The X-Files (TV Series) Triangle (1998) User Reviews

Excellent episode

[PWNYCNY · 10/10 · 22 December 2006]

Normally I don't comment on individual episodes of a television series, but here I will make an exception. This episode was exceptionally good. It is apparent that the creator of this show decided to "go the extra mile" and "dig a little deeper" to present a compelling story. Here the imagination abounds as Mulder finds himself in a situation that requires making certain difficult choices. The acting is superb and the cinematography is appropriately foreboding. But what makes this particular episode most unique is the non-stop action as two groups fight over control of a ship that contains the key to victory or defeat. Although a work of science fiction, the story provides a glimpse into a period of time when peace was replaced by the sound and fury of war. This episode is excellent.

Long takes

[CGMCC · 10/10 · 26 April 2007]

This is the first episode of this show I have seen.

I don't know if this is the norm for X-Files but, in this day of quick and short shots linked together to form action like in music videos, there are numerous extended takes which are simply superb! To see Gillian try to get some information to save the agent out of time aboard the Queen Anne, going from floor to floor to the parking garage without a cut in the cinematography is amazing! Also great is the music soundtrack of Benny Goodman-like swing music, appropriate to 1939 when some of this program was set! I have no idea why I missed seeing this series, but I have concluded that I need to see more.

You saved the world, Scully.

[Sanpaco13 · 9/10 · 15 August 2007]

What a great episode! For me this is a very different kind of X-Files episode. It is a lot more Sci-Fi rather than horror and supernatural. There are many great comical moments. I believe that this is the only other episode along with "Bad Blood" that cuts off Mulder saying the SH word.

Basically Mulder is shipwrecked somewhere in the Bermuda Triangle only to be caught onto a boat from 1939 that is being invaded by Nazis. I really enjoy the Nazi Skinner and the 1940's Scully. Very spunky. There's also a lot of kissing in this episode based on X-Files standards. Scully kisses Skinner and Mulder kisses the 1939 Scully. Both are very comically well done. Skinner seems quite flush after Scully's kiss and Mulder gets a punch in the although not with the left hand as he was expecting. I truly love the camera work of the scene with Scully running around FBI headquarters how the camera follows her the whole time. And finally the final scene in the hospital where Mulder tells Scully he loves her and all she can reply is "oh brother". This is a very entertaining episode as far as developing relationships. I give it a 9 out of 10.

There's no place like home.

[lovespie19 · 10/10 · 14 May 2014]

Oh, gosh. Where do I even start with this one? It's my all time favorite and I've seen it too many times to count. I'll try to actually write a cohesive review instead of blathering about how amazing I think this episode is, and not just because I'm a shipper. The cinematography in this episode is breathtaking. It has such a fluid, urgent feel that fits exceedingly well with Mulder trying to get back to 1998, and Scully running around the FBI trying to get the information to save his life. The soundtrack by Mark Snow contributes to this feeling as well. It's reminiscent of 'Progigno de Axis', which I think he used in Anasazi. I thought it was very smart of Chris Carter to do something similar to what Morgan and Wong did in Musings of a CSM and leave it up to the viewer to decide what's real and what isn't. It gives the entire episode a sense of surreality and I love that. I've always taken the entire episode to be real (because come on, it's a sci-fi show!) and I will review accordingly. The writing is just fantastic. It feels so immediate, and all the characters are flawlessly written. I think this may be my favorite episode ever for Scully, who gets to verbally beat up Spender, kiss Skinner (!) and deal with the Gunmen. I bet Frohike's crushing on her harder than ever. I squeal like the fangirl that I am every time I watch that scene. Not to mention the fact that 1939 Scully is unspeakably awesome. I know how geeky that sounds but I can't really think of any other words to describe her. But my favorite parts of this episode are the scenes on the Queen Anne. I've always found it funny that Chris Carter decided to have Mulder go back to 1939 because in many ways, to me, he seems like a character straight out of that time period. He almost seems to be enjoying himself for some of the episode, especially the first scene in the ballroom. It's so very in character- this is exactly the sort of thing he would love. And the end. Oh, the end! I can't even. Just the way he says 'I love you' is so earnest and heartfelt and the look in his eyes. That is the look of somebody in love. It may have taken time travel to get him to admit it but he loves her. I'm sorry to go all shippy, but I rest my case. Random Goodness: The way Mulder says, 'you', when he sees the 1939 CSM is like something straight out of an Indiana Jones movie. And I think we call all agree that his face when he hears the radio broadcast at the beginning is the definition of priceless. That is not the panic face we saw in Fight the Future... I still grin like an idiot every time I watch the scene where 1939 Skinner says 'God bless America, now get your a**es out of here'. He is just awesome. The split-screen moment between the two Scully's is pure genius. I feel like Mulder has a punch thrown at him every two minutes in this episode. Sum total: totally gorgeous insanity. Go watch it!

