How shall I waste my time?
May 20, 2010 10:41 AM
Should I watch all of X-Files or all of Battlestar Galactica?
Obviously, the two options are not mutually exclusive. But a guy has only so much time, you know? Have to prioritize.
No spoilers, please.
Some important details:
My experience with each series:
I used to watch X-Files when I was younger. Never watched it all the way through, though I have probably seen quite a few of the earlier episodes. I remember, for example, these things, but not the importance of them: Mulder thinks his sister was kidnapped by aliens, and at some point maybe this turns out to be true. There was a dude named Skinner, right? You never knew which team he was playing for. The Smoking Man is an alien? Vague, hazy details.
I have only seen the first couple episodes of Battlestar Galactica. I really liked it, and know that I could "get into" it. I have had several friends highly recommend the series.
My television / movie watching habits:
TV: I don't really watch TV. I like to watch entire series on DVD straight through. My favorite relevant (i.e. "sci-fi") television series: Lost and Star Trek: TNG.
Movies: First Matrix is maybe my favorite movie of any genre. Then Star Wars IV-VI. Then who knows? Donnie Darko, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, Equilibrium, etc. There are way too many sci-fi movies I love to list them all.
I am trying to work my way through the Wire (not sci-fi, I know, but it is the series I am on now) but am finding it too "heavy". I recognize its genius, but I can't get through more than one episode without saying "Whoa, I need to take a break and like, go head-shot some people in Halo". It doesn't have that "NEXT EPISODE, NOW!!!!" quality that, for example, Lost had for me.
I like: action (at least some), great plot, trippy/philosophical ideas, loveable/hateable/complex characters, witty/interesting banter (read: great writing). I don't like: Star Trek (the original), predictability. Some cookie-cutter characters are OK as long as they are so emphatically what-they-are-supposed-to-be as to be interesting as an abstract idea.
So, based on the above, can you make me a recommendation which series I should watch first? I know there must be some people on MeFi with some strong opinions about this.
Note: X-Files and BG are the two sci-fi series that show the most promise to me, what with having covered Lost and ST: TNG. Maybe I am overlooking something.
Obviously, the two options are not mutually exclusive. But a guy has only so much time, you know? Have to prioritize.
No spoilers, please.
Some important details:
My experience with each series:
I used to watch X-Files when I was younger. Never watched it all the way through, though I have probably seen quite a few of the earlier episodes. I remember, for example, these things, but not the importance of them: Mulder thinks his sister was kidnapped by aliens, and at some point maybe this turns out to be true. There was a dude named Skinner, right? You never knew which team he was playing for. The Smoking Man is an alien? Vague, hazy details.
I have only seen the first couple episodes of Battlestar Galactica. I really liked it, and know that I could "get into" it. I have had several friends highly recommend the series.
My television / movie watching habits:
TV: I don't really watch TV. I like to watch entire series on DVD straight through. My favorite relevant (i.e. "sci-fi") television series: Lost and Star Trek: TNG.
Movies: First Matrix is maybe my favorite movie of any genre. Then Star Wars IV-VI. Then who knows? Donnie Darko, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, Equilibrium, etc. There are way too many sci-fi movies I love to list them all.
I am trying to work my way through the Wire (not sci-fi, I know, but it is the series I am on now) but am finding it too "heavy". I recognize its genius, but I can't get through more than one episode without saying "Whoa, I need to take a break and like, go head-shot some people in Halo". It doesn't have that "NEXT EPISODE, NOW!!!!" quality that, for example, Lost had for me.
I like: action (at least some), great plot, trippy/philosophical ideas, loveable/hateable/complex characters, witty/interesting banter (read: great writing). I don't like: Star Trek (the original), predictability. Some cookie-cutter characters are OK as long as they are so emphatically what-they-are-supposed-to-be as to be interesting as an abstract idea.
So, based on the above, can you make me a recommendation which series I should watch first? I know there must be some people on MeFi with some strong opinions about this.
Note: X-Files and BG are the two sci-fi series that show the most promise to me, what with having covered Lost and ST: TNG. Maybe I am overlooking something.
Oh, boy, this is a tough one.
I will go with BSG, mainly because it's shorter (so once it's over you can move onto X-Files) and because the last few seasons of the X-Files, once Duchovny leaves, are pretty weak.
BSG is also more big-picture driven. The X-Files does have the overarching backstory of the aliens and blah blah blah, but there are quite a few unrelated episodes thrown in.
