Netflix is starting the year off with a bang (literally) with the release of their new gawky teen sex comedy series Sex Education that brings in elements of Freaks and Geeks, Dawson’s Creek and Porky’s to create one of the year’s brightest and funniest series that shows regardless of sexual experience, sex is never the cut and paste answer to any problem that may arise.
Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield) is living a semi-complicated life. At 16, he’s found himself in the middle of a sexual awakening but it’s just not his…which is partly in fault thanks to his mother Jean (Gillian Anderson) who’s profession as a sex therapist muddles itself between what’s appropriate to talk about at work and home causing Otis to be more sexually repressed than his school friends. Though, being the son of a sex therapist does have it’s own rewards when school outcast Maeve (Emma Mackey), looking to make a quick buck, talks Otis into giving out the advice he has learnt at home to the sexually active and confused students at his school. The beauty here is the diversity within the students at the school and the problems they are needing help with. A popular girl with a touchy gag reflex to a lesbian couple having trouble with sex to a shy and awkward teen with an almost stalkerish crush on a girl all find themselves in the presence of Otis who doles out sage advice all the while knowing full well, he’s still yet to experience anything of the like.
Along with Otis and Maeve, there’s Otis’ best friend Eric (Ncuti Gatwa) who doesn’t struggle with his sexuality but with how difficult it is to find someone when there’s only one other openly gay student at the school. He’s also become the target of the school bully Adam (Connor Swindells) who spends most of the season making Eric’s life a living hell – and being a major disappointment to his father, the head master of the school and as the season progresses, there’s little snippets into Adam’s life that reveal why he does what he does.
Gillian Anderson as Jean is just one of the standouts from this series but singling out her performance as the sexually open therapist is a must as this role feels so….un Gillian Anderson that it’s perfect. We’re used to seeing Anderson in constricted, quiet and closed in roles (X-Files, Bleak House, Hannibal) that it feels like a breath of fresh air watching her character smoke a joint and get high with one of her son’s classmates or don a red shag wig and grope and stroke an over sized phallic shaped eggplant.
At only eight episodes long, this first season does not feel rushed or have things swept under the rug to deal with later – though – no spoilers – there is a lot of stuff set up if (fingers crossed) the show comes back for a second outing.
Check out the trailer below:
At the heart of all this though are the three relationships that are either existing or formed throughout the season and how they stretch and break and mend with each passing day. Otis and his mother Jean. Otis and Maeve. Otis and Eric.
Sex Education Season One is now streaming on Netflix.
It’s been 20 years since Mattel released the first ever X-Files Mulder and Scully Barbie gift set featuring the spooky duo in conjunction with the very first X-Files movie, all the way back in 1998.
There were two versions of the gift set produced, the first and rarer version, was quickly pulled from shelves because it was deemed that Scully’s hair was too long and promptly replaced with a second release with shorter hair.
Fast forward 20 years later and the first images of new brand new Mulder and Scully Barbie Signature dolls have leaked online showcasing brand new sculpts of the duo made specially for this release.
Each doll is packaged separately and while not 100% confirmed, may seem to include some points of articulation. Both are dressed in screen accurate outfits from the show along with ID and FBI badges,
Slated to release later this month, one of the Scully dolls has already appeared on eBay (where the images came from) so it can’t be too soon before we see them hit our local retailers!
Mid last year, toy company ThreeZero released a crazy detailed 1/6 scale figure of X-Files’ Special Agent Fox Mulder featuring incredible likeness to David Duchovny, tailored suit, alternate hands, weapon, badge and much more. Cut to almost 12 months later and now ThreeZero have released details on Mulder’s partner, Special Agent Dana Scully’s release.
From ThreeZero:
Highly detailed figure featuring life-like realism that is crafted with the authentic likeness of the FBI Agent Dana Scully as portrayed by Gillian Anderson in the ‘The X-Files’ television series.
1/6th scale Agent Dana Scully collectible details:
* 11” (~28cm) tall, articulated figure
* Black 2-piece suit (coat and slacks).
* Formal shirt
* Black pencil skirt
* Black pumps
Spoilers below for those who have not seen ALL 6 episodes!!!
WARNING!!! SPOILERS LAY BELOW! DO NOT CONTINUE IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN ALL 6 EPISODES!!
It’s been a very welcome return for our long time truth hunters who returned to our screen in January after a decade plus long absence. The shows main hurdle to overcome was whether or not Mulder and Scully could still draw in the audiences it once drew in all those years ago while being reachable to new viewers not overtly familiar with the characters and the show.
