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The Leftovers (2014)
Erratic and uneven, but somewhat captivating further on
As an old Lost fan, I was very disappointed of Leftovers in the beginning but it picked up somewhat and was generally a bit hokey throughout the first season. The second season have not been aired yet, so this is a review of the first one only.
I have to admit, I was almost tempted to turn off after a running-time of only 5 min. We're introduced to some pointless dialogue, a screaming baby and some random guy shooting at dogs. Sorry, but that doesn't evoke any interest, just disgust.
The annoying and awkward feelings more or less continued throughout the first two episodes. A good premise for a series is no excuse for not putting any effort in the writing of the episodes. I think I'm entitled to this opinion, without having someone to tell me I'm lacking patience.
However, I stayed put. The 3rd episode was really a great one, it was the first time the series showed some kind of depth. Actually, I found the pattern of every 3rd episode seemed to be "flesh-out episodes" which is very much needed here, rather than the standard drama structure.
... Some various points why I'm not rating Leftovers higher;
* Half of the episodes are rather annoying than interesting, which will fail to sparkle average Joe's interest. We're being served of unnecessarily details, and being leftover (lol) from other details. And no, I'm not talking about being completely served with all the details.
* Weird casting of most of the characters. Overall it feels like whoever did the casting wanted to make some cheap "multi-culti politic points", rather than finding the best suitable actors. This may distract the viewers from the actual story.
* The characters, perhaps except for the priest, are more or less just annoying and doesn't deliver any other feelings than awkwardness. Characters in the shades of gray, which was the purpose I believe, should have some more dimensions.
* There's no freshness in the music / the sound. It feels like we're still in the trite boring '95-'05 era of series production. However, most of the series of the past 15 years or so are suffering of similar problems. Some song selections are also out of place, metal and hip-hop music for instance.
* The shaky handcamera is overused and doesn't serve the story in any way either. For the most part it works only with Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity premises.
... End-notes: The first two episodes in the series are really important to hook the general public, and thinking of all this I'm not surprised of all the bad reviews thinking. At the same time there are some high ratings as well, which doesn't surprise me either since there are lot of active christians on the net which may appeal to this show.
Anyway, I believe the overall rating is something in between more or less. 5,5 from the heart, but 6,5/10 (rounded to 7/10) since it at least made me continue to watch.
The X Files: Squeeze (1993)
Morgon/Wong's first episode, which is awesome
A mutant who squeezes himself through spaces and wakes up every 30 year to eat some livers before hibernating again - that's some original story! No big blown effects here, but it isn't needed to get the idea through. The actor's innocent look was a perfect choice for Mr Tooms. Fresh script, great directing, and the slow paced camera fits the mysterious atmosphere just right.
What makes this episode shine even more is the surrounding layers (ok then, script- related), and one layer is the M&S character development. The main leads were more alive and in motion somehow in the beginning, often thanks to a side-kick though (ex-partner, old friend, etc). Later on in the series it was almost like they were molded in rock, and they developed/changed only in a couple of episodes here and there (the acting of DA & GA have always been good though). But I'm on my 2nd full viewing so who knows, I might change my mind.
The viewer also gets introduced into the view of Mulder at work, it's almost as he gets ridiculed and mocked for his paranoia and out of world theories. We grow sympathy for him and I think it's an important detail, since Mulder is a bit strange character when you think of it and not that easy to identify with. I dunno what happened in the later seasons, but this is one of the early episodes that dealt with this matter good enough.
Also, Mulder telling Scully "You were right" with a serious expression was an interesting twist of the episode. I've already watched some further episodes of season 1 and there are more cool twists to come.
Sidenote: I can recall some have argued that Tooms could have squeezed out of the handcuffs. But one might think that he looses the ability when he gets emotionally disturbed, notice how the glow in the eyes is disappearing right before (perhaps it has something to do about that). And/or simply he just gave up the fight, since Mulder had a gun etc.
No question about it, 10/10.
The X Files: Conduit (1993)
One of the most underrated episodes of the show
This is one of the most important episodes of the series, as it deals more with Mulders emotions, rather than complex sub-stories as we are announced to later on. We learn for sure Mulders motivation and devotion for the truth after watching this episode.
That being said, the concept of a possible alien contact (and further communication?) through a boy with 1's and 0's is thrilling, and I'm surprised that the writers didn't made a continuation from this. Ganza & Gordon were in my opinion perhaps the most underrated writers of the show.
The way Darlene unfairly discredited Mulder after the ruthless government guys screwing everything up was perhaps frustrating not only for Mulder, but also for the viewer, as it would be interesting how it could turn out with the before mentioned concept. But it was of course a deliberately choice to further emphasize the sympathy of Mulder. And the script screams after a Part II, at the same time it could be seen as totally independent.
I also like the fact that there is a more down to earth alternative interpretation of the fate of Ruby. The early episodes of the series had this ace to play with, before the main story revealed itself too much.
Last but certainly not least, Mark Snow had a big part making this episode a success. The music captures the images on the screen beautifully. Especially in the ending scenes, along with the playback of the regression hypnosis.
In general I've always had a soft spot for this episode and thinks it's unfortunately a bit underrated and forgotten. Unforgivable.
I give it 10/10.
The X Files: Deep Throat (1993)
Probably my favorite episode
If I had to choose a one and only episode from the series, as I remembered it right now, it would be this one. I guess you'll get on my track, at least if you're looking at the show as a mystery show as it was intended to be to begin with, and not a love story or a sci-fi show for that matter.
Don't get me wrong, but I prefer the latter two rather as additional "spice", rather than the maintrack. For instance the chemistry is great between M&S here also no matter how you look at it. Also, I like the fact that it's almost like the viewer is through the eyes of M&S at the same time; the common sense of Scully but also the curiosity and the desire of Mulder.
At this point the possibilities was endless, and it was a great foundation to plan out the mythology story. There weren't as much effects and sci-fi blockbusters in the early episodes, but I believe that was actually X-Files strength and why the series worked best the less it tried to answer itself. The episode raised questions and it was in time what people knew and actually still know.
I can't spot any plot holes or anything either, everything seems to be in place. And while there were just as good similar episodes episodes in seasons 2-3, there's just something about the early season 1 which brings it above the rest in my opinion; the overall charm & mood plus the music.
Perhaps I'm biased with nostalgia, but I really think at least the music in the early season 1 was awesome and this episode is a great example. Not that I don't think Mark Snow was able to write even better stuff, but I believe he was commanded to tone his work down somehow later on.
The X Files: Pilot (1993)
Classic Episode
The best with this episode is that it sums up all the assumptions surrounding alien abductions which some claims actually occurred in real life; the marks, the nose bleeding, missing time etc. It's nothing that Chris Carter came up with himself, but this time we got a whole series dealing with it.
This enthusiastic Mulder was just right to channel all these "facts" and information through, and as far as I recall he became more toned down and bitter as the series progresses. I'm not sure the latter would work as good here. DD & GA did it perfect from the start.
Despite a somewhat lighter production as it was after all a pilot episode, compared to the later ones, it still got the main frame and mood in tone of the rest of the season. But yes, just not up to the quality of some of the following episodes.
Not only the script, but the directing, the camera-work, the mood, the music, etc was also spot on.
I'm on my 2nd full viewing of the show and I hope you'll read the rest of my reviews of the episodes.