**Warning: spoilers ahead**
Aside from the reveal of what actually happened in Mulder's apartment that night, the first Redux episode was a bit of a snoozefest, in my mind. So much monologuing! It continually cuts from Mulder to Scully and back again, and each time they deliver a scene with a big long voiceover. The first two episodes of the fifth season should have been siphoned into one kick-ass opener. Thankfully, this episode is fantastic. The race is on to save Scully's life, and Mulder struggles with what he believes in. The way events ramp up to all the revelations in the end are just great too. Assassinations! Truths! And of course, questions and ambiguous deaths!
This episode is a favourite of many, and I'm happy to jump on the bandwagon. From its black and white cinematography to its fascination with Cher to its Frankenstein homage, it's a home run on all counts. Managing to feel like an X-File episode, it isn't like one we've ever seen before (and since, might I add). Written and directed by series creator Chris Carter, this could arguably be his best work.
BAD BLOOD (5x12)
I was worried that I had built this episode up too much, but it totally delivered! The idea of having the same events shown through both Mulder and Scully eyes was a masterstroke, and the humour in this episode is simply terrific. Vince Gilligan's hilarious script tackles obsessive-compulsive vampires, multiple autopsies, freewheelin' RVs and stars the always-charming Luke Wilson. While it can be seen is a riff on Akira Kurasowa's Rashomon, it stands up as its own beast. I tend to lean towards the humourous episodes when I think of my favourites, and this outing just might be the funniest. The way Mulder and Scully see each other after working with each other for five years border on caricature, but never lapse into imitation or mockery. This is still in my Top 5 X-Files episodes ever.
THE PINE BLUFF VARIANT (5x18)
Now this one is probably one of the least X-files-like episodes produced, but I love it. I particularly dig the way that we are thrown midway into the story and are almost immediately questioning Mulder's motives. Whose side is he on? Could he be a traitor? It's more like a spy film than anything else. When Mulder is tortured by the people he's trying to prove loyal to, it's a real slap to the face. We've not seen such brutality before, and Mulder's retaliation is equally brutal. There are numerous twists and turns to the plot which deals with an anarchistic milita called The New Spartans, and their development of a lethal biological weapon. Yeah, it's a good one.
THE END (5x20)
I really liked the addition of Gibson Praise, a young boy who can read other people's thoughts. His insights have the clarity of a psychic mixed with the innocence of a child. Is he an alien/human hybrid? How can he read thoughts?The fact that Gibson himself could be the key to everything in the X-Files makes for a great game of cat and mouse. The opening scene features this character playing chess in a large sports stadium, and it's one of my favourite sequences. This episode is also notable for the introduction of Diana Fowley (played by Mimi Rogers), whose job on The X-Files is to either annoy Scully (and us!) while tangling herself around her old flame, Mulder. Mimi does a good job of playing her, but I don't think much of the character. It doesn't stop me from loving this season cliffhanger, which includes the bombshell of Agent Spender learning that the Cigarette Smoking Man is his father. The final scenes of Mulder's office (and the X-Files themselves) on fire is one of the most powerful images from the entire series.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS: Kill Switch, Patient X and Christmas Carol.
STINKERS: Redux, Chinga and Kitsunegari.
