Support NeoGAF

[Grand Theft Scratchy]

My favorite TV show of all time. There were so many great moments in its original run from 1993 to 2002. It's also a great show to revisit during the month of October as some of the monster of the week episodes are as good as the mythology episodes.

 

[triplestation]

this is true man

 

[Tesseract]

accurate

 

[Constant Flux]

Yeah, I agree.

 

[TheSadRanger]

My favorite show of all time next to Breaking Bad as well OP.

I'm betting we hear some rumblings about X-Files in the next couple of years. It's way too big of a franchise for Disney to just "leave alone".

I wouldn't be surprised if X-Files is a high priority for Disney to bring back out of Fox's portfolio.

 

[jufonuk]

Yes but the later series started to be crappy. Also the movies never hit the highs of the series

 

[Grand Theft Scratchy]

My favorite show of all time next to Breaking Bad as well OP.

I'm betting we hear some rumblings about X-Files in the next couple of years. It's way too big of a franchise for Disney to just "leave alone".

On the one hand, I didn't like Seasons 10 and 11, and on the other, I don't really trust Disney to do any better. I'd like to think the Cigarette Smoking Man remained dead after being incinerated by the black helicopter and the alien invasion is still coming instead of being abandoned due to Earth's depleting resources or whatever.

Yes but the later series started to be crappy. Also the movies never hit the highs of the series

Fight the Future was the only good X-Files movie, in my opinion.

 

[jufonuk]

I may have to watch it again. The movie that is.

I loved the x-files a great series at the start, also at times it could be genuinely scary

 

[SantaC]

Yes it was.

90s on the whole was the best decade.

 

[What A Shame...]

I have an unconditional love for The X-Files. Even at it's worst, I was always there. I have to admit though, the mythology was a fucking mess. I hated how The Syndicate arc was kinda just thrown away, and then whatever happened to the Super Soldiers or the 2012 colonisation of Earth? I don't recall either being addressed in the revival.

 

[Slings and Arrows]

The early seasons were the best, the later ones kind of got wishy washy.

'Pusher' is probably my favourite episode and favourite 'monster of the week'.

 

[TheSadRanger]

On the one hand, I didn't like Seasons 10 and 11, and on the other, I don't really trust Disney to do any better. I'd like to think the Cigarette Smoking Man remained dead after being incinerated by the black helicopter and the alien invasion is still coming instead of being abandoned due to Earth's depleting resources or whatever.

Fight the Future was the only good X-Files movie, in my opinion.

I get what your saying but I feel like there's a lot of cool stories for X-Files to tell still in 2019. Black Mirror kind of forced itself into a corner by restricting itself with the type of stories it can tell.

Where the beauty of X-Files is you can do a story about anything, your not restricted to just technology or a specific idea. There's so much untapped potential in writing episodes for a modern day X-Files.

 

[JareBear: Remastered]

I remember being excited each week to watch the new episode as family. Good times.

had a huge crush on Gillian as a kid

 

[Pagusas]

I remember being excited each week to watch the new episode as family. Good times.

had a huge crush on Gillian as a kid

I still have a huge crush on her lol

 

[Manus]

Constantly on rotation on my TV at home. Also probably the show I go to bed watching the most.

 

[MiyazakiHatesKojima]

I still remember that episode when I was a kid where the man comes out of the toilet and escapes his cell through the food vendor.

 

[Nymphae]

Maybe my favourite series ever, even though it takes a sharp decline near the end of it's life. So many great episodes and ideas in that original run. Vince Gilligan made his name there, and fun fact there are a bunch of little things that tie Breaking Bad into the X-Files universe, the main one I can think of is the fictional rental car company Lariat from The X-Files being in BB.

The first movie is really fantastic, made at the height of the shows popularity, and releasing in the summer it nicely linked 2 seasons and gave you something to watch in the summer lull back when a show being off for the season really meant something.

The second movie is really not very good at all, and seasons 10 and 11 have their moments, but ultimately feel underdeveloped and the overall vibe is, this is a victory lap and this is going to be put to pasture (I haven't finished season 11 but I didn't hear about anyone picking it up for more so...)

