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What did you like and dislike about The Event Series (S10)?

posted 8 years ago by Vividism
37 replies | jump to latest

Here's what I liked about season ten of The X-Files...

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My Struggle:

I liked parts of Mulder's voiceover (flaws aside), loved the UFO crash, and really enjoyed all the visuals of the 1947 flashbacks (continuity problems aside). I liked M&S with Tad meeting Sveta at her house. I also enjoyed the visuals of the ARV presentation (despite the pointlessness of it), the ARV destruction, and Sveta's death scene. M&S in the garage near the end, especially the atmosphere, was enjoyable (certain problems aside). I liked how CSM was revealed at the end (from a purely visual standpoint, despite the absurdity of his ridiculously cartoonish resurrection).

Founder's Mutation:

I loved the teaser, and loved the short M&S interaction right after the teaser, during which Mulder unlocks and steals the phone. Loved most visuals in this episode, including the underwater stuff, and the birds. Kyle breaking out of his mother's belly was gory, but well done. I enjoyed the highly emotional daydream sequences as well. Kyle and Molly finally meeting was also very emotional and well done (despite the ridiculously abrupt and senseless ending).

Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster:

I enjoyed when Pasha gets surprised by Mulder and Scully sneaking up behind him. I enjoyed the hotel manager drinking rubbing alcohol and telling Mulder "Now go away, or I'll kill you." I liked Alex Diakun playing him. I also enjoyed seeing the two stoners in the teaser. I liked the psychiatrist asking Mulder about who is really in need of help in this case.

Home Again:

I loved the teaser, and it's probably my favorite teaser of the revival. I liked Trashman's art. Although I'm not a huge William fan, I liked that they acknowledged how stupid the adoption was. Band-Aid Nose Man was scary (despite the MOTW not being the focus). The various death scenes were well done. I also really liked Gillian Anderson's acting in this episode. The dialogue at the end was emotional, well written, and the visuals were very nice.

Babylon:

I thought the teaser was intense and enjoyable. I liked the visuals of Mulder's trip as he's "up there" in the clouds. I loved the scene when Mulder tries to recollect, and successfully recollects, in front of Scully, Miller and Einstein, what he heard Shiraz tell him in his trip. I enjoyed Miller and Einstein discussing M&S near the end. I enjoyed the visuals of the porch scene and walk in the field (NOT the dialogue), and I also enjoyed the "zoom out" revealing earth at the end.

My Struggle II:

I enjoyed some parts of Scully's voiceover (huge continuity problems aside). Scully morphing into the alien looked great, too. Mulder's fight with the goon was technically well done. I loved the visuals and especially the music near the end as Scully is driving, trying to locate Mulder and Miller. The UFO scene, and the UFO itself, looked great (from a purely visual standpoint). I enjoyed seeing Reyes again (despite her character assassination and other problems). I also liked CSM's house/residence.

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As you can see, I mostly enjoyed the cinematography and certain atmosphere here and there. Many visuals were quite enjoyable, and a few intense, emotional scenes. Overall, in terms of storytelling and actual content of the episodes, there is really not much I liked.

So here's a list of what I didn't like...

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My Struggle:

- The fact that CC got the most basic information about Mulder wrong (regarding Samantha) in the first 60 seconds of the season premiere. This is quite an accomplishment.

- The enormously poor attempt at retconning a mythology which was gradually developed throughout nine seasons, without even the slightest attempt at reconciliation. This is including but not limited to the grey alien's blood acting like normal blood.

- The embarrassing porch scene ("you so badly want to believe!") which was thought to be a parody when aired at a screening event. Several participants sent tweets afterwards saying they thought it was a parody, many of them being absolutely convinced that FOX played a joke on them.

- The "I only want to believe" line in Tad's limo. They weren't discussing colonization or anything specific, but the UFO phenomenon in general. And Mulder says that he only "wants" to believe because real evidence is hard to come by, despite everything he has seen and experienced, including but not limited to Gibson Praise, or Mulder himself being abducted, experimented on, dying, and resurrecting.

