The X-Files (TV Series) The Rain King (1999) User Reviews

A delightful love story, as only The X Files can do

[jezfernandez · 8/10 · 29 May 2017]

One of the most intriguing aspects of Season 6 is how on earth Mulder is able to keep investigating X Files, when AD Kirsch has forbidden them from going near these cases. Yet here's our dynamic duo on another road trip to the back end of nowhere.

I've always loved this episode, right from the start where Daryl Mootz is pelted with heart-shaped hailstones. It's a testament to writer Jeffrey Bell that every last dim-witted character is infused with innocent charm. Especially Sheila, who still believes Daryl loved her once.

Of course, in the background - largely playing the role of observers - are Mulder and Scully, both with an opportunity to consider their feelings for each other. Scully, with her speech about realising there's no one else you'd rather be with, and Mulder's tendency to "gaze at Scully". It serves as a nice companion piece to How the Ghosts Stole Christmas (episode 6), with Scully once again suckered in for the ride.

All in all, this is a wonderful fantasy episode - think Roxanne meets Twister. It's highly illogical in places, but charming nonetheless.

Love can move mountains, and make it rain.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 16 September 2022]

Mulder and Scully visit a small town in Kansas, to investigate a man who claims he has direct control over the weather.

It takes a little time for this one to settle, for it to open up, as initially it's a bizarre one, once it gets going, you realise that it's a love story, a love story with an X Files twist.

There have been some quite heavy going episodes, including the movie, so this comes as something of a bit of light relief. There's nothing particularly extraordinary or exceptional about the storyline, but the character play is a true joy, it's actually quite funny, and very sweet.

A true exploration of longing and of love, and just how tough it can be to keep feelings bottled up.

Victoria Jackson was an absolute delight as Sheila, what a babe!

Super sweet, a nice change in direction, and a happy ending, the writers must have been having a good day, 8/10.

"I'll build the ark. You gather the animals."

[classicsoncall · 8/10 · 25 July 2017]

This was a tough episode to select a summary quote for. Personally, my favorite line was Mulder's "I'm telling you, that cow had my name on it", but the one I picked was more representative of the story taking place. I thought this was a nice, off beat change of pace for Scully and Mulder, managing to stay under Assistant Director Kersh's radar while getting involved in an X-Files type case. Not that it mattered to Mulder; he'd follow up a hunch wherever it brought him.

I had to laugh when The Rain King, Daryl Mootz (Claytonm Rohner) stated that he was one sixty fourth Cherokee, more than a full decade before we ever heard of Elizabeth Warren using that gambit to earn a college acceptance and get elected to the Senate. Another case of life imitating art I guess, but it goes both ways. What also got me was The Rain King's self description as being a spiritual man, in touch with the really real. You would expect a huckster like him to claim something like that.

If you follow the progress of the X-Files over the course of the later Season Five, and now the Season Six episodes, you can trace the growing personal relationship between Scully and Mulder. Scully's heart to heart with Sheila (Victoria Jackson) about personal relationships and building on a friendship that eventually turns to love was quite revealing for the direction the FBI agents were going. That they could put Sheila and Hardt (David Manis) together was a matchmaking triumph that provided a nice feel good resolution to this episode. The dissolve to a Wizard of Oz-like ending was perfect with it's 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' theme in the background. If I had to guess, Sheila and Holman probably named their baby Dorothy.

Cute and funny

[silverlukas · 10/10 · 28 February 2008]

I don't agree with the common opinion about this episode. It's not sugary and trite, it's just different, and cute, and what's more - made with style! Who says that the most and only important things that define "The X Files" are their seriousness, darkness, scariness?...One of the greatest things about this show is that it can do anything, it can be frightening or action-like, or Gothic, or religious, or highly metaphorical, or funny, or ironic, or romantic, or nicely simple, or yes, even cheerfully light. I respect the fact that the crew were capable enough to play with genres and to create an unexpected episode, yet a quality one. Many TV-shows keep a strict line in what's expected of them, and all their episodes are very much similar. "The X Files" had the courage to try new things, not to follow regulations of what it "should be", and to risk and explore various territories. I would appreciate this courage even when it fails, but it doesn't fail in this episode.

I like everything in "The Rain King", it's full of nice moments and funny stuff in a kind, soft way. I like the clouds which laugh, Mulder's painted lips, Scully's speech about love and friendship, the rainbow with blue birds at the end. It is a must-see episode for shippers. And for anyone who can appreciate the style in a light, but honest episode and who is not ashamed to like cute things.

