Date: Fri 24-May-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Illustration: C

Location: A-12

Quick Words:

Now-Playing-X-Files-Duchovny

Full Text:

(rev "X-Files" videos for Now Playing, 5/24/96)

Now Playing-

Let `X-Files' Grab Your Attention

By Trey Paul Alexander II

After the brutal, relentless winter we experienced, few expected to see

scorching, 90-degree temperatures before the end of May. Yet they have

arrived. Some may relish the balmy weather, but these sweltering heat waves

tend to bring on a numbing lethargy in this humble, seeking to keep cool,

reviewer.

As we head into this Memorial Day weekend, many will undoubtedly catch Twister

and Mission: Impossible , two of the earliest offerings from Hollywood's first

salvo of summer blockbusters, while others may take to the outdoors for a

little recreation. If you are looking for another option, here's a suggestion,

particularly for those who enjoy the comforts of an air conditioner in their

home: Take a walk on the weird side and fashion an "X-Files" marathon by

renting the new videotape collection of the early episodes.

Last Friday, X-Philes were treated to the series' third season finale, another

cliffhanger that will have us anxiously awaiting the show's return in the

fall. That gives viewers the whole summer to catch up on past entries from

"The X-Files." Statistics show many of you tuned in late; the earliest ratings

for the show were bleak. But a glance at the latest Nielsen ratings will tell

you that "The X-Files" now regularly places first in its 9 pm timeslot.

Following in the footsteps of "Star Trek," a fellow neglected cult series that

turned into a mainstream hit, "The X-Files" has issued a videocassette series

presenting two episodes on every tape.

As a fan of "The X-Files," what I find so interesting about this marathon

opportunity is the chance to look back on my first impressions of the show and

compare them to the elements of "The X-Files" which currently grab my

attention each week.

"The X-Files," a creepy, moody series about FBI case files involving

paranormal phenomena, premiered on Fox in September, 1993. David Duchovny

stars as Fox Mulder, a rogue FBI agent who has devoted his studies to the

unexplained cases, "X-Files," which the Bureau wants to keep quiet. He is

paired with another agent, Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), whose duty is to

undercut his activities, but she ends up working alongside him to solve these

puzzling cases.

When I took a peek at my files, I found this review, which I wrote back in

`93, of the pilot episode: "Duchovny is set up as the next Agent Cooper from

`Twin Peaks,' but Kyle MacLachlan he's not. There's enough style (right down

to the spooky piano soundtrack) to give the show a `Twilight Zone' feel, but

the two need to work a little on creating viewer interest."

Well, let's just say I didn't immediately foresee the show's potential (I bet

a lot of you are asking, "Who is Kyle MacLachlan?!"). Over time, Duchovny and

Anderson have developed a wonderful chemistry that has become one of the

show's most reliable assets. But at least I wasn't as bad as the TV Guide

critic who said of "Star Trek," when writing about it back in 1966, "This will

never last."

Of the six episodes available on tape, my highest recommendation goes to the

episode "Ice," which was the strongest and most suspenseful segment at that

point (since then, there have been more than a few gems). Agents Mulder and

Scully are flown to the arctic to explore the mysterious deaths of a group of

research scientists. When a fierce storm traps the agents and several other

investigators at the remote station, the captives must fend for themselves

against an unknown assailant. This is a well-staged thriller in which the

close confines of the research facility heighten the mounting distrust among

the group, even bringing Scully at odds with Mulder.

Enjoy your viewing, and remember: the truth is out there.