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Television

The X-Files - The Complete Ninth Season

The X-Files - The Complete Ninth Season

List Price: $99.98
Your Price: $79.98
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: WONDERFUL EDITION FOR A SEASON WONDERFUL
Review: The calidad of the performances of Gillian Anderson, Robert Patrick, Annabeth Gish and Mith Pillegi, and the very good scripts for every episode make this season nine a must to fan of the series. Its wonderful!!!!!!!!!!

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Total crap--this is NOT "The X-Files"
Review: And anyone who still sees this as anything other than a network desperate to keep capitalizing off the brand name appeal of "The X-Files" is as misguided in their perceptions as everyone involved with making these episodes.

I think it speaks to the strength of the series, seasons 1-7, that so many people have been able to simply forget about all of the plot, thematic, and characterization destruction that went on in its final two years. Critically, these years have been all but forgotten--the legacy of The X-Files is Mulder and Scully, and the government conspiracies, search for a sister, and fascinating paranormal activities they investigated. And thanks to the depth of those characters and their interaction--it always will be. I think it speaks volumes that the new X-Files game, Resist or Serve, was deliberately set in season 7. Clearly, the success of any future movie is dependent on similar marketing strategies.

If you're looking to buy episodes of the finest television series (hands down) on DVD, do yourself a favor and stick with XF seasons 1-7. I hear that the prices are set to drop on the earlier seasons to match the season 9 price, so if high prices kept you at bay before, consider purchasing those classic years now.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Season 9 wasn't that bad
Review: Yet it wasn't the best either. I'm sure like all other fans Mulder was sorely missed. I didn't think the new characters were that bad. And hey, we still had skinner. i don't think alot of the fans gave the new characters much of a chance. I really like Dogget. And Reyes was pretty cool although we only got about a year to get to know her. I'm really looking forward to the ninth season. I hope that there are a bunch of bonus materials.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Yippeeee!!! Season 9 is finally here!
Review: Hi! I just wanted to say that I LOVE the X-Files and ALL 9 Seasons, too! David Duchovny decided to leave the show. Fine. See you later, David. Gillian Anderson carried it on, and stayed with her contract. So, if for no other reason, THIS is why I will support Seasons 8 & 9. GILLIAN ANDERSON showed true class with her decision; and she deserves my support and thanks for her continued efforts in giving us this last great Season 9. And also, I just LOVE ANNABETH GISH. So, for ANNABETH & GILLIAN I highly recommend Season 9. Some of Annabeth's best work as an actress is included in Season 9. Also, for those that want to know what all the features are, here you go:

