Hey everyone. I know there are at least some X-files fans on this board, so thought an all-encompassing thread discussing the entire iconic TV series (11 seasons) & the two feature films may be appreciated. Also, I couldn't find separate thread(s) discussing the entire series/films and/or discussing the show on Blu-ray.

This series is amazing, and IMHO some of the episodes are superior to many feature films I've seen. This series is very unique in that it successfully & effectively blends the sci-fi/horror/suspense/thriller genres, and does so extremely well. The music is also excellent, and adds to the unsettling tone/vibe of the show. And, of course - the casting is superb all the way around, from the two leads to the smallest cameo(s), and everyone in between (supporting characters, etc.). In addition, much of the show takes place @ night, which adds to the creepy/disturbing ambiance. And, even the day-time scenes are overcast (in many cases), which also adds to the creepy vibe of the series.

I was a mild X-files fan in the '90's. I remember seeing some episodes of the first two seasons on network TV, but then stopped watching it for whatever reason. I never had cable ATT, so the poor picture quality & the sub-par Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) TV probably had a lot to do with this.

Years later, I revisited the series & watched the entire show on the DVD sets in the late 200X's/early 20XX's. I also saw the two feature films theatrically (1998 & 2008), and also saw the "sequel" series in 2016 & 2018 when these last 2 seasons originally aired. And, my later & more comprehensive viewing(s) of the series made me the hardcore fan I am today.

I did also buy the superb Blu-ray original TV series set when it was released back in 2015, but for years after I got this I hadn't delved into the set too much initially - outside of watching certain episodes. So, I haven't made a point of sitting down & watching the whole series & the films in chronological order - until now. Wow. I can't emphasize enough how superior the TV series Blu-ray set is when compared to the original DVD's. First, the picture quality is so much better than the DVD's - which is typically the case with good HD transfers. However, what's also extremely significant/impressive is that each episode (even the earlier seasons) is in widescreen (16 X 9) vs. the old full-screen prints (4:3). My understanding is that the show was originally filmed in WS, but due to most viewers only having the old CRT TV's in the early-mid 1990's - the print was transferred to full-screen, so the picture would "fit" on viewers' TV sets. And, the Blu set is the first time the earlier seasons of the show are presented in WS.

Note that there are some full-screen purists out there who don't like the fact that the full-screen image is "cropped" on the top & bottom of the screen. But, IMHO you don't lose that much image here. And, with the new WS print you do see more image on the sides.

Eddie,
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I liked everyone who was introduced as agents, aliens and tolerated Cancer man. I thought the variety was good because they added different ideas to the stories. At the time the series came on, I was working and missed some episodes that I'm now just catching up on! Yes, the music always puts you in a curious mood and is excellent! To really understand the series, you just can't watch part of an episode , you may think it's just another crime series, but when you hear that music, it makes you want to stay!

Ty Holder
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Thanks for the responses, everyone. I recently finished re-watching S01 on Blu-ray. Amazing episodes. This is definitely one of the top five best seasons of the series; I know some fans actually consider this the best season. Here are some S01 episode reviews:

Pilot: Agent Dana Scully is assigned to work with Agent Fox Mulder on The X-files, which looks into odd/unusual/unexplainable crimes/abductions/events. Their first assignment together is to investigate a series of unexplained abductions in the Pacific Northwest.

Squeeze: Mulder & Scully investigate a series of strange murders where the victims all have their livers removed. The investigation leads directly to Eugene Tooms, a vicious & manipulative human mutant who is over 100 years old.

Gender Bender: The agents investigate a series of extremely disturbing deaths. The victims are typically young people that are dying after possibly random hook-ups at night-clubs (and other places) & appear to be caused by both a man & a woman. This leads them to an creepy Amish-like community in PA which is very isolated & shuns outsiders. Excellent episode, and fantastic ending.

Trivia: One of the only survivors of an attack is played by N. Lea, better known to X-files fans as Agent Krycek (first seen early in S02). Though, he appeared to be playing a completely different character here.

Fire: The agents investigate a series of unexplained fires which caused horrible damage & horrific deaths. Guest-starring Amanda Pays (the original 1990-91 The Flash TV series).

The Erlenmyer Flask: The season finale. The agents investigate the aftermath of a car chase where the authorities were pursuing a seemingly superhuman man, who evaded pursuit and was presumed drowned. This leads them to question a scientist & ultimately to a secret "lab".

Eddie,
telnet://ricksbbs.synchro.net:23
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Thanks for the responses, everyone. I recently finished re-watching S01 on Blu-ray. Amazing episodes. This is definitely one of the top five best seasons of the series; I know some fans actually consider this the best season. Here are some S01 episode reviews:

Pilot: Agent Dana Scully is assigned to work with Agent Fox Mulder on The X-files, which looks into odd/unusual/unexplainable crimes/abductions/events. Their first assignment together is to investigate a series of unexplained abductions in the Pacific Northwest.

Squeeze: Mulder & Scully investigate a series of strange murders where the victims all have their livers removed. The investigation leads directly to Eugene Tooms, a vicious & manipulative human mutant who is over 100 years old.

Gender Bender: The agents investigate a series of extremely disturbing deaths. The victims are typically young people that are dying after possibly random hook-ups at night-clubs (and other places) & appear to be caused by both a man & a woman. This leads them to an creepy Amish-like community in PA which is very isolated & shuns outsiders. Excellent episode, and fantastic ending.

Trivia: One of the only survivors of an attack is played by N. Lea, better known to X-files fans as Agent Krycek (first seen early in S02). Though, he appeared to be playing a completely different character here.

Fire: The agents investigate a series of unexplained fires which caused horrible damage & horrific deaths. Guest-starring Amanda Pays (the original 1990-91 The Flash TV series).

The Erlenmyer Flask: The season finale. The agents investigate the aftermath of a car chase where the authorities were pursuing a seemingly superhuman man, who evaded pursuit and was presumed drowned. This leads them to question a scientist & ultimately to a secret "lab".

Eddie,
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I was a hardcore X-Files fan, probably the first show I really invested time and energy into. I loved the theories and speculation over the mythology. I bought the VHS tapes boxsets, the playable card game, the books on each season. I even went to an X-Files convention in the late 90's in Massachusetts at an old air force base and got William B Davis / Cigarette Smoking Man's autograph on a copy of a script.

It combined elements of different genres so well and had a list of creators that went on to do some very good to great television - Vince Gilligan, Frank Spotniz, John Shiban.

I have to admit I grew disillusioned with the series as the seasons stretched on and more questions were raised than answered in the mythology. Having Mulder and Scully leave or me background characters in favor of Robert Patrick and Annabelle Gish took some of the luster from the show as well.

X-Files was a definite precursor for my interest in shows like Lost and move away from the blank of the week formula of many other network shows.

As far as widescreen or full screen I have no preference.

Carol,
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