X-Files: Still Awesome

Let me indulge in a little bit of fanboy nerdery here. (Yes, I said nerdery.)

I was somewhere in the continuum between casual fan and dedicated fan when the show was on the air. I watched it fairly regularly, I went to see the movie, but when Mulder left the show for a while, I kind of lost interest. With the new movie coming out in a few weeks, I decided that it was an opportune time to revisit the show with the smartly packaged X-Files: Revelations that hit stores recently. It contains eight of the best stand-alone episodes (not conspiracy episodes) that help someone who’s been out of the loop catch up enough for the movie to make sense.

The two episodes from the first season are a bit rocky–David Duchovny is still finding his inner Fox Mulder, but Gillian Anderson is radiant as Dana Scully. However, seeing these episodes from the perspective of time and knowing the destinations of the characters makes the experience more enjoyable. The episode selection thus far may not be what I would have picked as a series fan, but they show the range of both characters and provide tantalizing hints into their potential romantic relationship. All of those Sunday nights that I spent in college watching the show (if I hear one comment about how old I am…) came back in a rush.  

In the interest of full disclosure, I do have to admit that I have always carried a torch for Gillian Anderson in the character of Dana Scully. I understand that she’s no supermodel, but the combination of brains, ability to use a firearm, and red hair is completely irresistable. That being said, my opinion regarding the X-Files may be slightly biased.

Rest assured I’ll see the movie on opening weekend and pass along the usual review. Given the fact that this movie is reportedly not about the alien conspiracy that dominated so much of the show, I have mixed emotions about it. Seeing it on the screen again is going to be awesome, but exactly how satisfying it will be after all this time remains to be seen.