This week, I watched the self-proclaimed cult classic, The X-Files, in honor of the new season that just aired. This show is truly one with major cultural significance — the amazing will they-won’t they couple of Mulder and Scully, the iconic whistling theme song, and the phrase “The Truth is Out There” - it’s no surprise it lasted for nine healthy seasons.
I have only seen an episode or two in passing and never thought too much of it (there’s something about dated technology that bums me out - microfiche, anyone?), but I figured I had to watch the pilot and see where this phenomenon of a show began.
Like any standard procedural, we see a girl running in the woods, panting and scared. It’s clear we are seeing her last living moments. A bright light comes out of nowhere and a figure with a blurred face picks her up.
Smash cut to her dead body and some local policemen examining her:
“She was Class of ’89.”
“It’s happening again, isn’t it?”
Smash cut to a petite redhead, Dana Scully, waiting in an FBI office.
May I say that my first thought when Gillian Anderson appeared on screen was “Damn, she is small!” Anderson’s height is 5’3”, which looks particularly miniature against Duchovny’s 6’0”. She also was only 25 years old when X-Files started so that definitely contributed to her dainty, doe-eyed appearance.
Scully is hired to debunk the X-Files, which is where unexplained phenomenon (the occult and supernatural, etc.) get filed away. And where one determined FBI agent has taken permanent residence: Fox Mulder.
I love love LOVE David Duchovny. From his first line, I am so on board for his character. Duchovny has a great wry delivery. I actually laughed out loud a few times on his lines.
And almost immediately he discloses a personal history where his sister vanished with no explanation when he was 8 years old and he's been obsessed with her disappearance ever since. I mean, call me a red snapper because I'm hooked!
For this episode, I was intrigued by the ‘A’ story (or main story) about this dead girl in the woods and potential alien abduction of a bunch of kids from the same graduating class. However, what truly sold me to watch another episode was Mulder and Scully. Their back and forth, clearly not trusting one another 100% and constantly arguing was so gripping and interesting - the ‘A’ story almost felt secondary to me. I more wanted to find out more about their dynamic and where it’s going to go.
I liked, as an audience member, how I sided with both Scully and Mulder at different times. Personally, I am not particularly swayed by ghost stories so I understand Scully’s staunch rationalism in the face of crazy, unexplained circumstances. But the fun loving fantasy reading side of me loves Mulder and his crazy theories and bold conclusions based on gut instincts - I wanted to yell at Scully, “Oh c’mon! Stop being so uptight!” Even though in real life, I probably could never be a Mulder, he’s just so cool, you wanna follow him wherever he’s going.
The ending also left us guessing a little and wasn’t 100% stated as to what actually happened. There’s a suggestion of alien abduction, but nothing is proven and then a unique alien artifact is placed in, what I can only assume is, the same warehouse from Raiders of the Lost Ark.
I like the vagueness of it and the intrigue as to who or what is standing in Mulder and Scully’s way (all of their files from this case were burned to a crisp in a mysterious fire at their hotel)
Even though procedural dramas are often not my favorite TV shows, I definitely recommend watching this pilot. Mulder and Scully’s banter alone make it worth it.
I give this pilot 8 out of 10 believers.
