User reviews

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.

Fox 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.

Well 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.

I 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...

Agent 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.

Its 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!!

This 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!

The 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.

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.

The 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.

When 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.

To drop the ball with idiotic scriptwriters for the new seasons! I hope they fire them and fire them again and again and again, they should never have written these new episodes, they are a joke, fulfilling nothing of what X-Files used to be.

They are only making fun of the show and not in a good way. I want to like it so much but i cant, they F-up.

What 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."

The 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."

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.

THE 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.

In 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.

This is a moving series produced by the Fox Broadcasting Co. television , titled : The X-Files (1993-2002) . Based on the fictional characters about two obstinate FBI agent investigating unexplained paranormal phenomena and it had two theatrical films : I want to believe (2008) by Chris Carter and X files : Fight to the future (1998) by Rob Bowman and both of them based on the series , being all of them played by David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson . The two colleagues Fox Mulder and Dana Scully , work in the X-Files office , which is concerned with cases with particularly mysterious or possibly supernatural circumstances that were left unsolved and shelved by the FBI . Along the way they attempt to resolve any other cases at whatever risk , usually related to fantastic deeds , weird events and paranormal happenings . Meantime , dark forces attempt to get their strong efforts have fruitful results . As Mulder and Scully must act in order to avoid plots , deadly virus , alien colonization of Earth and save everyone on the planet , among others . The series being formed by 217 episodes, during 1993-2016 . And directed by prestigious TV filmmakers as Kim Manners , Rob Bowman , David Nutter , Tony Wharmby , Michael W. Watkins , Rod Hardy , Jerrold Freedman , William A. Graham ,Daniel Sackheim , Peter Markle , James Wong, Thomas J. Wright , Joe Napolitano , Larry Shaw and Vince Gilligan of Breaking bad . Chris Carter , the actual showrunner directed 13 episodes . Special mention for the mysterious and thrilling musical score by Mark Snow .

Stars two wonderful characters Fox Mulder well played by David Duchovny who directed 3 episodes , Fox is a true believer . As he believes on UFos and thinks his sister was abducted . Mulder believes on alien conspiracies within the U.S. government and perceives his cases from view points of the paranormal , supernatural and conspiracy . He is a Special Agent of the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation, partnered most often with fellow Special Agent Scully , as Dana was paired with Mulder to keep his investigation factual base . Fox William Mulder nicknamed "Spooky" Mulder, is a FBI Special Agent who believes in UFOs and a government conspiracy to hide or deny the truth of their existence . Mulder's drive in finding the aliens is his sister Samantha Mulder . As children Samantha was abducted from the Mulder home and Fox has never forgiven himself for not fighting harder to prevent the abduction . Samantha is the drive behind all of his investigations to get redemption that she may still Mulder considers the X-Files and the truth behind the supposed conspiracy that he has made the main purpose of his life .

-And Agent Dana Katherine Scully , M.D. ; Dana Scully was born in 1964, into a close-knit Catholic family . Dana Scully attended University of Maryland , and earned career in Physics . She earned the degree in Medicine and while lasting medical school , she was recruited by the FBI . Upon being partnered with Fox Mulder , she maintained her medical skills by acting as a forensic pathologist , often performing or consulting on autopsies of victims on X-Files cases . This role in the beginning was the naysayer and she debunked most if not all of Mulder's findings . As the season pass she witnesses her own evidence of an alien presence and their potential danger to humanity . In the first movie she is almost a victim of an alien abduction . From this point on her science is tilted towards Mulder's thinking and is no longer considered objective by the FBI . Other essential roles appearing are the followings : Mitch Pileggi as Walter Skinner , Robert Patrick as John Doggett and William B. Davis as Smoking Man .

The 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