The X-Files Mythology, Vol. 1 - Abduction

Starring:X-Files Mythology
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
The X-Files Mythology series consists of collections of episodes grouped around certain themes that were central to Chris Carter's gripping, funny, and sometimes impenetrable sci-fi/suspense/horror series. The 15 episodes in the first volume, Abduction, are culled from the first three seasons of the show, and they introduce FBI agent Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), who has been assigned to keep tabs on her new partner, the eccentric Fox Mulder (David Duchovny). Mulder's specialty is those cases that can't seem to be solved on normal parameters--the "X-Files"--because he believes that many years ago his sister was abducted by aliens. We meet a dizzying cast of supporting characters: FBI assistant director Skinner (Mitch Pileggi); a government informant, code-named "Deep Throat," who offers to get Mulder closer to the truth than he's ever imagined; apparent abductee Duane Barry (Steve Railsback); a trio of conspiracy theorists called the Lone Gunmen (Dean Haglund, Tom Braidwood, and Bruce Harwood); the mysterious Cigarette Smoking Man (William B. Davis); and suspicious agent Krycek (Nicholas Lea). And the theme of alien abduction leads to deeper threads involving experiments with alien DNA, cloning, alien bounty hunters, and more. These early episodes are some of the best the series ever had to offer, and the reasonably priced Mythology sets might be enticing for novices who would like to get a feel for the series without having to wade through all the story arcs and concepts that wandered through the nine seasons. (They're also conveniently packaged, with four discs in two Thinpaks.) X-philes, of course, would prefer the complete seasons, with the multiple arcs as well as the numerous excellent standalone (a.k.a. "creature feature") episodes. The discs include new commentary tracks on five of the episodes by Chris Carter, writer Frank Spotnitz, or director R.W. Goodwin, and there's a new 28-minute documentary that provides an overview of the series and the pertinent episodes that's well suited to novices. --David Horiuchi
Description
For nine seasons, fans of ?The X Files? watched and waited for an ultimate explanation of the complex web of alien conspiracy theories, government cover-ups and shadow organizations woven by series creator Chris Carter. Now, for the first time, viewers can follow every twist and turn of the complete mythology story arc beginning with THE X FILES MYTHOLOGY: ABDUCTION. ABDUCTION consists of 16 episodes from seasons 1-3, and presents the government conspiracy episodes in order, beginning with the series pilot. The set also features commentary on selected episodes and part one of Chris Carter?s all-new documentary ?Threads Of Mythology,? which explains the meaning of ?The X Files? and how all lies lead to the truth.

The X-Files Mythology, Vol. 1 - Abduction
Average customer rating:

Revisiting old friends

inevitable repackaging of the brilliant television series

If Fox squeezing us?

A more fatal flaw

One small issue with this set

The X-Files Mythology, Vol. 1 - Abduction
Starring: X-Files Mythology
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The X-Files Mythology, Vol. 4 - Super Soldiers

The X-Files - Fight the Future

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ASIN: B0007ZEO7I
Release Date: 2005-06-07

Amazon.com

The X-Files Mythology series consists of collections of episodes grouped around certain themes that were central to Chris Carter's gripping, funny, and sometimes impenetrable sci-fi/suspense/horror series. The 15 episodes in the first volume, Abduction, are culled from the first three seasons of the show, and they introduce FBI agent Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), who has been assigned to keep tabs on her new partner, the eccentric Fox Mulder (David Duchovny). Mulder's specialty is those cases that can't seem to be solved on normal parameters--the "X-Files"--because he believes that many years ago his sister was abducted by aliens. We meet a dizzying cast of supporting characters: FBI assistant director Skinner (Mitch Pileggi); a government informant, code-named "Deep Throat," who offers to get Mulder closer to the truth than he's ever imagined; apparent abductee Duane Barry (Steve Railsback); a trio of conspiracy theorists called the Lone Gunmen (Dean Haglund, Tom Braidwood, and Bruce Harwood); the mysterious Cigarette Smoking Man (William B. Davis); and suspicious agent Krycek (Nicholas Lea). And the theme of alien abduction leads to deeper threads involving experiments with alien DNA, cloning, alien bounty hunters, and more. These early episodes are some of the best the series ever had to offer, and the reasonably priced Mythology sets might be enticing for novices who would like to get a feel for the series without having to wade through all the story arcs and concepts that wandered through the nine seasons. (They're also conveniently packaged, with four discs in two Thinpaks.) X-philes, of course, would prefer the complete seasons, with the multiple arcs as well as the numerous excellent standalone (a.k.a. "creature feature") episodes. The discs include new commentary tracks on five of the episodes by Chris Carter, writer Frank Spotnitz, or director R.W. Goodwin, and there's a new 28-minute documentary that provides an overview of the series and the pertinent episodes that's well suited to novices. --David Horiuchi

