The X-Files became a cult phenomenom in its first season, gaining a rabid following strong enough to convince FOX to pick up the show for another year, and to sign the cast and producer Chris Carter to long-term deals. Looking beyond the commercial success and fan base rivaled only by Star Trek's "Trekkers", however, you find a serial drama that really was the most revolutionary show of the 1990's, and one of the most daring of all time. It broke all the rules - it was dark, both visually and emotionally. So dark that at times, especially during the first two seasons, the only lighting was that of flashlights held by the lead actors. It avoided stereotyping and the "sex sells" mentality of most mainstream shows (i.e. NYPD Blue). It had an incredibly strong female role model in Gillian Anderson's character of Dana Scully. It found an enemy where Hollywood had failed - instead of looking overseas and creating further false impressions of foreign nations, it pointed the finger at domestic governments. Big Brother, if you will, was back. To steal one of the show's catch phrases, the decade became the "Trust No One 90's", especially not your own government. Given the state of politics today, the show was probably right.
With an eighth season on the way, FOX has decided to issue the entire show on DVD. Season one is really the introductory year. Stars David Duchovney and Gillian Anderson look young, unsure of themselves, yet the chemistry is there. The seeds for future storylines are planted. While seasons two and five (leading up to the first feature film, with a potential of more to come) are probably the best, fans and potential fans alike should consider this boxset despite its somewhat hefty pricetag. It is a true television masterpiece.
With an eighth season on the way, FOX has decided to issue the entire show on DVD. Season one is really the introductory year. Stars David Duchovney and Gillian Anderson look young, unsure of themselves, yet the chemistry is there. The seeds for future storylines are planted. While seasons two and five (leading up to the first feature film, with a potential of more to come) are probably the best, fans and potential fans alike should consider this boxset despite its somewhat hefty pricetag. It is a true television masterpiece.