The Hand That Wounds

Yesterday, I was with an old friend, and his vast collection of very old things. He loves 60's garage and psych as he calls it, so I spend the day watching "Vertigo," and playing electric guitars that look like they could short circuit at any moment. Good times, good times.

#19
"Die Hand Die Verletzt"
Episode 14, Season 2

The ritualistic murder of a teenager in a small town gets Mulder and Scully caught up in a secret occult practice within the local school's PTA, and a substitute teacher with strange powers. (From tv.com)

Why I love it: I think this is one of the first X Files VHS tapes I took out of the library, that really got me started. This episode is sort of tongue and cheek, but still manages to have some good scares as well. Some parts make you laugh, (frogs w/o parachutes) while others make you really upset (a girl recalling abuse at the hands of her step-father). It sort of runs the gamut, of emotion, and at times your not sure if it is comedy or tragedy. All and all, it's not the most greatest of x files, (it doesn't quite stick with you, like the best of them do) but I enjoy it for sentimental reasons.

My Hippie Half's, Favorite Episode

It's a beautiful morning here at This Side Up! hq. Just thought I would mention that.

#20
"Field Trip"
Season 6, Episode 21

A mystery involving two skeletons leads our agents on a journey, in which nothing is quite as it seems. (from the DVD slim pack)

Why I love it: This one's far out there, even by X Files standards. If you thought it couldn't get any weirder, then say, aliens playing for minor league baseball teams, or escaped convicts that can nakedly, pass through solid objects; think again. This story takes so many, crazy turns you don't know what to think, until the very end. Now I've always had a fascination with mind altering substances that is, purely academic. (Scout's honour!) So I love it when they get treatment in film, and they work so well in the X-Files universe. (hmmm I wonder why...) This one's a good one, three cheers to the X-Files writing staff on this one. Who knows what they were smoking.

Natural Born Killers

Twenty more days till X Files: I Want to Believe...Are you excited yet?

#21
"Aubrey"
Season 2, Episode 12

Mulder and Scully question a detective who discovered the forty year old skeleton of an FBI agent, in a dream. Finding that the agent's remains fit the profile of a recent homicide. Mulder and Scully are drawn further into the case, and make an incredible discovery.

Why I love it: It's a great X-File. The acting is well done, and the questions the episode raises, are very interesting. It certainly takes the argument of nature, versus nurture to a whole new level. It also it more sensitive then most, focusing less on the gore, and more on the the psychology of the story. There's no bang, bang shoot 'um scenes, no explosions, it's a lot of character study, and the mystery with it's twists, and turns, is awesome. I loved watching Scully and BJ's (the mentioned detective) interactions. I feel like they made a connection, two women in law enforcement, and this makes the ending, for me, all the more tragic. This one's a must see of season two.


I did not make that ürber cool X-Files poster. It was found by Frankburnsflagg on xfilesultimate.com. If anybody has any information on the maker, I'd be glad to post it.

Happy 4th Everybody

It's an Independence day here in the states, and you know what that means. Time to eat barbecue till you explode, and drink beer till you pass out. It's the American way! No, that's not what it's all about. Just eighty-five percent of it, the other fifteen is celebrating freedom, fireworks, and our heroes. Which brings us to three of my favorite heroes from the X-Files universe.

#22
"Three of a Kind"
Episode 19, Season, 6

The Lone Gunmen infiltrate a defence contractors' conference in Las Vegas. There they encounter Susanne Modeski a scientist who was kidnapped by government operatives ten years ago; and was responsible for bringing the Gunmen together.

Why I love it: WOOHOOO! The Lone Gunmen, and an episode all about them. I'm a big fan, and although these episodes signify that one of our principle actors with be missing, in this case Duchovny. They're usually pretty fun, and this one's just plain crazy. There's no real X-file here, but TLG call Scully in anyway, as to have their own government badass to go against those surrounding Modeski, and also to autopsy a fellow nerd who got hit by a bus. Scully while working is injected with AH gas, (developed by Modeski, and stolen, unbeknownst to her) after she discovers something about said nerd. The gas isn't without it's side effects, and in Scully's case they're hilarious. She acts like she's on some combo of ether, and speed, and Gillian Anderson looks like she's having way too much fun with it. High Scully is my favorite part, but the friendship between our three heroes, and the suspense of the story are highlights as well. There's also a plot here, that makes the whole story fall together. But I can't really recall it, due to intense laughter.

