What is it? The X-Files, Event Series, six episodes on three DVDs or two Blu-ray discs from 20th Century Fox
When? Now
How much? $19.98 ($29.99, Blu-ray)
Whoa. Deja vu. Indeed. Resurrecting old series is very much in vogue these days. In this case, it's that creepy classic about mutants, government conspiracies and the two intrepid FBI agents out to save the world.
It has been 14 years since the FBI's X-Files division was shut down, eight years since I Want to Believe (the most recent big-screen X-Files film). Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) and Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) have parted ways but their old boss, Walter Skinner (Mitch Pileggi), brings them back together. Apparently a right-wing conspiracy theorist (Joel McHale) has some pretty interesting information regarding the ever-looming alien invasion. Who better to investigate than "the FBI's most unwanted"?
Their investigation leads to the reopening of the X-Files and their re-teaming as partners.
Are the episodes mythology or stand-alone? A mix of both. There are mythology episodes (episodes that deal with the ongoing threats and conspiracies) at the beginning and end, with the four in between as stand-alones (self-contained episodes with a "monster of the week").
Is the truth out there? In grand X-Files tradition, it's hard to tell.
Is it as good as the original? No, it isn't. Despite the same cast, crew and a return to Vancouver (where the first few golden years of the original series were filmed), it just feels off somehow. Maybe it's that everyone needed more than six episodes to get their groove back. Maybe it's that the world is a different place now. Maybe it's both.
While it has some classic X-Files humor (the were-monster episode is a hoot), genuine creepiness and nostalgic call-backs, on the whole, this abbreviated series misses the mark.
That said, there is something warm and fuzzy about seeing Mulder and Scully together again, tracking down random monsters and trying to stop alien invasions. And it's nice, in a disturbing way, to see familiar faces like the Cigarette Smoking Man (William B. Davis).
Any special features? Does Mulder like sunflower seeds? There are the usual deleted scenes, episode commentary tracks, a nine-minute gag reel and a short bit about the series' status as a "green production."
But the best content comes in the extensive behind-the-scenes features. There's one hourlong piece giving a detailed look at the making of the first episode and one that's more than an hour that covers the whole season and the story behind the show's resurrection. Both are entertaining and informative for fans.
On the more entertaining side, actor/comedian Kumail Nanjiani (who appears in the were-monster episode) counts down the nine most memorable monsters from the original X-Files.
For barely series-related content, there's also a short film directed by the show's script coordinator.
New this week: America's Test Kitchen, Season 16; Colony, Season 1; Death Valley Days, Season 2; The Defenders, Season 1; Emergency!, complete series; Slasher, Season 1.
Next week: The 100, Season 3; Bitten, Season 3; The Magicians, Season 1; Orphan Black, Season 4; Person of Interest, Season 5 and complete series; Royal Pains, Season 8; Sisters, Season 5.
Style on 07/10/2016