The Show:

Mulder: "I believe that what we're looking for is in the X-Files. I'm more certain than ever that the truth is in there."
Scully: "I've heard the truth, Mulder. Now what I want are the answers."
- Paper Clip

Around the time of the X-Files third season the show had truly achieved mainstream success. The word "X-File" had been adopted into our culture, used to describe anything weird or unexplained. References to the X-Files and Agents Mulder and Scully were popping up everywhere, from news broadcasts to movies to comic strips to television shows on other networks. The X-Files was THE top-rated television show in many countries outside the U.S. Although the second season will always be my very favorite, the third season maintained the high level of quality, intelligence, and acting that the show had become famous for.

The X-Files television show followed the investigations of FBI Agents Fox Mulder (played by David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson). The X-Files were cases that could not be solved by conventional means -- cases that the FBI had given up upon. Mulder investigated the cases with a view toward the paranormal, Scully with a view toward the scientific. The writing was clever and intelligent, the characters unique and endearing. The show received mountains of critical acclaim (a first for a show of the "Sci-Fi" genre) and ultimately became part of our pop-culture. The show lasted for 9 seasons (although it should have ended after season 7 -- but I digress).

The Third Season:

Scully: Mulder, I think the only thing more fortuitous than the emergence of life on this planet is that, through purely random laws of biological evolution, an intelligence as complex as ours ever emanated from it. The very idea of intelligent alien life is not only astronomically improbable but at it's most basic level, downright anti-Darwinian.
Mulder: Scully... what are you wearing?
- War of the Coprophages

So what makes the third season so special? It managed to build on the storylines started in season two, as well as take chances and push the show in directions no one could have seen coming.

The third season saw the continuation of storylines that had grabbed everyone's attention in season two. "Mythology" episodes (which make up the continuing storyline that forms the backbone of the show) answered some questions while posing many others. New questions included the nature of the computer chip Agent Scully discovered in her neck, what was our government's involvement in cloning experiments, and the mysterious new "black oil" aliens (dubbed the "oiliens" by on-line fans). Much beloved writer (and sometimes actor) Darin Morgan contributed three of the most clever and off-the-wall scripts that the show had ever produced (and received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for his troubles). Darin's episodes, which introduced a heavy dose of comedy into the normally morose show, were like a breath of fresh air.

By season three Mulder and Scully have already been entrenched in the hearts and minds of the viewers, and Duchovny and Anderson seem comfortable yet exceptional in their roles. The mythology of season three continues to be interesting and not quite out-of-control yet (a complaint commonly heard in later seasons).

Season three contains a healthy dose of "classic" episodes ("Paper Clip", "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose", "War of the Coprophages", "Grotesque", "Pusher", "Jose Chung's 'From Outer Space'", the "conversation on the rock" from "Quagmire"), as well as a few duds ("Teso Dos Bichos", often called "Killer Kitties", is considered to be one of the worst episodes of the Mulder/Scully era).

With mainstream success comes a slew of award nominations and wins. For its third season the X-Files was nominated for 8 Emmy Awards (including Outstanding Drama and Outstanding Lead Actress), and WON 5 of them (including Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, Outstanding Guest Actor, and Outstanding Cinematography). Both lead actors received Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations for Outstanding Actor/Actress in a Drama, of which Gillian Anderson won the Screen Actor's Guild award (for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Drama Series).

Technical Specs:

Blaine (on Mulder and Scully): The 'proper authorities' showed up with a couple of men in black. One of them was disguised as a woman but wasn't pulling it off. Like her hair was red, but it was a little too red. And the other one, the tall and lanky one, his face was so blank and expressionless -- he didn't even seem human. I think he was a mandroid.
- Jose Chung's From Outer Space

This set includes 7 single-sided, dual-layered discs.

6 discs contain 4 episodes apiece (along with deleted scenes and international clips), the 7th disc contains bonus features.

The bonus features can also be accessed while watching the episodes they come from by selecting the "X" that appears at the bottom of the screen (like the "Follow the white rabbit" scenes from the Matrix DVD).