When season 10 closed with that insane final episode, I for one, like to say that yes, The X-Files was able to bring me – a long time fan of the show – back into it’s fold and also welcome in new viewers. With the revelation that ‘little green men’ do in fact exist and that their alien mechanics had been used for decades to create secret technology and their DNA used to protect chosen ones from an impending global disease crisis, dedicated fans got to travel full circle with Mulder and Scully on their hunt for the truth.
This reveal, in some form, closed the ‘is the truth out there’ book and opened a brand new one revolving around powerful men and the Alien secrets they have been choosing to hide from the public basically transforming what we all knew about The X-Files and the team involved brining back this show did it good.
That’s not to say though that The X-Files return did not come with its flaws.
While many critics applauded the shows quick return to monster-of-the-week flair (episode 3 – Mulder and Scully meet the were-monster) I found that to be one of the series weakest. While the on-screen chemistry between Duchovny and Anderson was stronger than ever, the tongue-in-cheek poke at Mulder and Scully’s monster hunting felt incredibly far fetched with the story of Guy Mann, a lizard to human shape changer that included way too much dialogue and not enough of the dark stuff we had been treated to in the second episode with insane geneticist Augustus Goldman (Melrose Place’s Doug Savant) building genetically enhanced (and disfigured) children.
Episode five introduced two new agents – Agent Miller (Robbie Amell) and the ridiculously named Agent Einstein (Lauren Ambrose) to the fold and went even further south of episode 3 and gave us Mulder, deep in the heart of Texas, boot scootin and line dancing his way through a psychedelic trip that eventually saw him face to face with a comatose bomber. These two weak episodes felt like a very poor and feeble attempt at recapturing some of the more light hearted and fan favorite episodes of seasons past such as Bad Blood from season 5.
Funnily enough, what critics hated the most, I found to be engaging and very X-Filesey. The cigarette smoking man playing puppet master god, Scully’s alien DNA proving to be a most useful tool, Mulder working with conspiracy theorist Tad O’Malley (Joel McHale), Scully’s former partner Agent Reyes (Annabeth Gish) returning out of the blue to provide a shocking piece of information….this funnily enough is where most felt the X-Files lost it’s way during its original run yet felt like The X-Files.
Annabeth Gish returns in the season 10 finale as Agent Monica Reyes
So how did each episode fare?
Episode One – My Struggle
7 out of 10
The X-Files not only had to re-connect with long time fans but also, draw in new ones and in doing so, produced a lot of information, like mountains of it. From Aliens landing in the 1950’s to how their technology was stripped from them to the semi-annoying Tad O’Malley gobbling up too much screen time to learning about what Mulder and Scully had been up-to since we last saw them.
MVP: Sveta ( Annet Mahendru) was the perfectly eerie and damaged character to bring Mulder and Scully back together. A survivor of multiple abductions, Sveta’s fragility in coming forward with her claims played immensely well into the X-Files lore.
Episode Two – Founders Mutation
8.5 out of 10
An almost perfect return to form for the show, the mystery surrounding Mulder and Scully’s son William was answered and the two shared a wonderful amount of screen time together that made us all happy. Pair this with the mad scientist trying to genetically breed children story line and we have ourselves a fantastic episode.
MVP: Augustus Goldman (Doug Savant) was the bad guy we needed to see early on in the series return. While for only one episode, his elusiveness to reveal just what he has been up-to provided a much needed creep factor to the show plus, it was great to see Savant play against type.
Episode Three – Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster
3 out of 10
The weakest of the bunch, Mulder and Scully’s monster hunt episode felt forced and contrived as they hunt for a monster that has been killing and feeding on innocent people. The lame attempt at touching on the humorous side of the show fell flat and produced nothing really new that had not been done before – even Guy Mann’s overtly sexy retelling of his encounter with Scully felt icky. There was also waaaay too much dialogue – the scene with Mann and Mulder in the cemetery…it needed to end long before it began.
MVP: N/A
Episode Four – Home Again
7 out of 10
Another ‘monster-of-the-week’ episode but done very very well. The gruesome “band-aid nose man” was terrifying and chilling enough to rekindle my love of those episodes from seasons past and Scully’s heartbreak at loosing her mother was equally touching and tear-inducing.
MVP: John DeSantis’s Band-Aid nose man was freaky enough to join the ranks of other well known X-Files monsters such as the Flukeman and Tombs.
Episode Five – Babylon
5 out of 10
Mulder and Scully parting ways to try and communicate with a disfigured and comatose bomber was a premise I truly wanted to love but there was too much other stuff getting in the way for me to actually enjoy. Agent Miller and Einstein proved no real purpose other than to accompany Mulder and Scully on their efforts and Mulder’s drug induced Billy Ray Cyrus trip…I swear you can see in Duchovny’s eyes he’s thinking “What the actual fuck am I doing?”
