Tuning In

David Duchovny writes and directs his first episode of the show, and “The Unnatural” brings us maybe the strongest disagreement yet. Then in “Three of a Kind”, the Lone Gunmen try to rescue someone.

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“Trevor” is a complete mess of an episode that almost defeats us. Then in “Milagro”, a pretentious writer defeats himself.

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The X-Files goes all-in on the shipping in “Arcadia”, and then in “Alpha”, a ship brings trouble.

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Mulder and Scully head to Florida to meet with Arthur Dales and get stuck in a bad sitcom in “Agua Mala”, and then the agents get stuck in the same day in “Monday”.

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Somewhat bizarrely, The X-Files has decided to end the mythology storyline in the middle of the sixth season. The two-parter “Two Fathers” and “One Son” is somewhat successful but still leaves us wanting an actual explanation.

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We get another Skinner-centric episode with “S.R. 819” and a Scully-centric episode with “Tithonus”.

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Bruce Campbell appears on The X-Files in “Terms of Endearment”, and weather appears in “The Rain King”.

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On the Tuning In 100th episode spectacular, we wrap up the body-switch two-parter by dunking on “Dreamland II”, then The X-Files gets really, really weird in “How the Ghosts Stole Christmas”.

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Chris Carter must really be obsessed with The Wizard of Oz, as he gives us a riff on it in the remarkable “Triangle”. Then, the show decides to become terrible in “Dreamland”.

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The sixth season of The X-Files kind of ignores the movie as it makes the move to sunny, sunny California, in “The Beginning”. Vince Gilligan gives us a taut thriller with “Drive”.

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We have reached the first X-Files movie, and it’s a very weird and not entirely successful mishmash that attempts to tell a self-contained mythology story to get both fans and people that have never seen an episode into the theaters.

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Vince Gilligan gives us perhaps his best episode yet with “Folie a Deux”, and we reach “The End” of the fifth season.

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It’s John Shiban week on Tuning In! First up, Shiban gives us the simultaneously boring and offensive “All Souls”. Then, he contributes a taut action thriller with “The Pine Bluff Variant”.

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We get another flashback episode, this time to J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI and the origin of the x-files, in “Travellers”. Then in “Mind’s Eye”, Lili Taylor does her best to make a mediocre episode something better.

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The mythology makes another appearance and this time, we get some (vague) answers, in the two-parter “Patient X” and “The Red and the Black”.

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Coming on the heels of Stephen King’s “Chinga”, “Kill Switch” is a pretty standard William Gibson story. However, there’s nothing standard about “Bad Blood”.

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Season five gives us the worst episode in quite a while, “Schizogeny”, and Stephen King pens “Chinga”, which is mostly lazy but does feature some solid Mulder and Scully dynamic.

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“Emily” is a mostly-disappointing resolution to last week’s cliffhanger, and “Kitsunegari” is a mostly-disappointing follow-up to season three’s “Pusher”.

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Are you ready for a heady discussion about personal truth and the fallibility of memory? Then get ready for our conversation about “The Post-Modern Prometheus”. Then in “Christmas Carol”, Scully gets involved in an apparent suicide, with very personal consequences.

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We’re still about two months away from The X-Files: Fight the Future,  but it’s already having an effect on the show, as “Unusual Suspects” gives us the Lone Gunmen origin story we didn’t know we needed. Then, “Detour” gives us the singing Scully we didn’t know we needed.

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The fifth season of The X-Files kicks off with a two-parter continuation, as “Redux” and “Redux II” find Mulder and Scully dealing with their most personal connection the conspiracy yet.

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Well, we’ve reached the end of another season, and it’s a very personal end, as “Demons” finds Mulder once again questioning his memories, and “Gethsemane” finds Scully dealing with family matters.

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Skinner goes off on his own for mysterious reasons, in “Zero Sum”, and we get… SIGH…. another John Shiban episode with “Elegy”. Also! Mitch Pileggi in his underwear. We don’t need to say more.

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The X-Files finally does a time travel story in “Synchrony”, and Darin Morgan makes a surprise appearance in “Small Potatoes”. Plus! Tuning In is hungry.

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The mythology returns once again, and this time, it’s a tight two-parter about alien abductions and the return of old characters, in “Tempus Fugit” and “Max”.

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We get another X-Files spin on religious mysticism in “Kaddish”, and then we get an X-Files spin on an invisible assassin in “Unrequited”.

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“Never Again” finds Scully in a rough place emotionally, as “Memento Mori” finds Scully in a rough place physically.

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“El Mundo Gira” is a much less competent riff on “Jose Chung’s From Outer Space”, whereas “Leonard Betts” is a much more competent riff on “Squeeze”. Also! Scully has cancer, apparently.

