Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #789 in VHS
• Released on: 2002-02-25
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Formats: Box set, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 5
• Running time: 924 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
The eighth season of The X-Files will always be remembered as the year of brave decisions. David Duchovny's increasing dissatisfaction with the role meant he'd only appear in a few episodes. The solution? Enter Agent John Doggett (Robert Patrick) who basically stole the show within his first two minutes of screen time (and watch out for several Terminator 2 in-jokes too!). Scully switched roles to being the believer alongside Doggett's sceptic in a year that was more reliant on the background story arc than ever before. Her pregnancy remained at the foreground, while a more prominent Skinner joined in a hunt for the abducted Mulder that drew upon the black oil, cloning and bounty hunting aspects of the convoluted alien conspiracy story. A distinct lack of guest stars or writers indicated maturity beyond the need for ratings stunts: dedicated fans were pleased to see cameos from sinister Krycek, the reliable Lone Gunmen and the return of the show's very first abductee. The real strengths of the season came from new characters, including alternative female role model Special Agent Monica Reyes, and some terrific standalone episodes. Investigations covered a man going backward in time, deaths aboard an oilrig, a contagion in the Boston subway tunnels and creatures resembling bats and slugs. Agent Leyla Harrison (named after an X-Files fan who died of cancer) got to ask all the petty questions regular viewers want to know themselves. With Season 9 promised to be the last, this year was a remarkable achievement so late in a show's life.--Paul Tonks

Synopsis
Agent Scully and Skinner begin a hunt for Mulder. New Deputy Director Kersh puts Agent John Doggett in charge of the task force. Doggett is a sceptic but both he and Scully must now work as a team. Episodes include: 'Within', 'Without', 'Via Negativa', 'Essence' and 'Existence'. 21 episodes.

Customer Reviews

A Complete Success.
Unlike viewers anticipated that David Duchovny's departure would surely ruin the show, season 8 came back with a different "spice". Not Only did we get outstanding performance by Robert Patrick, and saw a whole new side to Gillian Anderson, but the show revolved back to its traditional horror/sci-fi freaky style. We never saw anymore of those hacked comedy episodes of seasons 6 and 7. The season halls extreme mythology episodes such as Per Anum, This is Not Happening and Deadalive which gave a total new face to the X-Files mythology. The Finale was too excellent and unexpected and Chris Carter managed to give Mulder a perfect exit. This is season is highly recommended.

Season 8 - refreshing, new, bright, bold and very very scary
Ive been a fan of the x files since day 1, and i can remember fans getting very worried about an 8th season "because of a lack of mulder, and new characters appearing", but they shouldnt have worried because its fantastic. Its a season which is refreshing and new, but also goes back to the classic roots of the show. All the eps are well written, especially (Alone, Epidocles, Roadrunners and This is not happening). Robert Patrick makes a real impact and Gillian is great as ever.... DONT MISS IT! BUY THIS NOW!!!!

Easily the best season...
With season seven clearly being weaker than its predesessors, the future for the x files looked pretty dire. However, despite low expectations from (some) fans and uncertainty from the cast and crew, this season really rocked the boat and created storylines and episodes so fantastic, that they couldnt be seen past season five. Gillian Anderson once again stars as Scully and takes the lead for the entire season and of the believer, while David Duchovny as Mulder takes a back seat, which would put many DD fans off the new concept of the show. We are introduced to the new star, agent doggert who is the sceptic, and season nines lead agent, reyes who doesnt know what to believe. My favourite episodes are the opening two parter Within / Without is fabulous (and wipes the floor with requiem, S7's finale) with Scully being one step behind the aliens. Patience, about a human bat, Roadrunners about a internal slug, per manum, about the mystery of scullys baby, this is not happening / deadalive, about the return of mulder, and the seasons closing episodes, essence / existence seeing the birth of baby William, and the best finale scene the show has ever produced. Many fans moan about this being a weak season, but it show is crammed full of horror and gory stand alone episodes that the x files used to be all about. The absence of Mulder is missed, but softened by Gillian and Robert's fine acting. Trust me, this is the best season of the series, and gives strong competition with season nine (the last season, *sniff). The score (Scullys Theme) often played throughout the season, is such a touching piece, you can really feel the emotion and craving Scully has for her partner. Its quite simply the x files at its best. An undeniable success.