We have reached the ninth, final, shortest, and most lackluster season on The X-Files. The entire season feels like it is not firing on all cylinders. There are three big reasons for this. One, there was some doubt creator Chris carter would return for the season. At the last minute, he decided to do so. It was not until his decision to return that story arcs were devised, and it shows. Two, David Duchovny is gone. He will return for the finale after being literally begged by Frank Spotnitz to do so once the series was officially cancelled partway through the season, and he will co-write and direct an episode, but otherwise, he is unceremoniously dropped from the series. The story is he has gone into hiding. Characters will mention him as though he could return at any time, but it rings hollow since we all know Duchovny has headed off to what he hopes are greener acting pastures. Finally, too many new situations are introduced for an audience to absorb. A lot of fans gave up because they were overwhelmed with characters with whom they could not become emotionally invested.
“Nothing Important Happened Today” is a perfect example of all three point. Carter wrote the script with Spotnitz in a rush. The title is apy. For a season premiere, nothing happens. Much of the plot is about Doggett and Reyes learning how fast evidence of the conspiracy can be covered up by the powers that be. Such happened to Mulder and scully all the time. They were resigned to it. We have to go through the anger and fustration Doggett and Reyes feel over it--or at least Doggett. Reyes comes across as awfully wooden. Regardless, it feels tiresome to start all over again dealing with how main characters act about the odds they are up against. The rest of the episode is about the murder of an EPA official by a mer-woman played by Lucy lawless. A naked Lucy Lawless. You can always tell a script is bad when gratuitous nudity is sporadically involved.
Mulder is just…gone. Apparently, why he left and where he went is a secret kept even from Scully and Skinner. The sudden disappearance sans explanation right after Scully has given birth gives off the impression the creative team was not aware Duchovny was not going to return. Therefore they had to cook up some reason to explain his absence. Surely this cannot be the case. Duchovny had been grumbling about his desire to be a movie star since the fourth season. (How is that working out for you a decade later, Olivier?) I would chalk it up more to the rushed nature of prepping the season. Whatever the reason, the poor explanation for Mulder’s disappearance leaves a huge gap in believability.
There is a whole lot going on here that is simply dumped on us. What is worse, the only character acting in character is Doggett, but the poor guy just runs around looking confused more often than not. There is the murder of the Epa official by Lawless. Who the heck is she? Beats me. The Billy miles incident is being covered up. Doggett is angry about that while Reyes yawns. Skinner insists Doggett drop the issue for the good of everyone. Scully mopes over mulder. Baby William has special powers. Kersh is a jerk. He is working with a new Assistant Director named Brad Fullmer who is an old flame of Reyes. He still has a thing for her. Why should I care? How does the Epa official’s murder tie into all this again? The Lone Gunman show up to explain, but I had lost interest by that point. Frohike thinks Reyes is hot. Did not see that coming, did you?
“Nothing Important Happened Today” is a confusing mess that tries to do too much with actors who look incredibly bored. Quite literally, Gillian Anderson looks like she would rather endure a root canal than participate in this mess. The excitement level is practically non-existent. The only saving grace is Doggett. Robert Patrick plays the heck out of his tough as nails character. I do not know if he really enjoys the character or is just that much of a professional, but he does all the heavy lifting here and throughout much of the season.
Rating: ** (out of 5)
We have reached the ninth, final, shortest, and most lackluster season on The X-Files. The entire season feels like it is not firing on all cylinders. There are three big reasons for this. One, there was some doubt creator Chris carter would return for the season. At the last minute, he decided to do so. It was not until his decision to return that story arcs were devised, and it shows. Two, David Duchovny is gone. He will return for the finale after being literally begged by Frank Spotnitz to do so once the series was officially cancelled partway through the season, and he will co-write and direct an episode, but otherwise, he is unceremoniously dropped from the series. The story is he has gone into hiding. Characters will mention him as though he could return at any time, but it rings hollow since we all know Duchovny has headed off to what he hopes are greener acting pastures. Finally, too many new situations are introduced for an audience to absorb. A lot of fans gave up because they were overwhelmed with characters with whom they could not become emotionally invested. 