I am a big fan of both series, and it's been years since I've sat down and really watched The X-Files, but I think I can say without qualification that Battlestar Galactica is a better show. It's one of my favorite series of all time. If you're looking for great TV science fiction, that's where you want to start.
posted by something something at 10:46 AM on May 20, 2010
I will go with BSG, mainly because it's shorter (so once it's over you can move onto X-Files) and because the last few seasons of the X-Files, once Duchovny leaves, are pretty weak.
BSG is also more big-picture driven. The X-Files does have the overarching backstory of the aliens and blah blah blah, but there are quite a few unrelated episodes thrown in.
I am a big fan of both series, and it's been years since I've sat down and really watched The X-Files, but I think I can say without qualification that Battlestar Galactica is a better show. It's one of my favorite series of all time. If you're looking for great TV science fiction, that's where you want to start.
posted by something something at 10:46 AM on May 20, 2010
BSG by a long shot.
It's much shorter than X-Files, 75 episodes vs 202 for X-Files.
The plots are more interconnected between the episodes, vs X-Files often has a different monster every week which has nothing to do with the following week.
posted by meowzilla at 10:48 AM on May 20, 2010
It's much shorter than X-Files, 75 episodes vs 202 for X-Files.
The plots are more interconnected between the episodes, vs X-Files often has a different monster every week which has nothing to do with the following week.
posted by meowzilla at 10:48 AM on May 20, 2010
Watch BSG first.
Then watch seasons 1-5, and the first half of 6, of The X-Files. Watch the first movie if you feel so moved (after the season 5 finale), and don't bother with the second one unless you're a huge Mulder/Scully shipper.
BSG is an amazing show that you'll get incredibly engrossed in, and it's far more serial in nature so you'll benefit from sitting down and watching it straight through. The X-Files is more easily consumed in bits and pieces.
posted by olinerd at 10:49 AM on May 20, 2010
Then watch seasons 1-5, and the first half of 6, of The X-Files. Watch the first movie if you feel so moved (after the season 5 finale), and don't bother with the second one unless you're a huge Mulder/Scully shipper.
BSG is an amazing show that you'll get incredibly engrossed in, and it's far more serial in nature so you'll benefit from sitting down and watching it straight through. The X-Files is more easily consumed in bits and pieces.
posted by olinerd at 10:49 AM on May 20, 2010
They're both pretty good -- but I'd probably side with Battlestar. It's shorter, so it has a higher awesome-density and you can get through it quickly. The X-Files has lots of episodes that fall flat, and it's a little dated overall. Of course, the corniness can make it fun to watch -- so watch them both eventually. :)
posted by Herschel at 10:52 AM on May 20, 2010
posted by Herschel at 10:52 AM on May 20, 2010
I've watched all of the X-Files and BSG, and I'd probably recommend you do BSG. I loved the X-Files, but for me it ended up having something of a drag factor in the last few seasons. I think you can say for both shows that they kind of ended up collapsing a bit under the weight of their own mythology--the writers spun out a lot of interesting threads that they ended up having a hard time resolving in a way that made organic sense--but the problem was much, much worse for the X-Files, probably just due to the length of the series.
On the other hand, I definitely think the first seasons of the X-Files are much lighter, and more consistently funny (even if it's often a dark humor), than BSG, which is seriously bleak. If you're watching The Wire at the same time, BSG might just be... too much. Like broccoli for dinner followed by spinach for dessert.
If you're wanting to watch a series, with strong arcs that make you stay up too late on school nights because you HAVE TO KNOW what happens next, BSG is the one for you. Big ideas, philosophical, strong characters, dark dark dark.
If you want a good show that will counterbalance The Wire, and you wouldn't be heartbroken by not slogging through until the bitter end, stick with The X-Files. Strong individual episodes, good characters that make you want to keep watching, dark but funny and quirky and lovable.
posted by iminurmefi at 10:53 AM on May 20, 2010
On the other hand, I definitely think the first seasons of the X-Files are much lighter, and more consistently funny (even if it's often a dark humor), than BSG, which is seriously bleak. If you're watching The Wire at the same time, BSG might just be... too much. Like broccoli for dinner followed by spinach for dessert.
If you're wanting to watch a series, with strong arcs that make you stay up too late on school nights because you HAVE TO KNOW what happens next, BSG is the one for you. Big ideas, philosophical, strong characters, dark dark dark.
If you want a good show that will counterbalance The Wire, and you wouldn't be heartbroken by not slogging through until the bitter end, stick with The X-Files. Strong individual episodes, good characters that make you want to keep watching, dark but funny and quirky and lovable.
posted by iminurmefi at 10:53 AM on May 20, 2010
I might get crucified for this, but: The X-Files can get really foot-draggy, confusing, and frustrating. Like a drabber, suit-wearing version of Lost-- except Lost's writers actually seem to have a clearer idea of where they're going with their mythology, and do a better job of tying up loose ends. There are a lot of really great, fun stand-alone episodes (with any Googling, you can get reliable best-of lists), but I don't think I'd watch it for the overarching plot. I haven't seen BSG, but it sounds anecdotally like a more satisfying show.