The set will contain an anamorphic widescreen transfer (1.78:1), English, French and Spanish Dolby Surround audio tracks, and will be subtitles in English and Spanish. The final season will include all 19 episodes, including the 2 hour finale, on 7 discs.
Episodes:
Nothing Important Happened Today, Nothing Important Happened Today II, Daemonicus, 4-D, Lord of the Flies, Trust No 1, John Doe, Hellbound, Provenance, Providence, Audrey Pauly, Underneath, Improbable, Scary Monsters, Jump the Shark, William,
Release, Sunshine Days and The Truth
Deleted Scenes:
Nothing Important Happened Today - 3 deleted scenes
Lord of the Flies - 1 deleted scene
Provenance - 1 deleted scene
Jump the Shark - 1 deleted scene
The Truth - 3 deleted scenes
Deleted scenes contain optional commentary by Frank Spotnitz and Chris Carter (separate)
Commentaries:
"Improbable" by Chris Carter
"Jump the Shark" by Vince Gilligan, John Shiban, Frank Spotnitz
"The Truth" by Kim Manners
Featurettes/Documentaries:
The Truth about Season 9 (30 Minutes)
"The Making of 'The Truth'" (90 minutes)
Other special features:
4 X-Files Profiles: 1. Monica Reyes (part one 1:50, part two 4:50), 2. Brad Follmer (part one 1:50, part two 2:34, part three 5:00), 3. Cake Cutting (5:00), and 4. On location (15:00)
20 TV Spots
Secrets of the X-Files (45 minutes)
More Secrets of the X-Files (45 Minutes)
Tribute to the X-Files (20 Minutes)
DVD-ROM: Game "The Truth"
International Clips: one minute clips in: German, Japanese, Italian (on every disc)
"Special Effects by Mat Beck" with Commetary by Paul Rabwin (on every disc)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Unbelievable amount of extras
Review: Okay, Fox has managed to make me give five stars to the only season of The X-Files that I was ready to qualify under five stars (I was going to give it four stars). Mulder has left the series after the two parter finale of the eighth season, and we don't quite understand why. The season begins with "Nothing Important happened today" I and II, where we see Doggett trying to pursue his investigation on the odd events that unfolded in Existence: the meeting implicating Kersh with the human replacement/super soldier Knowle Rohrer and agent Crane. But he finds out that he's been left alone by his former partner (agent Scully, now on full mommy duty) and Skinner. Monica Reyes is his only help... and then there is Lucy Lawless, whose agenda is hard to understand. If things didn't look so troubling for poor Doggett, he has to face a new enemy: A.D. Brad Follmer, whose past relationship with Reyes makes him jealous of Doggett. And if you thought Scully's baby was normal and the aliens just found out that they had made a mistake (in Existence) and retrieve from him... well, the baby begins to move his circular moving toy with his thought. That's why Scully decides to help Doggett in the end. But, as usual for the series, by the end of the second episode, they don't really know much more that they knew before (which is a hell of an acomplish for a series after nine years). After these two episodes come two of the most interesting stand alones of the series: Daemonicus and 4-D. Scully is shown now giving class in Quantico. These two episodes set straight the emotional entanglements between the three main characters (how Doggett cares for Reyes and Scully, and how they perceive him). After that, the season loses the great pace with which it begins. "Lord of the flies" is an unsuccessfull effort to make one of those classic funny or humorous episodes of previous seasons (such as those from seasons 3,4 and 5). In "Trust no1" we find a Scully desperate to make contact with Mulder, but at the risk of being manipulated by those trying to find him. By this episode we discover that the human replacement are, after all, vulnerable to one thing. "John Doe" and "Hellbound" are two very normal and typical X-Files episodes. The real treat comes in the following disc, where a great two parte finds place: Provenance and Providence have to do with Scully's baby. A group of UFO cultists are after the little boy... and they get him. Oh! And after nine seasons, Mrs. Scully finds out in her own flesh how hard is her sister's job (only for a second, but it is interesting). "Audrey Pauley" is a bit too weird for and X-Files (if such a thing is even posible). Underneath is pretty much an average episode. Then comes "Improbable"... okay this one is even weirder than Audrey Pauley! But it is well done... To this day I don't know quite well what to do with this episode... and it is a reason to treasure it. "Scary Monsters" is another normal episode about a boy whose claims of seeing monsters in his closet turn out to be true. We see Leila Harrison in this episode again, which is a nice (this time she has a boyfriend bringing dead things to Scully's kitchen table, where she makes little William's food!). The two extremes of the season follow: "Jump the shark" was the most disappointing episode of the season for me... I just felt like that was not a proper farewell to the Lone Gunmen. And "William" is a wonderfully achieved episode directed by David Duchovny! A man whose face has been terribly destroyed claims to be Mulder... but he could be someone else trying to approach baby William. "Release" is the closure to Doggett's arc: he discovers what happened to his son... I always thought that they should have left his story open; it seemed somewhat rushed and all over the place. "Sunshine days" is another not so great comedic episode. And finally: The Truth: the two hour series finale. Mulder has been imprisoned and is being accused of murdering Knowle Rohrer. Scully, Doggett, Reyes and Skinner come to his aid, as the military plan to judge him. We see Krycek, X, Marita, Gibson, the lone gunmen, and Spender again. But his is a trial meant to be lost. It is most remarkable the definitive demise of the Cigarrette Smoking man: I find it to be the image of the decade in T.V. My top 10 for the season are: 10.Hellbound 9.Nothing important happened today I 8.Underneath 7.Scary Monsters 6.Trust no1 5.Providence 4.Provenance 3.4-D 2.Daemonicus 1. The Truth. It is remarkable how many extras FOX is planning to release with this package. It deserves it, after all, this was the series that got the whole tv to DVD to the success it has today as a trend. The image of the box looks wonderfull (I've seen it outside amazon's page) and the news about the extras concur with the number of discs of the package: seven! It includes the very well known 30 minute documentary about the overall season. But it has a 90 minute long making of The Truth, the DVDROM game "The Truth", deleted scenes, audio commentaries on The Truth, Improbable and Jump the shark, three more featurettes (okay featurette does not justice to these extras) of 45 and 20 minutes, two profiles (on Reyes and Follmer), footage of the celebration of the 200th episode and an on-location featurette of 15 minutes (the extras are detailed in a very well known page devote to tv shows to dvd). And it is cheaper than the previous seasons!!! This is really the way to go, FOX. Now, there is only one thing that could make me happier: the announcement of the second movie... but if the legacy of the series finishes here, I am truely pleased with the way it is sent to the future of uncountable repetitions.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The Truth About Season 9
Review: Thanks to only catching a few episodes on TV when it aired -- not to mention the plethora of negative reviews -- I was all set to dislike Season 9 of The X-Files when I sat down to watch it from start to finish.