The discs run for approximately 1152 minutes (that's 24 episodes at 48 minutes apiece).

Episodes have 15 chapters per episode.

English and French audio tracks are in Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo surround. Subtitles are in English and Spanish.

The video quality is wonderful (it certainly puts my videotaped copies of the episodes to shame). The episodes were not filmed in high-definition back then (the HDTV aspect ratio was not used until season six), so while it isn't perfect it is still pretty darn fantastic. The image-quality of the Season Three set actually looks better/clearer than that on the Season One and Two sets -- possibly because of the higher budget and better production values available in the show's third season). The surround sound quality is very good as well.

The packaging is very clever (when introduced with the first-season set it won an award). A slip-cover holds the gate-fold packaging closed, with X-Files images and quotes decorate every available inch of space required to hold all 7 discs.

A "collector's edition" booklet is also included with the discs, listing episode titles and chapter stops, as well as titles and air-dates for the first seven seasons.

The Discs:

Scully: It's funny, I just realized something... how much you're like Ahab. You're so consumed by your personal vengeance against life, whether it be its inherent cruelties or mysteries, everything takes on a warped significance to fit your megalomaniacal cosmology.
Mulder: Scully, are you coming on to me?
- Quagmire

~~Disc One:

The Blessing Way (3x01) - Picking up where the second season's finale-cliff-hanger left off, Scully believes Mulder is dead and must fight to keep her job and finish what her partner started. Mulder, on the other hand, is hanging between life and death. (MizGnomer's episode rating: B)

Paper Clip (3x02) - The final episode in a 3-part arc, this episode kicks off with a bang and continues to jump from one high-point to the next. Containing many memorable scenes (Mulder and Scully with their guns drawn on their boss, an underground vault full of abductee files, what appears to be aliens rushing past Agent Scully, Cancerman's first attempt to assassinate Krycek, Skinner's excellent confrontation with Cancerman) this episode is full of action, intrigue, twists, and adventure. (My grade: A+)

D.P.O. (3x03) - It is hard to follow an excellent and action-packed episode like "Paper Clip", but "D.P.O." holds up okay. With guest appearances by Giovanni Ribisi and Jack Black, it is an interesting look at lightening and emotionally charged youth. (My grade: B)

Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose (3x04) - One of the best X-Files episodes ever -- winning its writer, Darin Morgan, the Writing Emmy and its guest star, Peter Boyle, the Guest Actor Emmy. A skeptical Mulder is convinced when they meet Clyde Bruckman, a man who can see the future -- but the only future he can see is how someone will die. This episode was also honored by TV-Guide as one of television's "Top 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time". An extremely clever, funny, and touching episode. (My grade: A+)

~~Disc Two:

The List (3x05) - A death row inmate promises to return to avenge the injustice of his execution. Mulder and Scully investigate as the inmate's promises start to come true. (My grade: C)

2Shy (3x06) - Mulder and Scully hunt for a killer who plays on the insecurities of overweight women online -- a killer who appears to dissolve and digest his victims. (My grade: B)

The Walk (3x07) - Suspicious murders and failed suicide attempts put the agents on the trail of a "phantom soldier" -- and the prime suspect is a quadruple amputee. (My grade: C)

Oubliette (3x08) - In an emotionally draining case for Agent Mulder, a little girl is abducted from her home by a deranged man, and an unrelated woman miles away (a former victim of childhood abduction herself) seems to develop an empathetic link with the missing child. (My grade: A)

~~Disc Three:

Nisei (3x09) - In this first episode of a two-parter, Scully finds herself recognized by a group of strangers who happen to be former alien-abductees, and Mulder attempts to track down the origins of an apparent alien-autopsy video. (My grade: A)

731 (3x10) - Mulder is trapped on a rigged-to-explode train with a Japanese scientist and the man sent to kill him. Scully researches the chip that was removed from her neck, and finds that she has more in common with the subject of Mulder's autopsy video than she had ever imagined. (My grade: A)