(Also, stick with The Wire! It gets much less bewildering as you get used to it, and then you'll really enjoy it)
posted by oinopaponton at 10:54 AM on May 20, 2010
(Also, stick with The Wire! It gets much less bewildering as you get used to it, and then you'll really enjoy it)
posted by oinopaponton at 10:54 AM on May 20, 2010
Watch the miniseries and seasons 1-3 of Battlestar Galactica. Skip season 4.
posted by kirkaracha at 10:54 AM on May 20, 2010
posted by kirkaracha at 10:54 AM on May 20, 2010
Judging from the tastes you have outlined you are going to like Battlestar Galactica a lot, probably.
Also there is no particular reason to watch the X-Files all the way through. It has an overarching plotline, but it soon becomes pretty clear the writers have no idea what to do with it. The most memorable X-Files episodes are one-shots.
posted by furiousthought at 10:55 AM on May 20, 2010
Also there is no particular reason to watch the X-Files all the way through. It has an overarching plotline, but it soon becomes pretty clear the writers have no idea what to do with it. The most memorable X-Files episodes are one-shots.
posted by furiousthought at 10:55 AM on May 20, 2010
I watched X Files all the way through a couple of years ago. Seasons 1-7 have Duchovny as a main character; in Seasons 8 & 9, he is a recurring character but Robert Patrick becomes the main male investigator.Start with seasons 1-5 and see how you feel; the show moved filming from Vancouver to LA for season 6, and the mood of the show changed.
BSG is a lot newer. The effects are better and the cast is stronger overall. Hard to compare them both, but if you already like BSG, why not continue?
posted by catlet at 10:55 AM on May 20, 2010
BSG is a lot newer. The effects are better and the cast is stronger overall. Hard to compare them both, but if you already like BSG, why not continue?
posted by catlet at 10:55 AM on May 20, 2010
You also might like Fringe. It's pretty similar to X-Files and I think the first season's on DVD.
posted by kirkaracha at 10:56 AM on May 20, 2010
posted by kirkaracha at 10:56 AM on May 20, 2010
Neither -- watching the X-Files through has few rewards; it's strengths were basically tied to its Twilight Zone-like formula, and the overall story arc (such as it is) promises more than it delivers.
BSG is a much bigger dramatic success, and some parts were really great. And the story has strong through-lines. But you don't need to watch past season 2 or 3, even if you are enjoying it. The resolution was a huge letdown and, in general, the post-New Caprica material as a whole was not very good.
The Wire is much better than either, in my opinion, though based on other preferences you might disagree.
posted by grobstein at 11:05 AM on May 20, 2010
BSG is a much bigger dramatic success, and some parts were really great. And the story has strong through-lines. But you don't need to watch past season 2 or 3, even if you are enjoying it. The resolution was a huge letdown and, in general, the post-New Caprica material as a whole was not very good.
The Wire is much better than either, in my opinion, though based on other preferences you might disagree.
posted by grobstein at 11:05 AM on May 20, 2010
One more vote for BSG. While I haven't watched the X-Files, I've loved watching BSG. Really good 'clever' stories, that keep you interested.
I found the first few episodes of season one rather confusing at first, but my patience was rewarded once things started to fall in place.
As a bonus, I think it has a great soundtrack too! I'm sure you'll want to check that out once you become a fan!
posted by soroush at 11:07 AM on May 20, 2010
I found the first few episodes of season one rather confusing at first, but my patience was rewarded once things started to fall in place.
As a bonus, I think it has a great soundtrack too! I'm sure you'll want to check that out once you become a fan!
posted by soroush at 11:07 AM on May 20, 2010
Hard to pick a "best answer" because everyone is pretty much saying the same thing: X-Files, good; BSG, great. I will go with BSG for many reasons, a few of which are: shorter, episodes form cohesive plot, newer.
Isn't it funny that it's hard to find a television series with a great ending? The writers have to continue as long as they can and distort the plot based on success or non-success, commercially. Not so with novels and movies (well, I guess this is why sequels tend to suck.)
Thanks everyone.
posted by 3FLryan at 11:09 AM on May 20, 2010
Isn't it funny that it's hard to find a television series with a great ending? The writers have to continue as long as they can and distort the plot based on success or non-success, commercially. Not so with novels and movies (well, I guess this is why sequels tend to suck.)