But I can't. No way.

Season 9 is actually quite good. A few episodes in particular are superb. "Release," for example, the episode in which Agent Doggett learns the truth about his son's death and puts the past behind him. My wife and I were stunned by that episode. It had "Wow Factor" written all over it. Great acting by Robert Patrick. Intriguing story line.

The final episode (titled "The Truth") was only so-so when I watched it on TV. But that was because I hadn't seen the rest of the season (or Seasons 7 and 8 leading up to it) in context. When I watched all of Season 9 back to back, I discovered "The Truth" to be a powerful way to end the series. It was great to have Fox Mulder back, but -- to be honest -- we didn't really consider the show to be about Mulder any more.

Blasphemy? Am I do for a tarring and feathering?

Don't think so. True, The X-Files started out as a show about Mulder and his partner Dana Scully. And the show endeared itself to millions of fans worldwide because of that pairing.

But when David Duchovny (Mulder) left the show at the end of Season 7, just appeared in a handful of episodes in Season 8, and only appeared in the final episode of Season 9, the show changed. But not necessarily for the worse. The other characters stepped up to the plate. Doggett and Monica Reyes were fascinating characters. Each brought depth and strength to the roles.

The X-Files was a show about the unexplained, the paranormal, the out-there-ness of Truth. As such, it was a show that was constantly filled with surprises, twists, turns and even dead-ends.

When people get hung up on keeping the show exactly the same -- with Mulder and Scully in every episode -- they fail to see the point of the series: the unexpected.

If the show would have gone downhill without Mulder, *then* I could see justification for all the bellyaching. But it didn't. The writers and directors rose to the challenge. Season 8 is one of the best of the series, in my opinion. And Season 9 is far from the worst.

One thing we noticed, however: there was a distinct lack of character continuity from episode to episode. Plus, it seems like one or the other of Doggett and Reyes was always hovering on the brink of death -- with the healthy partner watching, praying and hoping for a complete recovery. When the recovery happened, emotions ran high. It seemed like things would change. But, in the very next episode the characters were back to the way they were before the crisis.

In other words, when Reyes almost died in the hospital, Doggett was in tears. He felt deep emotion -- far beyond that felt for a partner in the FBI -- and couldn't wait until she recovered to tell her. But when she recovered, he didn't. Nothing changed.

Those kinds of inconsistencies hampered Season 9. If the writers were true to the characters, changes would have occured from crisis to crisis. They would have siezed the opportunity to get more involved emotionally.

Ditto for the episode in which Scully has to give up William for adoption. In that episode, she's racked with emotion. Yet, in the very next episode, she's composed and emotion-free. Like the adoption never happened. How is that possible? Scully lived for William in virtually every episode. Yet in the very next one after she gives him up for adoption, she doesn't shed a tear and, if memory serves, doesn't even mention him.

As large as those kinds of character consistencies seem, I don't think they completely derail Season 9. The build-up to the end -- combined with a few truly stellar episodes -- make Season 9 well worth having if you're an X-Files fan.

Oh, and let's not forget the bonus material. Two full DVDs of bonus material -- including a wonderful behind-the-scenes peek at the making of "The Truth."

My advice? Don't listen to the naysayers who slam Season 9 and call it the worst. There really isn't a "worst" when it comes to The X-Files. Every season is excellent in its own way.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Doggett & Reyes make this show great again!
Review: I originally wrote a review slagging this 9th season off a bit and only gave it 3 stars overall. Having now watched it through to the end, I have to say that I thought the majority of this final series was as excellent as ever and worth the maximum 5 stars!!
Doggett & Reyes ruled this season and they just gave this show a new lease of life.
The only episodes which let this season down are the few which deal with Scully's baby and the super-soldiers. Having said that, the episode co-written & directed by Duchovny entitled "William" isn't bad at all - it's the best of the "Scully's baby" episodes. And the episode "Jump the Shark" where the Lone Gunmen die is totally brilliant and a sad, touching end to those great, original & enjoyable characters.
Overall, the episodes in this season (or any other season for that matter) are of a high quality which is rarely equalled in any other tv show of this genre and for that fact I can only give the final season of the X-Files nothing but praise and bid a sad farewell to some of the best characters to appear in a tv series.
It's really hard to pick one favourite episode - I enjoyed every episode apart from a few of the earlier season 9 episodes which dealt with Scully's baby (as I already mentioned).
Chris Carter is one of the cleverest writers around and I hope at some point the X-Files returns with Doggett & Reyes (and maybe Scully & Mulder too!).
It would be a crime if the proposed second X-Files movie doesn't focus on Doggett & Reyes...