 

[Grand Theft Scratchy]

I have an unconditional love for The X-Files. Even at it's worst, I was always there. I have to admit though, the mythology was a fucking mess. I hated how The Syndicate arc was kinda just thrown away, and then whatever happened to the Super Soldiers or the 2012 colonisation of Earth? I don't recall either being addressed in the revival.

They did but it was very brief. In an episode where Mulder is talking to Mr. Y and he brings up how they're somehow able to create Dyson Spheres so that they can go offworld, he says something like, "The aliens aren't interested in colonizing a planet with depleting resources". I remember watching that and thinking, "...what?" Because we weren't depleting our resources prior to 2002? They came to this conclusion within a decade of their projected colonization as opposed to the '90s or earlier?

I get what your saying but I feel like there's a lot of cool stories for X-Files to tell still in 2019. Black Mirror kind of forced itself into a corner by restricting itself with the type of stories it can tell.

Where the beauty of X-Files is you can do a story about anything, your not restricted to just technology or a specific idea. There's so much untapped potential in writing episodes for a modern day X-Files.

I agree but another thing is that I remember reading something about how Gillian Anderson wouldn't return for another season of The X-Files and Chris Carter agreed with her decision by saying it wouldn't be the same without Mulder and Scully.

 

[Punished Miku]

I got X-Files and Stargate SG-1 at the same time. The entire series for both. Both are great. But X-Files has some filler episodes that are really, really bad. Whenever they stick to the core storyline, it's always amazing. SG-1 had more world development and was a lot more consistent in my opinion. Didnt rely on not answering things and instead just actually went where you wanted it to go all the time.

X-Files is great. But SG-1 is the best.

 

[MilkyJoe]

Yes it was.

90s on the whole was the best decade.

Terrible fashion and some very questionable music, but on screen was magnificent.

 

[TheSadRanger]

They did but it was very brief. In an episode where Mulder is talking to Mr. Y and he brings up how they're somehow able to create Dyson Spheres so that they can go offworld, he says something like, "The aliens aren't interested in colonizing a planet with depleting resources". I remember watching that and thinking, "...what?" Because we weren't depleting our resources prior to 2002? They came to this conclusion within a decade of their projected colonization as opposed to the '90s or earlier?

I agree but another thing is that I remember reading something about how Gillian Anderson wouldn't return for another season of The X-Files and Chris Carter agreed with her decision by saying it wouldn't be the same without Mulder and Scully.

Carter also admitted that the transfer of ownership to Disney would change things and that they would be wondering what the future of the show would be.

Like I said earlier, I just don't see Disney letting it die off. It's too big of an established franchise.

 

[Grand Theft Scratchy]

The early seasons were the best, the later ones kind of got wishy washy.

'Pusher' is probably my favourite episode and favourite 'monster of the week'.

That's a good one. Field Trip is my favorite monster of the week.

 

[Grand Theft Scratchy]

Carter also admitted that the transfer of ownership to Disney would change things and that they would be wondering what the future of the show would be.

Like I said earlier, I just don't see Disney letting it die off. It's too big of an established franchise.

I guess we will see if anything comes of it. Joe Harris wrote a pretty interesting continuation of the series in graphic novel form, titled "Season 10" and "Season 11", centering on an adult Gibson Praise and the aliens.

Including the alien rebels:

John Doggett (Robert Patrick):

There's one scene where you see Gibson Praise do his best Magneto impersonation capsizing a naval ship, Scully ends up shooting him, and then you later see her surrounded by clones of Gibson Praise. Though I haven't read the end of Season 11, it was shortened to only eight issues (Season 10 was 25 issues) and would be considered non-canon now.

Another one worth reading, in my opinion, is The X-Files: Year Zero.

 

[SLoWMoTIoN]

I couldn't get into it. I like Fresh Prince more.

 

[What A Shame...]

The early seasons were the best, the later ones kind of got wishy washy.