Thanks everyone.
posted by 3FLryan at 11:09 AM on May 20, 2010
I should also mention I am currently on episode 3 of the second season of the Wire, and I will continue to watch is sporadically.
posted by 3FLryan at 11:09 AM on May 20, 2010
posted by 3FLryan at 11:09 AM on May 20, 2010
I might get crucified for this, but: The X-Files can get really foot-draggy, confusing, and frustrating. Like a drabber, suit-wearing version of Lost-- except Lost's writers actually seem to have a clearer idea of where they're going with their mythology, and do a better job of tying up loose ends. There are a lot of really great, fun stand-alone episodes (with any Googling, you can get reliable best-of lists), but I don't think I'd watch it for the overarching plot. I haven't seen BSG, but it sounds anecdotally like a more satisfying show.
No crucifixion from me, I completely agree with everything you've said and I own the box set.
I also like to watch shows back to back on DVD, I have lots of box sets but X-Files went on *at least* 2 series too long. I find that when I try to watch the whole set from beginning to end I lose interest around season 5-6. Also be aware that there's a film that slots in between 2 of the seasons (I think either before or after season 4) - you'll know when you get to that point in the show because all of a sudden it will make no sense and they'll start talking about stuff you haven't seen if you didn't watch the movie.
posted by missmagenta at 11:10 AM on May 20, 2010
No crucifixion from me, I completely agree with everything you've said and I own the box set.
I also like to watch shows back to back on DVD, I have lots of box sets but X-Files went on *at least* 2 series too long. I find that when I try to watch the whole set from beginning to end I lose interest around season 5-6. Also be aware that there's a film that slots in between 2 of the seasons (I think either before or after season 4) - you'll know when you get to that point in the show because all of a sudden it will make no sense and they'll start talking about stuff you haven't seen if you didn't watch the movie.
posted by missmagenta at 11:10 AM on May 20, 2010
I watched all of BSG over last summer - Netflix paid for itself very quickly! - and I really enjoyed it. Some of the episodes and story arcs were infuriating, but on the whole it was an excellent show.
I watched the X-Files as it was broadcast, pretty much every episode up until the first movie, and my favorites were the one-offs. I agree with iminurmefi about the early humor in the show and the weight of mythology dragging it down.
So my recommendation is to watch all of BSG in order, and cherry-pick as many highly recommended X-Files episodes as you like.
posted by expialidocious at 11:13 AM on May 20, 2010
I watched the X-Files as it was broadcast, pretty much every episode up until the first movie, and my favorites were the one-offs. I agree with iminurmefi about the early humor in the show and the weight of mythology dragging it down.
So my recommendation is to watch all of BSG in order, and cherry-pick as many highly recommended X-Files episodes as you like.
posted by expialidocious at 11:13 AM on May 20, 2010
I remember being terrified by The X-Files. When I was a kid I saw bits of it on TV sometimes, and it had gotten conflated in my head with America's Most Wanted and Unsolved Mysteries. I think I genuinely didn't know whether it was Based On A True Story or if it was An Account Of A Criminal On The Loose, or what. A couple of years ago I bought the entire series on DVD for a song, based on remembering that it was scary, and I watched it all. And it was sort of disappointing and not particularly rewarding and nowhere near as scary as I was hoping it would be.
(I still have happy nostalgic feelings about the series, though, and may watch it again soon.)
So this is another vote for BSG, and whatever bits and pieces of The X-Files you feel like watching. cortex has a blog about it that has very detailed episode recaps, and it summarizes the experience of watching the show pretty accurately, I have found! Some mystery is set up and it is like "aww yeah this is going to be creepy!" and then something totally ridiculous or boring happens and it is like "wait, really?" and then the episode is over and you're all "That was not a very good episode of The X-Files. Let's put on the next one."
posted by bewilderbeast at 11:25 AM on May 20, 2010
(I still have happy nostalgic feelings about the series, though, and may watch it again soon.)
So this is another vote for BSG, and whatever bits and pieces of The X-Files you feel like watching. cortex has a blog about it that has very detailed episode recaps, and it summarizes the experience of watching the show pretty accurately, I have found! Some mystery is set up and it is like "aww yeah this is going to be creepy!" and then something totally ridiculous or boring happens and it is like "wait, really?" and then the episode is over and you're all "That was not a very good episode of The X-Files. Let's put on the next one."
