X Files - Providence [DVD] (12)

The bottom line is that this is a great chance to say goodbye to The X-Files, which has been such a huge part of my life (and so many others' lives) across the world for almost a decade. Chris Carter seemingly wrote it in this way - it's clearly a for the fans affair - with Skinner playing a pivotal role - and Marita Covarrubias finally returns!!!

The first half has quite a lot of flashback sequences allowing you to remenice about the previous decade's best moments, although some fans understandably felt cheated and would have prefered 100% new stuff for this farewell episode. Overall the episode is great, dispite the fact that Agents Doggett and Reyes are relegated to extras; totally flying in the face of all the good things CC and Frank Spotnitz have been saying about them (and they deserved). Which is a great shame.

In face, the only weak point is towards the end of the episode when CC brings back one familiar face too many. It's a shame as well that the mythology has carried on too long, forcing Mulder to now deal with the 'Super Soldier' menace. When I think back to the good old alien-filled days of season three...

If you're a fan of the show you need to see this now (even though the most dedicated amongst you will probably buy the DVD boxset in a couple of years anyway). If you're just a casual viewer I'd reccommend you buy this anyway - jus so you can say you've got the final episode ever of the nineties' finest TV show.

Roll on the next movie... (And give Robert Patrick a decent part!)

Get past these problems, and you'll find an above average myth story. The first episode is a little dull, consisting of mysterious dialogue, plot exposition and character establishment. However, the second episode is much stronger, laying out the foundations of Seasons 9's myth arc without Mulder. The story is at times convoluted and unsatisfying, but persevere and link the plot threads with Season 8's "Deadalive" and "Existence" features, and much of it eventually makes sense.

The two new lead characters are just as strong and likeable as Mulder and Scully before them. Reyes is perhaps the least likeable of the two; she is very spiratual and not as intense or subtle as Scully. Robert Patrick as Doggett is excellent, a worthy successor to Mulder. One of the hardest things to get used to in "Nothing Important Happened Today" is the minimal appearance of Agent Scully. Gillian Anderson now has a small role in each episode of Season 9 due to her own requests, but after 8 years of her being the leading lady, her amazing talents are missed. Nevertheless, this is a good, strong, if unspectacular start to the show's final season and more then worthy of The X-Files name.

very watchable as ever, but not the best epasode to go out on