Squeeze

Not one of my favorites, but still a legendary episode from season 1 and not just because of it being the first MOTW episode. Doug Hutchison (best known for his performance in The Green Mile, a Stephen King adaptation) is an absolutely brilliant actor. He raises the creep factor up to 11 -- you really get a sense that he loved this script/character and wanted to give it his all. I love how much of a cult following this episode has. It deserves it!

Squeeze was the very first stand alone X file to be created. Chris Carter was adamant and rightly so that the show couldn't sustain itself only with UFO related stories so Glen Morgan and James Wong wrote this wonderfully unique and original story.

First of all the genius of the X files was in its decision to have stand alone episodes, it set the show apart from any other in that along with an ongoing theme or plot the viewer could enjoy essentially miniature movies every other week, the creators could use all sorts of creative ammunition for these and dark edgy serial killer stories were often the best.

Squeeze is the first of these. The plot surfaces as three people are dead victims of an animalistic serial killer. Agent Tom Colton contacts old friend Dana Scully because there is no sign of entry at anywhere in the victims homes, many were found with the windows and doors locked.

Scully brings Mulder down to the latest crime scene and he uncovers an elongated fingerprint on a ventilation shaft. From this point on in the episode Mulder is tracing the serial murders to other sets that have occurred in thirty year intervals (1933, 1963).

Squeeze is incredibly stylistic the opening scene where we see the serial killer at work claiming a victim was magnificent we don't see anything but a pair of disturbing eyes lurking in the sewers and a ventilation shaft slowly opening.

Mark Snows somewhat electronic choice is unsettling and effective. There are some fantastic choices of cinematography for example when Mulder runs back into 66 Exeter street a condemned building and a greenish fog like effect is in place on the streets.

Doug Hutchinson turns in a wonderfully reserved and creepy performance as Eugene Victor Tooms the perpetrator of the murders, most notably his stare when he is originally arrested, or his expressionless emotionless response to the questions when he takes a lie detector test.

This episode is by no means perfect though, the chief problem with it is the performance from David Duchovny as Fox Mulder it is by no means bad, but he simply had not perfected his act. The way he acts and behaves towards the serial killings are very uncharacteristic of later Fox Mulder approach given its his first stand alone to work in its understandable. In general he is just lacking in some elements (Dark suit and trench coat? Dark and controlled demeanour). He just doesn't act at all like he does in even late season 1.

On a whole squeeze is a fantastic episode, the story was original very original and it really just serves very well in departments X files would become famous for, atmosphere music and an unusual serial killer tale.

I don't think it competes with the classic stand alones of later series (Grotesque, irresistible) but certainly it remains in and around the top five stand alones ever made. An old classic that really got people talking about what this great show could do.

This is my favorite episode of all the X-Files shows. Mulder and Scully investigate a series of killings where the room is sealed (windows and doors locked) from the inside and the victims liver is missing. As Mulder and Scully look into this more and more they find that this happens every thirty years. Five people are found dead with their liver missing.

Doug Hutchison (The Green Mile) plays Eugene Victor Tooms. He does a great job too, he makes you believe he couldn't hurt a fly, but then he scares you when he starts killing. The one thing that I can never shake from this episode is his eyes, watch those eyes.

This episode kept my interest in the rest of the show. I felt that the theme of no home is safe was really creepy. My opinion you should see this episode even if you don't like the rest of the series. It really is ahead of the curve in every way.

See you next time X-Files fans and watch the skies.

Wow. I remember the first I watched this episode (I was around 12 back then), I thought X Files was just a show about a guy trying to prove the existence of extraterrestrial life. I was so not ready or prepare for this. After watching it, I just couldn't sleep alone for 3 days. This is such a great episode. So scary and really violent. I still can't believe they aired that on national television. Back then, it was revolutionary (especially in France where french TVseries are just crap). This is the first episode written by Glen Morgan and James Wong, my favorite writers on the show. We see for the first time that Mulder is not appreciate by his colleagues. Ther are some nice moments too between Mulder and Scully; and the end is really really disturbing, especially if you are a 12 years old. One of the best episode ever. A must see.

A strange and brutal murder occurs, George Usher, a healthy, strong businessman is killed in his office, and his liver removed.

Eugene Victor Rooms, who doesn't know that name? Those shots of his eyes shining in the dark are still chilling.

Two excellent episodes are followed by this, an out and out classic, it's an iconic episode. It is the perfect blend of sci fi and thriller. It appeals on so many levels, the tone is very creepy, the story is great, and of course there's Tooms, all of the elements are brilliant.

People seemed to have so much faith in the polygraph test, I took one some years back, it was only partly accurate.

Fantastic! 10/10.