Somehere over the rainbow.

[Umarfilmgeek · 9/10 · 14 June 2021]

I do not agree with the negative opinions on here. I don't know about you, but I love a change of pace, and that's what X files always had the courage to do. Not have 20+ episodes per season with nothing but seriousness, action, horror and angst.

A season is always laced with one or two, lighthearted and cheerful episodes and this episode was certainly one of them. Great humour, great lines and great innocent, immature and silly fun.

The bonus bits for me were the subtle increase in emotions in Mulder and scully's relationship that is still only friendship but is growing into something a little more.

Oh and the wonderful Judy Garland singing that most famous song.

Cheer up folk.

I do not gaze at Scully

[Sanpaco13 · 7/10 · 29 June 2009]

The Rain King is a decent episode if you can get past the lameness and corniness of this lighthearted humor episode. Interestingly, now that I think about it. Nobody dies in the entire episode. Unless you count the cow. And maybe that couple at the prom that get blown away by the wind but that's not definite. The episode deals with a weatherman in a small town in Kansas whose pent up emotions and feelings for his high school crush have caused freak weather all his life. This includes a tornado at prom, a snow storm on her wedding day, smiling clouds on her divorce day, and storm clouds following her ex-boyfriend who has become known as The Rain King. Anyway, I'll not bore you with too many details but instead I will comment on some of my favorite comic moments. I like Mulder and Scully's welcome to the town. After being flown in on a private plane, they are greeted by the mayor and his daughter who is quite zealously tossing a baton around while some kind of parade music is played on a cassette player out in front of their camper/office. I also enjoy some of the dynamics when the love quadrangle gets set up between Mulder, Scully, and the other two characters. Especially all the indignance shown by both Mulder and Scully as everyone around them assumes that they are together. "I do not gaze at Scully". Anwyay, the episode is entertaining. I give it a 7 out of 10.

Classic Light-Hearted X-Files Love Triangle !

[cshep · 10/10 · 26 February 2010]

Mulder and Scully travel to Kroner Kansas, to investigate manufactured weather phenomena.TV Meteorologist Holman Hardt(David Mannis) is in love with Sheila Fontaine(Victoria Jackson), but his unrequited love is having drastic results on the community. Darryl Smootz , Holemans rival, is the new Rain King. He is a local weather for hire ne'er do well. Residents desperate for rain, hire Daryl to help stop the drought. Scully, more skeptical than ever, barely tolerates Mulders assertions, as to whom is really controlling the weather. Terrific sentimental romantic comedy is a Classic. Mulder and Scully swaying in sync to the High School Reunion music is a HOOT !

Not your average X-File, but it does touch the heart ! A must see for those looking for relief from the insanity of life.

Classic, great chemistry from the lead characters. Caveat ...Beware of Flying Hamburger !

The Blind Leading The Blind

[Muldernscully · 6/10 · 26 January 2007]

The Rain King is a cheesy, poor excuse for an x-file. However, it has enough highlights in it to make it recommendable. This episode was written by newcomer Jeffrey Bell, an average writer. He doesn't appear to know that Mulder and Scully are off of the x-files and that Kersh will have their heads if he catches them investigating the x-files. No explanation is given why they are investigating this case and no indication that they'll catch you-know-what from Kersh. The story of a man controlling the weather out of love is ultra-cheesy, including the cheesiest moment, a cow falling from the sky and crashing onto Mulder's bead. Bell, however, seems to have a good feel for Mulder and Scully's relationship, and they share some good dialogue. The best moment is when Mulder informs Scully that Holman is seeking dating advice from him. Scully asks Mulder when was the last time he went on a date. Mulder then tells Scully, "I will talk to you later" and hangs the phone up on her. Besides the story being cheesy, Mark Snow's soundtrack is the oddest I've ever heard it and doesn't really fit. Like I said, the story is cheesy and weak, but seeing Mulder and Scully being confused for a couple and acting as relationship counselors is worth the price of admission in itself. So enjoy The Rain King for what it is, just don't expect a good x-files in it.

Mulder: I will talk to you later.

[bombersflyup · 10/10 · 5 November 2018]

The Rain King is about Mulder and Scully investigating Daryl Mootz, a man who claims he can make it rain.

