My Struggle II

...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

I used to watch the X-Files, like everyone else back when we only had 3-4 channels open to us; I also had quite a few VHS boxsets but was not a die-hard fan. So the news that it was returning made me interested but not sweating with hype and hope. Even though there are only six episodes here, I did struggle to get through them. In particular the opening couple and the conclusion (although it is anything but) are really poor. There are one or two episodes in the middle which are okay, and of course there is the wonderful lizard- man episode in the middle which has a great sense of fun and energy.

Otherwise though it is mostly po-faced stuff which is clunky in the writing, uneven in the presentation, and presented with low energy by those involved. The connections back to the wider conspiracies of the previous season really don't work particularly well, and they sit uneasy next to the feel of this season as a standalone return. The conclusion is typical of the show in that it feels half-done; it pushes a rushed global threat with call-backs but yet doesn't convince even within itself – and the open nature of the ending is particularly annoying.

The lizard-man episode is so good that it makes the rest almost worthwhile, however mostly this was an unnecessary return for the show. The low quality of it took me by such surprise that it made me doubt if the original was any better or if my memory was just making it feel better than it was.

"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.

After a long hiatus, "The X-Files" returned for its 10th season, reigniting the nostalgia and excitement that made the show a cultural phenomenon. While the revival hasn't been flawless, it successfully captured much of the original's eerie, thought-provoking charm. The season balanced standalone "monster-of-the-week" episodes with overarching mythology, though not always gracefully. This tension came to a head in "My Struggle II," the season's explosive finale, which left fans both intrigued and frustrated. Because while it definitely feels like the culmination of many threads that have been dangling for decades, it can't help itself and goes along with some of the show's most annoying tropes.

The episode dives headfirst into a high-stakes conspiracy involving a global pandemic triggered by alien DNA tampering - a bold and timely concept. At its core, this is classic "X-Files": a world where paranoia is justified, and Mulder and Scully must race against time to expose the truth. The apocalyptic atmosphere is compelling, thanks to Anne Simon, Margaret Fearon, and Chris Carter's ambitious script. The ticking-clock narrative ramps up the tension effectively, delivering some gripping sequences, particularly Scully's desperate quest to synthesize a cure. However, the execution falters under the weight of its lofty ambitions. The shorter six-episode season didn't leave enough room for the complex mythology to develop organically. As a result, the finale's big revelations feel rushed and undercooked, more like a bullet-point checklist than a fully fleshed-out story. The episode attempts to weave together years of convoluted lore, but instead creates a tangled mess where meaningful emotional payoffs are scarce. The return of certain characters is a mixed blessing. Scully's scientific prowess is on full display, making her the true hero of the story, while Mulder's journey feels sidelined. Agent Monica Reyes' unexpected reappearance adds intrigue, though her motivations seem murky at best. Meanwhile, the Cigarette Smoking Man, long thought dead, emerges as the ultimate puppet master. While his return should've been thrilling, his presence feels more like fan service stretched past its expiration date. Perhaps the most divisive element is the jaw-dropping cliffhanger. It's a gutsy move that ensures fans will clamor for more - but also feels like a narrative escape hatch, avoiding definitive closure.

"My Struggle II" is "The X-Files" at its most ambitious and uneven. Its scope is admirable, its ideas intriguing, but its execution falls short of the show's best work. Despite its flaws, the episode - and the season as a whole - rekindles enough of the original spark to remind fans why they fell in love with "The X-Files" in the first place. The truth may still be out there, but the path to finding it could have been much clearer.

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.