One of the very best

[ametaphysicalshark · 22 April 2008]

An all-time favorite. The German was pretty bad, but I can't really see much of a flaw otherwise. Mulder's first exchange of dialogue on the ship when he thought it had crossed into the 90's was hilarious ("we're having a little trouble in the white house right now, but it'll blow over, so to speak"), as was essentially the rest of the time on the ship (though the 'puttin' tame' line was quite cringe-worthy, although I imagine on purpose).

I have no problem with the 'lack of an X-Files feel'. To me, the X-Files feel was true creativity, and an episode done so creatively and excitingly, and so brilliantly directed, is just one of the best of the series.

10/10

If Salvador Dali wrote an episode of The X Files.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 10/10 · 13 September 2022]

Mulder is dragged out of the sea, and finds himself in a boat, and Naval officers claiming it's 1939.

Initially I didn't really know what was going on, but as it moves on it really opens up, it even makes logical sense, despite the elaborate opening fifteen minutes.

Nazis, Smoking man, The Lone Gunmen, it's got all of the main elements, throw in the wonderful, surreal plot, and you have a bit of a classic.

The Production team really did go to town, and have some fun with this, it looks awesome, great sets and costumes, the dance club looked fantastic, as did the cast, who clearly enjoyed their dual roles.

I loved The Spice Girls joke, that was funny, and so true.

Awesome, 10/10.

Beyond the Sea Where I Died

[AngelLysh · 10/10 · 6 September 2015]

Everyone has their favorite episode of The X-Files that isn't Bad Blood or something by Darin Morgan and Triangle is mine and it possibly exceeds all the others. The sixth season is the first season I watched live and Triangle is the first I fell in love with, so there's nostalgic reasons. Also, I love episodes that mention or deal with parts of news or history that make me want to research further. WWII and everything about the Bermuda Triangle did that for me. Also the sweeping continuous cinematography, the swing music, the present day characters playing different characters in the 1930s. It must have been as fun to make as it's fun to watch. Everyone is in it, from your shady CSM (alas the only Syndicate member) to Skinner and the Lone Gunman. This is another tale where something is happening to Mulder, the consequential story of another one of his pursuits (where he ditches Scully), but Scully is just as BA in the present as she in in the past. I'm still not completely sure if it all happened or if it was all in Mulder's head - the black eye suggests it was real - and you're either a Mulder or a Scully on where you stand in that matter. And my unashamed shipper heart sores every time I watch this episode. Season six is different; a little experimental and a little more humorous. And while I miss the Vancouver vibe, this episode will always be my special fave.

A Treat

[stiney-1 · 10/10 · 23 October 2008]

This is one of my favorite episodes. Anyone surprised by the look of IWTB should take a look back at this one and realize that sometimes this is how Chris works and it's not surprising at all.

I love the seamless scenes, I love the music that plays through most of the episode and the attitude of the characters is fantastic. Mulder has once again gotten himself into a fix, one that even he can't seem to believe, and it's up to Scully to go save him, a chore she's become extremely accustomed to.

The exchange between Skinner and Scully and Spender and Scully may be the highlights of the episode, Gillian does a very good job. Of course, there's no beating the end of this one if you're a shipper.

