The X-Files: End Game (2.17)

While there are a couple of memorable moments, this could be considered an anti-climax. A lot happens, sure, but the pace to this episode is almost too brisk, meaning potentially monumental events such as the apparent "death" of the returned Samantha, and Mulder having to choose between Scully and his sister, are pretty much wasted.

One of the more successful themes throughout the two-parter was Scully's continued resourcefulness, more obvious here than Mulder's. She quickly deciphers the various problems the duo encounter, and she gets a decent amount of opportunity to kick ass, even if she is abducted for the gazillionth time this season in the very same hour.

Elsewhere, it wasn't particularly surprising that Samantha wasn't what she said she was, but I liked the irony of Mulder searching for his sister for so long, only to be confronted with a ton of them all at once. Not hugely successful was the last 30 minutes or so of the episode. The mythology at this point is a little confused, but still pretty fun. However, the X/Skinner fight scene was a little superfluous, and the now tried-and-tested "lack of closure" at the end of the episode still bugs.

It may have the same urgency as its predecessor, but End Game underutilizes the characters at the heart of The X-Files. Instead, it's a run-of-the-mill sci-fi thriller, which is a little disappointing considering the "epic" feel I'm assuming the show was going for. Rating C+

Credits
Guest stars Steven Williams (X); Peter Donat (William Mulder); Brian Thompson (Alien Bounty Hunter); Megan Leitch (Samantha Mulder); Colin Cunningham (Lt. Terry Wilmer); Mitch Pileggi (A.D. Walter Skinner)
Writer Frank Spotnitz Director Rob Bowman