I find it hard to comment on The X- Files because it simply transcends words. It's an intelligent masterpiece, an epos of beautifully complicated scenarios, plots and characters. Eruditely taking on the grayest of areas, confronting those things under your bed and inside your closet thus bringing new meaning to the fears brought on by conventions and the imprudent obstinacy of social norms. The script, the actors and the direction make the most unbelievable seem believable and the unfathomable- unfathomably real. So thought provoking that if you really let yourself dwell in its essence, it can change the way you see the world, if only just by believing in the conviction that The Truth Is Out There.
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TooCynicalToSpeak20 October 2002
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SnoopyStyle22 September 2013Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) is a marginalized loner FBI agent stuck in the basement. He's been ostracized because he's a true believer in the paranormal. Dr Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) is a skeptic, a woman of science, and assigned to keep Mulder under control.
The X Files represents a breakout for the sci-fi genre. Its success gave it license to put on more paranormal shows treated as reasonable. It also became a benchmark by which these shows are measured. There are amazing episodes with some less so. The best is the chemistry between the two leads. It broke new ground with great writing from some future notable names. It lasted 9 seasons. It may have gone on too long but it was great while it lasted. -
Rob_Taylor11 August 2004I started watching the X Files years ago, catching an episode here, an episode there. And I have to say that most of the underlying conspiracy plot was lost to me as a result. Consequently, I rated the show as OK, but nothing special. Something to watch if you happened to turn the TV on and it was playing, but not something to actively seek out.
However, I recently acquired all 9 seasons and set about watching them, in order, from start to finish, at about a rate of an episode a day. I have to say it all makes a lot more sense now. The conspiracy theorie's "on-off is it-isn't it" nature makes for confusing twists and turns which is exactly what it is supposed to do.
I can't really say whether the earlier seasons are better than the later ones or not. When you watch that many episodes over a few months they all seem much the same in terms of quality. There are standout episodes just as there are the odd turkeys, but overall the quality is good and fairly consistent.
What most people don't get, I think, is that the show became less about the conspiracy theory and weirdness and more about Mulder and Scully as the seasons rolled by. Perhaps this was why it was such a shock when Mulder vanished at the end of season 7 and was replaced by Doggett and Reyes. I too, was inherently antagonistic towards them but, I am very glad to say, they do grow on you. But the two seasons they were in were not really enough for you to get to know them intimately, as you did Mulder and Scully.
The show was filled with memorable characters such as CSM and the Lone Gunmen. Special episodes gave you an insight into these recurring characters and how they came to be who they are. Indeed, the Gunmen got their own show, albeit only for a run of thirteen episodes (unlucky for them!). Other characters like Gibson Praise, The Alien Bountyhunter, Pusher, Tooms and Agent Harrison also recurred and were pleasant enough to watch whenever they were on screen. Old faithfuls, if you would.
I've become, from an indifferent beginning, a definite fan of the show. It was a shame to watch the final episode and think that it was over, but here's hoping they make a couple more movies. I think it's probably a foregone conclusion that they will, since the ending of the show was left wide open with unresolved issues. But maybe that's what was intended, that the ending be a non-happy one. Only time, and another movie (or series) will tell.
EDIT FOR SEASON 10: Well, this is a review I never thought I'd update! A new series picking up where it left off, though years later, of course. It is looking pretty good so far, though the pilot was a little odd. Ep 2 is an improvement and Ep 3 shows that the show can poke fun at itself. Ep 4 is the best so far. Here's hoping it continues to get better and better. -
Ohgress14 October 2004I was 17 years old when TV4 broadcast this show for the first time in Sweden back in 1994. Back then I had a big geeky interest in UFO:s and the paranormal so you can imaging how I felt when this TV-show came along. It was like my heart could explode of joy. Well, the geeky interest for UFO:s faded and sometimes I was quite tired of the X-files but I always kept on watching. The funny thing is that it is now, a year after the "end" of the show, when I'm 27 years old, that I realize how extremely important the show has been to me. It has been a big part of my life for ten years. And now, life feels a bit empty without it.