Revelations (3x11) - In a surprising role-reversal, Mulder is skeptical and Scully the believer in this case involving a boy with stigmata-like injuries and the murderer who is out to kill him. (My grade: B)

War of the Coprophages (3x12) - Another excellent, comedic episode by Darin Morgan. Scully can provide a scientific explanation for the cockroach-related deaths of 3 victims in a small town, however Mulder believes that the perpetrators are not your average cockroaches. (My grade: A+)

~~Disc Four:

Syzygy (3x13) - I adore the X-Files creator Chris Carter, and think that most of the episodes he has written are indeed great, however this attempt to follow in Darin Morgan's footsteps and pen a comedic X-File falls somewhat flat. There are some great moments, to be sure, but most of the comedy comes off as childish bickering, and while there are some very clever moments they are rather hard to pick up upon. (My grade: C)

Grotesque (3x14) - A very excellent, dark, and moody episode. The agents join Mulder's former mentor in tracking down a serial killer who appears to be possessed by a demonic force. Great guest appearance by "That 70's Show" dad Kurtwood Smith. (My grade: A+)

Piper Maru (3x15) - Another "mythology" 2-parter, this episode is the introduction to the mysterious "black oil" when a French salvage ship discovers wreckage from World War II, and their salvage mission brings back more than they bargained for. (My grade: A)

Apocrypha (3x16) - Agents Mulder and Scully continue to investigate the black oil, while the being they are pursuing continues to body-hop in an effort to get "home". (My grade: A)
This is also an extra commentary track by Director Kim Manners and Writer/Creator Chris Carter for this episode.

~~Disc Five:

Pusher (3x17) - In this fan-favorite penned by another beloved writer, Vince Gilligan, Mulder and Scully investigate a man who can mentally "push" people into doing his bidding. The episode culminates in a nail-biting standoff between our agents and the "pusher". (My grade: A+)

Teso Dos Bichos (3x18) - A strange curse appears to afflict several members of a team who excavated an ancient artifact. (My grade: C)

Hell Money (3x19) - The agents investigate deaths from what turns out to be a deadly game in San Francisco's China Town. The episode includes a brief appearance by Lucy Liu. (My grade: C+)

Jose Chung's 'From Outer Space' (3x20) - This episode is writer Darin Morgan's final brilliant contribution to the series. A young couple is abducted by aliens, and everyone in the town has a different version of the events that took place, including Mulder, Scully, and the "aliens" themselves. Charles Nelson Reilly is a wonderful guest-star -- Alex Trebek and Jesse Ventura also make appearances. This episode requires a few viewings to truly grasp everything that takes place -- an extremely clever and mind-bending romp. (My grade: A+)
This is also an extra commentary track by Director Rob Bowman and Writer Darin Morgan for this episode.

~~Disc Six:

Avatar (3x21) - When Assistant Director Skinner is accused of murder, Agents Mulder and Scully must investigate the case themselves to clear their boss's name. (My grade: B)

Quagmire (3x22) - Mulder wants to investigate reports of a creature similar to the Loch Ness Monster. Is it a monster, or a much more commonplace killer? This episode is known in fan-circles for its cute and clever "conversation on the rock" between Mulder and Scully. (My grade: A)

Wetwired (3x23) - Mulder and Scully uncover a sinister link between a series of seemingly unrelated murders, and Scully herself falls victim to its effects. (My grade: A)

Talitha Cumi (3x24) - Mulder finds out more about his family's past in this season finale. The search is on for a man who has the power to heal, but is he really a man, and who else is searching for him? This episode has a cliffhanger-ish ending that is wrapped up in Season Four. (My grade: B+)

~~Disc Seven (and other extras):

The Truth About Season Three:
This is an all-new, 22-minute documentary which includes commentaries from creator Chris Carter and various writers, cast, and crew. It is a great behind-the-scenes look at many of the episodes.

