Customer Reviews

X-Files:S7

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

After watching the special features I found it hard to believe that the shows creator, Chris Carter wasn't sure whether or not there would be an eighth season. This lead Chris Carter and gang to come to some conclusions and closure of certain plot lines within the series. Chief among those is Mulder's quest to find his sister is finally brought to closure after six and half seasons of innuendo and unanswered questions leading to additional questions.

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}

I've now ploughed through all nine seasons of the X-Files, and like most people reckon it should have wrapped up at the end of Season 6.

There are some good episodes in 7,8 and 9, but the filler ones are really bad - the worst by far being Hollywood AD, when Duchovny tried his hand at writing and directing. This 'comic' episode is a total embarrassment, and when the spirits rise up at the end to do their Michael Jackson Thriller dance, I had my face buried in my hands, wailing: "Make it stop! For God's sake make it stop!"

Duchovny looks good in a collar and tie, and loads of ladies have the hots for him. But that don't mean he can write, or direct. But then, in this season, he wasn't doing much acting, either.

I suppose Chris Carter and Fox had to indulge their petulant superstar, who for most of the episodes in this season was pretty much doing the Fox Mulder role half asleep. He mumbles, looks totally brassed off, does all these pouty smirky expressions when he gets his funny lines, and basically puts no effort or passion into it. It's not Fox Mulder we're watching, a character we felt for in Seasons 1-6. It's David Duchovny, the 'actor', mucking about and taking the rip. If I'd been Carter I'd have booted him up the backside after about four episodes and told him to disappear permanently. In fact I personally reckon Robert Patrick was great as John Doggett in seasons 8 and 9... at least you had an actor here putting a bit of spark into his work.

As for Gillian Anderson, she looks great with her hair and her lip gloss and all, but if I ever needed an FBI agent I'd be a bit hacked off if she turned up, pouting and posing on my doorstep. I'd ask her how long it took her to get ready, and why doesn't she smile every now and then? What a cold, dull, dreary character Dana Scully is!

One other thing, while I'm on a roll... how many times do key characters end up in hospital beds under FBI 'protection', and then disappear in the night? Stop! Don't get into that bed to be healed! You don't stand a chance!

I just couldn't get into Season 7 of The X-Files.

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.

I was looking foward to seeing this series and from all of the episode synopsis I found on the internet it sounded like one of the best seasons. But the only good episodes are the ones that deal with the core of The X-Files and not the monster-of-the-week episodes. So here they are: the good (the 6th extinction 1 and 2, Orison, Sein and Zeit-very good with wonderful acting and a beautiful conclusion to the end of the search for Mulder's sister-Closure, En Ami, all things, and Requiem), the average (Orison, Brand X, The Amazing Maleeni, X-Cops, Rush, Theef, Millennium, Hungry, 1st Person Shooter, The Goldberg Variation, Chimera, and Je Souhaite-the only thing that keeps me from making this a bad episode is the comedy from the genie) and the ugly (Signs and Wonders, Hollywood A.D.-this episode would be funny if it didn't have the dead tango at the end, and, the worst episode of the series in my opinion, Fight Club. There is nothing good about this episode). Only get this if you are a die hard fan and want to see some good episodes that are pivital to the series, but not if you are a simple-minded fan.

...P>Mulder and Scully were still together for this, their last season as the two leading characters of one of the best dramatic series in television history.

After the movie, the move to L.A. and the predominance of humorous episodes throughout the Sixth Season and the incredible resolution of the original mythology, the seventh season started with a bang but not with a little anxiety on the fans' side because this was the much rumored final season. ...

Myth Episodes:

The Seventh Season starts with the two parts of a new mythology that started with the last episode of Season Six called Biogenesis.
The Sixth Extinction and The Sixth Extinction II: Amor Fati (Wich translated means "Love Of Fate")carry on with the theory that Mulder might be a succesful Human - Alien Hybrid!!!

It's extremely important that you don't miss the Two Parter:
Sein Und Zeit (Wich means "Being and Time") and Closure wich puts to rest, in an extremely precious form, the Samantha Mulder mistery giving the Fox Character one of his few moments of rest throughout the whole series.

And Requiem... The best of the best in Season Finale's. Although it would ultimately lead the series into only God knows what.

