X-Files:S7

The "mythology" episodes had to take a somewhat different direction during the seventh season due to the syndicate being decimated in the sixth season, leaving only the CSM, Krycek, Diana Fowley and Marita Covarrubias and they seemed to be looking for a new direction during their episodes. The seventh season principally consists of going back to the thrilling standing alone episodes that did one of two things, provide a good scare with astonishing imagery not normally seen on television or they combined that with some brilliant humor.

The mythology episodes:

The Sixth Extinction & The Sixth Extinction II: Amor Fati - Continuing on from the outstanding sixth season cliffhanger, Biogenesis, these two episodes usher in the seventh season brilliantly. Fox is bed stricken, infected with an alien virus that has his mind working triple time; Scully is in Africa trying to come up with clues as to how to save her partner and AD Skinner is doing his best to help both Mulder and Scully while dealing with Agent Diana Fowley and Krycek. These two episodes also contain some of the best imagery of the entire series.

Sein Und Zeit - This exceptional and extremely emotional episode is part mythology as it leads into the follow on episode, Closure. In this episode, a young girl goes missing in the middle of the night, just after her father has a terrible image of her and a note is inexplicably left behind by the mother.

Closure - This is the episode the fans have been waiting for almost seven years to see as we're finally and with no small modicum of heart wrenching emotion lead to the end of Fox Mulder's quest to find his sister. In no small measure, this episode was done quite magnificently and accolades are due for director Kim Manners.

En Ami - The CSM is back and he claims to Scully that he's dying and he entreats her to help him. This episode is remarkably well written and played out on screen as we're able to see the CSM and his continued ability to confuse through obfuscation. Of special note is that this one was written by the CSM himself, William B. Davis.

Chimera - I categorize this brilliant episode as part of the mythology because it gives us a look into Scully's past and her present persona in comparison to that past. While it is a hard pill to swallow, believing that "by the book" Scully would have an affair with a married man while she was in medical school, it does show that she can be "human" as well and fall into that trap. Of special interest is the fact that Gillian Anderson, wrote, directed and starred primarily in this great episode.

Requiem - This exceptional season seven cliffhanger stands out as giving Mulder proof that the truth is out there, as you will see when you watch this episode. The one true sad thing about this episode is that it marks the end of the last full season in which David Duchovny/Fox Mulder works on the series full time!

A brief synopsis of some of the better stand alone episode:

Hungry - This particularly fascinating episode is about a young man who isn't quite a young "man" and he has some dietary needs that are quite hard on those around him. What I also found to be appealing about this episode is that it's told almost completely from the "monsters" point of view which brings one to empathize with him.

Millennium - In a manner of homage to the Millennium series, Lance Henriksen is brought on the X-Files in the same character that he played on that series, Frank Black. Now Mulder and Scully must deal with the Millennium group as the time is at hand. The long awaited first on screen kiss between Mulder and Scully is done skillfully.

Orison - This exceptional episode brings Mulder and most predominantly Scully back into the world of Donnie Pfaster who was first seen in season two's "Irresistible" where he nearly killed her. He's escaped from prison and they're destined to meet again.

The Amazing Maleeni - The X-Files explores the world of magic and this episode scores big in the humor area while telling a good X-File.

Hollywood A.D. As comedic episodes go, this is one the series finest and it tells a good X-File at the same time. Of note is that David Duchovny gets to work briefly in this episode with his wife, the ever gorgeous Tea Leoni'.

Je Souhaite - This is a marvelous comedic X-File as well as we're taken to Missouri and we meet a not so bright young man who opens up an abandoned storage area only to find a "Jinniyah" in a rug who grants him three wishes. The scenes with Scully in this episode are priceless as we get to see her smile a little more.

Special Features of note:

The one true disappointment about this boxed set is that the special features appear to be somewhat limited in contrast to past boxed sets. {ssintrepid}

- "The Truth About Season Seven"
- 10 deleted scenes
- 13 special effects sequences
- 44 promotional television spots

Episode list:

The Sixth Extinction {mythology}
The Sixth Extinction II: Amor Fati {mythology}
Hungry
Millennium
Rush
The Goldberg Variation
Orison
The Amazing Maleeni
Signs & Wonders
Sein Und Zeit {mythology}
Closure {mythology}
X-Cops
First Person Shooter
Theef
En Ami {mythology}
Chimera
all things {mythology}
Brand X
Hollywood A.D.
Fight Club
Je Souhaite
Requiem {mythology}

It's not from lack of trying, though. My wife and I watched each episode faithfully every night (sometimes two episodes per night) until they were all gone

Yet, despite the fact that we're huge X-Files fans, our conclusion is that Episode 7 is lackluster at best. The stories were one-offs (and weak ones at that), the monsters were ho-hum, the action wasn't gripping, and it seemed as if everyone was just walking through his/her part. Sleep walking, that is.

I think the lack of aliens and conspiracy villians really took a toll on The X-Files. Without the overarching threat of either alien invasion or government cover-ups, nothing much really goes on in the lives of Mulder and Scully.

The only hint that something cool *could* happen is when Mulder and Scully got closer emotionally and physically. Their relationship is a truly great one already (one of the best on television), but we wanted to see it taken to the next level. Alas, that was not to be.

We've watched Seasons 1-8 so far and I have to say Season 7 is the weakest of the bunch. Season 8 (see my other review), which receives a lot of grief because of Mulder's absence and Scully's emotionalism (hey, she's pregnant; give her a break!), is far superior to Season 7.

You can read other reviews to get a play-by-play of each episode in Season 7. All I want to do in this review is provide my two cents worth.

My advice: Unless you're a completist who needs to have every season, I'd skip Season 7 and go right into Season 8. You won't miss anything -- except for a lot of uneventful episodes.