My Struggle II

Like so many, I was a fan of the original series although I don't recall following it all the way through to the end of its nine-season run in the 90's. I was very surprised but pleased to see it revived for another short, 6-episode run, helmed by creator Chris Carter and peopled with many characters from yesteryear. I enjoyed that there was no tampering with the title sequence or theme music, unlike say, recent episodes of "Dr Who". But would these shows echo the greatness of the early episodes when the programme was new...?

Looking back over the 6 episodes, I enjoyed it more than I dared hope. The big background story was Cancer Man's nefarious plan to kill off everyone on earth with a deadly alien virus bar a select few, including Scully but not Mulder. The cliff-hanging ending, with Scully trying to find the plague-infected Mulder on a gridlocked highway to administer an antidote only to be interrupted by what seems to be a flying saucer, certainly took me by surprise and I do hope that Carter and Co can write themselves out of this particular corner if they get the chance through another series.

In the preceding episodes there was an enjoyable mix of the serious and the light-hearted, the latter no doubt a nod to the "monsters from outer-space" origins of the show emanating from 1947 onwards. The plumb silly episode with the reverse lizard-man featured a voyeuristic image of Duchovny resplendent on a cheap motel bed in a pair of scarlet trunks I can't easily get out of my head together with another fantasy image of Anderson getting ravished in broad-daylight by the creature in human form. Then there was Mulder's Billy Ray Cyrus meets Saturday Night Fever drug-fuelled romp. I also loved the idea of the mini-me Mulder and Scully younger FBI agents who subsequently pair off with our heroes and who just scream "spin-off series". Amongst the more serious stuff, Scully lost her mother and pursued her given-up-for-adoption love-child with Mulder while the duo also got to interact with a truth-telling if sensationalist TV presenter acting as national whistle-blower.

As for the acting, Duchovny has definitely slowed down, almost to the point of coming across as self-consciously mannered although Anderson was just as she should be, long-suffering, sceptical but trusting of her partner.

The six episodes here were a bit hit and miss, but t'was ever thus. On the whole, I was glad to see the old truth-searching gang back again. Because it's still out there don't you know.

...and I'm surprised how many of the first page of reviews here didn't. That's what prompted me actually.

A lot of loose ends get tied up in what works hard to be a thrilling and fitting finale to, what 23 years of television? To do that, still leave a frankly genius final scene and plot for who knows what comes next (we can only hope, though I doubt we will be lucky)? Well, I am sold.

I thought the whole series was a fitting final tribute. They didn't throw them in willy nilly but still went old school on some fun cases (and threw in an excellent dig at the early days). The baton handing was the one thing that grated on me but it was only slight and in fairness Tad is a great future-season redshirt (one thing you have to say, they take no prisoners and their sfx guys really are top notch).

Special mention to Cigarette Smoking Man, by far one of the best evil geniuses of recent decades. He is a monster, now he looks like a monster.

If you just wanted them to come out and trot out their hits ad infinitum you were plum out of luck boyo; Chris, thank you for that.

M

Did scully save the world . Was that an alien craft. It just seems that in the next season they're back at work as normal. Maybe I'm thick. But William b Davis if brilliant as usual. And I do love the whole thing.

I know I'm not alone in feeling icky after watching "My Struggle". Chris Carter seems to want us to forget all that happened in the first nine seasons: the black oil, purity control, the alien fetus, the alien rebels, the alien bounty hunter, the missing time, the staging, the supersoldiers, etc. Instead, we're led to believe that there was an alien crash in Roswell, but there haven't been aliens on Earth since then and everything else was just faked by the government with the alien technology taken from the Roswell crash. That would have been OK if done in season 1, but in season 10, it's just rewriting the complete story arc.

I was hoping in "My Struggle II", Carter would reveal to us that everything that we had learned in the first nine seasons hadn't been completely rewritten, but alas, he doubled down on it. There's no group of men conspiring with aliens, but just a group of men conspiring among themselves. I'm not going to reveal what the new conspiracy is, as it's revealed in the reviews with spoilers. Suffice it to say that it just doesn't match up with the first nine seasons.

"My Struggle II," the sixth episode of the tenth season of The X-Files, created and directed by Chris Carter, serves as a continuation of the narrative established in "My Struggle." This episode delves deeper into the overarching conspiracy that has haunted Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) throughout the series, while also addressing themes of sacrifice, identity, and the quest for truth. The episode is marked by a blend of urgency and introspection, capturing the essence of what fans have come to love about the series.

The episode picks up six weeks after the events of "My Struggle," with Scully arriving at FBI headquarters to find that Mulder has gone missing. His absence is felt deeply as Scully struggles to piece together the clues left behind. Mulder, visibly unwell and bruised, is on a desperate journey to uncover the truth behind a new threat: a viral outbreak linked to alien DNA. As Scully teams up with new agents Miller (Robbie Amell) and Einstein (Lauren Ambrose), they work tirelessly to track down Mulder and find a way to save him. The stakes are raised when it becomes clear that their son, William, may hold the key to Mulder's survival due to his unique genetic makeup.

Visually, "My Struggle II" employs a cinematic style that enhances its dramatic weight. Carter's direction effectively captures both the chaos of the hospital scenes, filled with sick patients succumbing to an unknown illness, and the more intimate moments between characters. The cinematography utilizes shadowy lighting and stark contrasts to reflect the tension and urgency of the narrative. The editing maintains a brisk pace, skillfully interweaving multiple storylines while building suspense as Scully races against time to save Mulder.

The performances in this episode are particularly strong. Gillian Anderson delivers a compelling portrayal of Scully as she navigates her fear and determination in the face of uncertainty regarding Mulder's fate. David Duchovny's performance is equally impactful; he embodies Mulder's desperation and vulnerability as he confronts his deteriorating condition. The chemistry between Anderson and Duchovny remains palpable, drawing viewers into their emotional struggle. The supporting cast, including Amell and Ambrose, adds depth to the narrative, although some critics argue that their characters could have been further developed.

Thematically, "My Struggle II" explores complex issues surrounding identity, sacrifice, and the nature of truth in an increasingly convoluted world. The episode raises questions about what it means to be human in light of genetic manipulation and alien influence. As Scully grapples with her role as a mother and her commitment to uncovering the truth, viewers are invited to reflect on their own beliefs about family and responsibility. The introduction of William as a potential savior adds an emotional layer to the narrative, emphasizing the importance of familial bonds in times of crisis.

"My Struggle II" serves as a fitting continuation of The X-Files revival, successfully blending elements of suspense with deep emotional resonance. While it may not fully satisfy all viewers due to its complex themes and cliffhanger ending, it effectively invites audiences to reflect on their beliefs about humanity and connection in a world fraught with uncertainty. This episode encapsulates the essence of The X-Files, reminding fans why they were drawn to Mulder and Scully's journey in the first place-an exploration of truth amid chaos.