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The latest mythology two-parter second part, “Terma”, is just another mythology episode. However, “Paper Hearts” is very much a heretical questioning of one of the central mysteries of The X-Files.

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Glen Morgan’s first solo script for The X-Files, “Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man”, raises a lot of questions about the titular characters but doesn’t provide any concrete answers. “Tunguska” is another mythology episode that doesn’t provide any answers. We’re starting to see how you got your reputation, The X-Files.

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Glen Morgan and James Wong continue to get experimental with “The Field Where I Died”, and in “Sanguinarium” a pair of sisters, Vivian and Valerie Mayhew, (who sadly never wrote for The X-Files again) gives us the ur-X-Files episode. Plus! Is Game of Thrones a good TV show? (Spoiler alert: no.)

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We get an unsatisfying riff on Eugene Tooms, in “Teliko”, and in “Unruhe”, Vince Gilligan finally writes an episode that makes us notice him.

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Tuning In returns to The X-Files at an interesting point, as the fourth season of the show was the first one that aired on Sunday nights. “Herrenvolk” is basically a reintroduction to all the mythology backstory, and “Home” feels like a gauntlet-throwing episode.

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We reach the end of In the Flesh as the show reveals more about Simon, and dramatic events at the end of the series will change things forever. Plus! Is the cliffhanger annoying?

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We continue our In the Flesh coverage with the middle two episodes of series 2. Watch as Kieran gets his dander up! Marvel at Maxine’s continued villainy! Join us as we ship Philip and Amy!

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It’s been about two years since the events of the first series of In the Flesh, so surely things must be better in Roarton, right? You’ll just have to listen to find out. Also! Kieran’s father is still really obsessed with Blu-rays.

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We take a short hiatus from The X-Files to talk about the best queer zombie drama ever made (and maybe the only queer zombie drama ever made), In the Flesh. In the three episodes of series 1 we get a modern take on a kitchen sink drama, that takes the rural English countryside’s penchant for voting for Brexit into a sci-fi direction. Plus, it’s got queer people, so that’s always good.

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We’ve reached the end of another season of The X-Files! “Wetwired” is a stealth mythology episode, and “Talitha Cumi” is a straightforward mythology episode, but they both contain more emotion than plot. Plus! What’s next for Tuning In–make sure you listen to the end!

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The X-Files gives us its first Skinner episode, with “Avatar”, and it’s one of Eric’s favorite episodes of the show. Then, in “Quagmire”, the writer of “Revelations”, Kim Newton, does her spin on a Darin Morgan episode. Also! Eric really wants a red raincoat. Too bad he no longer lives in Portland.

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We visit the Chinatown of Vancouv–we mean, San Francisco, in “Hell Money”. Then, Darin Morgan gives us his last episode (well, until 2015) with “Jose Chung’s From Outer Space”. Plus! Eric really wants a piece of sweet potato pie.

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Vince Gilligan pens his second X-FIles episode, “Pusher”, and it’s… okay? Then, in “Teso Dos Bichos”, the show falls down a well. Plus! Richard is very excited for “Jose Chung’s From Outer Space”.

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We get another mythology two-parter, but this one is less about shocking revelations and more about emotional growth, as Mulder and Scully work to figure out the events of “Piper Maru” and “Apocrypha.”

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Chris Carter does his own version of a Darin Morgan episode with “Sygyzy”, and Howard Gordon does his own version of a season one episode with “Grotesque”.

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“Revelations” is a spiritual successor (literally) to season one’s “Beyond the Sea”, as Mulder and Scully swap places. Then, Darin Morgan returns with “War of the Coprophages”, a delightfully deep and goofy episode about killer cockroaches. Yes, you read that right.

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The X-Files gives us the rapidly-becoming traditional midseason mythology two-parter with “Nisei” and “731”, and it also doesn’t give us much new information or answer any questions, but it’s certainly gripping!

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The X-Files gets postmodern this week in “The Walk” and “Oubliette”, two episode of the show that are more interested in being about The X-Files than about their plot. But hey, we’re extremely okay with this!

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The X-Files gets somewhat political this week in “The List”, and in “2Shy”, you whippersnappers that listen to this podcast get to experience the internet circa 1996.

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A young Jack Black and a young Giovanni Ribisi guest star in “D.P.O.”, and a older Peter Boyle guest stars in “Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose”. Also! What is the best pie?

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We kick off season three of The X-Files by talking about the two (three?) parter “The Blessing Way” and “Paper Clip”. It’s exciting, dramatic, a little cheesy, but leaves us really excited for this season.

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We reach the end of season two of The X-Files with “Anasazi”, an alien conspiracy episode that quickly spirals out of control in the most fun way possible. Plus! Who is Skinner, anyway?

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Wings-veteran Tony Shalhoub makes an X-Files appearance in “Soft Light”, but he’s not a cannibal, unlike the townsfolk in “Our Town”.

