u/IKnowThisOne1

Best episode - S1E13 Beyond the Sea / Tooms
Worst episode - S1E7 Ghost in the Machine / Space
Best Mulder moment - Mulder in the pilot (spray painting the road, getting angry over evidence lost etc.) - his passion on display
Best Scully scene - the bit with the Mormons in Gender Bender or any of Beyond the Sea
Best side character - Deep Throat
Best monster - Eugene Tombs (“Squeeze”)

Scores (in episode order)
8
8
9
6
7
7
3
9
3
7
8
6
10
8
7
8
8
6
4
9
10
7
8
9

Average: 175/24 = 7.3
Mode: 8

A solid start! I think this is my 4th rewatch (attempt at least). What a show

S1E20 Darkness Falls

A great episode, love the nature-based mixed with bad-guys-winning episodes - the natural follow-up (geddit?!) to Ice. It’s an intriguing set up, and having Mulder and Scully discuss the case first in their office is fast becoming my favourite part of any episode. I mean, this episode has nearly everything - love the guest actors, the atmosphere build up (especially considering it is nearly all filmed outdoors). You have the setup, the introduction of the threat and the intriguing side characters all introduced in the opening 8 minutes. I am simply in awe of the filmmaking. But yeah, the growing relationship of Mulder and Scully is awesome.

9/10

S1Ep21 Tooms

“Mulder, I wouldn’t put myself on the line for anybody but you”

Stellar episode this, I enjoyed every part of it. I just think it is so well executed, the sheer story and development throughout this. First sequel episode! And in the same season?! Great to see the first iconic x files bad guy return. Still an incredibly creepy power, as shown in the opening 3 mins.
And first time seeing Skinner! Such a CSM lackey at the start, but great to see that conspiratorial relationship be developed on. Mulder going full conspiracy in a parole hearing is a new method isn’t it? He so does not care about what anyone thinks, I so love his self belief and passion. But again, the simply wonderful relationship between Duchovny and Anderson just makes every scene of theirs simply hypnotising.

10/10

S1E22 Born Again

I liked the effects of the final confrontation,

7/10

S1E23 Roland

I think this an excellent episode - I’ve got a major soft spot for Roland and his beau. It’s just heartfelt and heartbreakingly sweet. An interesting explanation given for the monster of the week and the havoc caused on the little scientific team. The whole episode feels very contained, and that’s no bad thing.

8/10

S1E24 Erlenmeyer Flask

Season finale time - and it’s really throwing out more drama and higher stakes than at any point thus far. Farewell Deep Throat - you legend. Nice introduction of alien biology and the impact on humans - much more of this to come! A good season finale though, if still feeling quite small budget compared to later episodes and arcs - but as ever the production values are so high that it all feels much bigger.

9/10

I unfortunately have nothing to say about this episode - t completely and utterly slipped me by. Wasn’t a fan of the supporting cast or plot in this one.

Marks out of 10 - 4

I like Scully bringing the case to Mulder! Religion strikes its head in the mystical elements for the first overt time, and I think it’s done well in this episode, with a believable ‘protagonist’ and an interesting premise (albeit one done to death in general media). Some nice twists at the end, I did find this episode ultimately one that failed to hold my attention too much on this rewatch.

Marks out of 10 - 6

I just love how heavily into Mulder and his pure passion Scully falls this episode. Love the conspiracy element, first time I think? It is a bit po-faced at times, or rather, they cram an awful lot in and I think this could have been done over a bit more time. It’s still a really good episode though, for all the plot points above.

8/10

Much better than I remembered - gotta love an effective FBI manhunt and when Mulder gets all serious because Scully is in danger. It wastes no time in setting up the plot and the mystical element of it - I really dug it actually, even if it is all a little bit un-shocking.

7/10