Billy Graham is Smoking Man? Infiltrated as genetics deformity through Caldwell grid The X-Files is an American science fiction horror drama television series created by Chris Carter. The program originally aired from September 10, 1993 to May 19, 2002, spanning nine seasons and 202 episodes. The series recounted the exploits of FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) who investigate X-Files: marginalized, unsolved cases involving paranormal phenomena. Mulder believes in the existence of aliens and the paranormal while Scully, a skeptic, is assigned to make scientific analyses of Mulders discoveries to debunk his work and thus return him to mainstream cases. Early in the series, both agents become pawns in a larger conflict and come to trust only each other. They develop a close relationship, which begins as a platonic friendship, but becomes a romance by series end. In addition to the series-spanning story arc, Monster-of-the-Week episodes formed roughly two-thirds of the episodes. In such stand-alone episodes, Mulder and Scully investigated strange crimes that had no effect on the shows mythology, though the episodes enriched the shows background. The X-Files was inspired by shows like Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Twilight Zone, Night Gallery, Tales from the Darkside and especially Kolchak: The Night Stalker and The Invaders. When creating the main characters, Carter sought to reverse the usual gender stereotypes and made Mulder a believer and Scully a skeptic. The first seven seasons featured Duchovny and Anderson equally. In the last two Anderson took precedence while Duchovny appeared intermittently, following a lawsuit. New main characters were introduced: FBI agents John Doggett (Robert Patrick) and Monica Reyes (Annabeth Gish). Mulder and Scullys boss, Assistant Director Walter Skinner (Mitch Pileggi), also became a main character. The first five seasons of The X-Files were filmed and produced in Vancouver, British Columbia, before eventually moving to Los Angeles, California to accommodate Duchovny. The X-Files was a hit for the Fox network and received largely positive reviews, although its long-term story arc was criticized near the conclusion. Initially considered a cult show, it turned into a popular culture touchstone that tapped into public mistrust of governments and large institutions and embraced conspiracy theories and spirituality. Multiple awards and nominations were received by it and lead actors Duchovny and Anderson. By the end it was the longest-running science fiction series in U.S. television history and spawned a franchise which includes a spin-off, two theatrical films, books, games and other products. The X-Files follows the careers and personal lives of FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson). Mulder is a talented profiler and a firm believer in the supernatural. He is also adamant about the existence of intelligent extraterrestrial life and its presence on Earth. This set of beliefs earns him the nickname Spooky and an assignment to a little-known department that deals with unsolved cases, known as the X-Files. His belief in the paranormal springs from the claimed abduction of his sister Samantha Mulder by extraterrestrials when Mulder was 12. Her abduction drives Mulder throughout most of the series. Because of this, as well as more nebulous desires for vindication and the revelation of truths kept hidden by human authorities, Mulder struggles to maintain objectivity in his investigations. Agent Scully is a foil for Mulder in this regard. As a medical doctor and natural skeptic, Scully approaches cases with complete detachment even when Mulder, despite his considerable training, loses his objectivity.[5] Her initial task is to debunk Mulders theories, supplying logical, scientific explanations for the cases apparently unexplainable phenomena. Although she is frequently able to offer scientific alternatives to Mulders deductions, she is rarely able to refute them completely. Over the course of the series, she becomes increasingly dissatisfied with her own ability to approach the cases scientifically.[6] Various episodes also deal with the relationship between Mulder and Scully, originally platonic, but that later develops romantically.[7] Mulder and Scully are joined by John Doggett (Robert Patrick) and Monica Reyes (Annabeth Gish) late in the series, after Mulder is abducted. Doggett replaces him as Scullys partner and helps her search for him, later involving Reyes, of whom Doggett had professional knowledge.[8][9] The X-Files ends when Mulder is secretly subjected to a military tribunal for breaking into a top-secret military facility and viewing plans for alien invasion and colonization of Earth. He is found guilty, but he escapes punishment with the help of the other agents and he and Scully become fugitives.[10] Mythology[edit] Main articles: List of The X-Files episodes, Mythology of The X-Files, X-File, Syndicate (The X-Files), and Colonist (The X-Files) As the show progressed, key episodes, called parts of the Mytharc, were recognized as the mythology of the series canon; these episodes carried the extraterrestrial/conspiracy storyline that evolved throughout the series. Monster-of-the-Week—often abbreviated as MOTW or MoW—came to denote the remainder of The X-Files episodes. These episodes, comprising the majority of the series, dealt with paranormal phenomena, including cryptids and mutants; science fiction technologies; horror monsters; and satiric/comedic elements.