A quality feel good episode so out of the box, though still within the realistic framework of the show. Daryl the star here, played well by Clayton Rohner. He has turned his random luck into a business venture, doing nothing and living it up and as soon as his gift is gone, he's broke. Holman who's indeed the catalyst, the only hindrance though necessary. Scully's made it clear to the audience she's ready to settle down with Mulder and he has stated he would want to live in a quiet little town. It's the Gundersons, everyone with smiles on their faces. Like looking in the mirror, as Mulder says jokingly. Also, how could anyone not like "The Carpenters - Rainy Days and Mondays."

Watchable, but so full of wtf.

[overfiend1976 · 6/10 · 25 August 2014]

First off, as a Kansas resident, the sights of mountains abound truly made me giggle. It's Kansas. We have exactly zero mountains. And barely any hills. The episode starts off well enough, with the guy getting his 'just desserts' being beaned over the head with heart shaped hail, but from there, it just turns into something not really X-Files like. Feel good episodes have their place and all, but this was overkill, I thought. A little too cheesy for the general feel of the show itself, and seemed to have been a filler episode more than anything. Tying the relationship between Fox and Dana into the episode was probably its only saving grace and garnered a few chuckles.

5.8/10

Great Episode for Shippers

[rasberrie · 9/10 · 13 May 2020]

Although this episode is more comical and light hearted, unlike the typical X-File mood, which is dark and mysterious, it's still enjoyable. It gives a couple rewarding moments for the fans who are interested in Scully & Mulder's implied feelings for each other.

Some of these great moments include Mulder's statement, "I do not gaze at Scully..." and Scully talking about how great romantic relationships start as friendships. Not to mention, a suggestion from one of the characters telling Scully & Mulder to, "try it sometime," referring to sharing their true feelings.

Another moment not so blatenly romantic, but a great addition, is when Mulder tells Scully that he's giving dating advice and Scully questions the last time Mulder has been on a date. Some could say this is just for comedic effect, but in our romantic imaginations, Mulder has no desire to date... ahhh swoon!

True Love changes the world around you... (Barf)

[andyetris · 3/10 · 19 October 2006]

Although this has to be the nadir of season six, this schmaltzy episode isn't badly written or acted. It's just that most of us looked to the X-Files for taut, gripping horror/thrillers ending without easy answers and moving toward dark but fathomable conspiracies. Season 6 gave us a stream of tongue-in-cheek comedies that undermined the show's continuity and, frankly, made Simpsons' Halloween Specials look like great thriller TV.

In this episode Victoria Jackson of SNL fame plays the long-suffering girlfriend of a man who sets himself up as a rainmaker. However her weatherman boss is the one who truly loves her and Mulder winds up having to provide him dating advice in order to get out of town.

There's some playful fun with the chemistry between the agents and some amusing but none-too-sophisticated characterization of Midwestern hicks. It's nothing you'd want to see more than once!

It's hard to figure out Season 6. X-Files creator Chris Carter seems bored by the whole 'Syndicate conspiracy' story arc and abandons responsibility to the black comedy writers.

Scully's to funny here😅👍

[viennaDude · 8/10 · 2 August 2022]

Scully's "No" response to Mulder asking her if she's having any doubt about Sheila's innocence is pure comedy gold🤣 All in all, it was a lighthearted funny intermission with good character progression for Scully and Mulder.

Coming to you from 2021

[rosie_posie182 · 5/10 · 5 October 2021]

So, I enjoy this episode. The acting of the supporting cast, cute M&S dialogue, some adorable comedic moments, etc etc. It's all entertaining and you can have a pleasant time.

However, I'm coming to you from 2021, where I'm looking at this innocently portrayed Holman going, what happens if she doesn't love you back, incel? Mulder states quite clearly that Holman is going to kill someone if he doesn't tell her how he feels, and her initial rejection of him prompts Mulder to make a joke about building an arc and gathering the animals.

Y'all keep reiterating the light-heartedness of this episode, but the reality is actually dark af. He seems harmless, yet he has caused tornados, droughts, floods, economic devastation, a car accident, the death of an animal, the maiming of a fellow classmate and much more, for what? Love?

In a show that is continually praised for genre bending and defying convention, it would have been great to see this exact storyline, but when she says no, that's...okay. He accepts her answer, because he values her as a complete and autonomous woman with agency, realises he needs some help to express his emotions and learns to control his libido enough that it's not causing irreparable damage to those around him. That'd be great.

Sorry if this is too woke for some, and while I recognise that this was written and aired 22 years ago, the instances of male violence against women during an unrequited love situation is no joke. They had an opportunity to defy social norms and entertainment tropes and they didn't. It's disappointing, but, if you ignore all of that, yeah, it's fluffy, light-hearted and has a happy ending. Yay.