by Adam Silva
As I was watching the pilot, I realized that "The Lone Gunmen" is going to be one cool show. It is so different than anything else, much like its predecessor. Bruce Harwood, Tom Braidwood, and Dean Haglund are great leads for a show. Despite their looks, they have such chemistry and are compable of going from comedy to drama as much as much as the show calls for it. And that's something to give them a lot of credit for.
The pilot itself is actually quite good. While it certainly isn't flawless, it is a wonderfully entertaining hour, which proves that this show can be good and is. It is a little slow to begin with, but by the end it really picks up. The last act is one of those few "edge-of-your seat" exciting moments on TV. Much like "The X-Files" and over 1013 shows, this almost has the feel of a movie. The cinematography is wonderful, especially during the airliner scenes. That was some of the most impressive camerawork, directing, and special effects I've seen on TV.
The trio themselves give pretty good performances. Some have said that the actors can't act, except for Bruce Harwood. I disagree, Tom Braidwood gives a really good performance here, especially when Frohike has his conversation with Byers about his father. I also thought the scene in which he convinces Harlow to save the airliner passengers was quite convincing. I think they should try giving some dramatic parts for him too. Dean Haglund, while not totally bad, did have a few problems. I was surprised, because we didn't see it on the Lone Gunmen episodes of "The X-Files." However, nothing was so bad that it was actually bothersome. In fact, I would actually be surprised if we see much more of that again. Harwood, of course, was really good. He's perfect to lead the trio. He adds a seriousness to them. He shows they really are about something, about trying to stop corruption and help the American people. His discussion with his father near the end is wondeful. I totally belived what I was hearing. Byers is a lot stronger man than people give him credit for, and I hope we see more of that in the future. Newcomer Zuleikha Robinson did a good job for what little part she had, but we got enough to know what she will be like on the series. Her character, Harlow, is an interesting one. Her real identity and motives should make a good mythology for the show, as well as her changing attitudes toward the Gunmen and theirs toward her. I'm looking forward to a good character arc here.
The actual plot of the show was not bad either. It made for an exciting and somewhat dramatic and funny hour. There were some comparisons between Byers and his father's relationship with that of Mulder and his father, but by the end of the show I really didn't feel it. It really didn't come off the same way, and during the episode wasn't thinking about how this is like "The X-Files." Thus, I understand now how the writers could have done this. It was a very good government conspiracy story that wasn't really like "The X-Files" at all. Mulder and Scully should have used the Gunmen more often, because they've defeated their conspiracies!
During the unfolding of the story there were some problems, however. Some of the jokes fell flat, especially Frohike falling in mud. Also, I felt the teaser sequence last a little long, but that could be because we were showed most of the scene during the FOX promos, which was actually a problem during several moments of the show. However, the end more than made up for it. The real problem was that there wasn't as much comedy (or successful comedy) as there should have been. This was a bit too serious, and the show needs more levity to work. However, this is a pilot and the show can work these problems out over time, like any show. The producers have already said it is a bit different than the others episodes (which are more comedy) anyway.
Also, Mark Snow has out done himself again. I loved the electric guitar parts (perhaps just because I myself play guitar) mixed in with typical "The X-Files" music. It worked so well, and made certain parts of the show more exciting than they otherwise would have been. It really had a spy feel to it.
Finally, while the pilot did had a few problems, it is nothing that will last in the show, and which may fade away from the episode with more viewings. In the mean time, just sit back, relax and enjoy it. I think we have the best show since "The X-Files" on our hands.
