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Everything you need to know before viewing X files

In 2015, Fox made headlines with its announcement that The x-files would return to primetime television on January 24, 2016 after a 13-year hiatus. This has a lot of sci-fi fans very excited, but if you've never seen the The x-files , You may not understand what all the fuss is about. And even if you've seen The x files , You may need a refresher to help you get your speed back with this amazing show.

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With nine seasons, 202 episodes, two movies, a spinoff series, and a comic book series, The X-Files It has a massive catalog of great stories. What exactly is the reason why it will be difficult to catch up with what is happening in such a short time?.

However, we've done our best to introduce newcomers to the show and remind everyone of the important aspects they may have forgotten while The X-Files has been off the air.

Read on for a quick introduction to the show, along with some recommendations for specific episodes to watch to prepare for the return of The X-Files. .

A quick note about spoilers! The miniseries will likely pique some people's interest in the entire series, so we've avoided major spoilers in this article. If you want to explore the myths of the show in more detail, check out the Wikipedia article on The x-files mythology.

The basics

Although it spans a number of genres, "sci-fi horror" is probably the best single label, with elements of mystery, suspense, and plenty of drama, and a sprinkling of goofy humor for good measure.

There are occasional historical elements, a lot of conspiracy-theory stuff, and some thoughtful reflections on faith and skepticism. The wide range of mysteries and themes is one of the qualities that makes The x-files such a classic TV show.

Everything you need to know before viewing X files

The basic idea behind The x-files it's simple:two FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) agents, Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) and Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) investigate unsolved cases, the same name. “X Files”-Centered around paranormal and supernatural phenomena. Aliens, mutants, cryptids, futuristic technology Predicting the future of technology is hard:how to do it anyway Predicting the future of technology is hard; here's how to do it Read More

The majority of the show is made up of "monster of the week" episodes, in which Mulder and Scully investigate a single mystery (which usually, but not always, includes some kind of monster), but one of the most interesting and enduring qualities of the show is that there is an overall plot, which is only revealed in a few of the episodes. , that has much broader implications for the show and for the world as we know it. This is known as the “mythology” of The x-files , and it is what truly separates The x files from other similar shows.

The characters

Mulder witnessed his sister's alien abduction when he was 12, and has been searching for the truth about alien life ever since. Government conspiracies, doomsday scenarios, cover-ups, and a host of other intrigues follow.

Everything you need to know before viewing X files

His drive to uncover the truth and belief in alien life are two of Mulder's defining qualities as a character, but both agents are deep, complex, flawed and evolving. Scully's medical training, skepticism, and detachment squarely place her as the foil for Mulder's most emotional and gullible person, though both characters grow over the arc of the show as they learn and experience more events.

Mulder's beliefs and supernatural bent contrast sharply with Scully's evidence-based approach, and the reversal of typical gender roles is one of the best things about this complex pair. The evolution of their initially platonic relationship also makes for a wonderful story.

Everything you need to know before viewing X files

Near the end of the show's run, Scully became the main focus, with Mulder making occasional appearances and Agents Reyes (Annabeth Gish) and Doggett (Robert Patrick) joining the fray (both pictured above). Mulder and Scully play major roles in both The X-Files Movies, but Reyes and Doggett have yet to make it to the big screen. Reyes, however, will make an appearance in the new miniseries..

Walter Skinner is a major recurring character throughout the show's run; as the head of The x files office, he serves as Mulder and Scully's supervisor. Throughout much of the show, his motives are suspect, and it is unclear whether or not he serves The Syndicate, a villain. "shadow government" that serves as a great antagonist, although on several occasions it saves the lives of Mulder and Scully. Skinner is a surprise fan favorite, and he'll be back in the miniseries.

Everything you need to know before viewing X files

The main villain of the show is known only as the Cigarette Smoking Man, a shadowy figure who often serves as the face of The Syndicate. Your Links to Government Conspiracies 8 Weirdest Conspiracy Theory Websites on the Planet 8 Weirdest Conspiracy Theory Websites on the Planet Isn't it crazy how few fact-checking and skeptical sites there are? Were conspiracy dump sites investigated? I've decided to share some of my top picks... Read More

The mysteries

So what kind of mysteries do heroes and villains get mixed up in? A better question might be, “What kind of mysteries are they not mixed in?” There are a wide variety of things that make an appearance in The x files , and I can only do very limited justice to the creativity and innovation on show here.