- Lots of dialogue.

- The M&S estrangement which added absolutely nothing to the stories and wasn't explored at all.

- Sveta being the key to everything.

- Mulder changing his entire belief system because a girl with fuzzy memories (Sveta) told him that she was taken by men (which is old news and completely pointless information).

- CSM surviving after getting struck directly by a missile the last time we saw him.

Founder's Mutation:

- The pacing. Even though I felt every episode of S10 had unusual pacing, it bothered me the most in this episode.

- Mulder explaining to Scully that the Syndicate was trying to create alien-human hybrids, when in fact the season premiere holds the premise that everything they believed in was a lie.

- The abrupt ending immediately cutting to Skinner after M&S pass out.

Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster:

- Mulder looking and acting like a complete moron.

- Scully's "funny cases" line, probably the most out-of-character line in the history of the show.

- Scully's "taking your meds" line.

- Scully's sex scene.

- The whole episode feeling like an over the top parody, a lengthy SNL skit.

- Mulder's X-Files ringtone.

- The fact that every possible easter egg was thrown in the episode just to get more praise from fans.

- The monster looking extremely fake / cheap. I know that it was meant to look "classic", but IMO it looked unbelieveably stupid, reminding me of those aliens from the sci-fi show "Babylon 5".

Home Again:

- Mulder explaining to the Trashman how a Tulpa would never hurt anyone, when in fact he investigated a case in "Arcadia" in which a Tulpa was murdering people, and saw with his own eyes how the Tulpa was killing Mr. Gogolak. This is an inexcusable blunder.

- 50% of the episode revolving around Scully's mother calling for Charlie.

- A strange, unresolved ending. Not unusual for TXF, but this episode takes it to another level. Mulder and Scully witness the Trashman's creatures with their own eyes, plus they have his admission about being connected to the murderer, and yet he's not taken in for questioning. He is just seen leaving at the end. And on top of that, who was driving the garbage truck?

- The fact that a MOTW with great potential was ruined by the writer's attempt to squeeze two episodes into one.

Babylon:

- Mulder's dance sequence.

- Introducing two characters strongly resembling M&S.

- Einstein's over-the-top behavior and facial expressions, probably nothing to do with the actress, but due to CC's directing.

- Mulder being painted as a hardcore atheist when in fact throughout the show he was shown to be merely anti-religion, which is a big difference.

- Scully a great medical doctor just standing there saying "I'm sorry" to Shiraz's mother after her son flatlines, doing nothing to try and save him.

- Wasting The Lone Gunmen in such a manner.

- Lots of dialogue, especially the M&S conversation at the end.

My Struggle 2:

- The continuation of the poor retconning from episode 1.

- Scully showing photos of Syndicate members including Krycek while talking about the new conspiracy.

- The whole viral apocalypse feeling fake/unnatural.

- The complete incoherence of the new mythology.

- The Old Man not appearing, when episode 1 presents him as being important, dedicating lots of flashbacks to him.

- Reyes being on the "other" side.

- Mulder not having immunity, meaning the whole savior nonsense from Amor-Fati and being described as "immune against the coming viral apocalypse" was all simply the result of making everything up on the spot with no clear agenda.

- The revelation that CSM only needed his face reconstructed after a missile struck his body directly and destroyed the entire magnetite structure he was hiding in.

- Paranoid!Mulder conveniently leaving a find-my-phone application on his computer, right there on the desktop, and without any password protection to open the application.

- The ridiculous cliffhanger with no real purpose story-wise. No concept, no plan, nothing. Simply to promote more episodes and be as shocking as possible. CC practically admitted this in an IndieWire interview.

- The dialogue having the quality of a sci-fi "C-" direct-to-dvd release. Too many examples to list, so I may open a thread dedicated to that.