posted by bewilderbeast at 11:25 AM on May 20, 2010
wow, i'm pretty bummed out that you guys are picking BSG over X-Files. I have seen every single episode of both shows. Yeah BSG is fun, has more action, and is easier to relate to because its so new...but BSG didnt have the cultural impact that the X-Files had in the 90s. I cant think of a single catchphrase from BSG, but ask anyone what 'the truth is out there' and 'trustno1' are references to and they will know...As a general rule, you should know your classics, and the X-Files is definitely a classic. I cant say the same for the new BSG. Mulder and Scully are icons ;Number 6 was just a hottie in a dress. Please Please Please go with X-Files.
posted by MXJ1983 at 11:52 AM on May 20, 2010
posted by MXJ1983 at 11:52 AM on May 20, 2010
I say watch the first half of each, since both peter out at the end.
posted by dinty_moore at 11:57 AM on May 20, 2010
posted by dinty_moore at 11:57 AM on May 20, 2010
MXJ1983, I'm not saying I won't watch X-Files, but I will watch BSG first. I kind of think I am in the same boat as bewilderbeast - X-Files was so mysterious and scary and weird when I was little that I think I might be underwhelmed if I watched it now.
But we shall see.
posted by 3FLryan at 12:32 PM on May 20, 2010
But we shall see.
posted by 3FLryan at 12:32 PM on May 20, 2010
I liken the last season of BSG to the last 1-2 seasons of X-Files: on the whole, not worth watching, unless you like to see things through to the end.
The best episodes of X-Files are FAR better than anything in BSG. X-Files episodes, on average (not the overall mythology), are better than the best episodes of BSG. BSG, however, is more consistent, since it's more serial, single-plot-arc. That said, the BSG writers have said that they didn't plan the whole arc out in advance, so there are definitely loose ends that stay loose.
I pick X-Files.
posted by supercres at 12:33 PM on May 20, 2010
The best episodes of X-Files are FAR better than anything in BSG. X-Files episodes, on average (not the overall mythology), are better than the best episodes of BSG. BSG, however, is more consistent, since it's more serial, single-plot-arc. That said, the BSG writers have said that they didn't plan the whole arc out in advance, so there are definitely loose ends that stay loose.
I pick X-Files.
posted by supercres at 12:33 PM on May 20, 2010
The X-Files was, at the time of its creation (roughly fifteen years ago), a very daring show, conceptually.
But except for the portrayals of the two main characters, the show's execution sucked.
Watch and enjoy the first season, but do so with the understanding that the show gets more and more incoherent, and less and less interesting.
Basically, the show raised interesting questions that it answered in desultory and uninteresting ways... to the extent that it bothered to do so.
Outside of its millenarian, mid-to-late 1990s context, it doesn't hold up well at all.
BSG, notwithstanding the ridiculous final episode, was a far, far better show, and stayed suspenseful until it reached its silly conclusion.
posted by darth_tedious at 12:34 PM on May 20, 2010
But except for the portrayals of the two main characters, the show's execution sucked.
Watch and enjoy the first season, but do so with the understanding that the show gets more and more incoherent, and less and less interesting.
Basically, the show raised interesting questions that it answered in desultory and uninteresting ways... to the extent that it bothered to do so.
Outside of its millenarian, mid-to-late 1990s context, it doesn't hold up well at all.
BSG, notwithstanding the ridiculous final episode, was a far, far better show, and stayed suspenseful until it reached its silly conclusion.
posted by darth_tedious at 12:34 PM on May 20, 2010
As someone who really appreciates a unified mythology and narrative, and was sorely disappointed by the wasted potential of the last few seasons of The X-Files (just providing my biases upfront), let me advocate a third way:
Watch the first five seasons of The X-Files, then the 1st movie, and call it a day.
Without getting spoiler-y, I can say that, while this won't provide an ideal viewing experience, it WILL provide a full emotional arc for the series, with most of the niggling questions and Big Themes at least substantially addressed in a satisfying manner that doesn't bring with it the overwhelming drawbacks of the later seasons.
As far as good monster-of-the-week and stand-alone episodes later in the run, you get to fully enjoy them later without the baggage of the crumbling mythology surrounding them: as neat little tv-movie sequels that allow you to check back in on the characters. Just pick them out from the rest of the DVD set if you're so inclined.
This also has the incalculable benefit of saving you from arguably the worst series finale of a worthwhile series, ever. (There, I said it.)
posted by Ash3000 at 12:36 PM on May 20, 2010
Watch the first five seasons of The X-Files, then the 1st movie, and call it a day.
Without getting spoiler-y, I can say that, while this won't provide an ideal viewing experience, it WILL provide a full emotional arc for the series, with most of the niggling questions and Big Themes at least substantially addressed in a satisfying manner that doesn't bring with it the overwhelming drawbacks of the later seasons.