Everything you need to know before viewing X files

For example, one of the most memorable monsters sought out by Mulder and Scully is Flukeman, a man-flukeworm hybrid created by post-Chernobyl radiation (pictured above). A later episode includes a silicone-based fungal parasite discovered inside a volcano. Another monster that appears is a being somewhere between a human and a bat. Another memorable "monster" is a human with a genetic mutation that allows him to elongate and twist his body to fit through small spaces.

Not all monsters of the week are monsters, however, there are also some surprisingly inventive sci-fi creations. For example, a female villain in season seven is actually a computer generated video game character. Future video game AIs are going to seriously scare you. Future video game AIs are going to seriously scare you. However, with recent technological advances, that may soon change. Read more . The agents also find a tulpa, a mystical being summoned to Earth in Tibet. Some of the mysteries aren't even focused on physical villains:in one episode, the protagonists try to figure out how to break free from a time loop. The best time travel movies of all time The best time travel movies that can make time travel even the most boring movies more interesting. And the best time travel movies are really fascinating segments of cinema. You really should see these movies, either now or in the future. Read more.

Everything you need to know before viewing X files

And of course there are aliens, from little gray men to more sinister aliens that take over human bodies. Aliens form a significant part of the show's overall mythology, with their appearances often coinciding with the reveal of information about the larger issues being investigated.

This mythology shapes the far-reaching mystery that Mulder is trying to solve and slowly evolves throughout the series' nine seasons and two movies. Are aliens in contact with humans on earth? How is The Syndicate involved? What do the aliens want? Why has its existence been kept secret? Are they a threat to humanity? These are the most important types of questions that are presented throughout the program..

What to watch before the miniseries

You won't be able to watch all 202 episodes before watching the miniseries, but you can at least watch a few. Especially since all nine seasons are currently available on Netflix. Here are 10 of the best monster-type episodes of the week you need to check out:

  • “Squeeze” Season 1, Episode 3
  • “Beyond the Sea” Season 1, Episode 13
  • “Darkness Falls” Season 1, Episode 20
  • “The Host” Season 2, Episode 2
  • “Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose” Season 3, Episode 4
  • “Home” Season 4, Episode 2
  • “Post-Modern Prometheus” Season 5, Episode 5
  • “Bad Blood” Season 5, Episode 12
  • “Triangle” Season 6, Episode 3
  • “Roadrunner” Season 8, Episode 4

This should give you an idea of ​​what to expect from The x files , and represent a range of different themes adopted by the show. Updating on the mythology side The x-files It's a bit more difficult, as it's a complicated and twisted story that requires a lot of explaining.

Wikipedia has a list of mythology episodes that's pretty long, but it's hard to recommend another way to get hooked without watching them all. However, you can read the synopsis on that same page to get a quick idea of ​​what's going on (major spoilers, obviously). However, I would recommend supplementing the synopsis with these 10 episodes:

  • “The Erlenmeyer Flask” Season 1, Episode 24
  • “Little Green Men” Season 2, Episode 1
  • “Duane barry” and “Ascension” Season 2, episodes 5 and 6.
  • “Anasazi” Season 2, episode 25
  • “Paper Clip” Season 3, Episode 2
  • “The End” Season 5, Episode 20
  • “A son” Season 6, episode 12
  • “The Truth” Parts 1 and 2, Season 9, Episodes 19 and 20

The x files Movies are also a good way to learn about mythology. The second movie, I want to believe , was generally panned by critics, and many people won't find it worth watching, but because it was the last thing to come out of The x-files Universe, could be referenced in the new series..

The truth is out there

The x files is one of the best sci-fi shows of all time 10+ Brilliant Sci-Fi TV Shows That Aren't Star Trek [Stuff to Watch] 10+ Brilliant Sci-Fi TV Shows That Aren't Star Trek [Stuff to Watch] Stuff] The best sci-fi movies are often cherished by fans and placed high on the mantle, but it's the TV shows that make up the bread and butter of any geek's media diet. A good TV... Read More Whether you're a long-time die-hard fan or a complete newcomer to the series, I highly recommend checking it out. The x files from start to finish.

Will you be watching the new The x-files miniseries ? What are you going to do to prepare? Do you have a favorite episode of the series? If so, let us know in the comments below, or just tell us what you think The x-files in general.