Surekill

Two brother, Randall and Dwight Cooper, rat exterminators by day, are suspected of killing a man, a man who managed to get himself into a prison cell.

I can offer no tangible reason as to why, but I just didn't care for this episode, there's nothing wrong with it as such, it's imaginative, it's well acted, it's atmospheric, it has an incredibly good and memorable opening sequence, but ultimately it just lost my attention.

It's been the first Doggett story that I didn't enjoy, perhaps because both he and Scully were largely absent for most of it. The best element was perhaps Michael Bowen, who played Dwight, I thought he was excellent.

Too many unanswered questions, with not enough story framework in place to make it cohesive.

Not bad, just a let down after recent episodes, 6/10.

Surekill is a mixed bag for me. I so wanted to like this episode a lot. But it just wasn't happening. It's still a decent episode, but ultimately fails to pull the viewer in.

Surekill starts off with a great teaser. It has a man fleeing for his life, seemingly from an unstoppable assassin. The police place him in the drunk tank where he appears to be safe, but the man knows he is not safe. And then, blam!, right in front of the officer's eyes, the man is shot in a locked room.

I think the concept of x-ray vision is a very interesting concept. However, the writer just turned it into a simple, love triangle story. The story is slow-moving, uninteresting, and not that memorable. It was hard for me to take notes on this episode, because of those qualities.

There were a couple of high points to the episode. Mark Snow, once again, does some great music. I probably made more attention to it, because of the slow-moving story. Also, Michael Bowen gives a fantastic performance as Dwight Cooper. He is very believable as a sleazy jerk.

The concept of x-ray vision could have been dealt with in a better, more interesting fashion, thus making Surekill a little off target.

"Surekill" is an okay episode, but it didn't really involve the X Files team. The story is solely centered on a love triangle between 3 rat exterminators, one of them being a murderer that happens to have x-ray vision. Scully and Dogget dip in and out of about 4 scenes in total, and by the end it's treated as if this was another episode that our supernatural-hunting heroes had solved. On the subject of x-ray vision, it is very generic and uninspired. The concept itself is not an idea to totally discount, as it has plenty of unique story potential, but it was completely shoved to the side after an extremely effective opening to make way for the rather underwhelming love-triangle. That was core shortcoming of this story. It could've made for a very climactic finish if the writers decided to stick us with Dogget and Scully's perspective. Alas, the love triangle had to take up the majority of the runtime leaving nothing to the imagination or our own speculation. We were told the story, there was no mystery.

All in all, nothing about this episode really grabs you, especially where our main characters are concerned. It's not terrible by any stretch of the imagination. It just really could've used a little imagination. However, it had some tiny sparks of what could've been. Like when Dogget flips off the lightswitch at a crime scene and we get this beautifully eerie shot of sunlight poking through countless bullet holes in the walls. That image is still burned into my mind! The actors give this one their all, it's a shame they couldn't have gotten a more inventive script.

"Surekill," directed by Terrence O'Hara and written by Chris Carter, explores the unsettling world of illicit operations entwined with extraordinary abilities. The episode begins with the murder of a man in a seemingly impenetrable jail cell, raising suspicions about supernatural involvement. The investigation leads Agents Doggett and Scully to uncover a disturbing network involving a pair of brothers, Dwight and Randall Cooper, who run a pest control business. Randall possesses an astonishing ability: X-ray vision, which enables him to commit the murder despite physical barriers. As the agents dig deeper, the dynamics between the brothers and their secretary, Tammi Peyton, reveal a complex tale of betrayal, greed, and desperation.

One of the episode's standout elements is the thematic exploration of power and morality. Randall's gift, which could be seen as miraculous, becomes a tool for murder and exploitation under Dwight's manipulative control. This dynamic provides a psychological dimension that adds depth to the otherwise procedural plot. However, despite its intriguing premise, the episode struggles to maintain a cohesive narrative, as it occasionally loses focus on character development in favor of investigative tropes.

Terrence O'Hara's direction effectively builds tension, particularly in scenes involving Randall's ability. The eerie visuals and unsettling lighting contribute to an atmosphere of paranoia and suspense. However, the cinematography occasionally feels too reliant on conventional techniques, missing opportunities to fully explore Randall's unique perspective visually. The editing keeps the episode moving at a steady pace, though the climax feels somewhat abrupt, lacking the emotional payoff necessary to make it memorable.

The performances are commendable, with Robert Patrick continuing to solidify his portrayal of Agent John Doggett as a competent and determined investigator. Gillian Anderson brings a nuanced performance as Scully, balancing skepticism and empathy as she adjusts to Doggett's presence. Michael Bowen and Kellie Waymire deliver compelling portrayals as the morally ambiguous siblings, although their characters could have been developed further to evoke a stronger emotional impact. The tension between Tammi and the Cooper brothers adds a layer of complexity that elevates the narrative, even if it isn't fully explored.

Despite its engaging premise, "Surekill" ultimately falters in execution. The episode presents fascinating ideas about how extraordinary abilities can corrupt and destroy, but it never fully capitalizes on its potential. The plot lacks the intricate storytelling and character-driven moments that often define the best episodes of The X-Files. As a result, "Surekill" feels like a missed opportunity, more concerned with shock value than meaningful exploration of its themes.

In conclusion, "Surekill" offers moments of intrigue and suspense but ultimately falls short of being a standout episode. Its strengths lie in the performances and initial premise, but inconsistent pacing and shallow character arcs hinder its impact. Nevertheless, it remains an example of how The X-Files continues to push narrative boundaries, even when it doesn't fully succeed. By focusing on complex human relationships alongside the paranormal, the series reminds viewers of its enduring appeal and willingness to experiment.