Since its debut in 1993,The X-Fileshas becomeone of the best sci-fi shows on television. The original series ran until 2002 but was revived for an additional two seasons, totaling an impressive 11 seasons and 218 episodes.The X-Filesfollows two FBI Special Agents, Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), who investigate – yep, you guessed it – the “X-Files”, a string of unsolved cases featuring alleged supernatural phenomena.
The show explores everything from extraterrestrials and science-fiction technology to ghosts and monsters. It plays upon the bond between its two main characters, Mulder’s passion for conspiracy theories and the supernatural complimenting Scully’s skeptical and science-based nature. Its theme music has become iconic, its notes reflecting the eerie and bizarre elements of the show. Most ofThe X-Filesconsists of stand-alone episodes that feature one-off villains or threats, known as “the monster of the week”. But the series also follows a more complex, over-arching story that involves an alien invasion.
The X-Files
It’s not easy compiling a list of the most essentialX-Filesepisodes when you have a whopping 218 episodes to choose from. Some of these are pertinent to the overarching mythology, character arcs, and central plot of the show. Others are stand-alone episodes that represent the very best thatThe X-Fileshave to offer, stories that are revered by both fans and critics alike as some of the best entries in the series. Let’s now join Mulder and Scully and investigate some of the most essential episodes ofThe X-Files.StreamThe X-Fileson Hulu.
10"The Truth"
Season 9, Episodes 19 and 20
The season nine finale, “The Truth”, wasthe show’s original disappointing series finale(more on that in a bit). By this point, the show had been dragging its feet for the last two seasons. It suffered from Duchovny’s departure as a series regular and his character’s reduced role. Special Agent John Doggett (Robert Patrick) replaced Mulder, and Patrick did what he could. But in the end, he just couldn’t compete with the Scully and Mulder magic that had madeThe X-Filesso great.
“The Truth” brings Mulder back for this two-episode event. It wraps up (or does it?) Mulder’s arch-nemesis and the show’s main antagonist, known only as “The Cigarette Smoking Man” (William Bruce Davis) for his acting credit in the show’s very first episode. Many fans felt that the episode didn’t properly utilize Mulder’s return.
Questions went unanswered, while plot points were left dangling. Because of the show’s revival 14 years later, “The Truth” is no longer the official series finale ofThe X-Files.However, it’s still an important piece of the show. It marks the closure of the X-Files and tells us where Scully and Mulder’s original journey ends before the show jumps 14 years into the future.
9"My Struggle"
Season 10, Episode 1
“My Struggle” is the first new episode ofThe X-Filesin 14 years, the entry that kicked off the show’s two-season revival. It rightfully restores David Duchovny to a starring role, after he left the show as a series regular for its original last two seasons (seasons eight and nine).
Set 14 years after the closure of the X-Files, “My Struggle” reunites Mulder and Scully on a new case that has them, once again, searching for the truth behind extraterrestrial life. It’s a treat to see these two back together and learn what’s happened to them over the last 14 years.The episode also reveals that the Cigarette Smoking Man is still alive, who was thought to have been killed in the season nine finale. Like our last entry, “My Struggle” isn’t the best episode in the series, but it’s essential in establishing the continuation ofThe X-Files.
8"My Struggle IV"
Season 11, Episode 10
The X-Fileswas supposed to end several times during its long 25-year run. The season five finale, “The End”, was considered the series finale, until record-high ratings renewedThe X-Filesfor another four seasons. “The Truth” was the original series finale, untilThe X-Fileswas revived for a tenth season in 2016. The tagline for its last episode, “My Struggle II”, was literally “This is the end” because everyone thought thatthistime – this time, it reallyisthe end ofThe X-Files.But nope, that was just another dupe.The X-Fileswas brought back yet again in 2018 for its eleventh and final season.
“My Struggle IV” isthe actual last episode of The X-Files (for now). It finally wraps up the rivalry between Mulder and “The Cigarette Smoking Man”. You’d think that the showrunners would attempt to amend their mistakes from the original season nine finale and deliver the ending that fans had been waiting for. But “My Struggle IV” was unfortunately another miss, panned by audiences for its unsatisfying conclusion and for lacking the on-screen chemistry that had made Mulder and Scully so irresistible to begin with. Despite its flaws, this episode marks the end to the 25-year journey ofThe X-Files.
7“Little Green Men”
Season 2, Episode 1
“Little Green Men” kicks off Season 2 ofThe X-Files. It’s a notable entry in the series. It’s the first time we ever see a live extraterrestrial, which greatly expanded the show’s mythos at the time. “Little Green Men” also marks the first time that Mulder and Scully try reopening a closed X-File, something that they do over and over again afterward.
We’re also offered a glimpse into what really happened the night that Samantha Mulder was abducted, the event that sparked Mulder’s devotion to the paranormal and significantly impacted his character. We’re also introduced to Senator Richard Matheson (Raymond J. Barry), a character who plays a role in future storylines. “Little Green Men” underscores Mulder’s devotion to the paranormal, as well as Scully’s devotion to her partner, even if they don’t quite see eye to eye.