Stand Alone Episodes (Or Monster of the Week):

Orison:
Witnesses the return of a villain that appeared before in earlier seasons. Great script by Chip Johanessen (Former collaborator of Beverly Hills 90210 and Millenium).

The Amazing Maleeni:
Actually not an X File, but an excellent proof that the series still had a lot of fuel. Excellent Turn of Screw at the end!!!

X Cops:
Cops, The X Files and Vince Gilligan... What's not to like?

Theef:
Voodoo. Nuff Said!!!

Chimera:
David Amann at his best!!!

En Ami (Wich means "One Friend", although its a play on words wich in english can be understood as "enemy"):

Written by the CSM himself (William B. Davis)!!!

All Things:
Written and Directed by Gillian Anderson. Not the best, but the teaser (considered one of the most controversials in the whole series' existence) is worth the whole package.

Je Souhaite (I Wish):
Written and directed by Vince Gilligan.

After this, the series was transformed into a mix up that even Chris Carter didn't understand at all. Don't get me wrong. I don't hate Robert Patrick's character or even Annabeth Gish's but John Dogget and Monica Reyes didn't achieve to give the series that feeling we all know very well. That X FILES feeling.

I'm so sorry that David Duchovny got transformed into such an egotistical person. The series would have been succesful with him in it. You can see him act like a Zombie (Check out Chimera)and he already looks tired. Maybe the series would've finished here and continue in a new movie. Heck! The series could've even ended with Season Eight, but no! Fox had to continue exploiting fans. And we gladly let them... But not for long.

Hope you enjoy having the only and real seven seasons of what can be called the television phenomenon of the last century.

I WILL buy the las two seasons, only to feed my collectionist's hunger, and because the movie will start where the last episode of the Ninth (and worst season) left off.

Long Live the X Files!!!
Long Live the X Philes!!!

Wishing to encounter you all again in a dark cinema room.
Enrique Aguilar.
A Mexican X Phile.

I gave this set a rating of 3 out of 5 because even at its worst, The X-Files was a pretty good show. Compared to the other seasons, however, it's by far the worst, for several reasons.

The first is the sorry state into which the mythology fell. The alien colonization story was basically resolved in Season 6, with the "Two Fathers"/"One Son" two-parter, so a new mythology was started with the Season 6 finale "Biogenesis." This carried over into the opening two episodes of Season 7, and its basic premise is this: An alien spacecraft is found on the coast of West Africa, and on its surface is engraved text in Navajo, including the entire human genome and sections from the Bible and Qu'ran. Radiation from rubbings of the ship - not the actual ship, mind you - trigger in Mulder alien DNA present as a result of the black oil he was exposed to in the Season 4 episode "Tunguska." This causes Mulder to develop psychic powers that he can't control and are driving him insane. He is cured by the Cigarette-Smoking Man performing a "genetic transplant" (whatever that is) in order to gain Mulder's powers himself. Oh, and Mulder undergoes this transplant while in a highly pretentious and "philosophical" dream sequence. Sound bad? It is. This is followed by a two-parter which finally reveals the fate of Mulder's sister, namely that she was rescued from sinister experimentation by benevolent spirits that transformed her soul into starlight... or something. Fortunately, the season finale "Requiem" delves back into familiar elements of the mythology, and paves the way for the almost uniformly excellent Season 8.

"Humorous" episodes were another problem. Like Season 6, Season 7 featured several "funny" episodes that were silly and zany but not actually very amusing, unlike the excellent spoofs in the early seasons. "Hollywood A.D.," whose plot involves a film adaptation of one of Mulder and Scully's cases, is a prime example of this.

The worst offender, however, was not a mythology or humor episode, but rather "all things," a soap opera-like episode that's just barely an X-File. In it, a prestigious doctor who Scully had had an affair with is suffering from a serious heart condition, and Scully, skeptical Scully, resorts to New Age-y crystal magicks to cure him. This episode was written by actress Gillian Anderson, who is apparently a big devotee of New Age philosophy. That's fine, but this episode is horribly out of character for Scully. It is, in my opinion, the X-Files' worst episode.