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The X-files goes back to a well by doing its own version of The Omen, “The Calusari”, but unfortunately it’s only partly successful. Then in “F. Emasculata”, the show separates Mulder and Scully once again, only this time, it works. Also! Hello, future DEA agent Hank Schrader.

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Mulder and Scully confront their fear of dying in“Dod Kalm.” Then, in “Humbug”, The X-Files makes a pretty surprising discovery.

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The solution to the alien conspiracy gets a bit further away in “End Game”, and then in “Fearful Symmetry”, an invisible elephant wreaks havok in Idaho.

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The X-Files does a voodoo story this week, in “Fresh Bones”, and it’s… not bad? Then, in “Colony”, the alien conspiracy heats up and a person from Mulder’s past makes a return.

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The first X-Files episode lacking any paranormal elements, “Irresistible” is a pretty successful episode with a great creep factor. Then, in “Die Hand Die Verletzt”, Richard’s love and Eric’s hate of camp collide. Plus! Goodbye, Glen Morgan and James Wong. Or is it “see you later”?

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This week, The X-Files takes on a journey to the most terrifying place on Earth, a nursing home, in “Excelsis Dei”. Then in “Aubrey”, a serial killer stalks a small town.

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“Ice” was such a success for The X-Files that they kept trying to recapture that magic, including in this week’s “Firewalker”, which is just… okay. Then in “Red Museum”, a small town deals with a mysterious cow problem.

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Mulder goes it alone in “3” to varying results, and then Scully returns in “One Breath”, which is an apt title since the audience was holding their breath waiting for her to come back.

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Mulder gets called into a dicey situation in “Duane Barry” and Scully takes a trip in “Ascension”.

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A bunch of people in Pennsylvania are murdering people in “Blood” and it’s up to Mulder to figure out why. Then, in “Sleepless”, the tragic consequences of insomnia are revealed.

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Welcome to season two of The X-Files! Mulder and Scully are separated, but that doesn’t stop them! In “Little Green Men”,Mulder travels to Puerto Rico, and in “The Host”, the show gives us perhaps its scariest episode yet. Promising start to the season!

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We close out season one of The X-Files with “Roland”, the story of one man who apparently hates his brother. Then, in the season finale, “The Erlenmeyer Flask”, Mulder and Scully once again fail to actually keep any evidence of alien life. Way to go, guys.

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The X-Files does its first sequel episode, as we see the return of Eugene “Tooms”, and Richard likes him better this time! Then in “Born Again”, a little girl exhibits murderous intent.

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It’s really never a good idea for TV shows to do Native American storylines, as as “Shapes” proves, The X-Files is no exception. However, it definitely should do creepy episodes in the woods, as “Darkness Falls” proves.

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Mulder learns more about the mysterious Deep Throat in “E.B.E.” and it’s fairly alarming stuff. Then, in “Miracle Man”, the show goes to the South and does its take on revival churches.

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It’s Scully’s turn to have an old flame turn up, as “Lazarus” deals with a bank robbery. “Young at Heart” dredges up one of Mulder’s earliest mistakes.

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We get the first stone-cold classic episode of the show in “Beyond the Sea”, a gorgeous meditation on faith and doubt. Then, in “Gender Bender”, we get a mess of an episode that is nonetheless pretty enjoyable.

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The X-Files indulges in Richard’s hatred of children by giving us “Eve”. Later, in “Fire”, we meet an old flame of Mulder’s.

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We get our first really shitty episode of The X-Files with “Space”, which appears to be a rejected script for The Outer Limits. Then in “Fallen Angel”, Mulder and Scully revisit the alien menace.

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“Ghost in the Machine” tells the story of a rogue artificial intelligence that decides the best way to elude capture is to murder a bunch of people. “Ice” tells the story of a rogue organism that decides the best way to elude capture is to murder a bunch of people. Why is The X-Files so interested in murder?

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The X-Files vists Richard’s home state in “The Jersey Devil”, and it’s a horrible place filled with police corruption and murder. Then in “Shadows”, the ghost of a dead CEO may be exacting revenge on terrorists. Well, that’s one way to solve that problem.

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This week on Tuning In, Richard has a shocking opinion about “Squeeze”, and both of your hosts don’t quite know what to make of “Conduit”. Sounds about right for The X-Files, really.

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Yep, you read that right: Eric Brasure and Richard Goodness are doing The X-Files! Eric is a longtime fan, and Richard has only ever seen a handful of episodes. Hmm… that sounds familiar. Will Richard appreciate the show on its level? Will Eric be able to hold it together during mythology episodes? Is… the truth out there?

If “Pilot” and “Deep Throat” are any indication, the answer may just be “yes”. So strap in and join us for our journey through The X-Files.

