The X-Files: The Complete Sixth Season (Collector's Edition)
December 2002 Reviewed by: Anthony Di Marco Format: DVD	(all ratings out of 5): Overall Enjoyment Picture Quality Packaged Extras Sound Quality

Fresh off their first feature film, The X-Files: Fight the Future, David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson deliver one of this series’ best seasons as the dynamic duo: Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. Some may scoff at the mundane "Rain King" episode or those instances where the agents miraculously cheat death again ("Agua Mala" and "Field Trip"), but I challenge anyone to point out a science-fiction-based show over the last 20 years that betters the X-Files in ambition or imagination

In the sixth season the relationship between Fox and Dana continues to evolve, intensifying from FBI colleagues to individuals who genuinely care for one another. But alas, the kiss that was almost in Fight the Future never materializes over the course of 22 shows. Fans would have to wait for the seventh season and "Millennium." Instead, Chris Carter and his writers insinuate the love that both agents have for each other. Whether it is by dressing them up as a faux married couple in "Acadia," having Scully turn jealous of Mulder’s ex, Diana Fowley, in "Biogenesis," or letting Michael McKean express all of Mulder’s pent-up desire for Scully in "Dreamland," The X-Files never resorts to a one-night stand with its audience. Instead, the relationship between Mulder and Scully is kept "pure," while injecting enough sexual tension between the two to kill Cupid. Too many shows fall into the trap of having stars jump into bed for the sake of ratings. The X-Files gets it right: Keep the audience guessing and they’ll keep coming back for more.

I liked the majority of the sixth season. However, I do think there are standouts that stayed more loyal to the true spirit of The X-Files -- to give the audience a fun scare while not taking things too seriously. "Field Trip" is not only creepy, but also significant in arguing that Scully’s belief in science and Mulder’s faith cannot survive without each other. Although the mystery of Brown Mountain was not, by Mulder’s assessment, alien, the phenomenon doesn’t fit into one of Scully’s neat logic-based packages. At its foundation, what makes The X-Files work season after season is Scully’s need for Mulder to reestablish her faith in God and the unknown, and Mulder’s need for Scully to filter fact from fallacy. Like other great X-Files, "Field Trip" is not about either agent being right or wrong. It is about two people supporting each other.

But how honest is a show that fails to wink at itself on occasion? Many fans may violently disagree, but some of the most memorable X-Files have been those that take a more comedic approach to story telling. "The Unnatural" has a very funny theory about why some humans have incredible talent -- they’re actually aliens. In this instance, first-time writer/director David Duchovny applies that logic to baseball and a young player from the minor leagues. It’s a definite classic.

But no show goes on for six years without having a few duds in the can. My vote goes to the genuinely boring and badly acted "Rain King" and the technically perfect but dull "Triangle."

Even before Fight the Future, The X-Files consistently scored high marks for its cinematic quality. Looking less like a weekly television show and more like a mini-movie, the sixth season of the series upped the ante by shooting all The X-Files in anamorphic widescreen. Video quality across the sixth season averages from very good to superb. The show’s trademark deep blacks and desaturated colors are beautifully preserved in this collection. In addition to fine-looking visuals, good sound continued to be an impressive characteristic of the series. You would expect such attention to sound design on a multimillion-dollar Hollywood film, but not episodic television. The same holds true for composer Mark Snow’s musical treatments. Coupled with well-produced sound design, Mark Snow’s scores offer each episode a distinct feel.

While the extra features have improved from season to season on X-Files DVD releases, the small number still underwhelms me. Perhaps some background info on Mark Snow’s musical direction during the sixth season or some script-to-screen analysis would be nice. I did enjoy two of the special features: Paul Rabwin’s commentary on some of the season’s more interesting special effects and Frank Spotnitz’s rundown of deleted scenes were equally fascinating, demonstrating the level of effort and decision-making that went into The X-Files on a weekly basis. Other extras, like the "Behind the Scenes" featurette, offered little more than filler.

Though the price for this collection is high, it’s a must for any aficionado. The X-Files concluded its nine-season run this past May -- with two feature films promised in the coming years. Whether you enjoyed this series or not, there is no denying its quality and consistency. And The X-Files: The Complete Sixth Season stands as a perfect example of all the things The X-Files got right.

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