The series began in 1993 and lasted for a massive nine seasons, ending in 2002. The series soon captivated audiences, as we were introduced to Agent Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Agent Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) and their exploits in The X Files... the chilling tales, spooky music and catchy slogan 'The Truth Is Out There" preying on people's imagination. All credit goes to creator Chris Carter for one of the most popular series of the 90's... making stars of Duchovny and Anderson.
However,
while the early seasons wowed us with such storylines as the stretchy Victor
Eugene Tooms, Flukeman and aliens... the series complex conspiracy FBI and alien
stories made it difficult for casual viewers to get involved, and even the die
hard fans began to find it puzzling.
After the show's fifth season The X Files movie 'Fight The Future' was released to mixed reviews, but it meant that the X Files mythos was now a franchise... with crossovers integrated with Carter's other series 'Millennium'. In fact, The Lone Gunmen, comedic characters created to aide Mulder found themselves in a short lived spin-off series.
In it's eighth season, Duchovny decided to cut back on his work, to spend time on other projects and have a life with his new wife Tea Leoni (Deep Impact). As a replacement, T2:Judgement Day star Robert Patrick was drafted in as the blue collar Agent John Doggett. By the end of the season Duchovny decided he wanted out entirely and while Anderson took the lead, Annabeth Gish (Agent Monica Reyes) was brought in and Mitch Pileggi (AD Walter Skinner) - having been a recurring character for eight seasons - was promoted to regular. A new revamp to the show was too late however, and when Anderson decided season nine was to be her last, Chris Carter decided to end the show for good. The final episode 'The Truth' brought back Duchovny and we now wait for the second X Files movie.
The Regular Characters
The main character, the one that most associate with the series. It was 'Spooky's'
passion and drive that not only pushed forward the individual episodes, but also
the series itself. The backdrop for the character - what gave him his
passion - was that his little sister was abducted by aliens when they were
children, but never returned. His work on The X Files derived from hope
that he would find his sister one day.
Assigned to The X Files to basically 'debunk' Mulder's work, Scully acted as the
scientist and logic to Fox's passion and drive... making them a perfect
pair. Despite Mulder's work, and findings, Scully remained a sceptic for
years, only really converting to a believer just before Mulder left... and she
got pregnant, eventually giving birth to baby William - the son of Fox Mulder.
Doggett was put onto The X Files, by Assistant Director Kersh, to find the
missing Mulder... but Dogget soon found that no matter what the outcome he was
onto a loser. If he didn't find Mulder he'd have failed his mission, and
if he did - with the events surrounding his disappearance, nobody would believe
his story. Much to Scully's disgust, Doggett was assigned to the X Files
in much the same role that Scully once had been - as the sceptic.
From Doggett's
past, Monica - a true believer in every way - was assigned to the X Files
alongside Doggett, and quickly became entangled with the whole Mulder and Scully
storyline. In a way, she held the same passion for The X Files that Fox
once did, but without the drive that captivated audiences.
There from the beginning, Skinner once seemed to be on the other side, a foil to
Mulder and Scully's missions, keeping them back from the truth they were
searching for. As time went on, however, it became apparent that Skinner
was far from being an enemy and has proved himself a a friend on many occasions,
risking his career and his life a countless number of times. Skinner is in
fact one of the few people the X Files can put their trust in.
Other Characters
The
Cigarette Smoking Man (CSM) has always been the dark, villainous presence
throughout the X Files. Always lurking in the background, leaving a trail
of smoke behind him... and yet, he always seemed to have some kind of fascination
with Mulder...often risking Mulder's life only to then send him in a new
direction of hope - often seeming to play with him like a puppet. What
CSM's true nature was - was he Mulder's father? - is neither here nor there now
that he is dead and buried. Or is he?
Mulder's
first 'friend' from the shadows, an informative, who would give Fox snippets
that would help keep him on the track of his quest for the truth. Just how
much of a friend Deep Throat was is unclear, but he lost his life in exchange
for Mulder keeping his...
Deep Throat's
successor, Mr.X took a more active, physical approach to helping Mulder, with an
attitude that gave inclination that he didn't really want to... but like his
predecessor, he too lost his life aiding Mulder and Scully...
When Scully
went missing, the wet-behind-the-ears Agent Krycek took over briefly as Mulder's
partner on the X Files. But Alex was not all he seemed, as it turned out
he was there to sabotage Mulder's efforts, and it was revealed that he was
working for the Cancerman. However, after his mission went wrong, Krycek
became expendable and found himself working as some kind of renegade agent, a
friend to nobody but a foe to all - losing his hand to prove it. Often
working against Mulder, Krycek eventually found himself helping him, Scully,
Dogget and Reyes... but eventually lost his life - at the hand of Skinner.
At one point
it seemed that Spender may have been Mulder's replacement on the X Files, but it
soon became apparent that he had another destiny, when it became revealed that
he was the son of the Cancerman (and therefore possibly brother to Mulder!).
Like many who surround the X Files - he lost his life.
At first
she seemed someone in the same vein as Deep Throat and Mr.X but it later turned
out that Covarrubias was NOT there to help Mulder and The X Files, having her
own agenda - whatever it was. It later became clear that she was
romantically involved with Krycek, but it is believed that he left her to die on
a sinking ship.
The Alien Bounty Hunter
became a formidable presence to the X Files... and was often linked to Mulder's
sister, Samantha. The greenblooded alien was able to morph into any living
person to carry out his mission, and later it was suggested that he was
responsible, with his many clones, to be the one responsible for Mulder's
disappearance.
The X Files'
answer to the Three Stooges - Byers, Langly and Frohike - were three hackers,
computer and sci-fi geeks who were always at hand to help either Mulder or
Scully... but keeping a theme, all three allies lost their lives.