Description

For nine seasons, fans of ?The X Files? watched and waited for an ultimate explanation of the complex web of alien conspiracy theories, government cover-ups and shadow organizations woven by series creator Chris Carter. Now, for the first time, viewers can follow every twist and turn of the complete mythology story arc beginning with THE X FILES MYTHOLOGY: ABDUCTION. ABDUCTION consists of 16 episodes from seasons 1-3, and presents the government conspiracy episodes in order, beginning with the series pilot. The set also features commentary on selected episodes and part one of Chris Carter?s all-new documentary ?Threads Of Mythology,? which explains the meaning of ?The X Files? and how all lies lead to the truth.

Customer Reviews:

Revisiting old friends.......2007-02-20

Contrary to what others have said, the Abduction series lacks nothing from not having "Conduit" in the package.

inevitable repackaging of the brilliant television series.......2006-01-04

This repackaging of THE X FILES according to the mythology arc has, no doubt, long been expected by most diehard fans of the now legendary television series. Having received the 4 volumes as a Christmas gift, this grateful recipient has not had time to peruse all 60 episodes + extras; however, a few observations do come to mind.

RE: THE X FILE MYTHOLOGY, VOL 1-4 ("Abduction"; "Black Oil"; "Colonization"; "Super Soldier"):

Recommendations, divided into 4 categories of prospective buyers, are as follows:

1) FANATICS/COLLECTORS:

True fanatics or obsessive collectors will, irrespective of whether they own all 9 complete seasons, want to add these 4 volumes to their shelves. That there exists only a small amount of new material ( in terms of extras: audio commentary + documentary ) is really irrelevant to those who fall into this category. 5 STARS in terms of its appeal for this group of people.

2) "REGULAR" FANS:

"X-Philes" who exist on a lesser ( if saner ) plane of dedication may want to consider whether, possessing some ( if not, perhaps, all ) of the complete DVD sets, these repackaged sets actually add to their enjoyment. It seems indisputable that THE X FILES will never be understood on an aesthetic level by solely watching the myth arc episodes; therefore, it begs the question of why one would purchase the "complete" myth arc when it's possible to go the way the series did when it originally aired- i.e., by alternating between mythology and stand alone episodes. 2 STARS in terms of its appeal for this group of people.

3) CONFUSED BUT INTERESTED VIEWERS:

People with some familiarity with the show but who never quite watched with enough regularity ( or intensity ) to follow the intricacies of the mythology arc, may well consider purchasing these volumes. Presumably, those who fall ( more or less ) into this category will not have purchased the complete DVD seasons ( or at least not *all* of them ). It may well be financially (1/5 cost of 9 complete seasons) and aesthetically satisfying to purchase these 4 repackaged volumes and supplement ( by renting or borrowing ) selected stand alone ( "monster of the week" ) episodes. 4 STARS in terms of its appeal for this group of people.

4) NOVICES

For those who truly haven't watched THE X FILES, or at most, a few episodes, it seems a toss-up as to whether these sets are the right way to go. It is this reviewers suggestion that those in this category rent some episodes; specifically, the first 4 episodes of SEASON ONE (Pilot, Deep Throat, Squeeze, Conduit ) in order to establish whether they find the show appealing. If they're hooked, and have the willingness to invest money through purchasing DVD's outright, it might be better to start purchasing all nine complete seasons over time ( most definitely *in order* ). The other option for beginners would be to purchase the 4 repackaged myth arc volumes ( again, paying attention to proper order ) and renting select stand alone episodes ( there are numerous books and websites which can guide one to the very best episodes ). 3 STARS in terms of its appeal for this group of people.

NOTE: The X FILES MOVIE ( "Fight the Future" ) is *not* included in this repackaging release. After viewing the first 3 episodes of Vol 3: "Colonization" (Patient X, The Red and the Black, The End), it is extremely advisable, for the sake of continuity and understanding, to buy ( or at least, watch ) the film *before* continuing with the remaining (Vol 3) episodes.