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Tara tries to make a sudden exit in “Crunchy Ice”, and the series comes to a conclusion in “The Good Parts”, where nothing is resolved and everyone is in a good place, regardless. Plus! What’s next for Tuning in?

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The existence of Tara’s new alter comes out violently in “Bryce Will Play”. Then, in “Train Wreck”, the violence continues with the abrupt exit of a recurring character.

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Everyone gets disappointed in the “The Electrifying & Magnanimous Return of Beaverlamp”, but no one is more disappointed than us (by these episodes titles.) Then, in “Chicken ‘n’ Corn”, a new development with Tara’s alters terrifies and disturbs her.

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More secrets are uncovered in “Dr. Hatteras’ Miracle Elixir”, and then in “The Road to Hell Is Paved with Breast Intentions”, Tara’s deal with her alters seems to be working! Plus! These episodes titles sure are awful, aren’t they?

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We meet Max’s mother in “The Full Fuck You Finger”, as financial circumstances have forced the family to make some changes. Then, in “Wheels”, Charmaine makes a difficult decision.

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We dive into the third and final season of United States of Tara with disturbing actions in “…youwillnotwin…” and the family in disarray in “Crackerjack”.

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In “To Have and to Hold”, Tara and Charmaine finally come face-to-face with the elusive Mimi, and meet a new alter. Then it’s the season two finale with “From This Day Forward”, where nothing goes as planned.

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This week on United States of Tara, we find  “The Family Portrait”. Later, in “Open House”, Marshall and Lionel go cruising. What, that’s the most important thing to happen this week!

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More secrets come out in “Dept of F’d Up Family Services”, as well as Max’s hurt feelings. Later, in the unfortunately-titled “Explosive Diorama”, Max reveals how he really feels to Tara.

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Everyone in the Gregson family gets a surprise in “Doin’ Time”, and then those secrets come out in “Torando!” Plus! Marshall is very concerned about spelling.

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Buck and Marshall continue to experiment with romance, in “The Truth Hurts”. Then, in “You Becoming You”, Marshall comes out to his father, and a new alter comes out to Max.

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The second season of United States of Tara starts off with a declaration of independence, in “Yes”. Later, in “Trouble Junction”, the declaration of independence is revealed to be a lie.

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Tara goes to a treatment center, in “Snow”, and the first season comes to a shocking conclusion, in “Miracle”.

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Tara and Kate go on a road trip, in “Possibility”, but get interrupted by T. Then, in “Betrayal”, T interrupts Marshall’s budding relationship with Jason, and things get hot.

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Charmaine needs her sister, but instead she gets a surprisingly caring Buck, in “Alterations”. Then, in “Abundance”, Alice believes she has someone new to care for.

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T returns in “Revolution” and Marshall uses this as an opportunity to throw the most realistic teenage party ever featured on television. Then, in “Transition”, we spend almost the entire episode with Tara, who is desperately trying not to transition while her parents are visiting. We’ve all been there.

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In “Work”, Tara gets a commission, Kate starts her job, and Marshall discovers boys. In “Inspiration”, Tara loses her commission, Kate loses some respect, and Max loses his EpiPen.

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Tuning In is moving on from science fiction and into family drama/comedy (don’t call them dramedies) by diving into the somewhat forgotten but well worth watching United States of Tara(2009-11.) In “Pilot”, the first episode, we meet several characters, only some of whom have their own bodies. Then, in “Aftermath”, Tara deals with the consequences of going off her DID medication. Also! Marshall is like, the best gay teen ever on television.

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As wrap-up movies to unceremoniously canceled television series go, Serenity succeeds pretty well at both resolution and self-contained story. It’s not perfect, and makes some questionable choices, but then again, who hasn’t? Plus! We reveal what series we’re doing next on Tuning In.

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Sadly, we’ve reached the last episode of Firefly, and sadly, it’s quite terrible. “Objects in Space” is little more than excuse for Joss Whedon to share his thoughts on existentialism with us, and well, that’s about as edifying as it sounds.

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We’re nearing the end of Firefly, which means it’s time for something dramatic to happen, and boy does it in “Heart of Gold”. Also there’s a gunfight, but that’s old hat by now.

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After a string of great episodes, Firefly gives us “The Message”, which apparently is: don’t let Joss Whedon write episodes of the show.

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Firefly is definitely a show that likes to bring characters back: this week, in “Trash”, it’s the return of Saffron, and this time, she’s serious. Or is she?

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Marital trouble spills over into actual trouble in “War Stories”, as Mal and Wash are captured by an old adversary. Meanwhile, Inara shocks everyone by taking a female client. Oh, 2002. Were we ever that naive?

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In “Ariel”, Mal decides that enough is enough after River stabs Jayne and demands that Simon do something about her. So the good doctor comes up with crime. About time he pulled his weight, don’t you think?

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