Beyond the Sea

The pair are called in to help with two missing students, Mulder believes a Serial killer is to blame. Scully had to deal with a personal tragedy.

This is a terrific episode, no wonder it's so highly rated, and such a fan favourite. This first series has given us multiple styles, even genres. This fits into the psychological thriller bracket.

Very much a Scully central episode, she had a big story here, she's forced to admit to things against the backdrop of her father's death. Anderson is terrific.

Brad Dourif is sensational as Luther Lee Boggs, he is truly brilliant here.

It's great, 9/10.

Beyond the Sea is arguably the best episode of season one. It's a pity that Morgan & Wong didn't stay with the X-Files throughout its duration. They wrote another masterpiece here. This episode is not about a serial killer named Lucas Henry. It's about Scully and her interactions with Luther Boggs, a death row inmate, who is supposedly channeling her deceased father. This is the first X-Files episode where Mulder and Scully switch the roles of believer and skeptic. Scully is not sure whether to believe Boggs or not. The dialogue between Scully and Boggs is very powerful. Of note is their exchange after Mulder is shot by Lucas Henry. There's not a lot of action in this episode. It is secondary to the drama between Scully and Boggs. Morgan and Wong actually gave up their script writing fees for this episode in order for production to be able to afford Brad Dourif to play Luther Boggs. Brad Dourif is incredible and was worth every cent they payed him. People tell me, "I think of Finding Nemo when I hear the song 'Beyond the Sea'". But for any X-phile, you know exactly what you think of when you hear 'Beyond the Sea'.

Beyond the Sea the Limerick:

Dana Scully's dad has died.

She misses him deep down inside.

When she works on a case,

She again sees his face

On a psychic criminal, then cried.

Having watched this and Season 8's "Per Manum" back to back, the latter being the first and the former watched afterwards, the first thing I have to talk about is what a shock it was to the system of this viewer to see a much much younger and slightly chubbier Scully on a low budget film and sets. I couldn't quite get over the huge difference between Season 8 and Season 1 Scully for the first few minutes until we first meet Boggs. Then I just settled in and enjoyed the show as I would had I never noticed anything. Boggs is such an awesome character and I think is very possibly the best guest star on the show ever. Brad Dourif is so great at those overly exaggerated facial expressions and makes you really believe that this is one crazy messed up guy. I love especially the scene where he relates Scully's story of when she had her first cigarette and he is playing with his hair like a little girl, and also his face as he suppresses letting the spirit of Scully's dad talk to her unless he gets a deal. This is just such a great all around episode with amazing performances by everyone involved. 10/10

I would say this episode is the most intense yet compared to standard x-files episodes one of the most challenging to watch.Different and daring,the usual x-files action and special effects takes a back seat.In it's place is dialogue and drama.The character Luther Boggs is one of the most fascinating ever written in the x-files and high praise must be heaped upon the writers of "Beyond The Sea"Not the most accessible of all the x-files episodes but without a doubt one of the engaging.The actor Brad Dourif who plays Luther Boggs is great and his scenes with Scully are an integral part of this episode.The drama and tension created between the two is brilliant and for once Scully seems to be a believer

Wow! I cant put into words my feelings towards this amazing episode. When i first watched this i had just recently lost a loved one and upon watching this it touched me so deeply. Brad Dourif's performance is at the heart of this episode, it is awe-inspiring. He is such an underrated actor. I don't believe in "channeling" but he certainly made it look real! As a Scully centered episode it serves to showcase Gillian Anderson's talent. She amazed me in this, the emotion she portrays is so real you can almost grasp it. Glenn Morgan and James Wong wrote another masterpiece here.

It is easily the best episode of season one. Heck! One of the best episodes in the entire series run.

Scully: Im afraid to believe...