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Yeah, I think it's pretty clear that I'm not a fan of S10. The bad definitely outweighs the good. I honestly consider "My Struggle II" to be the worst episode of The X-Files ever (not only S10). On top of all the continuity problems that are destructive to the series, we also have the terrible dialogue and overall cheesiness that only makes it much worse.

To sum it all up, I view the revival as a big failure and a huge missed opportunity. It was a disaster in terms of critics on an international level. The ratings were saved thanks to fan loyalty, devotion, and nostalgia. Because of devotion and love for Mulder and Scully and the stories surrounding them, and not because of the quality of the season. To the fans that enjoyed it, that's fine. To each their own, as usual.

Now, what did you like and dislike about season ten? Please share.

[–] boy19 8 years ago

As what others have said before, I felt as though they tried to accomplish too much with too many few episodes. If they knew that they only had six episodes then they should have aimed to develop an ongoing mytharc story throughout the whole event series with maybe one or two serious stand alones along the way.

By the end of the series I would have wanted the 2012 invasion storyline to be resolved and for the show to have closure in a mytharc sense and to leave it open for future stand alone feature length releases maybe split into three parts.

Its a shame but hopefully we shall see some new gems in season 11 - if it happens!

[–] WhoToTrust 8 years ago

Feel better now?

If not, how many of these trash Season 10 posts/threads do you imagine it might take till you have it all out of your system?

I don't know about anyone else, but I've lost track of your count even at this point.

[–] alphabase17 8 years ago

Isn't this faux objective post a copy and paste from Haven? LOL

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Vividism 8 years ago

I really don't like season 10 but what this group of posters is doing at the Haven, is really too much. They should get a life. And the ironic thing is that all those haters are going to watch season 11, if it happens.

You shouldn't keep reading such boards then.

And of course we'll watch season 11.

[–] NewFossil 8 years ago

You shouldn't keep reading such boards then.

And of course we'll watch season 11.

LOL No, I don't read all of it, not even close. Besides, you read 1-3 posts and you read them all.

[–] GAGoddess 8 years ago

Haven used to be happening, but now it's just an echo chamber of woe. The same 10 or so people have been posting the same complaints since...January? February, maybe. Most of the moderate, fun people left months to years ago. It's sad what's happened over there. Poor Konrad. The fanfic and GA folders are the only reason to visit that place. Unless you like negative circle jerks.

I liked that the show returned.

I disliked that some fans can't accept reality.

[–] NewFossil 8 years ago

The fanfic and GA folders are the only reason to visit that place. Unless you like negative circle jerks.

True. GA folder is really good and friendly.

As for season 10. I disliked it for the most part but bitching and whining all the time. No, thanks.

[–] Wookieebitch 8 years ago

Unless you like negative circle jerks.

No wonder OP likes it so much.

[–] alphabase17 8 years ago

Sadly, I have to agree with you. GA folder is the only folder I visit regularly, maybe because she has so many interesting projects and her fans are mostly very nice and helpful, and don't mount vicious attacks on the actress and the show.

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Vividism 8 years ago

Isn't this faux objective post a copy and paste from Haven? LOL

Well duh, I post at the Haven as "Brookline", no secret there.

And nothing is "faux objective" when I explicitly state and have stated tons of times that I view season ten as a total train wreck. When I add everything I like about it, it comes out to about 5% total.

The thing is, I -- a season ten hater -- do not jump at season ten fans. I've repeatedly said that if someone enjoyed it, good for them. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for many season ten fans here at IMDb who will try and attack anyone who dares to criticize these episodes.

I only criticize the episodes. Not the fans.

Perhaps you should try to grasp that.

[–] alphabase17 8 years ago

My post was about a copied and pasted post, not about vividism. Perhaps vividism should try to grasp that.

[–] Wookieebitch 8 years ago

vividism has trouble grasping a lot of things.

[–] Vividism 8 years ago

My post was about a copied and pasted post, not about vividism. Perhaps vividism should try to grasp that.