Also in regards to the X-Files, I'd like to say this:
As far as I'm concerned, the only problem with the X-Files was that it spent too long messing around with alien conspiracies (which was enjoyable & intriguing for a while but went too far and went on for far too long) when the heart of this show lied in it's Outer Limits-style stories of mysterious phenomenon of all kinds (not just alien). The best episodes throughout the 9 seasons were usually the ones which dealt with weird stuff not associated with aliens, ufos & government conspiracies. Just my opinion, but I thought I'd make it known...

One more thing: I totally agree about the emotional inconsistancies of the characters during this season. I can also see the reason this is happening: It's pretty apparent that the standalone episodes which have nothing to do with the "Scully's baby" storyline are written barely with this running story in mind (and vice-versa). Which is all the more reason and proof that this particular story arc was a bit of a mistake. The other major problem with those standalone stories, where the main characters are harmed and fighting for their life, is that you always know by the end of the episode, the main characters are gonna be absolutely fine again because those episodes have no bearing on the main story and so continuity seems to fall by the wayside a bit. That's why, my opinion has always been that X-Files should have stuck to single stories and occasional 2-parters instead of how the show eventually turned out. Or at the most one season should have been dedicated to the alien conspiracy and then left alone instead of it becoming mainly the focus of the entire series which, in my opinion, ended up killing the show.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: The Bitter End
Review: Season 9 was by far the least satisfying of all the X-Files seasons due to the formulaic and prosaic writing. Although Robert Patrick's Agent Doggett worked quite well in this series, I felt Annabeth Gish's Monica Reyes was very weak. She is a mediocre actress at best, insipid at worst. She served the series best as eye candy, as she was mostly seen in tight leather jackets and sleeveless blouses. She was mostly expressionless throughout the series and seems better suited to soap operas.

Some very good episodes appeared, including "Lord of the Flies," "Release," and "Sunshine Days." The final episode, "The Truth," was a let down. The set-up, in a military Kangaroo court, was preposterous. The only good thing about the episode was the summation of all the confusing "alien conspiracy/mythology" episodes.

David Duchovney was sorely missed throughout the season, but I would have preferred Doggett and Scully, as in season 8, than the insipid Reyes.

The season is worth seeing to complete all the seasons, but it's not really a keeper.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Give it a try - you won't be disappointed
Review: I wish I could say season 9 was the best of the X-Files, but sadly it was not. Was it the worst? By far no. Hindsight is 20/20 and there was a great deal CC & FOX could have done to save this series, but alas they did not.

If you simply watched The X-Files because of David Duchovny then you will not enjoy season 9 - if you're open minded, then give this season a chance. Sure there are episodes that were lacking, but every season had an episode or two that was lacking.

Robert Patrick did a fine job and while Annabeth Gish tried her best, she wasn't as strong as Patrick, but then again she wasn't given very much to work with. She and Patrick worked very well together and I would have loved to have seen their partnership/friendship explored more thoroughly. Many feel their romance was forced or rushed and that may have been the case, but CC knew the show was ending and I think he decided to throw the DRR fans a bone. I must admit I grew to dislike Scully's character and her incessant whining about her son. The pregnancy storyline in season 8 and subsequently the introduction to William in season 9 was a big mistake and dumbed down Scully in my opinion. Truth be told Gillian Anderson wanted off the show and it was evident in her acting. FOX should have let her out of her contract and bid her farewell and focused on the Doggett & Reyes characters.

Some of the strong episodes were Hellbound, 4D, John Doe, Audrey Pauley & Release. The bonus material is very interesting and worth a view as well.

For a show that was meant to open your mind, many fans chose to close their minds and abandon the show after Duchovny left. I was sad at his departure, but understood his reasons and wished him well in his new endeavors. I don't feel many fans gave this season a fair shot and reading through many of the reviews that's evident. Give it a shot, you won't be disappointed and it's a hell of a lot better than "Reality TV." If you can't see spending the money on the DVD set then rent it at Blockbuster - it's worth it.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: too bad
Review: ok I am a huge x-files fan i love the show, but season nine was by far the worst. This season lost a lot of what had made the show great in the past, and i think that it was because of the writing and because Duchovny was gone(ok so am a girl and i think he's hot but that has very little to do with this). With Duchovny gone for the second season in a row you lost a lot of the emontion that he(Molder) brought to the show we lost his passion to find the truth. so yes i did buy this but only because i love this show to much not to own every season but if you are not like me ( and lets hope you aren't) do not buy this season if you are a fan of the early ones.


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