I was probably a bit too young for The X-Files when it first came out on television in 1993. I remember catching glimpses of it on ads on television for the next week’s episode and feeling so scared at some of the imagery that my feet felt glued to the ground in fear. But at the same time, as I grew older, I would sometimes sneak out of bed to watch episodes, to feel that thrill and adrenaline that comes with watching something truly scary that you haven’t experienced before. My teenage years were where my love for the show grew and grew, and watching the final episode on television was both a heartbreak and a highlight. After rewatching seasons one to nine a couple of years ago, my love for this strange and wonderful series was re-established and re-affirmed.
This is why I am so freaking excited for this new miniseries of The X-Files, what could perhaps be considered as season ten of the series. This is a show that’s been in my life for what seems like forever. Will this new tenth season, a special miniseries consisting of just six episodes, live up to the hype that it naturally creates?
After watching episodes one and two, I thought I’d share five of my favourite things from the miniseries so far, spoiler-free.
1. Seeing Mulder and Scully together again
Yep. It’s just so nice and see them back together on screen. I do have some questions, such as how exactly they are where they are now given the ending of season nine, but I’m pushing that criticism to the back of my mind until the miniseries is finished. I love their relationship dynamic and I love finding out bits and pieces of what we’ve missed from the past approximately fourteen years since the series ended. Both Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny appear a bit sleepy in episodes one and two, but at the same time it just feels right to watch these two solving supernatural mysteries on television again.
2. A new layer on top of the existing mythology
Without going into too much detail and spoiling it, starting from the first episode, we learn of an unfolding conspiracy that aligns with what we saw in seasons one to nine, but gives an added dimension of creepiness that maybe goes above and beyond the government. The storyline that amps up in episode two is really great, with some excellent practical effects work. I’m loving it so far and I can’t wait to see what’s next.
3. Incorporating modern references and knowledge to existing dynamics
We all know Mulder and Scully have to report to Assistant Director Skinner regarding their movements and findings of each case they’re involved in. This new story is so cleverly updated to reside within a modern context and steep escalation of security post-9/11, plus the case of Edward Snowden leaking government information in the interests of the public at large, that it’s interesting to see Mulder and Scully working within this context as well; not just reporting to Skinner, but also working with and skirting around the restrictions of the Department of Defense. At the same time, the new technology that wasn’t around for the first nine seasons doesn’t dominate this new miniseries. It’s an interesting line to walk when rebooting a franchise with so much time between series’.
4. Fun cameos
In episode one, we get a nice cameo by Joel McHale of Community and The Soup, where he plays a loudmouth conspiracy theorist, a character that suits him well. In episode two, we see Kacey Rohl, who played the singular Abigail Hobbs on Hannibal – in which Gillian Anderson also notably starred. And in episode three, I’ve heard that Rhys Darby of Flight of the Conchords and What We Do In The Shadows (2014) fame also appears, although I don’t know much about his role. I’m hoping that we keep having little surprises in the form of fun cameo appearances.
5. The nostalgia factor
What it all comes down to for me also is that watching this show on television is a nostalgic experience like no other. The show is, thus far, filled with little Easter eggs for fans to notice and enjoy. A character in one moment points to Mulder’s heart and says, “The truth is in here”, to which Mulder remarks that he’s heard something like that before. We see a familiar poster strewn across an office floor and remember it as a key prop in the original series, proudly on display on a wall. It’s the little things that you notice upon re-watching that make this reboot really special, and clearly geared towards pleasing the people who gave the show so much love in the first place.
I’m loving the miniseries so far and absolutely can’t wait to watch the rest of the episodes. I’m officially hooked in to the newest mythology and am so intrigued to see where it will take us. Will you be watching the 2016 miniseries of The X-Files? If you’ve watched the episodes thus far, what are your thoughts?
FILM GRIMOIRE 
Haha I have a friend who’s crazy over it and tells me how on earth have I not watched it. Yeh I’ve heard the theme song and I know abit of the story, but after reading your review, I’m probably going to see the new season if I have time 🙂
If you haven’t watched the original series, you must watch it eventually! Such an amazing show.
I’ve been watching this since I was a pretty big fan of the series in the 90s. For all the reasons you state, I’m having fun with the nostalgia. Episode 2 was pretty cool–the siblings–yes?
