X-Treme Possibilities: A Comprehensively Expanded Rummage Through Five Years of the X-Files

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Summary: the best and cheapest episode guide ever!
Review: if you ever want a cheap paperback high quality in content episode review/anaylsis book, get it from the UK! the Brits have all the best episode guides for Red Dwarf, Doctor Who, Babylon 5, the X-files, etc. this covers Seasons 1-5 AND the Movie! It reviews each episode with lots of fun facts, and it is the ONLY XF book out there that tries to explain and analyze the mythology episodes! so many reasons to buy this book!

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Summary: a cocky yet specific show-by-show examination
Review: looking for some hard-core analysis, i was disappointed by the dismissive tones of the authors personal critiques of each episode. though they're writing a book about the show, which would indicate some serious committment, they complain about it an awful lot in nitpicky immature ways. the breakdown of each episode into categories such as "scully's rational explanation of the week" and "the conspiracy starts at closing time" provide the meat of the book, offering details that reveal the show's consistency and innovativeness, yet the "bottom line" sections that offer up the personal views of all three authors are often insipid, shallow and petty, rather than insightful or thought-provoking. the concept for the book is great, but the writers appear to be over-the-top in their sci-fi nerdy elitist attitude- a decent episode guide and that's all.

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Summary: My best EVER investment!
Review: OK, if there was ever a case of don't judge a book by it's cover, this was it! I bought this book over 5 years ago and everytime I pick it up it's still as fresh and entertaining as the day I discovered it. Filled with EVERYTHING you could ever want or need to know about the X-Files (or TV in general!), it's quite simply THE greatest companion of all time to any TV show or movie ever written and certainly the most worthwhile £5.99 I've ever spent!

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Summary: How did I live without it?
Review: THE best episode guide on paper, fun, usefull, and, in one word, wonderful. THE greatest.

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Summary: fabulous book 4 anyone wanting to understand the show better
Review: The book is written by a group of british writers, and as such contains a POV that may not reflect that of the reader. The book is incredibly detailed and is a wonderful reference for any fan (the dedicated and the newbies) who wishes to have it all put together. Wonderfully referenced and cross-referenced I have only 3 complaints 1 - it suffers from historical hindsight in tryng to demonstrate that everything that has ever occured, has been part of the conspiracy. It's like putting a square peg in a round hole and IMHO their mistakes in doing so are glaring 2 - they review every episode and discuss its relevance to the conspiracy. For once I'd like a book that is written in the reverse. a chapter on the aliens, a chapter on the conspirators themselves, a chapter on those who aid and hinder Mulder & Scully, and each one references the episodes. In this way all information relevant to a particular topic is all together not spread out waiting for me to find them in a specific episode review. 3 - they draw conclusions that I just cant agree with such as that Deep throat was never really trying to help them. all in all an excellent book despite these criticisms. it has widened my eyes and made certain things clear that I might never have figured out on my own without spending a month watching and re-watching the episodes (which sounds like fun shopuld I ever have the time to do so!!!!!)

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Summary: Great comprehensive reading!
Review: This book gets all 5 seasons and the movie in with complete and deatailed information of each one. The sub-sections of each episode keep me informed on the conspiracy and all other aspects of the show. Only one question: What the heck does Phwoar mean, and when has anyone used that in a sentance? Or is that a fake word? Someone tell me! I love the Phwoar section, though!

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Summary: Phwoar means hubba-hubba (I think)
Review: This is the book for anyone trying to figure out what's going on in the X-files. Very humourous, lots of theories and an affectionate look at some of the series' idiosyncrasies. I agree with the reviewer who felt that the book suffered somewhat from trying to 'squeeze' just about everything into the conspiracy. To answer one question below: Phwoar! is a british term of approval on seeing someone who is sexually attractive. It can also apply to a sexually charged situation as in the series. I believe the equivalent US term would be something like "hubba-hubba"?

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Summary: If you only buy one X-Files guide...
Review: This is the only X-Files guide that I own. Consequently, I don't get the show at all after the movie because this is where the book ENDS. I am DYING for a new version! It's still immensly helpful and wildly enjoyable to read.

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Summary: If you only buy one X-Files guide...
Review: This is the only X-Files guide that I own. Consequently, I don't get the show at all after the movie because this is where the book ENDS. I am DYING for a new version! It's still immensly helpful and wildly enjoyable to read.

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Summary: A Plea
Review: This is undoubtedly the best work on the X Files I have read. It has an infectious analytical structure and is immensely readable. I can understand how many fans can be put off by the highly personal viewpoints of the authors, but true fans should appreciate its subjective nature. I disagreed with many of their verdicts, but that isn't the point. The X Files is an entirely human series, not exempt from mistakes or weaknesses. The authors highlight its fallible nature, causing the reader to become more critical. Ultimitely, their affectionate critique made me see the X Files in a new light, ten times more productive than the blind faith I had in the series before. I can only hope the authors read this, for I implore them to write an updated edition. It's a valuable addition to my enjoyment of the X Files!