RE: THE X FILES MYTHOLOGY, VOL 1: "Abduction":

Of the 15 episodes selected ( which span Season 1 thru start of Season 3), it seems to this reviewer debatable whether Season 2 episode titled "Red Museum" should have been included when Season 1 "Conduit" was not. Furthermore, if the latter episode was not deemed (for whatever reason) to be up to standard, Season 2 "Sleepless" would have had the virtue of introducing a key character (Alex Krycek), with the episode plot having at least as much pertinence to the myth arc as the comparatively inferior "Red Museum". Just two cents from a faithful X-Phile.

IMPORTANT: for those who are new to THE X FILES, the documentary ("Threads of Mythology" ) for Volume 1 contains an unfortunate (completely inappropriate) spoiler. Without elaborating, I can only implore beginners ( few as they may be ) to stay away from this documentary until after finishing either Complete Season 7 or Volume 3 ("Colonization")

CONCLUSION:

With regard to THE X FILES myth arc as a totality; those looking for airtight plot development and perfectly logically explanations as the storyline developed over the course of nine grueling seasons, are truly barking up the wrong tree. Chris Carter and his collaborators, while having a vague idea of where the specifics of the storyline could go, never had every detail planned out, and thank goodness for that! If 1013 Productions had applied such a misguided notion of continuity, many of the surprising twists and turns that characterized the myth arc would have never materialized.

If Fox squeezing us?.......2005-12-13

Add me to the list of disgruntled fans who have loyally bought the full season sets, which are expensive, and then are asked to shell out more for extra features. I agree that Fox should just offer the features on a dvd for those who have already contributed to the Fox coffers.

A more fatal flaw.......2005-12-08

In addition to the missing "Sleepless" as another reviewer pointed out, this series is missing "Counduit" which in my mind is a much greater omission. This isn't the usual nitpicking, as I'll explain at the end of the review if you'd like to jump there.

"Sleepless" itself, though the case being investigated is not returned to as part of the mythology, and though it's not even a particularly brilliant episode by X-Files standards, is a great loss. It does introduce Krycek, but that's not the only thing; it also implies something, at the end, which will become EXTREMELY important to the entire progression of the show. Something that certainly relates to both "mythology" and "abduction."

However, I suppose the lack of "Sleepless" is justified in some way, because practically every episode from the first third of the second season has almost as much right to be here as it does, and there wouldn't have been room. Shows like "The Host" and "Blood" and even the uncharacteristic "3" (it was the first I ever saw, and turned me off for two years) are immersed in the ongoing struggle between Mulder and the bureau, between the bureau and its puppetmasters, and between and within Scully and Mulder themselves as they stumble around aimlessly. From "The Erlenmeyer Flask" to "One Breath" is the most real these characters have ever felt, even the sidelined Scully. These episodes are not typical television, they're dark, though not without hope. Those who have only seen later years of the show, even the vastly less believable sixth season period when the files were again closed and such tensions resurfaced, will have no idea how different from your typical "monster of the week" the early second season shows were, and how essential to the greater picture.

I could also make the argument that in its best seasons (i.e. the first three or four, possibly part of five), many of the non-mythology episodes contained equal character insight and depth as the ones about the grand conspiracy. I first watched the X-Files for sci-fi/suspense elements too, but when I came back to it this year I was amazed how much I had been missing. When laid out in a straight line, I could imagine the events of the grand plan seeming more than faintly ridiculous. Someone watching in this form might really miss not only the point, but the quality of the show.

Aliens are only one part of The X-Files, and honestly not the strongest part in the early seasons. From the Season 1, for newbies I recommend "Squeeze" (and sequel "Tooms" which without being mythology still manages to introduce Assistant Director Skinner, AND give the Cigarette Smoking Man his first speaking role), "Ice," "Eve," "Beyond the Sea," and "Darkness Falls," none of which are included here. From season 2, watch "The Host," "Blood," and "Sleepless" after "Little Green Men," watch "3" after "Ascension," and then "Irresistible," "Die Hand Die Verletzt," and "Humbug" in whatever order you want. I realize I'm following the same ones the official VHS tapes featured back when only some of each season could be released. I'll recommend "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose" from season 3 but depart from conventional wisdom with "Quagmire," "Hell Money" and especially "Oubliette," incredible hours that exemplify, as much as any mythology episode, what was unique about the X-Files. From season 4, two episodes with huge significance are omitted from that mythology DVD (by then on VOLUME 2: BLACK OIL). They are "Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man" and "Demons," and there are many classics you'd miss if you only saw the mythology, as that season intertwined the characters' personal lives with their cases more than any since 2. "Paper Hearts," Leonard Betts," "Never Again," and "Small Potatoes" are most essential for understanding the episodes surrounding them. If you take "the mythology" to mean "the episodes where CHARACTERS rather than MONSTERS matter," then all these shows I've mentioned, and many many more, actually qualify. You can watch this stuff in these new packages, but it's like listening to Beethoven's greatest hits (not the Duchovny kids film!). You'll not only be missing a lot, you won't get the full appreciation of the ones you do see.