As far as good monster-of-the-week and stand-alone episodes later in the run, you get to fully enjoy them later without the baggage of the crumbling mythology surrounding them: as neat little tv-movie sequels that allow you to check back in on the characters. Just pick them out from the rest of the DVD set if you're so inclined.
This also has the incalculable benefit of saving you from arguably the worst series finale of a worthwhile series, ever. (There, I said it.)
posted by Ash3000 at 12:36 PM on May 20, 2010
The X files will disappoint you a little bit. We tried to watch it all, stopped after the 4th season.
posted by Tarumba at 12:48 PM on May 20, 2010
posted by Tarumba at 12:48 PM on May 20, 2010
One more vote for watching BSG until after New Caprica (which is the first story arc in season 3) and then quitting. Seasons 3 and 4 were OK, but not up to par with the first two, and they had some very bad individual episodes. The finale was both laughably and infuriatingly awful -- it retroactively wrecked the entire series for me. You could do better by picking character names, verbs, and rude adjectives Mad-Libs style out of a hat.
You'll probably end up watching it all, of course, and I guess I can't blame you, but I think this is one instance where less is definitely more. If they'd pulled BSG after season 2 it'd be an all-time classic... too bad the writers took the shine off with a frakkin' belt sander.
posted by vorfeed at 12:53 PM on May 20, 2010
You'll probably end up watching it all, of course, and I guess I can't blame you, but I think this is one instance where less is definitely more. If they'd pulled BSG after season 2 it'd be an all-time classic... too bad the writers took the shine off with a frakkin' belt sander.
posted by vorfeed at 12:53 PM on May 20, 2010
I'd say BSG, and then Dexter.
Seriously, you should put Dexter next on your list.
posted by misha at 1:02 PM on May 20, 2010
Seriously, you should put Dexter next on your list.
posted by misha at 1:02 PM on May 20, 2010
BSG first. I watched X-Files as a kid and saw maybe 20% of them. I'm rewatching them all now. (Thanks Netflix streaming!)
But I watched BSG as they aired (or as soon as they were posted to usenet in glorious 1080p) and would reccomend you watch that first. If you get bored of seasons 3/4, feel free to skip ahead, those weren't the strongest ones.
And yes, Dexter is awesome, I've watched two seasons (again, Netflix streaming).
posted by Brian Puccio at 1:09 PM on May 20, 2010
But I watched BSG as they aired (or as soon as they were posted to usenet in glorious 1080p) and would reccomend you watch that first. If you get bored of seasons 3/4, feel free to skip ahead, those weren't the strongest ones.
And yes, Dexter is awesome, I've watched two seasons (again, Netflix streaming).
posted by Brian Puccio at 1:09 PM on May 20, 2010
Outside of its millenarian, mid-to-late 1990s context, it doesn't hold up well at all.
Actually this may be a reason for you to watch the X-Files, given that you cite the first Matrix movie as one of your favorites: the X-Files provides the background for all the 1990s conspiracy-mongering, the Matrix wraps it up in a very neat package, and you get a picture of that whole cultural arc.
I was not extremely offended by the BSG finale, though it was too neat and there wasn't enough groundwork laid for their final decision.
posted by furiousthought at 1:24 PM on May 20, 2010
Actually this may be a reason for you to watch the X-Files, given that you cite the first Matrix movie as one of your favorites: the X-Files provides the background for all the 1990s conspiracy-mongering, the Matrix wraps it up in a very neat package, and you get a picture of that whole cultural arc.
I was not extremely offended by the BSG finale, though it was too neat and there wasn't enough groundwork laid for their final decision.
posted by furiousthought at 1:24 PM on May 20, 2010
BSG. But you can skip the silly boxing episode and no one will blame you. I'd suggest watching a few random X-Files episodes. The X-Files episodes that did well were the ones that had nothing to do with the long arc of the show. The long arc in X-Files is just a big mess and not worth unraveling.
posted by chairface at 1:47 PM on May 20, 2010
posted by chairface at 1:47 PM on May 20, 2010
cortex has a blog about it that has very detailed episode recaps, and it summarizes the experience of watching the show pretty accurately, I have found! Some mystery is set up and it is like "aww yeah this is going to be creepy!" and then something totally ridiculous or boring happens and it is like "wait, really?" and then the episode is over and you're all "That was not a very good episode of The X-Files. Let's put on the next one."
Heh. To be fair, we've only got most of the way through the first season, and for all it's wonderful quirkiness the X-Files did not start off very strong as a cohesive production in that first season. Me and my wife are kind of worried in abstract about what we'll do when the show improves.
