X-Treme Possibilities: A Comprehensively Expanded Rummage Through Five Years of the X-Files

by Paul Cornell, Martin Day, Keith Topping

Casting an irreverent eye over the series, including seasons four and five which were not covered before, this book looks into such weighty matters Weird-Looking Actors, Ooze, Trenchcoat Use, and the tendency for characters not to make it through the pre-titles sequence. It presents a complete episode guide, a special feature on the movie, a survey of the media impact of the program, and features on the show's nuts and bolts.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Media Tie In, Tv

474 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1997

About the author

Paul Cornell is a British writer of science fiction and fantasy prose, comics and television. He's been Hugo Award-nominated for all three media, and has won the BSFA Award for his short fiction, and the Eagle Award for his comics. He's the writer of Saucer Country for Vertigo, Demon Knights for DC, and has written for the Doctor Who TV series. His new urban fantasy novel is London Falling, out from Tor on December 6th.

via Wikipedia @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Cor...

Reviews

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Irreverent now but at the time, this book was it for me when I was deep in my obsession with The X-Files. Extremely in-depth analysis and examination of every episode up to season 5 which really was the best years of the show. I read this thing a dozen times and carried it everywhere for months. Good stuff.

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book every single day from appx 2007-2009. Memorized quotes, cover had to be taped on, etc. 12yr old me learned everything they knew about pop culture from this book.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m currently in the middle of a massive X-Files rewatch with my equally obsessed daughter (the fan girl genes are strong) and, because I’m just *that* sort of person, that also involves reading as much about it as I can, episode by episode. (I’ve currently got three companion books on the go - I know, I know).

Anyway, X-treme Possibilities is probably the most fun of the three, with the massive caveat that it only goes up to the end of season 5! I don’t think there has been an updated version.... please, please, Paul Cornell and co, have a think about it.

It’s an entertaining read, with each chapter including not only an episode summary and the opinions of the three authors (who don’t always agree), but numerous fun sub-headings like Don't Be in the Teaser (bad stuff will, inevitably, happen to you), Scully Here is a Medical Doctor, observations on the developing Mulder-Scully relationship (appropriately subtitled Phwoar!) and (sometimes rather too much) commentary on how it all fits into the mythology. (I like the mythology well enough but let’s face it, I’m mainly here for the characters and the monsters of the week.)

Great companion for those of us who just can’t get enough X-Files, but an update would be lovely... though I’m guessing we’re never going to get one now.

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this close up view of X-Files episodes and found explanations for some things I never understood. A little clarity on the subject. The book ends with the movie and is missing the final seasons. I would have like to see the author's take on the immaculate conception of a barren woman and an indepth look at Krycek and his motivations.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sime interesting trivia and insights but generally it seems not fans of the show, very negative throughout, disappointingly.

[Octavia Cade · Rating 2 out of 5]

A chatty if not particularly incisive look at the first three and a half seasons of The X-Files. It can be a little repetitive (yes, you felt the second season went off formula, I get it already). Still, it's amusing in parts - most often when the reviewers are disagreeing between themselves, but sometimes, blackly, when I'm disagreeing with them. I know everyone has different tastes, but it's hard for me not to side-eye reviewers who praise the excruciatingly dull "Space"(a "fine episode" my eye) or the painfully embarrassing and over-melodramatic "The Field Where I Died" ("Utterly impressive", HA!).

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

this only goes through the first 5 seasons and the movie, but it is the MOST in depth episode guide i've ever seen. they talk thoroughly about every episode, explain the confusion, analyze it, and highlight different aspects of it. i really really enjoyed it. the only problem is that some of the theories regarding the storyline are now useless, and i really wish they would write an updated guide on the whole series because it would ROCK but they apparently decided never to do so. sigh.

[Lori Schiele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this book for years but dug it out to read again since I have started watching my X-Files DVDs again.
The book covers the first 5 seasons plus the movie and gives episode descriptions, quotes, scientific and other "boo-boos" as well as bits of trivia.
A book perfect for any die-hard X-Files fan.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It takes the template of the author's successful "Discontinuity Guide" for Doctor Who, and expands on it with extra-big categories, fascinating essays, and not one...but THREE reviews for each episode. A sumptuous glimpse into the X-Files' first five years...quite likely its best run of episodes.

[Aras · Rating 4 out of 5]

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