You are being incoherent. Your post was precisely about me, hence the nonsensical "faux objective" remark. Furthermore, I did not copy and paste someone else's post, as it is me who posted this at the Haven where I post as "Brookline". I simply posted the same thing on two boards.

Why does that bother you so much?

What is not objective about saying "I despise season ten and there are very few things I liked about it"?

So much for "grasping".

I have every damn right to say that season ten was bad, and honestly, the vast majority of critics would agree with me that CC's episodes of season ten were absolutely atrocious, with "My Struggle II" being downright embarrassing.

That said, you are free to love it and praise it as a masterpiece (if you wish), and I am free to despise it and criticize it (as I do and will continue to do).

The problem? I don't see one. You could've actually participated in the thread by listing the things you liked and disliked, instead of some juvenile smear attempt that has nothing to do with reality.

Now speaking of reality, it is really the content of my thread that bothered you, and nothing else but the content. It was my opinion that "season ten is garbage" that bothered you, and not whether anything was copied and pasted from somewhere else. That's the truth really, and it can be applied to several IMDb posters who appear as if they would badly injure anyone who expresses dislike toward season ten of The X-Files.

Somewhat disturbing, honestly, and one of them is even on my ignore list for quite some time.

Be as it may, please stick to the topic (season ten likes and dislikes), because I will not further respond to off-topic remarks. Season ten defenders and CC apologists need to finally comprehend that harshly criticizing season ten, even repeatedly on different forums, is neither a crime nor blasphemy.

[–] alphabase17 8 years ago

You are being incoherent. Your post was precisely about me, hence the nonsensical "faux objective" remark. Furthermore, I did not copy and paste someone else's post, as it is me who posted this at the Haven where I post as "Brookline". I simply posted the same thing on two boards.

vividism still thinks it's about vividism. No. It's about unproductive copying and pasting content without acknowledging it (autoplagiarism, in this particular case). So much for not sticking to the topic.

[–] baileythedog 8 years ago

No. It's about unproductive copying and pasting content without acknowledging it (autoplagiarism, in this particular case). So much for not sticking to the topic.

What on earth is "autoplagarism" in the world of fan boards?

And honestly, who gives a damn whether or not the same poster posts the same thing in two different forums? Particularly if the same people complaining about it are complaining in two different forums?

[–] alphabase17 8 years ago

And honestly, who gives a damn whether or not the same poster posts the same thing in two different forums?

I do. Both about autoplagiarism and posting "the same thing" on and on. You will have to live with that.

[–] baileythedog 8 years ago

I do. Both about autoplagiarism and posting "the same thing" on and on. You will have to live with that.

I will have to live with you posting the same thing on and on about posters posting the same thing on and on? Even though the vast majority of us do not visit the Haven?

What a cop you are. Thank you for protecting us. And your "autoplagarism" gets a giant guffaw in terms of inanity.

[–] Wookieebitch 8 years ago

What a cop you are. Thank you for protecting us.

 You're so funny but you probably don't even know why.

[–] baileythedog 8 years ago

You're so funny but you probably don't even know why.

It certainly wouldn't be because you said anything clever.

Please, continue on in your whiny, mom-boards way. It is certainly the only thing of value you add.

[–] alphabase17 8 years ago

I will have to live with you posting the same thing on and on about posters posting the same thing on and on? Even though the vast majority of us do not visit the Haven?

No, canine bailey. You either pretend you misunderstood or you really misunderstood, and neither of these options does you favours.

[–] baileythedog 8 years ago

No, canine bailey. You either pretend you misunderstood or you really misunderstood, and neither of these options does you favours.

Trust me, I understand your "outrage" just fine. Just calling it for the mindlessness and idiocy that it is.

Who cares if Vividism posts the same content on two different boards, one which you've previously noted is heavily used by, at best, 10 people and the vast majority of us here never see? What is the actual argument against that? Other than being stupidly contrary to someone whose opinion you don't share, do you have a legitimate concern that doesn't make you look like a clown?