What is the best part of the X-files then? Well, of course, first of all, Mulder and Scully and the tension between them. You can't describe it with words, it's magical. That is, very good acting. (If the main goals of life for Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny weren't to become icons, well tough luck :)!) Second, the Gothic atmosphere. The X-files is forests, fog, darkness, snow, mud, autumn, rain, desert. Mmm, me love. Third, the dialog. "SCULLY: Mulder, I wouldn't put myself on the line for anybody but you. MULDER: If there's an ice tea in that bag, could be love. SCULLY: Must be fate, Mulder. Root beer." That says about everything. Forth, all the other characters. They are so complex and carefully created. And fifth, the story. I mean, this is the story of all stories. It has everything. A love bigger than the universe, heroes, diplomats, true evil, a father-son-tragedy and a big, huge and completely wonderful conspiracy. And some aliens not to forget.
I love this story and it will never end. Not in my heart anyway... -
Sanpaco1327 February 2007Well I have been putting this off for a while because really I can't figure out how words can really express just how amazing of a show this is. I think I was 11 or 12 when the Pilot first aired. I didn't watch the show then because I was afraid of it after I saw episodes like "The Jersey Devil" and "Born Again" when they first aired, which is really funny because theses are some of the tamest episodes to me now. So unfortunately I wasn't quite ready or prepared for the X-Files during it's running. Later I remember watching TV one Saturday and there was a Chris Carter double feature. First "Jose Chung's From Outer Space" and then the Millennium episode "Jose Chung's Doomsday Defense". Both episodes had me in tears laughing at the dark humor.
I later found out that FX had an episode every night at 9 and so every night for an entire summer I got to watch an episode and I quickly became immersed in the mythology of the alien conspiracy. Some of the most memorable episodes for me from this period are "Bad Blood", "The Host", "Darkness Falls", "E.B.E", "Little Green Men", and countless others. I quickly became a fan but I had yet to see every episode and I avoided watching it new airings for fear of spoilers. So I began to buy the seasons on DVD. Over two years I was able to purchase and watch every episode. Interesting to me was the fact that I had already seen most of the episodes through syndication but there were many that I hadn't.
Anyway enough about my history with the show. The elements of the show that I think make it a great are simple. Likable characters, psychopathic bad guys, enough dark comedy mixed in with the horror and drama to give the viewer a healthy balance. The writer's of the show have a wonderful talent of leaving certain stories hanging only to the extent that does not make the viewer feel betrayed but wanting to watch more.
The X-Files defined an era of television and opened the way for other Sci-Fi related shows as well as helping define the crime drama shows that are all over the place now. If the 60's/70's gave us Trekkies for decades on, the 90's gave us the X-Files which will continue to create X-Philes for decades on in suit. -
eclud23 August 2022Its 100% that the very first episode of xfiles was very eerie and creepy. Back in 93' there was nothing like this show..period.
The pilot stands alone on many ways...the Xfiles theme was not included, and you get a strange feeling about the episode..good acting with dark twist...a great mix of Sci-fi, thriller, mystery and horror.
This epic piece af art is still watchable!! -
Sleepin_Dragon24 January 2024Agent Dana Scully is teamed up with Fox Mulder, to explore The X Files, but her presence has a hidden motive.
Is this one of the greatest shows ever made, I think you could make a very strong case to argue the point. Yes it's generally a sci fi show, but it's done in a way that will have a mass appeal, it's why the show ran for so long, and had such a huge following, and still does.
I've written this review on the point where news is coming in of a revival, but one with a new cast, time will tell if that's a good move or not, we all know it will be very different, with a very different focus.
So many things went into making this show so great, the writing, the acting, the variety, the special effects, and best of all for me, the horror.
They were never afraid to experiment with the show, and on multiple occasions it paid off, there Is a bunch of unique episodes, and sometimes it didn't quite work, you could never fault the daring attitude.
Ths show survived major cast changes, and after a bumpy start, I think the new cast members did a fine job, although it was the combination of Duchovny and Anderson that made it so special.
So many famous faces popped up, and there were some amazing performances throughout the series, a personal favourite of mine however, Doug Hutchinson, who played Eugene Victor Tooms, I thought he was outstanding, he gave me major chills.
Onto my favourite episodes, unsurprisingly, Squeeze is one of my favourites, but others include Small Potatoes, Ice and Dreamland. Only a few episodes didn't quite work, it's all subjective of course, but I tend to skip Badlaa, The Walk and Third Person Shooter, I know each has their fans though.
Overall, outstanding, a series I enjoy revisiting regularly. Die hand die verletzt still terrifies me, F Emasculata still grosses me out, amazing the variety this show had.
Fabulous.
