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New X-Files season described as 'messy, tedious and limp' in first reviews

It's not good news for diehard fans of the classic cult series

Jacob Stolworthy
Wednesday 13 January 2016 13:49 GMT
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David Duchvony and Gillian Anderson will be reprising their roles in 'The X-Files: Cold Cases' on Audible in July
David Duchvony and Gillian Anderson will be reprising their roles in 'The X-Files: Cold Cases' on Audible in July

When news of an X-Files reboot surfaced, fans were awash with excitement - this was, after all, the biggest cult hit TV series of the Nineties.

Unfortunately, it seems that viewers' excitement could well lead to disappointment upon sitting down to watch the first of six new episodes beginning in the US on 24 January.

Yes, a wave of negative reviews have hit holding the unanimous verdict that it would have been best for series creator Chris Carter to let his show lie.

The Hollywood Reporter critic Tim Goodman quite simply offers the verdict that the episode is "not very good."

"In messy, tedious form, the revered sci-fi series starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson limps back for a limited run on Fox.

"[It] is a very underwhelming hour that will force even diehard fans (and yes, I was one of them) to consider whether pushing onward is really worth the time."

Variety comments that: "It's simply hard to escape the prevailing malaise of this being a deal-driven exercise" surmising that the premiere episode of the limited series - the show's tenth - feels like "...a missed opportunity."

Concurring is Vanity Fair who goes on to offer a more hopeful approach: "It's possible none of the critics have seen the best that the rebooted X-Files has to offer. In other words, I want to believe."

Not so hopeful, though, is Goodman who question's broadcaster Fox's decision to preview a mere one episode to critics.

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"Given that the second episode airs one night later and wasn't sent, that's not a good sign."

Duchovny and Anderson return as Fox Mulder and Dana Scully who were both last seen in 2008 film The X-Files: I Want to Believe.

All we need to do now is hold out hope that the other classic series making a return - Twin Peaks - fares better.

Channel 5 will be airing The X-Files in the UK, although no airdate has currently been set.

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