[–] Vividism 8 years ago

Trust me, I understand your "outrage" just fine. Just calling it for the mindlessness and idiocy that it is.

Who cares is Vividism posts the same content on two different boards, one which you've previously noted is heavily used by, at best, 10 people and the vast majority of us here never see? What is the actual argument against that? Other than being stupidly contrary to someone whose opinion you don't share, do you have a legitimate concern that doesn't make you look like a clown?

I know this wasn't directed towards me, but nonetheless I felt the need to respond.

You and I have strongly disagreed on the quality of season ten, and I do appreciate you pointing out the obvious idiocy in question, but I'd like to just point something out regarding the bolded part above:

The Haven is not heavily used by "only ten people". Whoever told you this is misrepresenting the facts and oversimplifying the situation. Season ten has been slammed by the vast majority of Haven users as the season aired. In fact, what I've been doing over here on IMDb is nothing compared to some of the texts that have been written there. Now, after the season finale aired, people expected that the forum would become a ghost town until a possible season eleven announcement. However, even though tons of people did indeed leave, the board has remained surprisingly active and is far from a ghost town.

I'd say currently there are definitely more than "10 people" who are actively slamming season ten on a regular basis, whenever they get a chance to say something about it. This number is obviously lower, but only because the other ones who've been slamming it have left the board shortly after the finale.

The whole ten-people-at-the-haven nonsense is only thrown around by people who wish to downplay the negativity and overall reception of season ten. It is sufficient to merely look at tons of older threads at the Haven going several months back as the season aired, and anyone should get a clear picture of how well received the season was over there.

FWIW, fan reception of the revival, in my view:

Facebook: Mostly positive
Twitter: Mixed to positive
Tumblr: Mostly negative
Haven: Mostly negative
Reddit: Mixed to negative
IMDb board: Mixed

To make things clear, the Haven has always been, and will continue to be the most comprehensive X-Files forum on the internet. The only thing I can compare it to is the old amazing "alt.tv.x-files" USENET group which had tons of content back in the day. I can also confidently say that close to 90% of Haven users truly despised season ten, including the webmaster, Konrad.

Whoever doubts what I'm saying is free to join the board. To avoid negativity, there is a "cherish the past" section that has nothing to do with season ten, and there are always interesting discussions to read and participate in.

Just my two cents.

And thanks again for pointing out the idiocy in criticizing me for posting the same content on different boards.

[–] Vividism 8 years ago

Feel better now?

Yes. Thank you.

how many of these trash Season 10 posts/threads do you imagine it might take till you have it all out of your system?

Oh boy, it's gonna take a while. I'm guessing a minimum of 20 additional threads about the garbage that is season ten. Why not?

Come join us at the Haven so you can see tons of similar threads.

I don't know about anyone else, but I've lost track of your count even at this point.

Click on my username and start counting. That's a start.

[–] WhoToTrust 8 years ago

A simple No would have sufficed...

....although you've become so predictable at this point there was really no answer required anyway.

And if you were actually being as objective in your posts as you obviously like to think you are, your list of "Likes" wouldn't have been the disclaimer-filled dislikes that they obviously were.

The other responses were right, there are objective critiques, and then there is what you're doing.

[–] Vividism 8 years ago

A simple No would have sufficed...

....although you've become so predictable at this point there was really no answer required anyway.

Why yes, of course. I'm very predictable for criticizing season ten. Just like many here on IMDb are very predictable for jumping at anyone who criticizes it, often attempting personal smears that have nothing to do with the actual episodes. And now we've reached a new level of absurdity: A person who generally dislikes season ten says that he liked some (very few) parts of it, and it supposedly means that he is lying / deceiving / not being objective... even though he states in the same thread that he believes the bad strongly outweighs the good, and that it is still a bad season.

Your reaction to this thread, along with the previous poster who is now on ignore, really indicate that you and your "group" are truly an oversensitive bunch.

And if you were actually being as objective in your posts as you obviously like to think you are, your list of "Likes" wouldn't have been the disclaimer-filled dislikes that they obviously were.