10/10. -
The writing, the acting, the production values, the continuity, the heart of The X Files all secure a reputation for this show as the best in its class. It has no peers. The story of two FBI agents working in a small office in the basement of the FBI to uncover, prove, disprove supernatural and unexplained phenomena and alien presence builds beautifully in the nine seasons the show existed. And having seen every episode in chronological order, they build with purpose, continuity, and innovation. Sure, there were set-backs when one actor didn't do most of a season, or another actress was pregnant, or whatever might have arisen, but the show's writers and creator - and make no mistake here that creator Chris Carter and his staff of writers/directors are the reason for this show being what it is - always met each and every set-back with a creative, engaging response. When Fox Mulder's character was gone for most of two seasons, they created two new characters that were every bit as solid as Mulder and Scully. Robert Patrick's Doggett and Anabeth Gish's Reyes were equally compelling characters. There are so many good things to say about this show. The two leads, David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, grew as characters and thespians before our very eyes. They honed their crafts and became stronger screen presences. These characters were characters that we learned to like and wanted to follow. Duchovny brought some much needed wry humour to an otherwise serious subject. He was able at one moment to convince you that the world was one big conspiracy and in the next moment comment on the lack of movement from a dead person with lighthearted appeal. Anderson softened each year, becoming less rigid and inflexible. The cast of supporting characters was always first-rate with Mitch Pillegi as Skinner and William Davis as the antagonistic Smoking Man never giving a bad performance. The three Lone Gunmen were excellent light diversions in bloody cases or cases involving alien invasion or what not. The first season will always be my favorite. Mulder and Scully are finding themselves as characters and the idea of conspiracy is all too real. Jerry Hardin plays Deep Throat, the man feeding Mulder news of government conspiracy, with strength and a true believability. But before I get too compartmentalized, The X Files was able to be two series in one - perhaps its greatest achievement. One the one hand, we had Mulder and Scully battling conspiracy, aliens looking to invade Earth, Mulder finding his sister that had been abducted by aliens, and other plot strands of a similar nature. But the show would also show totally unrelated episodes that were very scary and horrifyinfg. We saw worm men, killer insects, a man that sucked the fat out of his victims, cannibalistic cults, and the list goes on and on. I love the myth episodes, but these horror episodes are my favorites because they are so creative. I cannot remember how many times, having just watched and episode, saying how does someone think this stuff up? Whether The X Files is spoofing the Brady Bunch or alluding to Moby Dick or creating a homage to Frankenstein and movies of its ilk or just trying its best to scare you or disgust you(the episode Home - a favorite of mine), it is always true to itself in terms of the creativity that courses through its proverbial veins. Yes, sometimes, it is a bit full of itself, and, yes, sometimes, the creativity falls right down on its face(as when the show combined the X Files with Cops). But the show has far more, far more hits than misses. I think that as time goes by, this television show will be remembered for much more than what we remember it for today. I think it will be one of the all-time greats. The Truth is out there.
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alekspredator8724 July 2022The series "The X-Files" is a truly significant milestone of its time. He appeared at the right time, at a time when arguments about various kinds of conspiracies, including the concealment of contacts with extraterrestrial civilizations, were in vogue in the States.
The series became fateful for the main actors: David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson. This on-screen couple has been looking great together for many seasons. They get to know each other, learn to work together, become imbued with trust in each other and supposedly teach us, the audience, how to support and save each other when all the power structures and whole departments are against. The world of the main characters Dana Scully and Fox Moldrea is its own close world, which may well be alien to an incomprehensible person, but it is so close to us, the audience, those who literally live life together with the heroes series after series, those who understand each of the two partners and truly empathize with both.
The first seasons have become classics. Fighting monsters and aliens from other worlds, government conspiracies and constant walking on the edge of the blade. All this allows us to trace the evolution of the main characters, who from season to season go to their goal, trying to get to the Truth. And we all know that the Truth is out there somewhere.
As a result, by about 5-6 seasons, the series seemed to have begun to slip, as for me, the plots became less interesting and serious, but still as interesting. But the viewer is familiar with the characters, knows what to expect from them, they have fallen in love and there is no desire to stop watching the general history of the presented world.
Seasons 8 and 9, in my opinion, contrast quite strongly with the previous ones. New main characters appear, the world around us is changing. The series tries to keep up with the times, having crossed the new millennium. But there is no longer enough of the beloved Molder, which is not enough on the screen. Cases investigated by FBI agents, however, come across quite interesting.
