This series inspired legions of people, including me!
We are on the eve of a new season of The X-Files. If you’re new to this conspiracy epic or a returning fan, it’s important to get a clear picture of how this series mixes horror, romance, comedy, and Alex Jones-esque conspiracy theories into a package unlike anything that has been seen on TV. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of my favorite episodes of all time!
And yes, these will be presented in no particular order.
José Chung’s From Outer Space
And thus, a dank meme is born.
This episode is one of the sillier ones, but that’s why it works. Darin Morgan’s stellar script sets itself up with an interview between Scully and our titular author, but what follows is one of the weirdest takes on an alien abduction in television history.
When a teenage couple is seemingly abducted by English-speaking aliens, Mulder and Scully are sent to Klass County, Washington to investigate. What follows is a unique twist on the procedural episodes of the series, mixing UFO phenomena, surprise celebrity cameos, and the inspiration for some of the dankest memes on the Internet.
What could be better?
Hollywood A.D.
Meta humor may be the best kind of humor.
This David Duchovny piece may come off as an acquired taste, but I think it is a lot of fun because it’s so meta. In essence, it’s a love letter to the movie-making process, warts and all. It even features Garry Shandling and Tea Leoni as the fictional counterparts of our favorite investigators!
The story involves the Lazarus Bowl, a MacGuffin that supposedly contains the words of Jesus… and one other thing. Naturally, Assistant Director Skinner (Mitch Pileggi) lets Wayne Federman (Wayne Federman) tag along for some film research. If you love in-jokes, classic references, and a little bit of red meat for the shipper in you, this episode is not to be missed!
Next!
Tunguska/Terma
In Soviet Russia, gulag gets put in you!
This Season 4 two-parter creeped me the hell out when I first saw it in 1996. It is a unique extension of the series’ mytharc that moves into international politics for the first time. To make things even weirder, it features creepy imagery that will stick with you long after you watch it.
The story starts with the sudden outbreak of the Black Oil, a sentient virus that is a part of the overarching plan for global domination. While Scully sciences the shit out of the situation, Mulder and Alex Krycek trace the outbreak back to Tunguska, Russia, where they discover a horror beyond their imagination.
I won’t spoil it here. Go watch it!
Mulder And Scully Meet The Were-Monster
This scene is a reminder of why we fell in love with these characters.
Darin Morgan cooked up another hilarious treat for the fans in Season 10. Only this time around, it’s updated for our modern world of cell phones, terrible pictures, and… green lizard monsters?
If we put aside the goofiness and oodles of fan service, this episode has a rather profound message about the nature of humanity, belief, and how age can make one cynical. It’s an interesting ride that’s a blast to watch from beginning to end, proving once and for all that some reboots are worth their weight in gold.
Moving on!
Triangle
Who doesn’t love a bit of time travel?
This episode is a favorite of mine for creative and technical reasons. On the creative side of things, it mixes World War II with the stories of the Bermuda Triangle. On the technical side, it uses some unique camera tricks to make it seem like every act is a single shot!
In this adventure, Mulder heads out to the Bermuda Triangle to investigate the disappearance of the Queen Anne. When he wrecks his raft, he suddenly finds himself on the ship, but things only get weirder from there. After all, there are Nazis and passengers that look like his partner and acquaintances. Why is that?
Once again, I’m not going to spoil it here. If you want to see Mulder go on a grand adventure, this is a feast for the eyes and mind. Check it out!
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