12 Interview Clips with X-Files Creator Chris Carter:
If you purchased the X-Files videos from Fox, these are the clips that accompanied the episodes on those tapes. Each clip is between 3 and 4 minutes of Chris Carter discussing a particular episode. The episodes discussed are: The Blessing Way, Paper Clip, Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose, Nisei, 731, War of the Coprophages, Piper Maru, Apocrypha, Pusher, Jose Chung's 'From Outer Space', Wetwired, and Talitha Cumi

17 Behind the Truth Segments:
These are behind-the-scenes specials, each approximately a minute long, that aired before the episodes when the series began running in syndication on FX. I wish I had known that these clips would be available someday, as I spent a lot of time trying to catch all of the spots on video when they first aired on FX. I'm a huge behind-the-scenes junkie, so I absolutely love these short specials.

Deleted Scenes:
Deleted scenes are accompanied by an optional commentary track by Chris Carter, who explains why the scenes were cut (usually due to time constraints).
~~ The Blessing Way - Scully talks with her mother and sister after Mulder's "death"
~~ Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose - Mulder wishes for a genuine psychic
~~ The List - Neech goes to the electric chair
~~ Revelations - The boy's father talks about Armageddon
~~ Avatar - The Cigarette Smoking Man threatens Skinner
~~ Avatar - Skinner visits his wife

Special Effects Clips:
Each clip contains commentary by Special Effects Producer Matt Beck.
~~ Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose - Bruckman's "dream" death
~~ The Walk - how they did the invisible man in the pool and in the steam
~~ 731 - David Duchovny's stunts on the side of a train, and the train explosion behind Mr. X
~~ Apocrypha - "oilien" and silo special effects
~~ Teso Dos Bichos - multiplying the cats and adding digital snow
~~ Jose Chung's 'From Outer Space' - "Buttcrack effects" (or how to hide a naked-rear for prime-time television) and how to make your guy-in-a-suit monster look like a poorly-produced, stop-motion, Harryhausen monster.
~~ Quagmire - creating a Lock Ness Monster

47 TV Commercials:
For most episodes there are two commercials per episode (one promo-spot is 10 seconds long, the other is 20 seconds). "Wetwired" and "Apocrypha" have a single, 10-second promo apiece.

DVD ROM features:
Similar to the games on the Season One and Season Two DVD Boxed Sets, this time called "Mere Words". The game is part trivia quiz, part puzzle, and part episode guide. Players can investigate Mulder and Scully's multimedia case files. The game requires a DVD-ROM drive and Windows 95 or higher.

"International" Clips (available only on the episodic discs):
These are episode clips with the voices dubbed in Japanese, German, Castilian Spanish, and Italian. The featured episodes are Paper Clip, The Walk, War of the Coprophages, Piper Maru, Pusher, and Talitha Cumi.

Optional Commentary Tracks (available only on the episodic discs):
~~ Apocrypha - commentary by Director Kim Manners and Writer/Creator Chris Carter. Chock-full of information and quite interesting.
~~ Jose Chung's 'From Outer Space' - commentary by Director Rob Bowman and Writer Darin Morgan. Funnier than the Apocrypha commentary -- just great.

Cast/Crew Listings (available only on the episodic discs):
Each disc contains a special listing of the cast and crew for the episodes on that disc.

Final Thoughts:

Scully: Sure, fine, whatever.
- Syzygy

The only bad thing I can say about this DVD set is that I wish there were even more extras! While this set has more extras than the Season One and Season Two sets, most rabid X-Philes are still longing for the wonderful gag-reels, and know about other deleted scenes that would have been absolutely fabulous additions to this already fantastic set.

While this DVD set is an absolute must for any obsessed X-Phile, it is also a great way for casual fans or those who came to the show in later seasons to get caught up with the characters and the show's "mythology". I highly recommend this set to anyone (although newbies to the show might want to get the season one and season two DVD sets first).

Web sites of interest:
Official X-Files Website: http://www.thex-files.com
Official Season 3 DVD Site: http://www.xfilesseason3dvd.com

Related X-Files DVD Set Reviews:
First Season
Second Season
Fourth Season
Fifth Season
Sixth Season
Seventh Season
Eighth Season



Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older