Kristi's "Within" Review
November 6, 2000
3.5/5
This review is sponsored by John Doggett Clone #3, The End of The Road, The Bee Dome, and The Voices In My Head.
The new season has begun! On November 5, 2000 The X-Files season eight started with a freshness it has needed for the past two season. The introduction of Special Agent John Doggett has given The X-Files a real effect. As one fan put it, "He's a real agent." And that is true.
Within began with Mulder in a fetal position covered in goo and Scully waking up with a start. The only explanation I can give isn't even mine, but from another fan, "She is in the middle of two big events in her life: her pregnancy and Mulder's abduction... the two events seem to have collided into one dream."
The new opening credits helps to give the show a new freshness, though I will miss the old one. The badges have new photos (which I personally don't like) and Robert Patrick has been added, as would be expected. They have cut out Mulder and Scully opening the door holding guns from season one, and have added a fetus being covered by an eclips, which I thought was interesting (could this symbolize that the baby is alien?). They have also replaced the white ghostly figure falling with Mulder falling. This looks a little bit corny... but what can I do about that? Perhapes this could be symbolizing ro forshadowing something about Mulder's fate. They have replaced the eye with Gillian's aswell... and the tagline said: THE TRUTH IT OUT THERE.
All in all, Within was a good episode. A fresh new feel that has long been needed. Like a pilot episode for a new series, Within was a bit slow moving... but would be expected with the introduction of John Doggett, building up his character and a profile... ect... very interesting though.
Director Kim Manners has created a new feel as well for the episode... with a hand-held camera. I didn't feel it should have been used at some parts, but the part when Doggett is telling the investigation and to find Gibson Praise (the child prodigy from 5x20 The End and 6x01 The Beginning) was very awesome and effective. It added to the tension that was already there, and made it more. Awesome work Mr. Manners! And bravo to the second unit directing with the helicopter shots... my favorite! =)
Once again, composer Mark Snow has mezmorized the fans with his brilliant music. Though at a few times it was a bit heavy for the scene... but I like it. It really added to the freshness. But no need to worry... they haven't changed the opening credit music! =)
One of my favorite scenes in Within is when Scully wakes up in Mulder's apartment and Doggett is standing there. She asks him what he is doing there... and he asks her the same thing... to feed the fish she tells him. "And then you got tired and took a nap." Doggett tells her. She moves past him angry and looks for the fish food... she can't find it... Doggett tells her that it's in the left hand draw of the desk... and it is. Scully is a little snotty to him in this scene (and many others) but as a real agent, Doggett is respectful. This scene has some of the best dialogue I have ever heard! Very awesome!
Also in Within we learn some things new about Mulder... the fact that he knows he was dying ever since The Sixth Extinction was very interesting. As Doggett told Scully, "Maybe you didn't really know him.". It was also interesting that Mulder would be making trips to his mother's grave... ect... ect... This could also be forshadowing about Mulder... the fact that he seems to know that he is going to die in the year 2000... hmmm...
There was a lot of interaction between Scully and Skinner... and that was very exciting! I look forward to seeing them more together. It added to the freshness that the series is finally getting. And I can't wait for more! I think in the scene where Scully and Skinner are on their way to find Gibson... I think it is so funny how they are dressed in vacation type cloths... maybe they are doing more than what the FBI wants them to do... (That one's for you Cassie! LOL)
My rating for Within is a good 3.5 out of 5! My reasoning for this rating is because the teaser didn't link with the rest of the story, some of the hand held shots in the office were unnessisary, and some of the music was too hary for a scene. But it is a good rating because it was a well put together script, and especially the introduction of John Doggett, and the re-introduction of Alvin Kersh, and how the las scene was build up and intense. The acting was great from Robert Patrick, Mitch Pileggi, and Gillian Anderson. And I must give great acting credit to David Duchovny for going through so much pain (though I think he should have screamed louder. LOL) ;)
Only one nickpick has been found: John Doggett said that Mulder and Scully investigated Gibson Praise in 1997... but it was in 1998 when 5x20 The End and 6x01 The Beginning were aired. Maybe Mr. Carter wrote 5x20 The End in 1997... hmmm... =)
So you have made it to the end of my rant/review of Within. I hope you are still alive... it wasn't that boring... was it? =) LOL Thank you for reading.
~Kristi
"Give a little, get a little, Agent Scully." -John Doggett.
DOGGETT: How far would Mulder go?
SCULLY: How far would mulder go for what?
DOGGETT: The truth.
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