Nonsense. Not objective would've been if I had said there is absolutely nothing good in season ten. If I had said that I didn't like anything whatsoever, I'd really be lying. But is there "lots of good" in season ten? In my view, and in the view of the vast majority of critics, absolutely not. So what?

If I say that most of my "likes" are revolving around the visuals and atmosphere of certain scenes/sequences, what is not objective about that? If I say that I enjoyed parts of Mulder's voiceover, flaws aside, what is not objective?

If I say that "in my opinion" the bad strongly outweighs the good, what is not objective? You know very well that it is simply the critictism itself that bothers you. It simply pains you to see this season being labeled as a piece of trash. And I understand that, but at least be honest about it.

The other responses were right, there are objective critiques, and then there is what you're doing.

If you think that what I'm doing in my threads is harshly criticizing season ten, then I invite you to join the largest X-Files forum on the Internet - Idealistshaven. Because, if you think that my posts are harsh / unfair / not objective, then you ain't seen nothin' yet. 

And while you're at it, please send a complaint to Rottentomatoes to take down all those reviews who slam "My Struggle II" in such a harsh way, better than I ever could.

I will also continue to post season ten threads right here on IMDb, because... why not?

[–] Wookieebitch 8 years ago

Your reaction to this thread, along with the previous poster who is now on ignore, really indicate that you and your "group" are truly an oversensitive bunch.

Poor baby. You put somebody on ignore because you didn't understand what they said and then you complain about others being oversensitive. Priceless.

[–] WhoToTrust 8 years ago

Your reaction to this thread, along with the previous poster who is now on ignore, really indicate that you and your "group" are truly an oversensitive bunch.

by Wookieebitch » Poor baby. You put somebody on ignore because you didn't understand what they said and then you complain about others being oversensitive. Priceless.

My mistake really. I should really know better at this point that even TRYING with some posters is going to end up being wasted effort.

That they think their oversensitive assessments of our posts as "reactions" are accurate at all is usually indication enough that in reality they don't know half as much as they obviously like to think they do.

Giving up all hope for them is not the answer though, so tomorrow is another day...

[–] Wookieebitch 8 years ago

Vividism and clyons really do have a lot in common. It's easier to ignore and cry about hostilities than it is to actually engage in a conversation or I don't know, even bothering to understand what you read. It's really no surprise that the intellectually challenged run for the ignore button like it's their best friend.

[–] fjk1138-731-161881 7 years ago

Liked:. Mulder and Scully, 2nd and 3rd episodes

Disliked:. Crap editing, crap mythology story line, season was so short it was almost over before it started.

[–] mgreen9715 7 years ago

There is always going to be the complaint that the season is too short or that there are too many episodes, though. Nobody wins.

[–] boy19 7 years ago

I don't think it would have felt as short or rushed if all six episodes belonged to one mytharc story. Maybe opening with a two parter, closing with a two parter and two mytharc semi related stand alones in the middle. It's easier to say in hindsight what would have been better however I didn't love it or hate it. I found some episodes better than others.

[–] Samson_Lee 7 years ago

Agreed, I wanted more mytharc. I hope with season 11 being 10 episodes, they can at least do 5 of each or at least 4 myths. I kinda miss those traditional myth 2-parters they have in the middle of the season.

[–] Wookieebitch 7 years ago

I think some people just like to complain. It seems that some only come here to complain and can't find anything positive to say. I know that when I don't like a show I don't go on the message board for said show and spend oodles of time complaining about it. I find a show I do like. I'll bet some of these people who keep saying they don't want more X-Files will actually watch season 11 and come back here to complain about it.

[–] grimlockmm 7 years ago

The writers cannot win.
Some fans like the monster of the week episodes more.
Others the mytharc.

[–] Wookieebitch 7 years ago

The writers cannot win.

No, they can't. Especially when so many tend to focus on the negative rather than seeking the positive.