'Pusher' is probably my favourite episode and favourite 'monster of the week'.

Pusher and its sequel episode (Kitsunegari) were both really good.

There were so many memorable monster-of-the-week episodes. I remember seeing the trailer for Badlaa back as a kid and it terrified the hell out of me.

 

[SantaC]

Terrible fashion and some very questionable music, but on screen was magnificent.

No outrage culture

 

[Rock And Roll]

I don't know if Disney would do a revival. Keep in mind it's almost been 20 years since the series ended, minus the extra movie and mini seasons we got a few years ago. I love the X files and it's one of my favorite shows of all time but I wonder if it's the recognizable name it used to be.

 

[Bigrx1]

I think the show is some of the best televison period not just the 90’s. Although it starts to go downhill a bit in season 6

 

[Nymphae]

I think the show is some of the best televison period not just the 90’s. Although it starts to go downhill a bit in season 6

How many shows hit the ground running as hard as The X-Files did? Absolute classics starting just 3 episodes in.

 

[Grand Theft Scratchy]

Unsolved Mysteries thread got me thinking about this show again. One of the reasons I like The X-Files so much is because of the music by Mark Snow. All of it, really, not just the opening theme.

 

[JareBear: Remastered]

Is there a streaming service that has the complete series? I would like to do a binge soon

Edit

Also, I haven't seen the 2016 and 2018 seasons yet either, shit I need to catch up on all that

 

[indigo-cyclops]

My buddy and I love rewatching and talking about the episode E.B.E.

Classic episode. X Files was definitely the best!

 

[Slings and Arrows]

Is there a streaming service that has the complete series? I would like to do a binge soon

Edit

Also, I haven't seen the 2016 and 2018 seasons yet either, shit I need to catch up on all that

I got all the x files season's and movies from a streaming service. I can't quite remember the name though, I think it's something like Birate Pay, or something?

I also own them all on dvd and blu Ray. Before anyone loses their mind

 

[Nymphae]

Is there a streaming service that has the complete series? I would like to do a binge soon

It's quite a binge, it's like 20+ episodes per season and they were all 45 minutes long.

 

[JareBear: Remastered]

It's quite a binge, it's like 20+ episodes per season and they were all 45 minutes long.

I'll glue my tablet to my face and be watching in my sleep

 

[infinitys_7th]

The X-Files is really strange to me - I love the series and would put it easily in my top 5 TV shows, but I absolutely hate the central story starting in S7. The mythology just went off the rails so badly after that, especially the disasters in S10 and S11 which were some of the worst television I've ever seen. Of course, there were still shining stars in those seasons because the characters and premise are so strong - it's just the central story that was terrible, and Chris Carter's writing and directing at that point. IDK what happened with him. The mythology was very strong in S1-S5, but started falling off after the movie. Maybe the show's success got to his head (e.g. Mulder pissing on the ID4 poster in the movie)?

I have so many great memories of watching it late at night (like midnight to 4 AM) on TNT on Friday night, usually with Coast to Coast AM (back when Art Bell stilled host regularly) playing low in the background. The best of S10 and S11 certainly matched that, but it's such a pity what happened to the story. The comic continuation did the series better justice.

 

[Nymphae]

I have distinct memories of waiting for the premiere episode when I was 8 fucking years old lol, I loved aliens and paranormal crap and this show was just magical for those first few seasons. I really miss "event" television and discussing and mulling over the events of an episode for an entire week, anticipating and imagining what was to come rather than just sit there and inject it all in one shot digitally.

 

[Setzer]

Also, I haven't seen the 2016 and 2018 seasons yet either, shit I need to catch up on all that

Can't say I was a big fan of the recent seasons, especially the main storyline episodes. It's worth watching for the "monster of the week" episodes but the main story stuff is pretty bad. Pretty much every episode Chris Carter wrote and directed sucked.

