“Plus One” – X-Files Review

Back to the show’s “bread and butter” with a monster of the week.

Cast and Crew Information

Gillian Anderson as Dana Katherine Scully
David Duchovny as Fox Mulder
Karin Konoval as Little Judy and Little Chucky
Ben Wilkinson as Dean Cavalier
Jared Ager-Foster as Arkie Seavers
Denise Dowse as Dr. Babsi Russel
Alison Araya as Nurse Vickie
Lossen Chambers as Nurse Peggy Easton

Written by Chris Carter
Directed by Kevin Hooks

Premise

Mentally unstable twins can make other people see lethal twins of themselves.

High Point

Karin Konoval’s performance as Judy.

Low Point

Karin Konoval’s performance as Chucky.

The Review

This is an original monster, facilitated in part by the complete lack of any mechanism by which this should work. I give it 5 out of 6.

The effects were well done when it comes to having the same actor appear twice in one shot. The makeup effects to make Karin Konoval look like a man were not convincing at all. I give it 4 out of 6.

The story was a little cheap. It’s pure luck that all of these Hangman games are hanging on Judy’s walls to draw Mulder’s attention, because otherwise they would have had no leads whatsoever. I also don’t see why they had to play the game together, as we eventually learn that only one of them needs to spell the name to make it work. While there are great moments, like the discussion of aging, there are just a few too many coincidences for my tastes. I give it 4 out of 6.

The acting is generally great. Karin Konoval was fantastic as Judy, but was trying so hard that she looked like she was acting the entire time she played Chucky. I think the episode would have been stronger had they cast two different people in the roles. I give it 4 out of 6.

The production is solid, and carries the episode through the weaknesses of the script by effectively ramping up the tension as we go forward. I give it 6 out of 6.

The emotional response is mixed. Most is great, but every Chucky scene just reminded me that I’m watching a TV show and knocked me out of the immersion we seek when we consume media. I give it 4 out of 6.

Overall, it’s a worthwhile episode, but not a great episode. I give it 4 out of 6.

In total, Plus One receives 31 out of 42.