I'd recommend BSG as the first to watch if it's a one-or-the-other thing, for reasons folks have already covered: it's much more explicitly serial in its plotting, its a shorter ride altogether so you get more bang for your buck, and it was made with a lot more clear focus from the first installment and so picks up basically immediately. I'd disagree with the folks saying to skip out after the first couple seasons—BSG does not finish as tautly as it starts by any means and I understand much of the criticism of the latter half of the show's run, but it's still quite, quite good and plowing through it serially takes some of the sting out of the writing/plotting fumbles.
That said, I think X-Files is really worth watching through if you are seriously considering it. Seasons three through six are the strongest, I felt like three was where the show really finally blossomed, but the first two seasons are for all their flaws a lot of fun and sort of joyfully dated in terms of politics and props and technology. As much as its a sci-fi/monster show in terms of weekly Macguffins, it's also a (often somewhat silly by today's standards) conspiracy/bureaucracy/procedural thing, which may be a pro or a con for you.
The overarching plot is a drunk-legged mess, yeah. It wanders, it falls over, you will at times wonder what the hell its on about. The last three seasons suffer a lot from this and other situational things and the show does not end very satisfactorily at all in terms of closure and coherence. But it's sort of an interesting ride even through the end there, watching a show sort of morph and shift and struggle under the own weight of its too-long series run.
But the little details of the show are a lot of fun and stack up nicely over time, and Duchovney and Anderson are just plain good together and fun to watch interact. And a whole hell of a lot of the more recent crop of speculative fiction stuff owes huge cultural debts to what the X-Files did, even when the X-Files was fumbling, in a way that makes watching the show for me rewarding as a kind of pop-cultural anthropology exercise.
posted by cortex at 2:10 PM on May 20, 2010
Heh. To be fair, we've only got most of the way through the first season, and for all it's wonderful quirkiness the X-Files did not start off very strong as a cohesive production in that first season. Me and my wife are kind of worried in abstract about what we'll do when the show improves.
I'd recommend BSG as the first to watch if it's a one-or-the-other thing, for reasons folks have already covered: it's much more explicitly serial in its plotting, its a shorter ride altogether so you get more bang for your buck, and it was made with a lot more clear focus from the first installment and so picks up basically immediately. I'd disagree with the folks saying to skip out after the first couple seasons—BSG does not finish as tautly as it starts by any means and I understand much of the criticism of the latter half of the show's run, but it's still quite, quite good and plowing through it serially takes some of the sting out of the writing/plotting fumbles.
That said, I think X-Files is really worth watching through if you are seriously considering it. Seasons three through six are the strongest, I felt like three was where the show really finally blossomed, but the first two seasons are for all their flaws a lot of fun and sort of joyfully dated in terms of politics and props and technology. As much as its a sci-fi/monster show in terms of weekly Macguffins, it's also a (often somewhat silly by today's standards) conspiracy/bureaucracy/procedural thing, which may be a pro or a con for you.
The overarching plot is a drunk-legged mess, yeah. It wanders, it falls over, you will at times wonder what the hell its on about. The last three seasons suffer a lot from this and other situational things and the show does not end very satisfactorily at all in terms of closure and coherence. But it's sort of an interesting ride even through the end there, watching a show sort of morph and shift and struggle under the own weight of its too-long series run.
But the little details of the show are a lot of fun and stack up nicely over time, and Duchovney and Anderson are just plain good together and fun to watch interact. And a whole hell of a lot of the more recent crop of speculative fiction stuff owes huge cultural debts to what the X-Files did, even when the X-Files was fumbling, in a way that makes watching the show for me rewarding as a kind of pop-cultural anthropology exercise.
posted by cortex at 2:10 PM on May 20, 2010
I've watched neither XF or BSG entirely, but after reading this, I think I'll watch BSG.
But here's a suggestion: Firefly. I'm on the 3rd of 4 DVDs and I'm really enjoying it. For me it does have the "NEXT EPISODE NOW!" quality. Its got science fiction, an ongoing strory, some romantic tension, and some camp. It only lasted one season (meaning short) and was beloved by many.
Other serial dramas I really enjoy are Dexter and Mad Men (no action on that one though). I HIGHLY recommend Dexter: suspense, humor, action and gore. One of my all time faves.
posted by hollyanderbody at 4:00 PM on May 20, 2010
But here's a suggestion: Firefly. I'm on the 3rd of 4 DVDs and I'm really enjoying it. For me it does have the "NEXT EPISODE NOW!" quality. Its got science fiction, an ongoing strory, some romantic tension, and some camp. It only lasted one season (meaning short) and was beloved by many.