Seasons 10 and 11 were for nothing. Why did I decide this for myself? Everything is simple. I didn't really remember them, although I looked carefully. This is significant, because these seasons seem to be white noise. They passed by, they didn't really remember anything. What can not be said about the first seasons, when literally every episode is remembered simply by name.
The cast of the series is excellent. I love David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson in these roles. William B. Davis, Mitch Pileggi, Nicholas Lee and others have performed well. Even the minor characters who were the heroes of this or that series were so convincing and colorful that you still remember them (hello to Eugene Tooms and Clyde Brookman).
The screensaver and musical theme of the series are very decent. They became iconic. The music in the series, the opening scenes of each episode - all this seems to invite you to plunge into the world of the 90s in America. The apathetic and anxious mood of each episode is in a hurry to say, now a new exciting and scary adventure awaits you. But you know for yourself that your favorite characters will come on stage and deal with what is happening with their inherent enthusiasm and zeal.
The X-Files is a milestone in history. A cult phenomenon of its time. A story that lasted in fact for almost 20 years. Let it end not very interesting, but the very fact of the existence of this story often warms, because periodically you can stumble upon this or that series on TV, review the series once again consciously and again immerse yourself in the interesting world of aliens from outer space and extraordinary monsters.
10 out of 10. -
... whether you actually do or not. On paper, it doesn't sound like much. Two FBI agents are teamed up - a believer in UFO's since as a child he witnessed the abduction of his sister by aliens - Fox Mulder - and Dana Scully, an M.D. and a skeptic about paranormal activity. I watched from the very first episode and there is just something magical about the chemistry of the entire thing. Scully is ordered into the assignment, and everybody believes Fox Mulder saw something awful happen to his sister, but they think his mind created the alien abduction scenario to help him cope with the shock. And so for seven years they encounter things for which maybe a logical explanation can be found, maybe not.
I really loved X-Files, but I think I liked their individual episodes more than their story arcs, which, actually, were quite confusing. Was smoking man Mulder's biological father? Was Mulder's sister really kidnapped by aliens and gone for good or did she come back as some kind of cloned pseudo daughter for Smoking Man? Was Scully's baby just a case of "the doctors were wrong you can get pregnant"? Was he a product of an alien experiment she does not remember? I dunno. But the fact is people all over the Internet will tell you they do know that this or that was true when largely all we have are insinuations in the show itself, never explicit facts. Maybe this was done on purpose, and sometimes it made the show confusing but it always kept an air of mystery going on that was thoroughly compelling.
As for the idea that Smoking Man - one of the true villains in the series and brilliantly and subtly played by William B. Davis - was at the center of every assassination of the 1960's - I always found that a bit Forrest Gumpish for me, but an interesting idea. (He wanted to be the one to kill Martin Luther King because he respected him so much???? What the...) My two most favorite episodes of the entire series were "Home" and "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose" - neither of which did anything to advance a story arc but were great examples of just how good X-Files could be when everything came together to tell an interesting story in 50 minutes or so. If you watch "Home" from the beginning of season four I'll just tell you that you'll never be able to listen to "Wonderful Wonderful" sung by Johnny Mathis in quite the same way again. It will be like listening to "Layla" after you've seen Goodfellas.
The thing the show did best? Showing a growing loving relationship between Mulder and Scully that maybe got physical and sexual and maybe did not. The point is they wisely never had a TADA! moment of consummation, the kind that killed "Moonlighting" and killed "Cheers" twice in the 80s by killing the sexual tension.
The thing they did worst? Probably soldiering on for two seasons without David Duchovny for large chunks of those two seasons. Was it better than anything else on TV today - certainly. But even two characters that were well written and well characterized - Doggett and Reyes - could not replace Mulder. That is the only reason I did not rate this series as ten stars.
Watch it from beginning to end - even the last two seasons - I think you'll find it time well spent. -
merdiolu20 December 2007I watched X-Files first time when it began airing regular episodes here in 1999. I followed it devoutly. It had a dark , serious sometimes sinister tone with lots of mystery and open endings. The main characters , Mulder and Scully , opposites working on unresolved paranormal cases were written as loners , dedicated professionals and trusted partners/friends for each other. The conspiracy mythology started great and went on OK for first four or five seasons with different elements adding on top of each other. The X-Files movie in 1998 was cherry on the top for that subject. Standalone episodes were impressive too. Episodes like "Jersey Devil" or "Home" scared the hell out of me and were just made fine. They usually kept a door open for different possibilities even at the end of episodes which I liked. Grittiness , scare and mystery factors with lots of creativity kept this show alive....
