Squeeze

Thisbwas that kicked of "The monster of the week" trend that this show would follow, when the episode weren't heavy on mythology like the two first episodes!

Here we see the first actual scary episode as Mulder and Scully tricks down a killer capable of squeezing through.. anything?

The episode has a lot of creepy scary atmosphere and plays on our fear of someone entering places where we thought we would be safe! The monster itself also remains iconic and one of the best of the show!

The addition of the other agents further adds to the feeling of Mulder being the outsider and excluded in the FBI!

This is X files at its finnest and most creepy and scary!

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.

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.

This is the 30 year anniversary of The X-files and been binging episodes. Rewatching "Squeeze" is a delightful trip down the Golden days of yore. I miss TV like The X-Files. Serious, intellectual, funny, love and sadness all in one. This episode is a classic creep fest. Eugene Tooms is effectively freaky enough to make one want to live.in a completely sealed room. But really all I want to say is in watching this episode now in 2023 the 30 years are here and it's time for Eugene Tooms to come out of hibernation to feed again. In my dream world it would be easy just to have an updated series with follow-ups to specific episodes, such as this one. Having Skully & Mulder back again to finally catch Tooms would be fun. But, alas it's just a dream. However, for the fun of it, I'll be peeking in those small spaces just to be sure!

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.