The X-Files - The Complete First Season (DVD, 6-Disc Set)

This deluxe collection includes the entire first season of the hit television show THE X-FILES, 24 episodes total. Includes such important episodes as the series pilot, in which agents Mulder and Scully meet for the first time; "Deep Throat," in which the duo investigate mysterious government aircraft; "Beyond the Sea," in which Scully's dead father may be trying to communicate with her; and the season finale, "The Erlenmeyer Flask," in which evidence of alien experiments is uncovered. Episodes previously unreleased on video include "Young at Heart" in which Mulder must contend with an old nemesis who seems to have come back from the dead; "Roland," in which a slow-witted janitor seems to be responsible for a series of murders in a jet lab; and many more. Includes interviews with series creator Chris Carter, interactive DVD-Rom material, and other special features. A must for any fan of the series.

The first season of The X-Files is not widely regarded as one of the show's best seasons. It begins with three good episodes: the premiere "Pilot", which introduces the relationship betwen the two main characters, Multer and Scully; "Deep Throat", which introduces the only other recurring character of the season; and "Tooms", a stand-alone episode featuring one of the series' most popular villians. However, the quality declines rapidly after this, and what follows are some of the worst episodes in the show's history.

Although there are some good episodes in the middle of the season like "Eve" and fan-favouries "Ice" and "Beyond the Sea", overall the quality of episodes is rather low. The season picks up near the end with episodes like "Darkness Falls", which showcases character development, and especially the season finale "The Erlenmeyer Flask", a stunning, taut episode among the best of all X-Files' episodes which brings all the developments of the season into focus and comes full circle with "Pilot".

"The Erlenmeyer Flask" in many ways epitomises what is best about season one: there is continuity and development from one episode to the next. Not only do the episodes get better by the end of the season, the characters and relationships get stronger as well. The show does an excellent job of developing the characters of Mulder and Scully and the viewer can see their relationship change and grow as the season develops. Simiarly, the elusive Deep Throat, as well as his motives and relationship with the principle charcters, is explored as the season progresses. This is the best part of season one of The X-Files: it is dynamic, not stagnant. Even though most of the familiar characters in The X-Files don't or hardly appear in the season, the show changes and improves as time progreeses, and this is the most satisfying part of the season for the viewer.

For any fan of the series, or of Chris Carter's work in general, you absolutely have to go to the very beginning before anyone knew if the show was even going to make it on the air. The opening episode, appropriately titled "Pilot", is an absolute tribute to risk-taking television as it immediately delves into unexplained phenomena, the paranormal, and extra terrestrials. What most people are unaware of, is the fact that Carter's work always had intricate ties into the intelligence community, and most of the shows main storyline/mythology is based on REAL DOCUMENTED CASES of the paranormal, including many government documents that are now declassified.

The show is stellar in all ways, including the cheesy-yet-serious acting of Duchovny (Mulder), the heretofore unknown Anderson (Scully), the wonderful direction of Carter, and the superb work of all sound and lighting crew, as well as many guest appearances that make this show just too special to pass up!

I took some time to decide what would be my first purchase in ebay, and finally I decided for one of my favourite tv series of all times: The X-Files. I'm starting my collection of tv series in dvd, and this one is a classic that I must have. The experience was excellent, so the product. Several dvds in one very nice package containing the complete first season in more than 20 episodes, plus extra material. I like all about it.

Gillian Anderson....As Agent Dana Scully of the X-Files...

... is one of the main reasons that the TV Show lasted so long, and was sucessfully transferred to comic book format in my opinion.

Gillian was born in 1968. She moved to New York when she was twenty-two, and started her career in theater.

She moved to Los Angeles in 1991, spending a year auditioning. Although she had once vowed she would never do TV, she ended up on a few shows including the Class of '96.

As a result of her guest appearance in Class of '96, Anderson was sent the script for The X Files at the age of 24, by Chris Carter.

The TV series eventually ran for nine seasons, and included one theatrical film.

Her role as Dana Scully kept the show 'grounded' in my opinion, so as to keep it interesting for a more mainstream viewing audience. Sometimes these sci-fi shows garner too much of a cult following that turns off the mainstream viewership and ends up withe show having a shortened run.

I remember the first X-Files Convention held in San Diego, the comic book was a very hot commodity and hundreds were signed as conventioneers stood in line for those signatures!

This DVD is an excellent start for someone wanting to have all the Seasons of the X-Files!

Michael