Now to "Conduit." I suppose at the price, this series is still worth it in some way for those who aren't able to rent or buy the massively expensive full season DVDs or didn't have the luck, as I did, of seeing and recording the episodes on cable when they were first on. But if the entire point is to collect all the episodes essential to understanding the mythology (and at least in the first season, there aren't that many of them), the absence of "Conduit" is more than puzzling, it's a huge loss for someone who will only ever see the show's progression through this DVD series, even more than the absence of those early season 2 episodes. In fact, if someone were to ask me which X-Files episode presents alien abduction in the most moving, most believable terms, it would be this one. Plus, it was only the fourth show that ever aired, and the first crushing insight into that whole thing with Samantha, which was the cornerstone of the "mythology."

I am well aware of similarities between "Conduit" and, say, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, or every other movie or TV show about alien abduction ever. But that's not really a point worth making, as nearly every X-Files show from the most sophisticated Morgan & Wong or Darin Morgan script in the early years to Chris Carter's own more derivative work later, tends to use cliches as far as the actual concepts of the paranormal, alien invasion, abduction, and government conspiracy are concerned. Once you watch the show for awhile you will realize that is not the point, in fact it may be a strength, allowing greater concentration by the writers on the heart of what was going on.

Worse yet, even the valid excuse that there wasn't room for "Conduit" or "Sleepless" rings hollow when one episode on this DVD is Chris Carter's incoherent "Red Museum." I say "Chris Carter's" to denote he wrote it, rather than just produced. This is not often the case, and as newbies are often surprised to notice, only rarely with the best episodes. Exception: "Deep Throat," "Duane Barry." Anyway, "Red Museum" is neither proper mythology nor one of the better episodes of its era. In fact, it starts very strongly as a monster of the week, and the moment the "mythology" aspect is introduced (in the most forced, ridiculous way) it becomes almost laughable.

Otherwise these are good episodes. In fact, the majority selected here are brilliant. The "Colony"/"Endgame" two parter is the only one remotely approaching "only decent" level and compared to late X-Files or just about anything on TV, it's flawless. The same cannot be said for any of the subsequent mythology DVDs. Volume 2 is uniformly great, but again will suffer out of context. Volume 3 is iffier, very compelling, technically incredible TV but by then the show had lost its original character and the conspiracy had become entirely unbelievable. Volume 4, take a pass.

But ideally these DVDs should neither be the first or the last way you experience the show. If you go for them, be sure to see the best ones that fell beneath the cracks, or you won't really get it.

One small issue with this set.......2005-11-26

The X-Files is my absolute favorite televison show. In fact I bought my first DVD player just so I could buy the DVD sets and watch all the episodes in order. The stand alone episodes are good, but the mythology episodes are why I collected them in the first place.

However, I came across one small "issue" when I saw the list of episodes on the Abduction set. It's missing the episode called "Sleepless". While this episode's main plot is NOT part of the mythology it does contain two or three EXTREMELY important scenes pertaining to the mythology. This is the episode that introduces two major mythology characters: Krycek and X. It has a wonderful scene where we meet X for the first time and it establishes Krycek's connection with the CSM (although this becomes easily apperent in Ascension). But think about it. If you are watching the episodes as they are presented in this set, the first time X appears is in Ascension when Mulder goes to Senator Matheson's office for help. People who haven't seen Sleepless will be wondering "Who the heck is this guy? Did I miss something?" And of course the answer is, "Yes. You did miss something". At the very least I think that those scenes should have been worked into the set, maybe as optional bonus footage that could be viewed in the Duane Barry menu.

For those of you who are new to the mythology and are interested in buying the four sets you should know that "Sleepless" should be viewed between "Little Green Men" and "Duane Barry".

I WAS pleased to note that they corrected the credit tag on Ascension to "Deny Everything" which was not on the original season two box set (at least not on mine anyway).

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