A New Beginning

Before we get to the countdown, I'd like to give a big hearty thank you to xfilesnews.com. These guys have been keeping Philes, in the know for months now. They've also totally revamped their website, and it looks great. Some body's been working awfully hard, I for one, am totally grateful. I love you XFN...and I also love you...

#23
"Requiem"
Season 7, Episode 22

Mulder and Scully head to Bellefleur, Oregon. The site of their very first x-file seven years ago. Scully's health begins to go south, and Mulder makes a discovery, that may end their partnership, for good.

Why I love it: Because it's great! Thanks for reading! No, I kid. The mythology (alien) episodes have lost a lot of ground since season five. "Requiem" is an attempt to bring mythology back to the foreground and it works. Taking Mulder and Scully back to the location of the "Pilot" episode, with all the original actors it a stroke of genius on Chris Carter's part. Not only is it a big wink to the long term fans, but it also adds realism to the show, which heightens the scare. This piece is a good set-up for season eight. It puts all the pieces in place, staying true to all the character building, we've seen in the latest non-mythology episodes. Scully's more willing to believe, Mulder is no longer blinded by his quest, and...are they opening up to each other?! Cuddling?! Unbelievable! We've come a long way baby! Speaking of babies...the ending of this episode, always makes my chin quiver. Which is just another reason it's on the list.

Partners

It's a beautiful sunny day here, which is a welcome break from all the thunder storms we've been having here as of late. And this will segue way into are gray and rainy pick for...

#24

"Elegy"
Season 4, Episode 22

Mulder and Scully investigate a visionary encounter with a murder victim's ghost. Soon coming to suspect a severely autistic man named Harold Spüller. When the murder becomes a serial incident, and Spüller connection becomes less insidious. Scully sees a victim's ghost, causing a horrifying personal revelation.

Why I love it: It's an often forgotten, but important piece in the forth season story arch. Dealing directly with Dana Scully cancer. It also delves into her relationship with Mulder by exploring her loyalty to his cause, despite her illness. The plot sets up an atmosphere of dread. When Mulder theorizes that these encounters with ghosts, maybe because the seers themselves are terminally ill. I yelled at Mulder, (with an intensity, I usually reserve for slasher movie victims who beeline into the woods,) because of what that means for Scully. She is seriously shaken up, and so am I. Also ending the episode with Scully still telling Mulder about her vision, and him getting so upset, about her hiding it from him. This shows what is so compelling and at the same time, so frustrating about their relationship. She will die for Mulder, but she won't let him care for her. This episode packs a bigger wallop with each viewing, making me wonder why it doesn't get more recognition.

P.S. I also love that this episode goes behind the alleys at the bowlerama, haven't you always wondered what's back there?

The Countdown Begins

In honour of the July 25th release date of the X-Files: I Want to Believe, I'm counting down my top twenty-five episodes, with mini reviews form the nine year run of the television series. Starting with...

25

"The Gift"
Season 8, Episode 11

I'm probably going to catch a little hell, from other Philes, for promoting this one; but I'll give you my reasons. The plot involves newly assigned X-Files agent John Doggett discovering Mulder's involvement in a case, that Mulder has kept hidden from Scully, (gasp!) and also possibly indicts Mulder as a murderer (mon dieu!) Further investigation by Doggett, leads him out of his comfort zone, and up to his tushy in paranormal alligators, so to speak.

Why I love it: I loved it from the moment I saw the bloody circle with the cross though it, and instantly recognized the Lakota medicine wheel. (And I'm sure that pointing out this detail, has elevated me, from the run of the mill X-Phile nerd, to the know it all dork, who keeps wondering where all those "kick me" signs are coming from.) Maybe this is because I've spent sometime on the Lakota Sioux, Rez and and am familiar with the story. Which makes me love the fact that it was given an X-Files treatment. I adore it when fiction borrows from culture sources, the more obscure, and quirky the better. Especially if I get it.
I love the visual treatment our healer is given, and I won't give away the plot details, for those who haven't seen it. But be warned, it's not for the squeamish. I also love the added mystery, of trying to figure out what kind of trouble Mulder's gotten himself into this time, told partly through flashbacks. It's a risky move, and despite some problems, (mostly with the long term story arch, and mostly this is a problem only for the Philes) I think it's pulled off well. It's of course, not without it's flaws, but if you don't worry too much about the details, and take it as a stand alone story. It's definitely worth a gander.

And just for clarification an X-Phile or Phile is a fan of the highest classification. Someone who knows all the characters names, birthdays, and SSI numbers. We are often characterized by are bad hair, and willingness to believe.