THE X-FILES Season Eleven
The truth is, they’re out
released 23 July 2018 | 15 | BLU-RAY/DVD Director Chris Carter Cast david duchovny, Gillian anderson, Mitch Pileggi, William B davis
It’s a tall order for a TV series to keep surprising you after 25 years, but Mulder and Scully’s final outing manages it. Unfortunately, it initially does so through the egregious stupidity of its storytelling, pulling a Bobby Ewing on season 10’s climax by revealing that it was all a Scully vision – a reset which, while coming as something of a relief, still feels disrespectful to viewers. Similar charges can be levelled at the finale, which concludes the pair’s search for teenage son William – revealed, mid-season, to be something extraordinary – with practically a shrug.
Thankfully, that still leaves seven arc-free adventures, and though a couple are forgettable, the general standard is good. “Familiar” refreshes an old witchcraft template by conjuring creepy spins on kids’ TV faves like Mr Noseybonk and Teletubbies. “Nothing Lasts Forever” stirs together Sunset Boulevard and The Human Centipede to stomachchurning effect. And “The Lost Art of Forehead Sweat”, Darin Morgan’s whimsical tale of unreliable memory, prompts regular chuckles with its daffiness, delivering a Twilight Zone alien on a Swegway. But “Rm9sbG93ZXJz” is the real triumph: a beautifully shot, dialogue-light meditation on our frustration with/unease about emerging tech, it milks humour and menace from apps and drones, proving that the series can still capture the zeitgeist.
The relationship between the two FBI agents still works as perfectly as ever, and this season plays new notes on that old instrument, with our heroes acknowledging their advancing years (Mulder even gets some specs, à la Kirk in Wrath Of Khan), and the wry flirtation of old flames catching fire in a way that truly warms the cockles. So while you can understand Gillian Anderson’s decision to hand in her badge, it’s still sad to see her making her X-it.
Extras Two episodes get commentaries: Chris Carter is joined by the editor and DoP as he explains the reasoning behind the finale, while the writer and director of the Skinner-centric “Kitten” point out Easter eggs. The excellent “Solve For X” (50 minutes, Blu-ray only) looks at the making of the season, making use of behind-the-scenes footage (plenty of glimpses of alternate takes and trims here) and the index cards used in the Writers’ Room to break down episodes. “Implanted Memories” (45 minutes, Blu-ray only) looks back over 25 years, drawing heavily on old interviews. A charming Duchovny/Anderson conversation (15 minutes) sees the two stars interviewing each other, while “The Scully Effect” (17 minutes) celebrates Scully’s legacy – particularly how the character encouraged female participation in science. A swear-heavy gag reel and a short bit on the show’s green credentials complete a strong package. Ian Berriman
Anderson’s two sons cameo as passengers on a bus in 11.04, while Duchovny’s daughter West has a small role in 11.10.