The X-Files (1993–2002)
The X Files (original title)

Two FBI agents, Fox Mulder the believer and Dana Scully the skeptic, investigate the strange and unexplained while hidden forces work to impede their efforts.

Creator:

Chris Carter

Stars:

David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Mitch Pileggi

Won 5 Golden Globes. Another 66 wins & 147 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Gillian Anderson	...	Dana Scully (201 episodes, 1993-2002)
David Duchovny	...	Fox Mulder (176 episodes, 1993-2002)
Mitch Pileggi	...	Walter Skinner (81 episodes, 1994-2002)

Storyline

This television series follows the adventures and lives of FBI agents investigating those cases that involve the paranormal or previously unsolved (especially by conventional means). FBI Special Agents Mulder, Scully, Doggett and Reyes work to uncover forces within the United States of America government that would violate people's rights, alien creatures and monsters alike that attack, and other mysteries.

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Plot Keywords:

Fbi | Fbi Agent | Alien | X Files | Conspiracy | 

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Taglines:

Apology Is Policy

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Official Sites:

FOX [us]

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Also Known As:

The X-Files

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ten Thirteen Productions, 20th Century Fox Television, X-F Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

45 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The line "The truth is out there", at the end of the opening credits, was ranked #9 in TV Guide's list of "TV's 20 Top Catchphrases" (21-27 August 2005 issue).

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Goofs

Throughout the series when we see a closeup of CGB Spender's/The Smoker's ashtray while he is extinguishing his cigarette, the filters of the "smoked" cigarettes already in the ashtrays are perfectly white, while they should be yellow/brown from the nicotine-smoke. This indicates that they are props, placed there before shooting and not cigarettes smoked by the characters.

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Quotes

Mulder: Sometimes the only sane answer to an insane world is insanity.

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Crazy Credits

As is the norm with many US drama series since the start of the 1990s, episode titles are not displayed on screen. This series, however, was one of the first cases in which episode titles became widely known via fan discussion on the Internet.

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Connections

Referenced in The Man from Earth (2007)
mention of cigarette smoking man

User Reviews

An intelligent and inspiring look into the human imagination

It is unfortunate that I became a fan of this series 8 years after it was created. I look at TV these days with disappointment and boredom most of the time since most television drama series/movies deal with one of three genres: law, medicine, or science fiction. At first glance, The X-Files would seem to fit into this trend. However, its uniqueness is that it fits into all three of these categories plus a fourth and most important one: human imagination. This is what makes The X-Files one of the most intelligent and most important shows on television today. After all of these years, it is still one-of-a-kind. It forces us to think, to imagine, and to hope. I can't say that about too many other shows at the present time.

I have heard several complaints from many people about the past few years of this show: The writing seems to have deteriorated, the loss of David Duchovny hurt the show, one never seems to find out anything from the show (and on the opposite end, we've found out too much from the show), and it has worn out its welcome. I disagree with all of these. The writing is as good as ever (This year had excellent shows; check out Redrum, This Is Not Happening, and the two-part season finale for a peek.). David Duchovny leaving the show may be a blow to fans, but I think Robert Patrick has done a terrific job in stepping in so late in a series. The acting is as good on that show as it has ever been. As for what we have learned from the show, I think that if one expects to be content with knowing why things that happened on the show happened, he is missing one of the major points of the show. The show is half the story; your imagination is the rest. Chris Carter has found that happy medium ground of saying enough but not too much. And I for one should be proof that the show has not been on too long. It is still finding fans (old and new). Those of you who have shied away from the show are missing out on truly great television.

My favorite show is the third episode from the sixth season: Triangle. The show was wonderfully written and brilliantly acted. Any new fan should check this show in particular out.

The truth is out there. The X-Files is still a terrific show after 8 years, and I am anxiously awaiting what is to come.