Amazing episode. Absolutely beautiful.

Jerrys, Swabbos, & Yanks, Oh My!

[Muldernscully · 8/10 · 19 January 2007]

Triangle is a very fun episode to watch. I love the continuous shots. After watch the episode with commentary by Chris Carter, I gained a greater appreciation for how the episode was filmed. It was a very daring and ambitious episode. It required a lot of preparation by the crew and actors to get it right. Ten minute takes would've been impossible so they disguised some clever edits to make it appear as if each segment was one take. In one elevator scene with Scully, the crew and extras had to scramble twice in a very short amount of time to make it look like Scully was exiting out of the elevator into a different hallway, although it was the same hallway each shot, but with different furniture and extras. Impressive. The period music was fun and catchy. I thought some of the lines were cheesy like "puttin' tame' and I'll tell you the same". Kersh as a Jamaican seemed kind of silly as well. Although this is a great episode, some of the lame dialogue and the lesser x-filesish feel prevent me from giving it full marks. All in all, Triangle is a great episode. It's no wonder it was nominated for several Emmy Awards. And as Mulder will attest to after all we went through, "there's no place no home".

"Seeing is believing."

[classicsoncall · 9/10 · 24 July 2017]

With all the present day associates Mulder deals with while on assignment with the X-Files, I had to wonder why the writers for this episode didn't come up with a way for him to come across 'himself' in the alternate universe of 1939. Wouldn't that have been something? As it is, the episode can be a little confusing aboard the Queen Anne, so be well prepared to pay attention to this one.

Time travel stories can tend to get a little carried away with themselves but this one was fairly straightforward. Although I did get a kick out of the revelation when Mulder discovered he was really back in time instead of the other way around. And just to provide some emphasis on how much Scully and Mulder don't care for one of their replacements investigating X-Files type cases, Scully managed to call Spender a weasel in both the real world and the alternate one. That was pretty neat.

I recall now as I re-watch these episodes, how cool I thought it was when Scully criss-crossed herself in the hallway aboard the Queen Anne, imagining some sort of recognition but unable to put a finger on it. Another scene that was a blast was when she planted a big one on Skinner (Mitch Pillegi) for getting the information she needed to find Mulder. Skinner played that one like he didn't know it was going to happen. Very good!

But the best was probably when real Mulder passionately kissed alt-Scully in what might possibly be a preview of where their relationship could be heading on the other side of the X-Files. Which made it all the more humorous when Mulder professed his love for Scully in the hospital, and all she could come up with in response was "Oh brother"!

a masterpiece

[mugwumpcylinder · 10/10 · 2 March 2020]

From the 'DVD Extras' Chris Carter had this crazy idea he got from Hitchcock, to shoot a 44 minute episode in 4 takes of 11 minutes each - everybody thought he was nuts. Especially hard because if you blow a line or miss your mark, back to the beginning to start all over again, like a play. Throw in some German make it even more difficult, split screens as transitions rather than cuts, and long camera pans - son of a gun they pulled it off, and what a magnificent piece of TV film making it was. Beautiful dialogue, scenery, music, frenetic pace and the usual fab chemistry between the main characters make this episode a wonder to behold.

Ranks among the best episodes of television, or anything really, that I've ever seen. A masterwork by actors, directors, crew and producers at the peak of their power. Apparently they struggled with the German a bit, but I can't find a single flaw.

10/10

Makes absolutely no sense

[sollyharv · 3/10 · 24 February 2021]

Amazing central premise but it does absolutely nothing with it. A bunch of poorly paced one-take scenes that build sluggishly to a non-resolution that means absolutely nothing. They were trying so hard with the gimmick that they forgot to include any substance or payoff. Total dross and a complete waste of time. How on earth is this episode so highly rated?

Great episode

[derangedxzombie · 9/10 · 22 July 2021]

It's a quite unusual one that at the start has you thinking "wtf is going on??", but it soon makes sense. It's great fun, if it doesn't make you smile then nothing will. Also the scenes are lengthy but all done in one take with no cut aways, which shows the talent of Duchovny & Anderson + other's.

