X-Files Season 3 Review
It appears I have not yet rambled about Season 3 of The X Files. Therefore, I now endeavor to do so. Regrettably, much of my viewing is now getting smudged together, but I will try to remember the episodes that were best in this season.
Oddly, the second season ended on a cliffhanger, and the first episode of three picks it back up. I'm sure it helped to attract viewers to continue watching the series for a third season, but I'm glad I was able to go from one episode to another *without* having to wait months in between.
Overall, season 3 was decently plotty, but had good stand-alones, too. Definitely not the *best* season, but decent.
Warning! Here there be spoilers!
The Goodies
Episode 3: "D.P.O"
A super-charged kid who survived a lightning strike can somehow control lightning, and may be the cause for five deaths in a small town. I liked it because controlling lightning and electricity would be epic. Plus Giovanni Ribisi is always a good psycho.
Episode 15-16: "Piper Maru" and "Apocrypha"
I love the World War II episodes, and these were good ones. When a French vessel discovers the wreckage of a sunken WWII ship, all but one member of the crew suffer strange radiation burns, and an oily substance is discovered on a diver's suit. The substance appears to have "intelligence" and the search for answers eventually leads Scully back to where she grew up to consult a former soldier who may know what is going on.
There was a major plot shaker in the end of "Piper Maru" (involving Skinner) and more information about Dana's sister's murder is uncovered. So it was partly a stand-alone two-some, but plotty enough. Plus it's one of the ones that is just a little too believable...
Episode 17: "Pusher"
A seemingly normal man has the strange ability to make people do what he wants. Wanted for murder, he is pursued until the plot climaxes into a most dangerous situation in which Scully's life is at risk--from Mulder. Yay psychology!
Episode 19: "Hell Money"
This was an incredibly chilling episode, and it's impossible to relay it without spoiling it majorly, but oh well. A game is going on in Chinatown in which men put their names into a jar. The caller then picks one of the names, and the man chosen must draw a chip out of another jar. The symbols are unapparent at first, but we learn that they symbolize body parts. The person chosen must then surrender said body part, which is surgically removed and sold on the black market. The players then receive money for their participation.
Some get lucky and only have to give up a liver. Others lose their eyes, and even hearts. The main character Mr. Hsin plays the game for his daughter, who is severely ill and needs costly medical help. Lucy Liu plays this part, which is funny now considering who she's become. The episode wasn't really paranormal, per say, but it was one of my favourites.
Episode 20: "Jose Chung's From Outer Space"
I couldn't even tell you what this was about, but it was definitely a joke. The whole episode was done silly, and for silly, they did it pretty well. It involves everybody's version of an alien abduction, from one unbelievable, far-fetched idea to another. I liked it because it showed the range Duchovny and Anderson have going from serious to silly. It was quite enjoyable.
Episode 21: "Avatar"
No, this has nothing to do with over-CGI'd blue people or James Cameron cashing in on advertising profits. Instead, it involves secondary, but pertinent, character Skinner, who sleeps with a high-class hooker and gets framed for her murder (le gasp!). The episode was cool because Skinner deserves more screen-time and depth, and it was simply a good stand-alone.
[July 13, 2010]