Ice

"Ice" was an episode that aired way back when The X-Files was still a fledgling series, and perhaps more so than any other episode at that time, proved what a powerhouse of actors and writers 1013 had in their arsenal. After a rather average stretch of standalones, "Ice" delves into the paranoia and un-solidified trust between Mulder and Scully. Paranoia had always been a driving force behind the scripts of early episodes, but not until this one did it really hit home run. In a script that puts Mulder and Scully at each other's gunpoint, the intensity of its scenes are thicker than the crystalline phase of water it's named after.

Morgan and Wong's premise is straightforward: a research team in Alaska is found dead, ostensibly having done each other in, and the FBI is called in to investigate, with the assistance of a doctor, toxicologist, professor and pilot. When a vicious dog attacks the pilot (Jeff Kober, who I always forget isn't actually Steven Tyler), and causes him to behave in a quarrelsome manner, it's clear that something out of the ordinary is going on.

Although the basic plot of "Ice" is not far removed from John Carpenter's classic horror film "The Thing," the addition of Mulder and Scully and the first real test of their partnership make for some memorable moments. The real crux of the dilemma is that everyone is a potential candidate for infection (of an acetylcholine-hungry arctic worm that coincidentally bears similar qualities to the black oil from later seasons). Scully's barely masked horror and Mulder's instinctive inclinations do not keep them from being potential suspects; they realize this. Ironically it is the team of Hodge (Xander Berkeley of 24) and Da Silva (Felicity Huffman of Desperate Housewives and Transamerica) who falter in their unquestioning trust.

Perhaps even more so than the web of mythology arcs that dominated the show's later years, "Ice" is really what the heart of The X-Files is all about. Trust, vulnerability, friction, the fear of the outsider on the inside. This script would serve as an archetype for a countless number of subsequent episodes ("Darkness Falls," "Firewalker," "Dod Kalm," "Agua Mala" and so on and so forth). All of those varied in quality, but it can be confidently stated that none matched the cutting intensity of this seminal predecessor. This is widely regarded as one of the series's finest hours, and with a plot that still provides chills (pardon the pun) some seventeen years later, it's not hard to comprehend why. 10 out of 10.

A team varied between Scully and Mulder, two other scientists, a pilot, and the guy who plays Bana on Seinfeld, go up to an Arctic research post where all members have died off by either killing each other or killing themselves. They discover there's a worm- a virus- that is parasitic to the point of madness and death. The problem is, after a certain dog lashes out, anyone could be infected, but who? This is not just my favorite episode of season 1, but also one of my favorites from the show. The Arctic environment encloses the characters and, of course like Carpenter's the Thing, it's a lot of fun watching these even-tempered characters suddenly start to flip out in dramatic scenes. And the visual effects of the worm and its effects under the skin are cheesy, I didn't mind them at all. The drama between the characters ends up working more than it would usually because of the tension and because all of the actors (including the Bana guy) understand what's going on in the story. And, as usual, I loved the ambiguity of the ending. Highly recommended.

A true stand out episode from season 1 is what Ice is.An artic location,claustrophobic conditions and a general feel of paranoia looming in the freezing air makes this is a must see episode from season one.The previous occupants of the artic station Mulder,Scully and four others go to have either killed each other or killed themselves.A virus is bringing out murderous aggression and is responsible for bringing out deadly paranoia and fear.Mulder and Scully actually begin to question each others sanity.Tension is that high.The writers have to receive great credit for creating that sort of scenario where the atmosphere is so tense Mulder and Scully come into conflict in such a direct manner

"Ice" is Glen Morgan and James Wong's take on "The Thing", and is a wonderfully executed homage (right down to the production of and sets in the episode and the cinematography, there are several shout-outs to John Carpenter's 1982 classic). It never feels too dependent on the well-known story, however, thanks to a unique X-Files spin on the situation through Mulder and Scully.

As is always expected there are a couple of hilarious lines ("Before anyone passes judgment, may I remind you, we are in the Arctic."), and the supporting characters are excellent here (as is the cast, featuring the guy who played Bania on "Seinfeld" and Felicity Huffman). "Ice" is one of few season one episodes which looks just as good as later episodes on the show. The photography is quite sophisticated (although nowhere near what Bartley would accomplish with, say, season 3's "Grotesque"), and the direction from relatively frequent X-Files director David Nutter is excellent, keeping the atmosphere as claustrophobic as possible. In addition, Mark Snow's score here is better than anything he had done previously on the show, and the special effects work is excellent.

Although "Squeeze" is excellent, "Ice" was the show's first great episode, an all-around triumph of mood and atmosphere, and with a fine script by X-Files regulars James Wong and Glen Morgan.

9/10

Mulder and Scully are sent to the Arctic along with a few specialists to explain why a team of Geophysicists killed one another.

This is up there with Tooms as contender for series one's best episode. This is pure horror, as my title indicates it is very much an homage to The Thing, plus it has that vibe Agatha Christie created, where one by one the numbers dwindle, and nobody knows who's next, or who's guilty.

This still has the scare factor, watch as paranoia mounts up, and everyone begins to suspect one another.

The unease between Mulder and Scully is brilliant, they are still developing as partners, but here the relative lack of knowledge about one another plays a part.

A great cast featuring Felicity Huffman, they are all on top form.

Superb, 10/10