UNCUT - The X-Files S2E7 - 3

Not an amazing episode, but I love vampires / vampire lore. So this one is kind of a guilty pleasure of mine. The vampire bar being called 'Tepes' was a nice touch.

This is tricky, because I don't want to sound like I'm just beating up on an episode you liked or by extension your perspective. That being said, there have been plenty of reactions where you both really dogged on an episode I really like and even kinda clowned on some of the elements I like about it. Which is fair, people are allowed their perspectives, I wouldn't deny you yours. So I guess by the same token, I'm allowed to share my perspective, and my perspective is, respectfully... This episode is an incoherent crazy dumb mess (imo). A man burns alive from sunlight, comes back to life, it is *never* explained at all, and y'all think the show "managed to stay grounded"? wtf? I also don't really get why Ron Moore is catching strays for making "Our Man Bashir" make sense, it was like 4 lines and each one was necessary to make it so the were valid reasons characters didn't just like 1. Turn off the holodeck 2. Do nothing in the holodeck 3. Not care about the safety of the characters in the holodeck, etc. Again, I really don't want to be negative, you guys are cool guys, and there's far too much negativity so I really don't want to sound like I'm *angry commenter voice*ing at you. I guess on this and some others it's an agree to disagree type thing, seems like what is "over-explaining" to you both is "minimum explanation and good writing" to me and something like this ep which is "leaving mystery and not over explained" to you both is "poorly written absurd nonsense" to me.

Why does the one vampire almost look like Tommy Wiseau? "I did not bite her, I did NOT!! Oh hi, Mulder." Yeah this one isn't great or anything, but I don't get the hate. It's a C tier episode. It's fine. I did find it funny when The Son is telling Mulder that he can't kill him, when 2 minutes earlier he was all "shut the lights off, you're killing me". It was pretty much a given that vampires would be a MOTW at some point. People can argue whether the execution works, but I don't get seeing it as offensively bad or anything. My biggest complaint is placement. The episode given me tonal whiplash going from Scully's disappearance to this. I know there was acknowledgement of that, but it felt tacked on after the fact to me. I'd have preferred to see Mulder desperately trying to track down who took her or figure out what happened to her. This could have been later in the season, but placing it here feels off IMHO.

After watching that I feel like I have brain damage

This one I just found okay, it might be because I could tell from the beginning that the girl in the shadow was different so there was not that surprise, which made this a bit dragged out for me. Plus Mulder was not himself, which is on point, since he is not suppose to be. Even the X-files being reopen, does not excite him. He is depressed not know what happened to Scully and if he will ever see her again. So his scene come of a bit dry, but they should. Hope that makes sense hahaha

I've been busy lately, so I've been Binge-watching to get caught up. I'm really glad you all are enjoying X-Files. I didn't realize how many guest appearances there were who were also in Star Trek. I hope you two continue to fall in love with this show even more. Cheers.

I know this episode is a mess, but I just love it. It jumps so hard on the mid-1990s "stylized goth gore" vampire train and I am all about that. The X-Files has all the right tools to pull it off, too. Who cares about The Plot™? I shut off my brain and enjoy the mood and look. We can get back to the quality episodes later. And shaving against the grain is the way to go. It's a bitch until you train up your skin, but you can get a great shave so fast.

Another quick thing strange Josh never heard of Anne Rice! Also saying Buffy wasn't good is a terrible take. In S2 episodes Innocence and Passion, the portrayal showing the evil of Vampires is superb. That show is on a par with X-Files in being iconic. RIP Tony Head.

Real quick, I think Mulder moving the calendar from May to November is a genius "show, don't tell" way of showing the passage of time since the X Files closed down. Also with BC from Past Tense being in this one, I'm surprised you didn't hate it on principle🤣

I forgot this one existed. I thought it was some weird Mulder and Vampires sex dream I once had.

This episode being shoe-horned into the middle of the "Scully abduction" arc was like a WTF moment for most viewers, lol. We miss Scully. 😭 Next episode is peak X-Files, everything the show could be IMO.

honestly I like the ones where I disagree with you, it gives me something to really think about :) I didn't HATE this, but it's not one of the ones that has long-lasting rewatch power, but as always the analysis definitely left me reconsidering, which is you guys at your best ^_^ originally Carter wanted moody synths from Mark Snow, that was "the energy" he was looking for for the series (and I still have a soft spot for that) and early on he obliged, but here Mark is starting to slide his way more toward his "orchestral" comfort zone, which granted, IS still VERY good <3

NOT the bottom of the show. I don't know that this is bottom 5. But bottom 3 of this season. It would be in my top 20 bad. . . . and as you read my other comment, I like this episode. There are not a lot of bad X Files. A few I would erase from cannon-- those episodes will be fun to watch with you. And you won't be an E on those. When Xfiles is bad it is usually so insane it's great to mock. Not the bottom. It is a nod to the bottom. Xfile is just so damn good.

I was always confused bu this episode, but I always enjoyed it just for the vibes. I like it more yrs later . . nice vibe. Creepy. Great score. For a decade + I was confused by Kristen's role-- watched it once or twice not closely, then I watched and loved the subtlety, realized she was not in on it and that Mulder was getting a little more heartbreak with Kristen's death on top of Scully's loss. This episode grows on me. I would have given it your D for years . . and now it's like a C/B for me.

I guess Duchovny would rank this episode a "bang-her". 😆 For me, this episode was done well, but it's not one I ever re-watch.