MVP: David Duchovny only for actually going through with this episode.
Episode Six – My Struggle Part 2
8 out of 10
While this episode once again featured a little bit too much of Tad O’Malley (are people seriously using his web show as their source of nightly news?!) the Scully based episode actually bests the Mulder led episode one in which Scully learns she may hold the cure to the impending global medical disaster. Even Agents Miller and Einstein were tolerable as they try and help the masses and that final scene…..cliffhanger much?!
MVP: Agent Monica Reyes! So glad to see her back (even though it’s without Robert Patrick’s Agent Doggett) but wasn’t too keen on her portrayed as a weak willed woman who would give in to cigarette smoking man’s demands.
Clearly that final scene with Scully looking into the down-shining lights of the UFO opens up the likelihood of more X-Files episodes. I’d be more than happy with these short 6-10 episode stints and now with the backstory told, it opens up the ability to give fans a continuation of the X-Files we knew and loved. Many fans are suggesting that if and when the show returns that creator Chris Carter ‘share the load’ or so to say and not monopolize his control of the show. bringing in new blood to the world of The X-Files can only be a smart move to keep things fresh.
What did you think of the series? Agree with my thoughts on each episode of disagree completely and feel that 10×03 was one of the best episodes yet? Sound off in the comments above!
Let’s just put it out there….there is going to be a lot to take in during this first episode back of our favorite alien-hunters show The X-Files. With 9 seasons and two movies worth’s of back-log to go through, Mulder (David Duchovny) of Mulder and Scully (Gillian Anderson) gives viewers a 3 minute history lesson in the world of The X-Files.
In an attempt to catch up viewers not yet inducted into this world of aliens and conspiracy theories and to offer those who are, a nice slice of remembrance pie, Mulder pulls out the old case files and explains just what he and former partner Scully had been through. From the story of his missing sister to case photos showing very familiar villains of days gone by, it’s enough to bring even the greenest of fans up-to today’s case in point.
And that point? Conspiracy theory cover-ups of course! While the existence of such a thing within the X-Files world is nothing new, this specific conspiracy theory brought to our attention by a scaremongering Tad O’Malley (Community’s Joel McHale) which begs Mulder to question everything he and Scully had done during their time with the X-Files and justifiably, bringing the two back together once again.
So does this new installment of the X-Files feel like The X-Files? Well it helps to have Mulder and Scully back on board and AD Skinner (Mitch Pileggi) is back too plus everyone is still looking flawless (especially Anderson who is aging like fine wine) and – fans are going to love this – the original title credits have been left….untouched! So yes, for the most part this does feel like the X-Files. Mulder is now a recluse hermit still crazed and wanting answers, Scully is sort-of along for the ride even if at first she’d rather be back in the ER attaching ears to children who were born with none and there are UFO’s and aliens.
That said, there is so much jam packed into this first episode. Some scenes of dialogue can be a bit much to take in, even for weathered X-files fans like myself. A certain scene involving Mulder linking Uber, Facebook, Snowden and the NSA (among a myriad of other things) all to a massive alien cover-up had me reaching for the remote to rewind and grasp some sanity of what lines he just spewed out. Throw that in with some flashbacks to Roswell and things seem a little less exciting once the rose tinted glasses come down.
It’s not until the last 10 minutes of this episode where everything falls into place and we begin to make sense of what Mulder had been banging on about this entire episode and just like Scully, we’re dragged right back into the X-Files.
The second episode which airs the following night flows much more like a proper episode as by this stage, the set-up has already taken place and we’re into full X-Files mode.
Considering the love of re-boots of late (Girl Meets World and Fuller House to name a few) The X-Files falls into the ‘on a winner’ box. 2009’s Melrose Place reboot went to hell because it refused to acknowledge any link to its original backing and last years Heroes reboot failed due to…well…pretty much the same reason. Thankfully, The X-Files welcomes its history with open arms and we welcome it with even wider arms. Fingers crossed this miniseries opens a door to brining back Mulder and Scully for a longer stay.
Episode one of this six episode reboot begins Jan 31st (6 days after it’s US release mind you) on Network 10.
P.S: Keep an eye out for former Melrose Place alum Doug Savant (Matt Fielding) playing a doctor you wouldn’t really want your children to see in episode two!
David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson are back for the 2016 X-Files reboot!
13 years! Yes, it’s been 13 years since Special Agents Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) last graced our screens (save for the two feature length films) and now the two are back in Jan of 2016 for a re-boot of the massive 90’s cult series that we’ve all been begging for on FOX.