Every cloud has a silver lining, and there were some episodes in Season 7 of the quality of the pre-movie seasons. Standouts include "Theef," involving an affluent surgeon being stalked by a vengeful warlock, and "Brand X," about myserious deaths related to genetically engineered tobacco.

Is Season 7 worth buying? For hardcore X-Philes, sure, since there are some truly excellent episodes among the bad ones. If you're only a casual fan, though, I'd recommend skipping this one - but make sure to read an online synopsis of "Requiem," in preparation for the superb Season 8.

The X-Files spun nearly a decade and if it hadn't been for David Duchovny leaving the show, it would've ran much longer. The seventh season, Duchovny's last full season, was the last season that had a lot of good episodes. In this box set you'll get:

The Sixth Extinction
The Sixth Extinction II: Amor Fati
Hungry
Millennium
Rush
The Goldberg Variation
Orison
The Amazing Maleeni
Signs and Wonders
Sien Und Ziet
Closure
X-Cops
First Person Shooter
Theef
En Ami
Chimera
all things
Brand X
Hollywood AD
Fight Club
Je Souhaite
Requiem

For any fan, this is a must-have DVD set! Its loaded with DVD extras and every episode is in widescreen. I can't wait!

If season 6 was the high point for "The X-Files" (and many fans feel it is), than season 7 catches the series at the top of the other side. While some of the episodes play a bit flat, the bulk of season 7 is, contrary to other reviews, worthwhile picking up on DVD. The first two episodes of season 7 "The Sixth Extinction" immediately grabs your attention with a strong two parter that relates directly to the mythology episodes of previous seasons. We also have a conclusion, of sorts, to the running narrative about Mulder's search for his sister. The mythology episodes really isn't what the seventh season is about; it's the experimentation. Season 7 featured the most experimental, on the edge and downright strange episodes of the entire run. Running the gaumont from satire ("Hollywood A.D.") to melodrama with spiritual overtones ("all things")to traditional X-Files horror and a sympathetic look at a "monster" ("Hungry"), the series continued to push the envelope as to what was acceptable for the show.

Sure, there were some missteps. The "Millenium" episode where the two television series meet to resolve the cancelled series featuring Lance Henrinksen seems a bit out of place here. It's not a bad episode, it just doesn't really fit the series. Then again, it's part of the "risk" factor that happened during season 7. The comedic "The Goldberg Variations" where a man literally has great luck that leads to very, very bad luck also works quite well. Likewise, "X-Cops" with its satire on faux reality shows pushes the envelope of the series as well ditching the traditional filmic quality of the series in favor of the look of the show it satirizes--"Cops".

It's clear from the season ending cliff hanger and much of the latter part of the season that Carter, Spotnitz, Gilligan and the other main writers weren't quite sure if season 7 was the end. They set up a story that could have been resolved in a couple of two hour movies. The thing to keep in mind about season 7 is many of the episodes that are comdemmed as subpar actually are edgy, risk taking fare that doesn't fit into the more "traditional" types of stories that "The X-Files" told.

The extras are pretty good here. We get audio commentary including one from Gillian Anderson about the episode she wrote and directed ("all things") although Duchovny is curiously absent from the ones he wrote, co-wrote and/or directed as far as commentary tracks. There's also a fine featurette that discusses the direction of the series and the difficulties Carter and crew faced with Duchovny leaving.

Picture and sound quality are top-notch although I have noticed a lot of these boxed sets with episodes that are flawed with sound problems. The drop in the price of the sets are a welcome sight for fans who hadn't purchased the series on DVD (I was still watching my VHS and homemade DVD's before the price break). Frankly, I wish that Paramount and other studios would follow suit for these expensive boxed sets. The extras are nice but, really, you could record the stuff off TV so the price break is welcome.

In reality, with season 8 the series began anew with new characters and new story arcs. While the series had already peaked, it still had a very strong solid season or two of life left in it.

IMHO, this is the weakest season of The X-Files. The alien conspiracy we were following for six years ended in the middle of season 6, and was taken to a different direction by the end. So season 7 started dealing with the plot of aliens creating human beings, and then "resolved" the plot of Mulder's sister's abduction, and ended with a pretty good cliffhanger that took the show in an even more different direction in the next season.

