It was one of the biggest series of the 1990’s and after a fourteen year absence, The X Files made its highly anticipated return on FOX in the US last night.
The new series which is due to air a two part opening special on RTE Two on Tuesday and Wednesday night got off to a flying start in the U.S. gaining an impressive 13.5 million viewers, has been heavily criticised by critics already.
The latest series which see’s stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson return as FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully to investigate unexplained alien abductions has not gone down well with the U.S. top TV critics with many already panning the revival.
The new 6 part series written by Chris Carter, the show’s creator, has left a rather sour taste with critics, with many saying the show has failed to capture the imagination of viewers unlike it’s glory days which explored everything paranormal. According to USA Today: “The show’s oft-repeated catchphrase goes, the truth is out there — and the truth may be that The X-Files no longer has any new tricks to show us.”
Whilst Tim Goodman of the Hollywood Reporter, says: “What we’re left with is a very underwhelming hour that will force even die hard fans (and yes, I was one of them) to consider whether pushing onward is really worth the time.”
However Deadline.com was a little bit more optimistic in its assessment the new series saying it “Wonderfully resurrects much of what made it such pivotal TV back during Bill Clinton’s presidency”. “Strikingly serious and silly at the same time, the six episodes are actually a lot like the original X-Files — you either go with it or you don’t. And if you want to believe…. this X-Files is well worth opening up.”
All in all Mulder and Scully’s return has not been deemed a major success, although you will get decide for yourself tomorrow night. Will you be watching?