The six episode mini series will pick-up after where the series ended in 2002 which will see our reunited duo chasing monsters and little green men but also dealing with modern day threats like drones, NSA spying and constant surveillance.
Check out the recently aired two-part teaser trailers below:
Joining our two favorite heroes in the reboot are familiar faces including Mitch Pileggi as Walter Skinner, William B. Davis as The Smoking Man and Annabeth Gish as FBI Agent Monica Reyes along with Tom Braidwood, Dean Haglund, and Bruce Harwood as The Lone Gunmen!
The X-Files mini-series returns to screens, Jan 26th 2016 on FOX
They say marriage is a sacred institution. One that is not to be entered into lightly and as the traditional vows go “Till death do us part” and judging by the new Hannibal season three trailer, death may be more imminent in a surprise new union.
In the closing moments of the season two finale, Hannibal (Mads Mikkelsen) was seen leaving on a jet plane with his former therapist Bedelia Du Maurier (Gillian Anderson) and it seems by the trailer above, this new relationship will be the focus of season three.
Showrunner Bryan Fuller recently told Digital Spy that Anderson has “quite a big role in the first half of the season”, and has one “hilarious” episode in particular. It’s such a treat because you don’t see a lot of comedy from Gillian Anderson in her roles, but she’s very funny as a human being and incredibly funny as an actress when she turns it on,” he said.
Hannibal returns
USA: Thursday, June 4 on NBC
Australia: TBA on FOX8
Drink up! The X-Files is nearing a confirmed return!
That X-Files reboot news that popped up back in early Jan is reportedly one step closer to actually happening with news coming out that FOX are apparently close to green lighting the revival.
It’s being noted that the network has ordered a ‘short stack’ order for the planned re-boot which could see less than 10 episodes made of the popular sci-fi series that made David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson household names.
Both Anderson and Duchovny have had successful post X-files careers and it’s believed that the hectic work schedule of both stars is part of the reasoning behind the short-stack order (Duchovny’s ‘Aquarius’ is due to premiere soon while Anderson is flitting between Hannibal’s third season and The Fall’s third season).
Along with Gillian and David, creator/writer Chris Carter is back on board and an offer to Mitch Pileggi (Director Skinner) has been made.
Any final say on the re-boot is most likely to come in May when FOX have their planned upfront presentation in New York.
Are you excited for the return of Dana and Spooky? Sound off in the comments below!
Update: March 24th 2015
FOX has confirmed that Mulder and Scully will officially be returning to our screens searching for little green men!
The six episode series is slated to begin production in June/July with creator Chris Carter describing the shows return as “a 13-year commercial break. The good news is the world has only gotten that much stranger, a perfect time to tell these six stories.”
The first look at Hannibal’s third season is ready for devouring and judging by the video, it looks like we’re in for a mighty meal.
The trailer for the cult-favorite, blood soaked thriller shows Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) alive and well after his encounter with Hannibal (Mads Mikkelsen) obsessivly on the hunt tracking down the killer with a penchant for flesh who is now on the run.
Gillian Anderson is back (of course, but this time in a more permanent role) as Bedelia Du Maurier and a new face in the form of Tao Okamoto as Chio who, as Fuller states, plays a twist on the Lady Murasaki character from the Hannibal novels.
Check out the trailer below:
Showrunner Bryan Fuller announced that season three will pull heavily from Thomas Harris’ novels Red Dragon and Hannibal Rising, mashing up elements from both novels and revealing a very different origin story for Hannibal.
Anderson and Duchovny could return to their famous alter-egos!
Thanks to the success of 24’s limited run reboot last year, FOX have begun to look at other favorite shows from their back catalog that could also do with a comeback including one small show about little green men.
Fox TV Group chairman Gary Newman has confirmed that talks have begun to look at bringing back sci-fi hit The X-Files starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson – who apparently are all interested in revisiting the characters that kick started their careers (X-Files creator Chris Carter included!) Another Fox TV Group chairman, Dana Walden, also confirmed that if and when the reboot was to happen, it will be with it’s two main leads in Duchovny and Anderson but was quick to state that no ‘creative’ talks have taken place.
With David prepping for his new series Aquarius and Gillian working in the UK (The Fall) and on the new series of Hannibal timing will be the biggest player in ensuring the project would have any chance to move forward.
The news comes off the back of whispers of a possible limited reboot for Prison Break, but FOX have stated they were in fact, just whispers….for now.
The X-Files became an instant cult classic when it premiered back in 1993, running for more than 200 episodes over nine seasons before ending in 2002.
IWhat do you think? Would the X-Files work in a limited series format like 24? Sound off in the comments below!
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