1x01 Pilot

Chris Carter sure knows how to set up a show.

The atmosphere is incredible. It's dark and grimy and seedy and rainy, love it! And the subject matter of the episode harkens back to season 1 of The X Files which was more horror oriented. I feel that in this episode, and it looks like it will be similar going to forward.

I like the characters. I like Frank Black, and he's an interesting main character. I like his wife, i like their daughter, i like the police chief, who is a friendly sort, and while he was open-minded toward Frank and his ability, he still chose to initially follow the evidence. But what i liked about this police chief is that he was curious and confronted Frank about his ability, and he did end up trusting Frank enough to send his people out there on Frank's hunch there were more survivors. I like this guy! And he saved Frank in the end too. This is how you create good supporting characters.

I wish we saw more members of the milennium group or more of them in action, but it's okay since this is the pilot and the focus was more on Frank. I like how we saw at least one member though and his comments. The pilot doesn't overload us with information or characters, it provides just the right amount.

The music is very good and atmospheric, just as it is on The X Files, with both soundtracks created by Mark Snow. It helps to create the mood perfectly.

There is some confusion about if Frank's ability is psychic or purely psychological. It must be psychic, because there's no way he would have known the details of that body without seeing it and knowing nothing about the case. It must be psychic, or partially so. Maybe he told the police chief it wasn't psychic to help not seem like he was crazy, even though Frank has already proved how great his ability is. Or maybe he's just a savant in psychology, but that feels way too much of a stretch, and it would break believability for me.

Overall though a very good introduction for the show.