6"The Erlenmeyer Flask"
Season 1, Episode 24
Up until this point,The X-Fileswas largely self-contained, each episode focusing on a different monster-of-the-week and wrapping up its story in a single hour. But the season one finale, “The Erlenmeyer Flask”, changed the game. It introduced the conspiracy that would drive the overarching narrative of the series, significantly broadening the show’s scope and mythology.
It also introduced alien-human hybrids and their toxic green blood, which would become major threats later on. “The Erlenmeyer Flask” also includes a shocking death, whose finalquote has come to defineThe X-Files:“Trust no one."
Related:10 Episodes of The X-Files That Were Based on True Stories
5“The Post-Modern Prometheus”
Season 5, Episode 5
“The Post-Modern Prometheus” isThe X-Files’take on Mary Shelley’s classic sci-fi novel,Frankenstein; or The Modern Promotheus.Here, Scully and Mulder investigate a case that takes a page out of Shelley’s book: a scientist creates a deformed being that’s akin toFrankenstein’s monster. But as usual, the monster isn’t as vicious as depicted, and Scully and Mulder end up going to his aid. “The Post-Modern Prometheus” is regarded as a classic and one of the best episodes ofThe X-Files.Its black-and-white cinematography mirrors oldFrankensteinmovies and makes it stand out from every other episode in the series.
A fresh spin on a tale that’s been retold 100 different ways, this episode is a beautiful piece of television. Cher, who was supposed to appear at the end, has expressed regret over declining the cameo after watching the episode. “The Post-Modern Prometheus” isn’t essential in terms of the show’s over-arching plot or mythos. But it’s one of the best episodes thatThe X-Fileshas to offer, making it an absolute must-watch.
4“Requiem”
Season 7, Episode 22
“Requiem” represents a shift in the trajectory ofThe X-Files.It’s the last episode in the original nine seasons to feature Duchovny as a series regular. Every subsequent episode, even those from the two revival seasons, feels like a departure from the original seven. Nevertheless, “Requiem” a great episode and plays a crucial role in the story’s mythology.
It hits the audience with jaw-dropper after jaw-dropper, plot twist after plot twist. Scully is shockingly revealed to be pregnant, even though she shouldn’t be able to conceive – a plot point that becomes significant later on. Mulder is also abducted, giving the character what feels like a proper send-off while setting the stage for seasons eight and nine. Mulder’s abduction is also a pivotal moment inScully’s character development; it finally turns her into a believer.
3“Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose”
Season 3, Episode 4
The X-Filesloves to play with genres: comedy, sci-fi, horror, drama.“Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose” has all of them, bundling horror, humor, thrills, and drama all together and then wrapping them up in a neat little bow. Since its premiere, “Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose” has been hailed by both fans and critics as the best episode ofThe X-Files.In fact,the episode won an Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series, while Peter Boyle claimed an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal as the titular Clyde Bruckman.
Here, Mulder and Scully investigate the murders of psychics and fortune-tellers and are assisted by Clyde Bruckman, who can foresee how people are going to die – including himself. It’s a heart-breaking masterpiece, a beautiful 45 minutes of television. The episode also represents a pivotal moment for Scully, who becomes more willing to embrace the supernatural by the episode’s finale. Is it essential in terms of plot? No, but “Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose” is an absolute delight and shouldnotbe skipped.
2“Anasazi”
Season 2, Episode 25
“Anasazi” is another series game changer. The first of a three-part story, it lays down important groundwork that broadens the scope and mythology ofThe X-Filesand establishes the show’s overarching plot. “Anasazi” explores the depths of the alien conspiracy, including a secret, long-running government program to create alien-human hybrids. It also introduces the Syndicate (though not by name), a shadow government that covers up extraterrestrial life.
It’s revealed that the Syndicate is linked to Cigarette Smoking Man, serving as another main antagonist to Mulder and Scully. “Anasazi” also introduces Navajo elder Albert Hosteen (Floyd Westerman), who becomes an important figure in Mulder’s life. If you’re looking to soak up the show’s mythology, then this is an episode that shouldn’t be skipped.
Related:22 Famous Actors You Probably Forgot Were on The X-Files
Season 1, Episode 1
You had to know this one was coming. Every great show has to start somewhere, and forThe X-Files,this is it: “Pilot”, our very first introduction to the world ofThe X-Files.Here, we see Mulder and Scully meet for the first time, a historic moment in television history. “Pilot” sets the stage and tone for the rest of the series, even if it does veer off the path at certain points.
It also immediately introduces the Cigarette Smoking Man, who would become their arch nemesis and the main antagonist of the entire show. You can thank this episode for hooking millions of viewers and turningThe X-Filesinto a beloved sci-fi classic.
