Case 01, File 15: Lazarus

AKA: Well Then the High Sheriff, He Found Lazarus

I mentioned earlier that, over the course of 9 long seasons, The X-Files would wind up revisiting themes or concepts. When I finished rewatching this episode, I was initially a little disappointed that I hadn't saved that intro for this episode, which seems much more apropos for that opening paragraph. But then I realized, if they can reuse ideas, why can't I? So, here we are.

Case 01, File 14: Gender Bender

AKA: Livin' in a Kindred Paradise

Well THAT was a step down from last episode.

Ahem. Script and story are such an odd thing, especially in a TV show. A good one can't carry a movie through bad direction or terrible acting, but a bad one can sink an entire movie or episode. For the most part, unless they're exceptional, most audience members won't even notice the script. To quote Sunset Blvd. "Audiences don't know somebody sits down and writes a picture; they think the actors make it up as they go along." I bring this up because this is a prime example of an episode that collapses due to a bad script.

Case 01, File 13: Beyond the Sea

AKA: Wormtongue the Wizard

When I say that the early seasons of The X-Files were better than might have been expected, I'm not saying there weren't any bad episodes. Some of my previous reviews should indicate to you pretty definitively that this season had it's share of duds. No, what makes this season so good, and so well remembered among fans, is that this season has several of the series out and out classics in it, which is pretty rare for shows of this style. And no episode from season 1 better encapsulates this one, a perennial member of the "Best of The X-Files" lists.