 

[teezzy]

X-Files was chill up until like season 5 or so. Right until the first movie. Then it got fairly bland and clumsy. I hear Mulder even leaves

Buffy is the superior show. Buffy also starts out sorta "monster of the week" in its first season, but ultimately the writing retains its quality throughout all 7 seasons. It's so fucking well written. The UPN seasons arent as kino as the OG WB ones, but the show never feels as mishandled as X-Files became, even with its weakest episodes.

 

[ManaByte]

I remember being excited each week to watch the new episode as family. Good times.

had a huge crush on Gillian as a kid

Who didn’t?

 

[Potato Chip PRO]

There was one episode that freaked me out as a kid, the One Astronaut that got attacked by a Martian ghost. Weird ass episode

 

[Bigrx1]

My favorite show of all time for many reasons:

1. Amazing main characters with incredible chemistry
2. Unpredictable episodes - you never knew how an episode would end it may be a situation where whatever issue at hand gets resolves or solved, there may be no conclusion at all, there may be a "bad" ending or it may be a "to be continued" which sporadically would happen. As opposed to another show it gets compared to at times, Fringe, which had an extremely formulaic episode format.
3. Interesting main story that was SLOWLY trickled out over many seasons which made the surprises and twists earned. Each season there would be some main story episodes and some monster-of-the-week episodes so it was a drip feed of main story that I think worked better than shows these days like Westworld where they constantly have to be doing more shockers and surprises to continue to top themselves and they lose their value.
4. Lot of episodes per season - many seasons had 20+ episodes.
5. Great comedy at times. X-files doesn't get the credit it deserves for some fucking hilarious episodes and running bits on the show like Mulder's porn stash and other things.
6. The male/female duo were allowed to be friends who deeply cared about each other instead of a romance which you almost always find now. Yes it technically does go into romance late in the series but the meat of the series it isn't like that.

I fucking love that show so much.

I've got this and unsolved mysteries collection.

 

[Bigrx1]

My favorite show of all time next to Breaking Bad as well OP.

I'm betting we hear some rumblings about X-Files in the next couple of years. It's way too big of a franchise for Disney to just "leave alone".

I wouldn't be surprised if X-Files is a high priority for Disney to bring back out of Fox's portfolio.

There was that recent revival for 2 seasons a few years ago but it's done now - Gillian Anderson said no more.

 

[black_13]

Was a huge fan back in high school as was still on TV and lots of reruns. Later seasons had their good and bad moments but most were bad.

 

[BigBooper]

The episode with the mutant incest family and their mother is the most disturbing thing I've ever seen.

 

[Grand Theft Scratchy]

X-Files was chill up until like season 5 or so. Right until the first movie. Then it got fairly bland and clumsy. I hear Mulder even leaves

Buffy is the superior show. Buffy also starts out sorta "monster of the week" in its first season, but ultimately the writing retains its quality throughout all 7 seasons. It's so fucking well written. The UPN seasons arent as kino as the OG WB ones, but the show never feels as mishandled as X-Files became, even with its weakest episodes.

I watched one or two episodes of Buffy and the spin-off Angel when they aired but don't really remember anything. It's kind of similar to shows that came later like Supernatural, right?

Late '90s/early '00s television on FOX though, other than The X-Files, I also watched Dark Angel for a little while because of Jessica Alba. But there wasn't really anything like The X-Files until Fringe which was so good.

 

[Slings and Arrows]

Pusher is my fave episode.

Gillian Anderson gets better with age

They don't make TV like this anymore

 

[holygeesus]

Yeah Fringe definitely gives me a similar vibe, but it never reaches the heights of the X-Files, despite being more consistent in terms of quality. There were some awful X-Files episodes, especially towards the end. Everyone needs to check out Millennium too, which is criminally underrated and has been largely erased from history - I had to buy the DVDs second hand, as I couldn't find it on any streaming service.

 

[MayauMiao]

The episode with the mutant incest family and their mother is the most disturbing thing I've ever seen.

So great every time I think about that episode I think about this music, and the other way around.

 

[womfalcs3]

Most memorable episode for me was the one where they visit a recreation of the Brady Bunch house.