Ice

This was truly a tense and dark episode. Excellently executed, wonderful acting and atmospheric directing, 'Ice' is one of my favorite episodes. Along with 'Pusher' 'Grotesque' 'Wetwired' and 'Home' (these are quite good in dark atmosphere in my case) It seem quite realistic to me, their paranoia, their suspicion and their ever growing rage was perfectly executed by the great actors. However, 'Ice' had a problem that I got over after a few watches: IT WAS TOO SHORT! I WANTED MORE!

Overall, 'ice' had what 98% of all X Files episodes have: Excellent acting, Intense story-writing, gritty directing. All the works.

10 out of 10

Wow! It's hard to put into words my feelings for this episode. Ice is one of the best episodes of season one for sure. It's my favorite of the season. Six people and a dog in a claustrophobic structure isolated in the middle of the arctic with an unknown organism that causes murderous aggression, the drama can't get any better than that. Paranoia reigns supreme as even Mulder and Scully have doubts about each other's sanity. I've heard people complain about this episode's similarities to the movie 'The Thing'. I haven't seen it, so I wouldn't know. Ice is more than worth watching just to see Mulder and Scully truly testing their still developing trust of one another. This episode is intense and suspenseful to the end. You won't be disappointed!

A true stand out episode from season 1 is what Ice is.An artic location,claustrophobic conditions and a general feel of paranoia looming in the freezing air makes this is a must see episode from season one.The previous occupants of the artic station Mulder,Scully and four others go to have either killed each other or killed themselves.A virus is bringing out murderous aggression and is responsible for bringing out deadly paranoia and fear.Mulder and Scully actually begin to question each others sanity.Tension is that high.The writers have to receive great credit for creating that sort of scenario where the atmosphere is so tense Mulder and Scully come into conflict in such a direct manner

Mulder and Scully are sent to the Arctic along with a few specialists to explain why a team of Geophysicists killed one another.

This is up there with Tooms as contender for series one's best episode. This is pure horror, as my title indicates it is very much an homage to The Thing, plus it has that vibe Agatha Christie created, where one by one the numbers dwindle, and nobody knows who's next, or who's guilty.

This still has the scare factor, watch as paranoia mounts up, and everyone begins to suspect one another.

The unease between Mulder and Scully is brilliant, they are still developing as partners, but here the relative lack of knowledge about one another plays a part.

A great cast featuring Felicity Huffman, they are all on top form.

Superb, 10/10

"Ice" is Glen Morgan and James Wong's take on "The Thing", and is a wonderfully executed homage (right down to the production of and sets in the episode and the cinematography, there are several shout-outs to John Carpenter's 1982 classic). It never feels too dependent on the well-known story, however, thanks to a unique X-Files spin on the situation through Mulder and Scully.

As is always expected there are a couple of hilarious lines ("Before anyone passes judgment, may I remind you, we are in the Arctic."), and the supporting characters are excellent here (as is the cast, featuring the guy who played Bania on "Seinfeld" and Felicity Huffman). "Ice" is one of few season one episodes which looks just as good as later episodes on the show. The photography is quite sophisticated (although nowhere near what Bartley would accomplish with, say, season 3's "Grotesque"), and the direction from relatively frequent X-Files director David Nutter is excellent, keeping the atmosphere as claustrophobic as possible. In addition, Mark Snow's score here is better than anything he had done previously on the show, and the special effects work is excellent.

Although "Squeeze" is excellent, "Ice" was the show's first great episode, an all-around triumph of mood and atmosphere, and with a fine script by X-Files regulars James Wong and Glen Morgan.

9/10