....until Season 6 I guess. That's when things began to go downhill. Season 7 was worse. A very unnecessary campiness and cheese factor was added to show , became a more dominant factor and it lowered previous quality. There were still some good stand alone episodes here and there but alien conspiracy arc became more and more complicated plus illogical , ignoring previous continuity. Story elements didn't make sense in larger picture. ( ultra powerful syndicate was wiped out all too easily at one stroke , Mulder came out as CSM's son , Mulder's father/mother plus ex-girlfriend was involved in conspiracy , Scully got pregnant , Mulder's sister became "starlight" , Krychek played double so many times and cheated death it became really silly. M/S became romantically involved and remained partners etc ) On top of that an unnecessary comedy and lightness element became more and more apparent even in stand alone episodes and it became very tedious. I mean this show was close to being a classic like Twin Peaks , Twilight Zone or Outer Limits but it became more like a stupid teenage fun romp like Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Stargate. When the series began to have fun with itself with episodes like "X-Cops" or "Hollywood AD" it sunk completely. During its last two seasons producers tried to save it by injecting new characters , plot elements and new layers to conspiracy. The new characters were OK. For example John Doggett played by Robert Patrick was a very well written and developed character. One exception aside all episodes around him brought back some of the serious air X-Files used to have. Unfortunetely the series was going all too long. Creativity was mostly gone. The conspiracy plot became more and more unbelievable and full of nonsense and became so complicated it was clear CC and his team hadn't planned ahead. The finale didn't bring any resolutions or clear answers either. It just confirmed what we knew all along with a date and showed some old faces , that's it.
In my opinion Season 1-5 are golden years of X-Files. They are full of suspense, thrill and intrigue. After that it becomes more and more an action/comedy show and begins to repeat itself ( it can not be avoided after all it went on for nine seasons ) -
xsnowangelx6 December 2005The X-Files is one of the greatest shows ever made. The concept was original. The chemistry was amazing. Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny make one of the best on-screen pairings of all time. Week after week, the X-Files consistently delivered solid, fantastic entertainment. They had a great team of writers who wrote such original and brilliant episodes as 'Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose' and 'Beyond The Sea'. Whether it was straight horror: Season 4's 'Home', horror mixed with humor: Season 5's 'Bad Blood', or just good old aliens: Season 2's 'Little Green Men' X-Files did it best. It lasted a long 9 seasons and inspired 1 movie so far, and I am devastated that I have no new X-Files to see. There have been many imitations since it ended but nothing will ever come close.
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wyvije5 May 2022When the X-Files came out in the 1990s it was a cult classic that deserves every adulation it received & continues to receive. It broke new ground in story telling that was both episodic but also tied to a larger conspiracy driven mythology, which became its fatal flaw.
A UFO, paranormal expert FBI agent is partnered with a grounded, practical partner tasked with bring a scientific approach to their cases. A partnership that works in all the best way.
The fatal flaw is how the conspiracy of a cabal of shadow government agents and the consequences are thrown in and out of sync seemingly out of hand, at the whim of writer(s) or producer(s). At one point events that culminated in a between seasons theatrical movie, are eventually tossed out.
There are many classic episodes (eg, the partners appearing on COPS, Ed Asner & Lily Tomlin as a ghost couple, the partners giving their own renditions of a case involving roving vampires, etc.) that make this must see TV. Just be prepared for the phrases I WANT TO BELIEVE & THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE to get very murky in very frustrating ways as you learn your belief in the truth isn't well served. -
brandryan-8781925 January 2018The x-files, a show you wanted to see the next episode straight away, the mystery "who, what is behind it all, why?". Now i am talking about the older seasons, not the latest seasons 10 and 11. They stopped, thus leaving a lot of fans with unanswered questions.
I thought the reboot was to give the fans those answers, working towards an ending of x-files, that fans deserve. But seriously, after seeing season 10 and the 4th episode of season 11, do you think that is going to happen, i am not anymore. Really season 10 total garbage. First episodes of season 11 i thought yeah they are on the right path again woohoo. Now after seeing episode 4, i am so disappointed, what an insult to the great show it was.
