‘X-Files’ Turns 30 This Month And Twice, Was My Salvation

I’ve been getting away from more standard retro-reviews lately. And this The X-Files retro will be no different. Maybe something along the lines of a “love letter” to a series that was a source of comfort for me.

Tales of the Unexplained and Bizarre, But on the ‘Small Screen’

I grew up loving horror and also grew up in a cableless household. Even movie rentals were few and far between because we were poor. So, if I wanted to see new horror, I’d have to catch it where I could, like cousins recording VHS from cable premieres like Monsters and Tales from the Darkside the Series.

The X-Files first aired on Fox September 10, 1993, and I was stoked! A spooky-type show that I could easily see every week?! And as the series unfolded, I never ceased to be amazed by the stories. For those who have missed the phenomenon, The X-Files followed the cases of FBI Agents Mulder and Scully and was named after the unexplained incidents they were sent to investigate.

For Those Unaware – A Breakdown

There are two basic components of the show. Some episodes are a monster-of-the-week type of story, while other episodes focus on the overarching story that digs deeper into Mulder’s past, as well as the complications and dangers that come to both him and Scully as a result of his obsession with finding “the truth.”

“The truth” for Mulder is that there are aliens (who abducted his sister when they were kids) and that someone works extensively to cover it all up. The latter is a theory that develops as he and Scully find themselves tangled in these intense and terrifying situations that usually have some members of the bureau urging caution and expressing wishes for them to just leave things alone.

Not Just Alien and Government Conspiracies

I’m not sure what The X-Files looked like to those who roll their eyes at the thought of government cover-ups and aliens, but for me, it was a never-ending playground for the imagination. As a kid, many of the stories were inspiring. My love of storytelling showed in the way I’d play with my Barbies or play “imaginary” with my cousins. I was always acting out and even expanding on the stories I’d see in the films and series I loved. There are probably a dozen potential The X-Files spec scripts I could make from those adventures alone.

The X-Files was so much more than two rogue FBI agents chasing reports of alien abduction. Both Scully and Mulder felt like people I wanted to know. Well, from the start, Moulder for sure. I believe my interest in Scully started out of a massive crush because in the beginning, Scully starts out so stuffy and uptight. But as she moves through her arc, she definitely becomes more endearing. Moulder was always so much more relatable for me, especially being an outcast for no reason other than people’s fear and ignorance.

The bond that develops between the two of them is something that’s partially sweet, and sometimes tragic. Which, I don’t typically buy into complex hetero-normative relationships between men and women. Especially as a kid… I didn’t want to see two people falling in love or lusting for one other. Something about “tension” and “longing” and all that jazz, was just majorly yucky for an 11-year-old who only wanted all the spooky shit.

Themes That Make You Go ‘Hmmmm?’

Then you have the fantastic world and those incredible stories. I had hopes of being a writer for The X-Files one day. I said it was twice a saving grace for me. As a kid, I just felt so much more comfortable with who I was and what I believed in because of The X-Files.  Hoping, and thinking there may be adults out there who weren’t out of touch with reality or easily misled, and believed some of the things I did. The possibility that maybe there really was a section of the FBI that I could work in someday… Cut me some slack there, I was still on my ‘wanting to be like Clarice Starling when I grew up’ kick.

The second time The X-Files was my salvation was during the middle of the lockdowns in the 2020 pandemic. I was fine (after recovering from a terrifying first bout w/Miss Rona) until we hit that mid-point where nothing seemed to change, and we had no idea when it would.

So I turned to tele. I started watching shows I wouldn’t typically watch and then revisiting those from my childhood and The X-Files was one of them. I found inspiration again for how I’d approach a script tonally, that I had felt blocked on for years. And it also just felt like this wonderful, nostalgic escape. *Fun fact, the original Final Destination (2000) was a spec script that Jeffery Reddick created for The X-Files. 

Is It Worth It?

Maybe? I’d say start with any (or all) of these episodes:

• Squeeze (S1 E3): one that originally freaked me out as a kid and still skeeves me out…

• Beyond the Sea (S1 E13): this one features Brad Dourif and showcases his incredible acting skills. The episode also holds a special place in my heart because it’s one of the first major pivots Scully has when it comes to her staunch skepticism, which they execute in a deeply moving way. There are many important moments in my life that have revolved around skepticism and faith.

• Darkness Falls (S1 E20): if you don’t like bugs, this one will really get under your skin… and around it…

The suggestions are to help to give you an idea of what the show is like, and you wouldn’t have to know the rest of what’s happening with Scully and Mulder to follow the episodes. But I feel like anyone who loves all things weird should give The X-Files a shot.

You can currently see all episodes on Amazon’s FreeVee streaming channel. Which is, you know, free but has commercials.