Pretentious but fun episode

[wtdk123 · 1 April 2006]

An ambitious if slightly pretentious episode of "The X-Files" finds Mulder trapped on a British ship that disappeared 50 years ago in the Bermuda Triangle. The ship filled with American and British passengers was taken by Nazi officers all of whom look like Spender, Skinner, the Cigarette Smoking Man and Scully. He must figure out how to survive, help the passengers and return to our time. Meanwhile, Scully must get to the region believing that Mulder will be doomed without her help.

This is an ambitious, fun if slightly pretentious episode written and directed by Chris Carter. The writing is, for the most part, top notch although Scully is given little to do but run from place to place seeking help. While better than "The Post Modern Prometheus" it's still a placeholder in the sixth season of "The X-Files".

an odd ep

[hansenmv-76352 · 9/10 · 17 May 2019]

Right in the x-zone story-wise -- cc seemed more interested in playing with cameras and long shots -- by s6 - xf was out of its year-end are we canceled last day of shooting thing --- so cc stretched in remarkable ways

Fun, But Mostly Forgettable

[oz_13_was_taken · 4/10 · 7 June 2022]

Mulder goes back in time after venturing (by himself- a choice made only to incite a plot) into the Birmuda triangle to find a WWII era luxury ship called the Queen Anne.

While this episode does have some moments that I loved (the one-take scene with Scully trying to get help from three different people at the FBI went down as one of my favorite X-Files scenes ever), the stakes never really feel that big. And then there's the aspect of familiar characters appearing in 1939-era as different people. Were these ancestors? If so, that's one hell of a coincidence that all their paths would cross in present-day. After all, this was just a time warp, not a weird dimension where all the people Mulder knew would intersect. It just doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

There's a scene where Scully and the Lone Gunmen eventually arrive at the ship and it seems like it was a scene they had just to have it. There's no plot point that comes out of them actually boarding the ship and looking around. The ending feels extremely rushed, too. Mulder tells past-Scully "you've gotta convince them to turn this ship around!" then jumps ship. That's pretty much how it's all solved. It's a climatic part of the story where you're expecting more and it just... ends.

One of the good things the episode had going for it is location. It was filmed aboard the R. M. S. Queen Mary in Long Beach, a place I've been to countless times and adore. So that was neat. Other than that, this episode just isn't that memorable and feels like it needed to be a two-parter.

Worst episode ever

[mark-elms71 · 1/10 · 4 March 2018]

I am a huge fan of The X Files. It is honestly one of my favourite TV shows ever. But this episode is without doubt the worst of the entire series.

Firstly, the episode makes no sense. Of course, many episodes in the past have been odd, but have at least followed their own internal logic. Triangle does not do this. Characters from the present randomly appear on board the Queen Anne to play Nazis/ship crew/innocent bystanders. But why? There is no reason behind this.

Secondly, the accents. Dodgy British/Irish/German/Jamaican accents aplenty in this episode. The poor accent work is not only annoying but becomes painful on a number of occasions; Chris Owens' Nazi officer being the worst offender.

Thirdly, the long takes. Extended takes have been used really effectively in the history of cinema (Touch of Evil, Goodfellas, Children of Men). These are effective when they offer something to the story. Unfortunately, this episode becomes as distracting and jarring as the similarly overrated Birdman, which also uses long takes for none other than purely aesthetic reasons. Style over substance of the highest order, and that is simply unforgivable.

Triangle is not fun, it is just irritating.

Brain damaged Mulder

[apd8 · 1/10 · 21 March 2022]

Since he was captured on the ship, Mulder seemed to act more idiotic than usual. His behavior seemed really oddly irrational. I wonder why they did not shoot him right away.

There have been many episodes that what Mulder said did not really explain things and he did not even try to make it sound more convincing to people. Then the smartass agent let them kill innocent men until they had a gun at a lady's head. Horny much?

Also, I wonder back then they did not have a lot of light, did they? Every episode was dark most of the time and things could not be seen, might as well show the black screen.