[Spoilers]

The resolution to the plot of Mulder's sister wasn't satisfying to me. I think I speak for most X-Fans when I say that we wanted Mulder to find his sister alive, and have her be a part of his life again. Instead, we find out she's been dead since 1987! So this whole time Mulder's looking for her ends up just being a waste. All those years of us following this story ends up not really being worth following. Ok, so Mulder can end his quest. He's free. Fine. But couldn't that happen with his sister actually being alive?!

[End Spoilers]

Other weak points in the series were a couple of stand-alone episodes that were just rancid in my opinion. "Hollywood A.D." and "Fight Club." What the heck were they thinking when they wrote these episodes?! I have to admit though, the reference to Plan 9 From Outerspace in "Hollywood A.D." was cool though. But both of these episodes were just too absurd for what The X-Files was known for. This show always had humorous happenings throughout its run, but these two episodes were just too over the top.

But aside from the plot of Mulder's sister, and the two not-so-good stand-alone episodes mentioned above, I found this season to be pretty good. But I also thought since this was David Duchovny's last full season, that they kind of wasted his character. But the show ended with a band, which lead it into an interesting new direction for the show's next season.

Good season, great DVD.

I am often floored by the reactions people have to seasons 6 and 7--I find it incomprehensible that a show like The X-Files be relegated to having only "dark" or "scary" episodes. Occasional forays into lighter, funnier storytelling hours breathed a life back into this series that it was threatening to lose through season five. Honestly, it became clear upon the start of season eight that "dark and scary" do not alone a story sell, so this argument being used as why season seven isn't up to par doesn't track for me.

That said, I find season seven to be a much different year than any other in the X-Files realm. The key to this year was the power of the themes and messages the year developed on the whole--messages of closure, the "rightness" of Mulder and Scully's path, etc. Moreso than any other season, season seven needs to be watched together to be appreciated. Other years certainly have more standalone masterpieces, but lack the common threads of thematic development and quality hooking this season together. Compare this, for example, to season three--a year in which many standout episodes aired alongside absolutely boring and ineffective hours.

Honestly, the so-called "bombs" of season seven will never bother me as much as the bombs of other years. I will take a stylistically out of place episode like "Fight Club" over an out of character, over the top, poorly conceived episode like "Emily" any day of the week.

The Mulder and Scully of season seven were certainly more secure, enjoyable people than in years past. They became comfortable with who they were and what they were doing with their lives. Watching them develop through season seven was as pleasurable a thing to do as any paranormal story the show had to tell.

Select highlights from this season include:
"The Sixth Extinction: Amor Fati": A highly symbolic adventure in which a nightmarish alternative to Mulder's path in life is presented to him--proving once and for all to himself that his quest in life (and the woman he's questing with) is the right thing for him.

"The Goldberg Variation": One of the most overlooked episodes in the entire series, this hour of television is simply delightful. It's clever, sharp, and Mulder and Scully are just a joy to watch.

"Sein Und Zeit"/"Closure": Though many fans were disappointed that Samantha didn't meet an untimely alien end, the resolution to this arc was highly moving and poetic. It was a fitting, acceptable end for something so powerful a backstory to the character of Mulder.

"Hollywood A.D.": A hilarious romp in which the X-Files gets to poke fun at itself, much in the way it did back in season three's "Jose Chung's From Outer Space."

"Je Souhaite": The last fantastic standalone story from Vince Gilligan, this hour of television is not to be missed. Featuring the hilarious Will Sasso, this episode tells the story of a bitter female genie. Scully is a delight to watch as she gets her hands on proof of the paranormal...or does she?

"Requiem": Easily one of the top ten hours of television The X-Files has turned out. "Requiem" has Mulder and Scully coming full circle, back to Billy Miles and Bellefleur, Oregon. They're different people now, and this hour is just a beautiful exercise in coming to an end. Regardless of the fact that the series dragged painfully on after this season, you can tell that this was written as the intended end for the show (well, minus the Mulder abduction), and it's moving, dramatic, and a fine sendoff for the characters we spent seven years loving to death.

All in all--season seven's a great year. It allowed The X-Files to settle further into a more expanded atmosphere of storytelling that included both dark and lighter hours. It certainly functions as the most fitting end to the greatest series on television--and for that alone, I would give it five stars.