If this is the path the writers are going to continue on, they shouldn't have restarted this show, let the show be for what it WAS, a excellent, one of kind, tv show of '90s -
clark-3916 December 2001What can one say? The X-Files will forever be remembered as a true hit TV show, and a breakout accomplishment for Fox. Its survived cast changes, location moves, ups and downs in ratings, and years of airing. I think I speak for everyone when I say that it has been a thrill. Chris Carter has created one of the most defining shows of the '90s. People that don't even watch the show know what it is, and EVERYONE knows who Fox Mulder and Dana Scully are, whether they've ever seen one episode or not. The show brought on a whole new level of TV entertainment in 1993, with its different, moody atmosphere, intriguing lead characters, and mind-bending plots. I admit, while watching most of the episodes, I thought, "This isn't very scary...", but then I payed attention to the detail and it got so good...the lighting, the sets...even when Mulder and Scully are outside (which is often), the sky is hardly ever sunny and bright, but rather dark and shadowy. The details on these things are terrific alone. And Chris Carter has also managed to create intense torture for the fans by forever dragging out the "Mulder and Scully in love" idea. People used to tune in to see when those two would kiss, and they had alot of fun with that, especially in the feature film. But a true sign of integrity for the show is the amount of truth in it. While the show is about the paranormal, and truth in it seems ironic, the show knows what the heck it's talking about. Every word from Scully's mouth is based on actual science. And unlike other FBI shows, The X-Files shows the FBI like it really is--not some tired cliche, but REAL people. And whenever someone, whether a fan or not, hears anything referring to aliens, they immediately think of little green men with small bodies, big heads, and large eyes...all courtesy of The X-Files. In short, this amazing television series has affected so many people. I feel blessed to have grown up with this show, rather than being born after it, doomed to see it in reruns. Because I got to be there for the ride...and though it was often bumpy and is now coming to its end...I can look back and say, "Hey, it was a GREAT 9 years."
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jamhorner11 July 2007The X-Files would have probably have been the single best sci-fi show ever created by Chris Carter and Fox. The show itself was very well made and had a good feel of jump-out horror, psychological horror and suspense horror. Which for a TV series is pretty good. The plot line itself was very well constructed. It would tell individual and bizarre stories but would have a bigger and more enticing plot that would reveal itself.
The characters have great chemistry together (Dana Scully and Fox Mulder). There is a perfect blend of cryptozoologists, rational-real-life people, control freaks, mysterious men and aliens. The show plays on such legends as Area 51, Lock Ness, Aliens, and Men in Black, abductions, freaks and more. The acting is solid, both on set and off set.
This movie would be ideal for those who believe that there is something out there and that the "Truth is out there." -
vrpmbpc20 July 2023This show is still just as entertaining all these years later! I have recently began re-watching the series and I forgot how good it really is. The writing, especially in the first 5 seasons, is perfect. Whether you are into the overarching alien/UFO storyline or the self-contained creature features, the show is truly great!
Duchovny and Anderson as FBI Agents Mulder and Scully give great performances and have tremendous chemistry. If you have never seen the show I urge you to watch the pilot and give it a shot, you won't regret it! If you have seen it then you know how good it is and it gets even better when you rewatch it! -
"Every story needs a hero, our story has two...". This appears on the opening screen of one of my favourite music videos based on the X Files saga.
I agree!
I started watching the X Files when I was 10 (I am 17.5 at the moment). My first episode was Home and my mum was there when I saw it. BAD way to start my experience! She freaked a bit (make that a lot) and of course never let me see another episode. But, in December 2000, I got to the video club and guess what I found! X Files tapes! I was thrilled! I took and watched each one of them. Luckily the show was still on t.v. so I became an instant addict. I already knew the plot backbone, so it was easier for me to follow all the plot-twists. I came to love the Mulder-Scully dynamic but I must admit that all the dynamics were great. (May I remind Mulder-CSM or Mulder-Krycek, or Scully-Skinner, or Bill Scully-Mulder). As most fans, I was anxiously waiting for that kiss in the movie, but that #$%@ bee ruined it. But anyway, the kiss came in triangle (even if not "real") and the romance found its way. However, the reason for watching the show was never the "relationship". I think I watched the show, because simply, it was superb. The actors, the director, the writers, the visual effects, the creepy Mark Snow music, the innovative ideas, the "mutant of the week", the Morley cigarettes, the story itself and its implications. That is what I loved in this show and that is what made me an avid X-phile!
