Revelations definitely an "Essential"

The X-Files: Revelations is an eight episode two-disk set that is billed as the "Essential guide to the X-Files movie" and it doesn't disappoint. Being a X-Files geek, I was interested in which episode series creator Chris Carter and Executive Producer Frank Spotnitz would include and I'll admit, some were a surprise.

Post-modern Prometheus and Bad Blood were two episodes I really enjoyed during the series run but when I saw they were included, was a little baffled by. I thought that "essential" meant that the stories would be dealing with the mythology of the show. Then it dawned on me. The movie is an examination of the relationship between Agents Mulder and Scully. I was amazed that that one flew right past me.

Disk one includes the Pilot episode, The Host and Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose. The gem of the first disk is Beyond the Sea, an episode where the skeptic Scully must confront her own brush with the paranormal.

Disk Two has Memento Mori, Post-Modern Prometheus, Bad Blood and Milagro. It's nice to see the degrees and depth of the series as it goes from the literal comic-like Prometheus, into a somewhat comedic Blood and then finishes out with a forceful Milagro.

Revelations once again reminds the viewer of how poor the state of television currently is in. With a few exceptions, today's TV has nothing meaningful to offer. Hours of mindless images and noise that doesn't make the viewer engage at all. The X-Files is a series that, even if you don't believe in its paranormal twists, makes your mind work. The show is destined to be a program that will stand the test of time.

The two-disk set includes bonus intros by series creator Chris Carter and Executive Producer Frank Spotnitz. From the intros alone you can still see the fire still burns strong for Carter and Spotnitz. There is also a panel discussion at WonderCon that features Carter and Spotnitz as well as series stars Duchovny and Anderson. The teaser trailer for the upcoming film is also included.

What struck me about the supplemental materials is how "together" the cast seemed at the WonderCon panel. Coming off a long night of shooting and a long plane flight, they seemed eager to share details about the upcoming movie with the crowd on hand. It was also encouraging to hear all of them all agree that there is a possibility of another X-Files flick gracing the big screen.

"The X-Files" Revelations is presented in both full frame (5 episodes) and widescreen format (3 episodes) with English, French and Spanish Dolby surround audio format, along with English and Spanish subtitles. Each episode features an introduction from Carter and Spotnitz, explaining why each episode was selected and how they relate to the movie. Individual disc content as follows:

Disc One:

Pilot (from Season 1)

Beyond the Sea (from Season 1)

The Host (from Season 2)

Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose (from Season 3)

Disc Two:

Memento Mori (from Season 4)

Post-Modern Prometheus (from Season 5)

Bad Blood (from Season 5)

Milagro (from Season 6)

Bonus features:

2008 theatrical trailer

WonderCon talent panel session

An additional goodie that comes with the two-disk set is a free Hollywood Movie Money ticket, valued at $8.50 for the upcoming X-Files: I Want to Believe.