Yes, I loved the development of the siblings story and the children in the hospital! So unsettling and yet you can’t look away, typical X-Files!
Those opening credits always creeped me out as a kid. They still do now in fact. I’ll be watching when it airs here in the UK.
Oh yeah, the opening credits were nightmare fuel for me as a child. But as a teenager and now as an adult, I love it! I hope you enjoy the episodes as much as I did!
Sounds good to me. I haven’t started the miniseries yet, but I’ve been bingeing on the “old stuff” and plan on getting caught up real soon.
The old stuff is good stuff! I was hoping to binge watch the mythology episodes before watching the new stuff, but I didn’t get around to it. Might do a re-watch of the whole thing after the miniseries is done!
I’ve seen the first two episodes, and I’m impressed. Like you said, they’ve done a good job of dealing with the 14 years between the original series and this mini series. I loved the first show with the bombastic conspiracy-theory TV personality, and with the references to Edward Snowden, 9-11, etc. So far, I think the mini-series has lived up to the hype.
I would agree with that – with so much hype, it’s almost inevitable that a lot of people will be disappointed. But I really think they’ve done a good job so far!
I was an obsessive fan of the original X-Files. I even went to a convention and had my picture taken with Mitch Pileggi/Skinner! I’ve been eagerly awaiting the reboot since they first announced it last year, and so far it’s not been a disappointment. 🙂
That is amazing! We love Skinner in this house!
😊😊😊😊
I agree with this. There was a lot of hate for the first episode, and while I agree with criticisms that it was too much exposition, too fast, I cut it some slack. It has only six episodes to work with, and some of those will be monster-of-the-week types not relating to the main plot. One episode frontloaded with information bringing the series up to speed struck me as an unfortunate necessity.
Beyond that, it’s great simply seeing Mulder and Scully (and Skinner!) on screen again. The show was always character driven for me. I’ll watch Mulder and Scully talk about almost anything and enjoy it. That goes a long, long way. Also, they got Darin Morgan to write an episode. That alone is worth the price of admission.
I somehow avoided reading all the critically negative reviews of the first episode, but I agree, there needed to be some kind of recap given the limited amount of episodes. I am concerned that six episodes won’t be enough and that there’ll be some squishing to fit all the new information and story in. But we did really need at least one episode to get everyone up to speed, especially those who never saw the original series! And I agree, Mulder and Scully could talk about making mashed potatoes and I would watch it, and probably really enjoy it.
I’ve never seen any of the originals, maybe parts of episodes when it was on TV, when I was younger. Would you recommend watching the originals first? It sounds like it’d be a better idea. I’m not sure why I haven’t watched it at all, the way you describe it sounds like something I’d be all over
I would definitely recommend watching the original series first! The way the story unfolds and develops is so great. There are some guides online for the essential episodes to watch, to see the essential story mythology and miss out on the ‘monster of the week’ episodes which can slow things down a bit (but most are excellent in their own right). You have to see it!
I think a friend has them all on DVD, I’ll have to ‘borrow’ them 😛
I’m not entirely sure why I never watched it if I’m honest. I was a tad too young to really understand it when it was at its most popular
I am actually gearing up to rewatch the X-Files at some stage, so I can’t wait for that. Not sure what to think of the reboot. Hmmmm…
Oh no! Not too much of a fan? I haven’t seen the third episode yet and I’m so interested to see where they take it, as I’ve heard it’s a bit of a different one.
I haven’t checked it out yet, but will see. After I rewatch the original, that is!
Great post! I’m loving the mini-series so much. It’s funny ’cause with Netflix I could just hop on and watch the original series again…but I’m so excited every single week for the new episodes. My only qualm is that I’d love to see more Skinner, Scully, and even Joel McHale for the finale. I hope the ratings will bring in another mini-series season. 🙂
Thanks heaps Katy! Absolutely loving the series so far. Episode three was amazing. I do hope Joel McHale returns for the finale as well!
Not impressed with the new x files. Utter garbage compared to the old series. The series is so bad it’s like a parody of the old series that;s only mildly amusing in some parts.
I really loved the first four episodes, but I haven’t seen the final two, and I hear the last episode was quite controversial! Looking forward to watching it!!
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