The X Files has become my personal addiction. If I am tired or need an energy boost, then I know that my tapes (71 of them!) always wait for me and the VCR is ready. When I press "play" my world is gone in an instant and the wonderful world of Mulder and Scully sneaks in and takes me completely.
Now that the show is over and I have seen every episode (except some of s9 -that I don't have the courage or the wish to see), I seek my X Files drug in collecting music videos, creating videos, downloading X stuff, playing the X Files games in Playstation (Resist or Serve was amazing!!!), reading lots of fan-fiction, watching the episodes (of course), and generally trying to compensate for what is lost.
I am looking forward to the next movie. I feel like I am in withdrawal and it isn't a nice feeling! I am amazed at myself for being so needy. Everyday I catch myself thinking about the show, the plot and its characters. And it is never enough. I wish I didn't need to sleep to keep doing this for as long as I can, until I get completely repelled by the idea itself. I honestly believe it, that until something happens and I hate the show, I will continue to adore it and treasure it to the extreme until the day I am gone. My love will never fade, if it has to end, then it will end abruptly.
Favourite episodes of all times, include all the Mytharc ones, and especially Duane Barry, Ascension and One Breath of s.2, Anasazi, Blessing Way and Paperclip of s.3, Tunguska and Terma of s.4, the Redux trilogy, the movie, Triangle and the Sixth Extinction trilogy.
The last episode had a non-happy end! I don't believe any of the X-Philes was truly surprised at that since no one expected closure. On the contrary everybody secretly wished for reasons to keep the show going. The Truth leaves untouched questions, answers some of the existing ones and creates more! A true X Files episode. As David Duchovny said once in an interview, "Mulder can never find happiness, he is a questing hero". After 9 years (12 now!)I am sure that this applies to Scully too and that we all want the heroic quest continued!
Nicole XXX -
The X-Files was, regrettably, not a show I was die-hard about when it was airing week after week in my youth/teen years. I would catch an episode here and there, be entertained, but also think 'this episode isn't TOO much different from the other ones'. The film that came out as the spin-off of the series did spark my interest more, however, as having a full arc even for someone as just a casual fan. Then as the series went in its latter days, I did tune out (thinking, 'why's Robert Patrick on the show, all this Scully baby-drama, etc'). However, as the show now goes on in syndication on the various cable channels, and I have refreshed my awareness of the first season as quasi-background, I've become rather addicted (minus the Patrick episodes, the lulls mentioned earlier). Sometimes what draws me in is the occasional, unexpected morbid humor. But mostly its in how the stories on the show, while of course sticking close to being 'TV', are the more engrossing the more you know about the characters. And there are some very inventive episodes regarding the unexplained, the bizarre human characters, and of course the UFO's and other assorted visitor folk. While I'm not as immersed in the show yet as with shows I've been watching since a youth (Seinfeld, Simpsons, South Park, Daily Show), part of the fun of getting further and further into the episodes is seeing the comparisons, of what's gotten better or worse, more intriguing or less. Much like the inspiration of the show- All the President's Men- the more you see of what can't be explained, the more you can't stop finding the truth. Hokey at times, sure, but also a cult-delight.
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pm_div15 September 2023The X-Files isn't just a TV show; it's a mesmerizing journey into the enigmatic unknown. With each episode, it weaves intricate narratives of suspense, government conspiracies, and the supernatural, challenging your perception of reality.
Mulder and Scully, the iconic duo, guide you through a labyrinth of unsolved cases, all while exploring profound themes like trust and belief. This show is a celestial anomaly in TV mediocrity, deserving a perfect 10/10 stars. Embrace the mysteries and join the ranks of believers; the truth is out there, waiting to be discovered.
So, if you're a seeker of unparalleled intrigue and mind-bending mysteries, The X-Files is not just a TV series; it's an unmissable journey. -
hozoy13 May 2007THE single most intriguing, amazing, interesting, intense televisual experience anyone could ever hope for. I'm now the proud owner of the whole series & i can't help but feel that there were SO many other investigations they could've made.
I'm grateful towards Mr CARTER & the entire cast (both on & off camera) for making this such an amazing ride.
Hope they might come back some time, rather sooner than later of course.
Few have been as inspired as you were.
PS.: great & i do mean GREAT casting. David DUCHOVNY, Gillian ANDERSON, Mitch PILEGGI, Melinda McGRAW, Nicholas LEA, William B. DAVIS, Bruce HARWOOD, Dean HAGLUND, Tom BRAIDWOOD, ... They all gave life to & became the personae they were portraying. Oops, almost forgot Peter DONAT, Steven WILLIAMS & Jerry HARDIN.
