The Erlenmeyer Flask

"The Erlenmeyer Flask" was written as both a season and series finale, I believe, as the ratings for much of season one were far from the dazzling level of popularity much of "The X-Files" experienced and the writers/producers were unsure if they were going to get another season just yet, so this is sort of a real finale for all the mythology episodes in season one rather than a first part of two/three sort of thing like "Anasazi" but oddly enough is also the birth of what the X-Files mythology arc would actually become later on. This is the first episode in which we really see the extent of the conspiracy, and it is the first we see of the human/alien hybrids and some other iconic imagery.

There are lots of good observations on this comments page to which I have nothing to add, so I'll just say that this is a really phenomenal script to open the water-cooler aspect of "The X-Files", packed with all sorts of catchphrases, iconic moments, and intrigue, and a fair amount of excellent character interaction. "Trust... Trust No One". This one is an action-packed, massively entertaining, and particularly iconic episode.

10/10

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Season 1 Review: Although many disagree with me, many also agree that season one is far from the best season, and actually lacking in many ways. Not only is it dated and lacking in the sort of brilliant visual flair many of the later episodes had, but it is also quite repetitive and unimaginative, with numerous episodes ending up as middling anthology show sort of stuff, hardly as good as it could have been.

That said, as awkward as much of this season is, there are some brilliant episodes here. "E.B.E." and "The Erlenmeyer Flask" are really great early mythology episodes, "Beyond the Sea" is a stunning character piece and phenomenally involving, and features a brilliant guest performance from Brad Dourif, "Darkness Falls" is one of the most enjoyable pure horror/thriller episodes, and one of the most atmospheric, the Glen Morgan/James Wong episodes "Ice", "Squeeze", and "Tooms" are all a lot of fun. There are some really rotten episodes as I mentioned earlier though: "Born Again", "Space", and "Ghost in the Machine" are especially tiresome.

Season One is hardly an indication of what's to come. There are flashes of brilliance but much of it lacks confidence and skill (although not talent, mind you, even some of the worse episodes), and looks dated and cheap.

Average Rating: 6.33/10

Imagine my surprise when Agent Mulder pointed out the FBI got a wiretap on his phone WITHOUT a court order. No kidding!

Deep Throat has been a complex figure from the start, once again he gives Mulder a titbit of information, only this time he's reluctant to follow the lead blindly.

What a way to end the first series, this episode is outstanding, for me it feels like the end of the show, I wonder if there was a doubt about a future returns it feels very final.

It's exciting, it's intriguing, I love how the duo finally reach point zero, but will Dana still believe, or will she dismiss events as a hoax.

We are once again unsure if Deep Throat is friend or foe, but he is great in this episode, I enjoyed his conflict with Scully.

I've thoroughly enjoyed this first series, and this is a definite high point. 10/10.

One couldn't possibly ask for better finale for the season one as is 'The Erlenmeyer Flask'. This episode makes the real full circle with establishing the mythology for the rest of the show, but doesn't draw any conclusions. Open ending of the episode is perfect in two ways - either you want to see what is going to happen next, or when you are grown tired of the show then the ending gives some sort of solution.

Fast paced and thrilling episode starts in medias res of the high speed car chase. One of these episodes where the beginning is equally effective and exciting as its ending.

I can't describe the story of the episode as it would spoil too much, but it is the best written one of the first season.

And just as it had arrived on the scene, "The X-Files" ended its first season with quite the bang, finishing it the way it began. And that's actually literally. The first season has been a season that brought us some very innovative television, while also diving down to some real lows that at times threatened to overtake the good things. However, as most shows do, they really managed to make it all culminate in a finale that answered some big questions but left more unanswered. But it still all made for a pretty exciting hour of television and some big questions heading into season two.

It has been a little difficult to figure out what the show's endgame was for its freshman year. However, as it went on, it became more clear that the show would bring our protagonists to a place where there would be no doubt anymore that there was actually extraterrestrial life out there. It sets up a lot of interesting directions for the show to follow in the near future, but it also closes out certain storylines, including the "Deep Throat" character and his arc. In many ways, the episode actually provides the real introduction into the mythology of this show, which would then result in a couple of great seasons coming down the pipeline for all of us. The chemistry between Mulder and Scully reached an all-time high as the season came to a close, and it's nice to finally see them being on the same wavelength when it comes to some of the more unbelievable elements of the show. The show also goes away from the monster-of-the-week with this final episode, mostly focusing on those unfinished plot elements, not necessarily finishing all of them but setting up future events that we'll likely see the result of in future seasons. It feels like this episode really bid into the fear that people had at the times, and in a time where people are constantly bringing up alien lifeforms and UFOs, it brings a lot of those familiar scares back today. It's exciting to see if it will continue as strong as it was here.

"The Erlenmeyer Flask" answers some burning questions, but also leaves a lot to be explored in future seasons, which is also very exciting for audiences. The season really culminated a lot of the storylines we've been going down and provided some great character development to its leads, as well as featuring all-time great performances from them.