trivia.

Noted, still working to improve basically everything.

I'm trying to get a little better each time.