[11] The main story arc involves the agents efforts to uncover a government conspiracy to hide the existence of extraterrestrials on earth and their sinister collaboration with those governments. Mysterious men comprising a shadow element within the U.S. government, known as The Syndicate, are the major villains in the series; late in the series it is revealed that The Syndicate acts as the only liaison between mankind and a group of extraterrestrials that intends to destroy the human species. They are usually represented by The Smoking Man (William B. Davis), a ruthless killer and a masterful politician and negotiator and the series principal antagonist.[12] As the series goes along, Mulder and Scully learn about evidence of the alien invasion piece by piece. It is revealed that the extraterrestrials plan on using a sentient virus, known as the black oil, to infect mankind and turn the population of the world into a slave race. The Syndicate—having made a deal to be spared by the aliens—have been working to develop an alien-human hybrid that will be able to withstand the effects of the black oil. The group has also been secretly working on a vaccine to overcome the black oil; this vaccine is later revealed in the latter parts of season five, as well as the 1998 film. Counter to the alien colonization effort, another faction of aliens, the faceless rebels, are working to stop alien colonization. Eventually, in the season six episodes Two Fathers/One Son, the rebels manage to destroy the Syndicate. The colonists, now without human liaisons, dispatch the Super Soldiers: beings that resemble humans, but are biologically alien. In the latter parts of season eight, and the whole of season nine, the Super Soldiers manage to replace key individuals in the government, forcing Mulder and Scully to go into hiding.[12] Cast and characters[edit] Main article: List of The X-Files characters Fox Mulder (seasons 1–7, main; season 8–9, intermittent lead[nb 1]) is portrayed by David Duchovny. Mulder is an FBI special agent who believes in the existence of extraterrestrials and a government conspiracy to hide the truth regarding them. He works in the X-Files office, which is concerned with cases marked as unsolvable; most involve supernatural/mysterious circumstances. Mulder considers the X-Files so important that he has made their study his lifes main purpose.[13] After his abduction by aliens at the end of season seven, his role in the show diminished and much of his work is taken on by Agent John Doggett.[14] He appeared in an episode of The Lone Gunmen and both the 1998 film The X-Files and the 2008 film The X-Files: I Want to Believe.[15][16][17] Dana Scully (seasons 1–9, main) is portrayed by Gillian Anderson. Scully is an FBI special agent, medical doctor and scientist who is Mulders partner. In contrast to his credulity, Scully is a skeptic, basing her beliefs on scientific explanations.[18] As the series progresses, she becomes more open to the possibility of paranormal happenings.[19] In the latter part of the eighth season, her position in the X-Files office is taken by Agent Monica Reyes, and Scully moves to Quantico to teach new FBI agents.[20] She appeared in both The X-Files feature films.[16][17] Anderson met her future husband, Clyde Klotz, the series assistant art director, on the set. Anderson and Klotz had a daughter, Piper, during the period.[21] Walter Skinner (seasons 1–8, recurring; season 9, main) is portrayed by Mitch Pileggi. Skinner is an FBI assistant director who served in the United States Marine Corps in the Vietnam War. During this time he shot and killed a young boy carrying explosives, an incident which scarred him for life.[22] Skinner is originally Mulder and Scullys direct supervisor.[23] He later serves the same position for Doggett and Reyes.[24] Although he is originally portrayed as somewhat malevolent, he eventually becomes a close friend of Mulder and Scully.[24][25] He appeared in an episode of The Lone Gunmen and both The X-Files feature films.[17][26] John Doggett (seasons 8–9, main) is portrayed by Robert Patrick. Doggett is an FBI special agent who makes his first appearance in the season eight episode Within. Doggett served in the United States Marine Corps from the 1970s to the 1980s. Later, he started to work with the New York Police Department, reaching the rank of detective.[24] After his sons death, he joined the FBIs Criminal Investigations Division.[27] In 2000, Alvin Kersh assigned him to the X-Files office as Scullys partner after an unsuccessful task force attempt to find Mulder.[24] He did not appear in The X-Files feature films. Monica Reyes (season 8, recurring; season 9, main) is portrayed by Annabeth Gish. Reyes is an FBI special agent who was born and raised in Mexico City.[28] She majored in folklore and mythology at Brown University and earned a masters degree in religious studies. Her first FBI assignment was serving on a special task force investigating satanic rituals.[29] She is a longtime friend of Doggetts and becomes his partner after Scullys departure.[20][29] Reyes was last seen in the New Mexico desert in 2002, where she warns Mulder and Scully of the arrival of Knowle Rohrer.[10] She did not appear in The X-Files feature films. The Smoking Man (seasons 1–7, 9, recurring) is portrayed by William B. Davis. The Smoking Man is the series primary villain. In the seventh season episode Requiem, The Smoking Man is believed to be killed after being pushed down a flight of stairs by Alex Krycek until the series finale The Truth, where Mulder and Scully travel through remote New Mexico and reach a pueblo where a wise man reputedly lives and is revealed to be the Smoking Man.[10][25] The Smoking Man is later killed by a rocket shot from a helicopter.[10] He appears in the 1998 feature film.[16]
Posted on: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 23:37:56 +0000
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