This show became the standard against which i compared all following shows i've watched since & only 2-3 other shows ever came close.
Peace y'all. A true fan of your work. -
slayerjmk9525 January 2016The X-Files is a benchmark in television. Any and every fictitious television series after '95 took some focus element from this show, big or small, from the format to the style, to the execution. But, that's not what made it great. It was that strange blend of a cop drama mixed with science fiction, horror and thrillers across what could be considered a wild epic of sorts, even with that horrid 9th season. Now, after a 14 year gap, The X-Files is back. What does that mean?
I'm a die-hard X-Files fan. I've been watching it since i was born, and while it isn't the best show of all time, it's one of them. With this pseudo-"revival" series, though, I couldn't help but think, what was Chris Carter thinking? The very first episode of this 6 episode event (if they stick with the story) made the entire 9 season, 2 movie series completely pointless. I've seen horrible writing and direction, and it's not that the episode "My Struggle" was poorly directed and written, but it's the fact that they took an entire series and said, "Let's make it so that the show millions watched, was meaningless. Retcon everything but the characters." Wow. Just, wow. As happy as I was seeing the gang back, I couldn't stop feeling angry and disappointed on a multitude of levels. Also, to address the people calling Duchovny's acting wooden, it was perfect (the guy was isolated from people, living in a rural locale away from general civilization; he's gonna come off as a bit distant). The second episode was slightly better than the first, but they're still with that plot device of pointlessness.
Unless they can pull off the impossible and have something Earth- shattering with the finale, I see this mini-series event as the biggest disgrace in television history. Thanks Chris Carter, for truly ruining your classic series. The show isn't for everyone, but anyone can see how horrible of a move that was to make, even if they wanted to appeal to a new generation (do something original then, dammit). -
blackasp983 April 2007In all my years of watching television,i have to say that the x-files to me has to be the most controversial and well made series in history.Chris Carter who gave the idea that the governments keep secrets or too many secrets away from the public,only gives the people the absolute power to say....I do believe.David duchovny and Gillian Anderson,is the best duo on TV bar none.And yet the supporting cast throughout the seasons gave us the spectacle of comradery in the toughest situations each agent had to endure.Especially the odd three known as the lone gunman.Aliens,specters,or freaks of nature or government conspiracies could not hide well enough,and this television show brought us more imagination to our lives than anything else being watched.Hopefully there will be a second movie which i hear is in the works to 2008.Hopefully the legal battles are done by then with David and carter.It was so sad to see them feud like this all because one wanted to move to L.A.,still other than that we are going to see a wonderful film to give us dreamers and aliens another chance to maybe see a next series kick-off with the new generation dynamic duo.Hats off to David and Gillian,and also carter.Fantastic wonder you gave us all.
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bluesquirrel20045 November 2022What I have learnt about America from watching the X-Files
1. America has an electrical grid of a standard more suited to a 3rd world country due to frequent surges and outages.
2. When walking into a dark room, it is never an American's first action to switch on a light. It is preferable to fumble around in the dark.
3. Even when a person does try to switch on a light, most likely the globe has blown, or the breaker has tripped due to the poor quality and unreliability of the grid.
4. In most instances, light switches are not placed in the logical position next to the door, they are usually placed on the wall furthest from the door, requiring a person to fumble around in the dark.
5. Critical facilities, such as hospitals are not illuminated by bright flourescent lighting. Rather small desk lamps are used to illuminate corridors, nurse stations and patient rooms.
6. Surgical rooms and surgeries are performed with little lighting. The entire room and the surgical area are illuminated by a single dim overhead lamp.
7. Retail and commercial buildings, office buildings and industrial facilities are never brightly lit. Similar to hospitals, they opt for dim and sparsely placed desktop lamps for illumination of large areas.
Some other thoughts... Although aliens are intelligent enough to travel interstellar distances, they never figured out cable-management on their ships, with cables snaking over the floor or hanging off the ceiling like spiderwebs.
Alien ships flying through our skies are always as bright as a small sun, but are then wrapped in an invisiblity cloak shortly after landing. Seems self-defeating to brightly announce their arrival and then quickly hide. Maybe they should switch off their landing lights? -
newvibes-7311426 January 2018This new direction the show has taken these last two seasons is not doing it for me. What happened to the X-Files we grew to love?