Posted in Disc Reviews by Carly Peters
The season 4 collection of the X-Files comes in a seven disc package chock full of special features. Season four had some of the most talked about episodes in the X-Files brief history. Featured in this collection is “Home”, an episode that only aired once due to the undertones of incest in the plot, and has been banned from the re-run rotation. Other episodes include “Musings of the Cigarette Smoking Man”, a subplot that follows the life of young Cancer Man, who took part in some of the worlds most histo…ic events, such as the Kennedy assignation.
Audio
The creators and editors of the X-Files really go for the gusto when it comes to making a quality show. The audio on these DVDs is high quality, taking advantage of every audio track for apropos sound effects and the signature X-Files ominous soundtrack. For a great sample check out the directors commentary for “Home”. You can distinctly hear a shovel cutting through the ground and the crackling thunder in the background as the buried alive baby’s cry becomes muffled under the dirt.
Video
Again, high quality. The X-Files have hired some of the best lighting artists in the business because of their dark settings. The color and shadows transfer well onto these DVDs. No distortion is detected. There is no option to go between wide or full screen, it’s just full screen.
Special Features
Disc seven is devoted entirely to special features. There is a large quantity but lacks quality. Most intriguing is the documentary called “The Truth Behind Season Four”, were creator Chris Carter and the various directors and writers take you episode by episode, letting you in on some of their trade secrets. Other interview clips from cast members and guest stars appear in a separate section. If you don’t want the X-Files to lose some of its mystic you may want to skip these features.
You can view all the TV teasers from season four in either the 10 second version or 20 second. There are also trailers from FX Behind The Truth TV spots as well. This show never aired in Canada making these spots futile.
Finally, there is the inevitable optional creator commentary with Chris Carter. Rather than be that insightful about each episode Carter sits in silence and makes off color comments about the cast. But the comments about the special effects used is worth over looking Carter’s drivel.
Closing Thoughts
Bring On Season 5!
Special Features List
- Deleted and Extended Scenes
- International Clips
- Interviews with Frank Spotnitz on “Herrervolk,” Vince Gilligan on “Unruhe” and “Paper Hearts,” James Wong on “Home” and Chris Carter on “Tunguska”
- “Behind The Truth” Spots
- Episode commentary from “Memento Mori” with writer/ producer Frank Spotnitz
- Episode commentary from “Samll Potatoes” with writer/ producer Vince Gilligan
- Special Effects With Commentary by Paul Rabwin
- Deleted Scenes With Optional Commentary by Chris Carter