Returning to the bridge crew after a tour on the lower decks I saw this episode late in season three, and it was completely out of context from the other episodes I’ve been watching. I didn’t understand that it was a repeat and in the end while I thought it was a good episode. I was left confused which made it not so good. There is so much quality X-Files. There’s just no point in saying that this is good or bad like there’s something bad to talk about. There’s just episodes that aren’t as good.

This episode is the perfect setup to the guys starting Red Shoe Diaries. lol

I just started a Millenium watch I’ve only caught some here and there and it’s another great Chris Carter series I hope the boys can watch sometime

I am not a fan of this one. Bottom 20%? Probably. Worst of the series? Not even close. I am very clear as to which episode is my least favourite, and it commits a creative writing cardinal sin that most creative writing teachers would immediately give a 0% grade for committing.

forget sucking blood this episode sucks ass

A pretty dull episode for our first scullyless case

Yeah, you hit it on the head for me, Josh - the fact they actually went so far as to actually use the word vampire I think soured it for me. I will say, I did appreciate the unique way they handled it in this case, but still didn't do much for me.

Unfortunately there seem to be some spoilery comments under this video, such as season [whatever] is great, season [whatever] is bad, things get good/bad after [fill in the blanks], et cetera.

Been watching for the first time, couldn’t help myself and am now on season 4, but count me among those who don’t get the hate for this one. To me, this is about as good a solo Mulder MotW as I could have hoped for. It’s not a favorite or anything (I’d probably rank it a low B), but I find there’s this pervasive quiet sadness throughout and Scully’s absence is keenly felt, which is the way it should be imo. Also, I just enjoy the 90s goth vampire vibe. Just let Mulder be sad and have a one-night stand with a sexy (not actual) vampire!

After rewatching this one i think i treated this episode too harshly. It’s actually pretty fine. My criticisms still stand but they didnt Drag this episode down as much as I thought they would

Josh, I find it hard to believe you don't know who Anne Rice is

This is a "Space" level episode for me, just a tad higher.

It was a little different for me; I immediately recognized the actress (Justina Vail) as a separate person. But I see your point of view. Kind of wish I'D been fooled when I watched it back in the 90s.

My own thoughts on this one is that Space from S1 was even better than this. We know of course GA is away having her baby, so considering that they had to do something. Anyway it is what it is, at least it's out the way. This really is the 'Beer Bad' ( and before anyone starts coming at me, yes that was an appalling episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer ) of the X-Files. Back on track with the next one. Well done Guys for getting through this one which is the fifth worst episode on IMDB with 6.3. I am an avid fan of the show since it first started, but how this episode even made the show should be an X-File in itself!

I’m not sure which is worse, Alex being the ass ends of the bread, or him being the crunchy and sticky part of the channel…

Solid episode but not one I return to rewatch, those are coming up. Watching Alex reaction when Josh mentions Gillian Anderson talking about vagina was enjoyable.

Josh, even better... Peanut Butter with honey. If you haven't tried it, maybe best you don't, because you cannot stop eating it once you do. Alex, Peanut Butter and... celery? What on Earth did I just hear lol. But Alex, you're not the ass pieces of the bread. Peanut butter, yup. Glad you both liked this one! Vampires always tickle my fancy.

Dang! While I do love the fact that you enjoyed what many (including myself) consider to be one of the show's absolute worst, I'm fascinated that "Duane Barry" received much, much more criticism from you guys than this one. :D I never thought I'd see that happen. Many of your points here are totally valid though, and I respect them. I always stress, whenever people debate which seasons/episodes are good or bad, that it's really not that black and white, there are so many factors involved including personal preferences among many other things, various priorities, and also, if we all loved the same things, it would all be pretty boring.

I'm also a defector on this one. I always liked it because of the style and tone and how different it feels. Glad you guys liked it too! Also, when my grandmother made pancakes she would spread peanut butter on them before pouring the syrup. I've never been able to eat pancakes any other way since.

Per the start of your video... Gillian wrote a book that is a collection of women's fantasies (she either just published a second or it will be out soon), she also has an energy drink called G-Spot, and one year to the Golden Globes she wore a dress that was covered in Vulvas (it's actually a beautiful dress, cream colored with white embroidered anatomical vulvas) editing to add for the end of the video: Watch Californication, David is phenomenal in that. Also, he went on and wrote best selling novels and has a band cuz why not be an overachiever

The only bad season is season 9. I wonder how many fans assume "besides season 9" is implied when discussing best/worst episodes.

I've been under the impression that David and Gillian are frenemies

When Frank Military falls to the ground screaming, covered in burns, I thought to myself, "That's probably what they wished had happened to him in Past Tense"

The Tepes club featured this episode is named for Vladimir Tepes, Vlad the impaler. A ruler in modern day Romania during the 15th century. He was also known as “son of the dragon” or in old Romanian “Dracula”. You can see his portrait projected onto the wall at the beginning of the club scene. His history, ruthless conduct in war and name are what inspired Bram Stoker to write his novel “Dracula” in the late 19th century.

Also, I appreciate your thoughts on the tone of this episode (as I stated I found it odd) and can see your view point. I take it onboard :)

Whilst my patron take was not favourable to this episode overall, I do have to concede that I do really appreciate the performances of many of the supporting cast, especially the two M.E./Coroner, detective, firefighter, etc. Your favourite boy from DS9 is also good. However, I also remembered something else I didn't like and thankfully Josh noticed, too. Never go against the grain when shaving! I'm still comfortable with my original comments though. A very odd episode. Seems you may have enjoyed it more than most of us?...

The woman who jumped on the car was Justina Vail. She was a regular on UPN show called 7 Days. Which is neither here nor there as far as this Xfiles episode is concerned.