The X-Files: Thirty Years of The Truth Being Out There

“Mulder, you just keep unfolding like a flower.”-Dana Scully, The X-Files

Thirty years ago on this day, September 10, 1993 a Sci-Fi Television series premiered on Fox. What was put into a time slot for shows that may not make it, proved critics and studios wrong. The X-Files became a sleeper and cult classic hit.

The show stems from looks to be outlandish conspiracy theories, to aliens, monster of the week and story arcs. This television phenomenon has such a massive audience with its original 9 seasons, 2 films, that fans always wanted more. Creator, producer and director, Chris Carter did what no one else thought possible. He created such a hit that created fandoms that have lasted for decades and he revitalized the show with two more seasons.

Agent Fox Mulder played by David Duchovny and Agent Dana Scully played by Gillian Anderson were the dynamic duo and soul of the show. Mulder, who believed aliens abducted his sister, was considered a laughing stock at the FBI. However, he was a skilled psychological profiler who people did at least respect. Despite the nickname Spooky Mulder, he was left to his own devices to investigate the X-Files; cases that no one wanted, no one cared about. He had an ability to seek out the truth and believe in the unnatural. Much so, it gave the FBI pause to question his validity of his cases. They sent Dana Scully to spy on him, but also to find scientific evidence to back up his cases.

Dana Scully besides being a superb agent, was also a doctor who did a lot of autopsies on the show. It was Scully who questioned time and again throughout the series if what they were investigating was real or not. She herself started to believe in what was happening to them and around them. Wrapped up in the conspiracies with Mulder and the support of their Boss at times Assistant Director Walter Skinner (Mitch Pileggi), this show sparked such interest for years to come.

In fact, this show became such a cultural phenomenon itself and impacted lives in so many ways. Which leads me to the question, what else is out there? Did you know because of this show, more women went into law enforcement and the sciences because of Dana Scully?

Women growing up as I had, learned that there is more out there to do in society. Women have admired the strength of Scully and Mulder who supported her. Scully was a skeptic, because she wanted to have the actual facts of the case. She wanted to prove and convict with scientific evidence if at all possible. Towards the end of almost every episode; especially monster of the week, either Mulder or Scully will write their report. Scully is very methodical in her writing and tries her hardest to not make it subjective. Scully dives into her scientific evidence to give a reason why they investigated each case in a certain way; no matter how far-fetched the case was. Sometimes there wasn’t enough evidence; but Scully trusted Mulder with her life (countless of times) and they always backed each other up. Especially in the early years both as a character and an actress, showed that as a woman, she was not to be just a background character; she should be front and center. Gillian Anderson also fought for that. She fought for equal pay (Vanity Fair interview) and to not to be always behind Mulder (Insider Interview).

These nuances stuck in every female generation’s minds. The Scully Effect is an actual term now and the Geena Davis Institute recognizes it. This institute helps foster more females into being recognized in their works and pushes for equality. They try to instill work ethics at any age to show, hey, if you push and work hard enough, you can achieve a lot. STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) gears to help continue a way forward for every young female child and adult woman to continue into these fields.  PBS even did a brief story of how Scully played a role in influencing this phenomena. Of course, you have to give the initial hats off to women making achievements to the late Director Gene Rodenberry for casting the late Nichelle Nichols playing Lt. Nyota Uhura on Star Trek. This TV show helped paved the way to more women pursuing careers in Space Exploration.  You can read about that here on NASA.

We can’t leave dear Fox Mulder out of this, because his character as well helped create a balance between out of this world and being grounded. Dana Scully helped Fox Mulder to be more grounded and he kept her thinking outside of the box. Two peas in the pod that made a partnership work. They were each other’s equals and this also was visible in the interactions of Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny.  The chemistry they shared with both characters and actors has created a spectacular reason to believe in the unknown and pushing boundaries. The X-Files connected fans in so many ways where the Internet was still in its early popularity; think chat boards and instant messaging. Forbes Magazine talks about this and more including the Scully Effect. But we must also remember that the X-Files also paved a way that Television was made all over again; it became exciting, fast paced, thinking outside of the box, and pushed boundaries. First it was Gene Rodenberry and now Chris Carter changed television. Vox thoroughly talks about at the 25th Anniversary of the show, how The X-Files helped change television forever.

If you have never seen this show before, I recommend it. Yes it’s not about historical things as I usually write, but this show helped to CREATE history. Plus where would my blog be without some nerdism inserted somewhere? So kick back, enjoy 11 seasons and two films of such a historic significance of television. Prepare to get captivated by non stop action, intriguing dialogue, funny and endearing moments. The X-Files is one for the books and will never be forgotten.