Beyond the Sea

"Beyond the Sea" was the first episode to center around Scully, as precious little about her life had been known previously, and is arguably the best of the episodes that did so. The frenzied Luther Boggs, played impeccably by Brad Dourif, leaves such an imprint that every monster-of-the-week from this point forward faces the challenge of living up to him. His spotlight is shared by Gillian Anderson's Emmy-warranting performance, that peaks in a confrontation with Boggs shortly after Mulder has been shot ("no one will be able to stop me from being the one that will throw the switch and gas you out of this life for good, you son of a bitch!").

This is easily the best episode of the first season and very likely one of the best of the entire series. David Nutter's directing sheds animation at every angle, with multiple scenes feeling like something out of a David Lynch film. Although numerous episodes would tackle Scully's struggle between belief and denial, "Beyond the Sea" was the first to do so, and the on-screen chemistry between Anderson and Dourif is one of the best pairings on any X-File, if not television. The only negative thing about it is that it made me wish Boggs had been brought back in a future ep! 10/10

'Beyond the Sea' is the first time where Mulder and Scully reverse their roles as believer and skeptic. But the most amazing part is the role of Brad Dourif as serial killer Luther Boggs - deep, emotional and intense. Played with nuance and bravura and without feeling one bit hammy. Probably one of the best performances great Brad Dourif has ever given. We also see other side of agent Dana Scully whose father died at the beginning of the episode. Her inner fighting and on the edge of falling apart under the pressure of psychopath Boggs who claims to own psychic powers. Tense psychological play between the two characters reminds little bit Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lecter in 'The Silence of the Lambs'. The intensity is there in both occasions. One of the best episodes and definitely the most haunting one from the season one.

Little bit of trivia - there is a cap of NICAP in the Mulder's office.

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