Other serial dramas I really enjoy are Dexter and Mad Men (no action on that one though). I HIGHLY recommend Dexter: suspense, humor, action and gore. One of my all time faves.
posted by hollyanderbody at 4:00 PM on May 20, 2010
If you're only on season 2 of the Wire, hold on. Season 2 is a great season, but it feels like a massive tonal shift in the series. It goes from being cops and drugs to... longshoremen and machine politics? As I said, it's a great season of a fantastic show, but it's such a change from the first (and 3rd, 4th, and 5th) seasons that it can be a bit disorienting. Stick with it.
posted by Ghidorah at 5:07 PM on May 20, 2010
posted by Ghidorah at 5:07 PM on May 20, 2010
I much prefer BSG, but it is definitely more "The Wire" than the X-files is, so I'd say go for X-files (and then I'd recommend Buffy and Supernatural, for good-but-lighter-than-BSG fare).
posted by coolguymichael at 5:10 PM on May 20, 2010
posted by coolguymichael at 5:10 PM on May 20, 2010
Note: X-Files and BG are the two sci-fi series that show the most promise to me, what with having covered Lost and ST: TNG. Maybe I am overlooking something.
Give ST: DS9 a try if you haven't already. Sort of halfway between TNG and BSG (Ron Moore worked on both shows).
posted by googly at 5:43 PM on May 20, 2010
Give ST: DS9 a try if you haven't already. Sort of halfway between TNG and BSG (Ron Moore worked on both shows).
posted by googly at 5:43 PM on May 20, 2010
I've watched all of BSG and probably 90% of X-Files. I love them both dearly, but I was a teenage girl as X-Files was ending and remember that several times over the course of the final season, I went to my room and cried at 10pm on Sundays because the series had turned into such a depressing, stupid trainwreck. All my friends had stopped watching by that point, so I didn't have anyone to talk to about how bad it had gotten. I have diary entries about how frustrated I was. It was like watching a beloved older relative who was sharp and funny and fantastic gradually deteriorating into, eventually, total dementia. Read "dementia" as "the piss-poor series finale".
That is to say: really, really, really, don't bother with the last couple seasons if you do watch it. I agree with the people who said above that if you love the Matrix, there is a LOT for you to love about the first six or so seasons of X-Files. You are going to dig the Lone Gunmen for sure, cause Neo is basically the 4th (wait - 5th? 6th? I guess there were kind of a lot of random one-off sorta-Gunmen) Lone Gunman.
BSG is a fantastic show. It's drastically more consistent than X-Files. Yes it has its dud episodes here and there, but it wasn't near long enough to have full dud seasons, and TV has changed a lot since the 90s. There's more going on, there are dozens more major characters, the plots are wilder and more detailed and more panoramic. I didn't like the ending but I forgave the writers. I will never forgive the writers of X-Files for not putting the show out to pasture years earlier. That is a grudge that will go with me to my grave. They put the nail in the coffin of my ever, ever forgiving them when they made that abortion of a movie from a couple years back. Why the HELL even make such dreck??
Yeah. This is what you will sound like if you watch too much X-Files. There's a lot to like, but there's also a pretty nice selection to loathe utterly.
posted by little light-giver at 8:10 PM on May 20, 2010
That is to say: really, really, really, don't bother with the last couple seasons if you do watch it. I agree with the people who said above that if you love the Matrix, there is a LOT for you to love about the first six or so seasons of X-Files. You are going to dig the Lone Gunmen for sure, cause Neo is basically the 4th (wait - 5th? 6th? I guess there were kind of a lot of random one-off sorta-Gunmen) Lone Gunman.
BSG is a fantastic show. It's drastically more consistent than X-Files. Yes it has its dud episodes here and there, but it wasn't near long enough to have full dud seasons, and TV has changed a lot since the 90s. There's more going on, there are dozens more major characters, the plots are wilder and more detailed and more panoramic. I didn't like the ending but I forgave the writers. I will never forgive the writers of X-Files for not putting the show out to pasture years earlier. That is a grudge that will go with me to my grave. They put the nail in the coffin of my ever, ever forgiving them when they made that abortion of a movie from a couple years back. Why the HELL even make such dreck??
Yeah. This is what you will sound like if you watch too much X-Files. There's a lot to like, but there's also a pretty nice selection to loathe utterly.
posted by little light-giver at 8:10 PM on May 20, 2010
Firefly + Serenity. Then BSG. Then come back for more suggestions. X-Files was amazing in its time but it doesn't really hold up well. There are some excellent individual episodes but I can't imagine slogging through nine (or even five) seasons of it ...
posted by zanni at 2:13 AM on May 21, 2010
posted by zanni at 2:13 AM on May 21, 2010
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posted by jquinby at 10:44 AM on May 20, 2010