It’s hard to believe that it’s been over 20 years since we first met Mulder and Scully. Where on earth did the time go?
Thankfully, show creator Chris Carter and the Fox network have both confirmed that the X-Files will return next year in a six-episode mini-series. Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny will be back in their old roles–Anderson was actually the one who led the demand for the reunion, urging fans to tweet #xfiles2015. The response was overwhelming.
But are the x-files real? Was the series based on true events?
Thanks to the Freedom of Information Act, we now know that the FBI did get involved in UFO investigations during the Cold War. They did so at the request of the Air Force, but Hoover pulled out when the Bureau discovered a letter from Col. R. H. Smith of the Air Defense Command. The letter stated in part that, “The services of the FBI were enlisted in order to relieve the numbered Air Force of the task of tracking down all the many instances which turned out to be ash can covers, toilet seats and what not.” In other words, the military would go after the good cases and the Bureau was stuck with the garbage.
Many of these cases were labeled X, but this did not refer to paranormal or alien activity. Instead, it indicated a classified, sensitive report.
Why was the FBI interested in UFOs? Were they worried little green men wanted to take over the planet?
Hardly.
The Bureau was investigating any possibility of communist threat. Hoover and his boys definitely suspected that UFOs were of human origin. Remember, it was the Cold War, and fear of terrorist attacks on American soil ran high.
While a lot of the cases were disappointing hoaxes and false alarms, including the famous Roswell crash, which was dismissed as a weather balloon (damn those pesky weather balloons!), there were some reports both the Air Force and FBI viewed as credible.
So is the truth really out there? The jury’s still out on that question, but I’m going to enjoy every minute of the new X-Files reunion, and thank the universe (or whatever powers that be) that Fox didn’t get their wish to cast a buxom blonde bimbo as Scully in the original series. Imagine the X-Files without Anderson’s cerebral, elegant beauty–now that would be scary.
What is your favourite X-Files episode? Are you excited about the mini-series? Which character would you love to see return?
I am stoked for the mini series!
They cast the right actress as Scully. Besides, Anderson is beautiful.
I agree Alex–in an intelligent, classy way. She doesn’t look like a Barbie doll.
I loved the series – didn’t know they’re bring out a new mini one. Glad they’re keeping Gillian Anderson on as Scully, she right for the role. I just don’t know if there’s another intelligence out there .. I think there must be and whether they’re trying to make contact with us for god or ill is anyone’s guess, I suppose.
I’m not sure, either, Susan, but I think a lot of the crazy UFO sightings in the ’50s and ’60s probably was classified weapons testing. There were so many reports back then that we just don’t get today, and that of course triggered hoaxes and copycats who wanted attention….
I loved the series too.
I think my favorite episode is the inbreeder episode, but not for the episode itself. It’s for the memory of my friends getting grossed out while eating pizza during the episode.
I still grin when I remember my big, burly Viking friend being squeamish. He was over six feet and built like a linebacker, but dang! He nearly lost it. Then tiny ol’ me was basically unaffected.
I will never ever be able to hear the song chances are again without thinking of this episode.
I vaguely remember that one, Djinnia. Wasn’t it pretty funny as well? I’ve been tempted to go back and watch them all. Someday…maybe next winter in my “spare” time. 😉
Thanks for commenting!
No not funny. I don’t think there was comedy in this one. It was one of the grossest episodes that i remember.
Tooms was always a big favourite for me. I’m a little dubious about it coming back. I’ve seen old series come back and be so terrible out mars the memory of when it was good. So I’m keeping my fingers crossed, but remaining skeptical. Much like Scully 😉
TD Harvey
A to Z participant
http://www.tdharveyauthor.com
I think this one has good potential for a few reasons, Tee. For one, the original cast, a lot of the original writers, and the series creator are returning. They’re not attempting to do the same thing with different people, which nearly always sucks.
Second, the stories will revolve around where they are right now–not attempt to go back in time and talk about when they were 20 again. And third, they only have to pull off six episodes instead of an entire season.
Fingers crossed!
I never actually watched the X-files. I’ll check out the mini-series though. 🙂
You’re missing out Chrys! From what you write, I think you’d really enjoy it. Definitely check it out if you can.
I am ridiculously excited for this show to return. I recently purchased season 6 on DVD (although I only just finished watching season 3). The fashions are horrific but the stories remain exceptional. I’m slowly making my way through them all again but I think my favourite episode might still be “Squeeze” (Season 1) with Eugene Tooms, the guy who could fit through any size opening.
Aw, if only we lived close enough that we could go through them together. That would be fun!
Squeeze was a great episode. Very creepy.
I’ll have to go to a friend’s to see this. We don’t have cable. Otherwise, I have to wait for Netflix.
Loved your X post today. I suppose we’ll never know the answer to your question, but it will always be interesting to speculate.
Thanks for the kind words, Lee. I don’t have cable, either…gave it up a long time ago, but I’ve been amazed by what’s available on YouTube now. I’m sure I’ll be able to find it.
This is great news. :). I am currently watching the series on Netflix (now into season 2). The episode that stands out for me when the show was in its original run was ‘Chinga’. That episode was written by Stephen King, and it was pretty cool. The two movies they did for the X-Files were also pretty decent.
Hmm…I don’t remember Chinga, and I didn’t know Stephen King wrote an episode! I’ll have to look into this. 🙂
I didn’t watch much of the series. My parents only had an antenna so we didn’t have Fox. I think Netflix has the series, so I may check it out before the new series.
~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Member of C. Lee’s Muffin Commando Squad
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author
It’s well worth a watch. It was an extremely well-written show.
X-Files got me totally into the world of paranormal. The movies were O.K., but I got lost in every single episode.
Me too. I agree–the show was much better than the movies.
Welcome to my blog, Jay! Hope to see you back here.
There are too many episodes for me to list. 🙂
I’m sure you know from my A to Z theme, that I’m a huge fan. Although the show didn’t translate well to film, 1 hour episodes were freakin’ awesome.
I’ve heard Mitch P. will return as Skinner and 2 more original writers have signed on, Glen Morgan and James Wong!
I think they have all the right parts, I hope they can pull it all together.
The alien stuff was cool, but almost overshadowed by all the other unexplained phenomenon / monsters of the week episodes.
Fingers crossed for 6 great new episodes!
Heather M. Gardner
Co-host: Blogging from A to Z April Challenge
Blog: The Waiting is the Hardest Part [http://hmgardner.blogspot.com/]
Yeah, I actually didn’t like it when the whole alien abduction/government conspiracy plot took over the entire show. I liked the one-off episodes about strange phenomena a lot better.
I remember when the show was first announced. I loved the idea. Then I watched the first episode. I was never a fan. But I do love the subject. Statistically, it’s almost impossible for our planet to host the only life in the universe so I whole heartedly believe in extraterrestrial life. Do I believe we’ve every been visited? I don’t know. I want to believe but science as I know it (which is all I can base real judgment on) is not to the point of reliable long distance space travel. I think it is possible but just not something I can quite wrap my head around as a reality.
I’m with you, Frank. The whole UFO/alien abduction storyline wasn’t the draw for me, anyhow. I loved the one-off tales of supernatural creatures and killers. Those were pretty cool.
Like a modern-day Twilight Zone with reoccurring characters. I’m sorry it didn’t work for you.