The cult science fiction American series The X-Files was invented by Chris Carter. Pilot episodes were first shown in 1993 by Fox, and the show ended after nine long years, in 2002. During this time period, more than 200 episodes were filmed. Based on his motives, the feature film The X-Files: Fighting For The Future (1998) and The X-Files: I Want To Believe (2008) was shot.
Description: main idea
The X-Files is a series that can be simultaneously called mystical and sci-fi. The entire storyline is built on the relationships, teamwork and adventures of two main characters, FBI agents: Dana Scully and Fox Mulder.
One day, Virginia FBI Academy lecturer Special Agent Dana Scully is assigned to partner with Agent Fox Mulder. Together they should work on the X-Files project, which contains an archive of the agency’s mysterious affairs related to paranormal and supernatural phenomena: vampirism, werewolves, genetic mutations and, of course, alien aliens.
Scully is rather skeptical and is always looking for a scientific explanation of what is happening, Mulder, however, firmly believes in aliens and tries to convince his partner. The point is the trauma that Fox suffered in his youth, associated with obscure and obscure circumstances of the disappearance of his younger sister. Mulder is sure that the aliens have abducted her. Investigating each new case, companions come together, enjoy communication. Gradually, mutual suspicion, caution and distrust develop into a strong, faithful friendship, after which a hint of a more romantic and deep feeling appears. Surprisingly, over the course of 9 seasons of the central characters, the same actors performed. The X-Files could go on, because the viewer's interest in supernatural phenomena does not fade away.
The mythology of the series and the monsters of the week
Episodes of the series can be divided into two parts. One of them tells about the storyline, which is called the mythology of the series - for all seasons she tells of Scully and Mulder, trying to uncover the secrets of a secret government organization that is silent about the facts of the invasion of alien civilization on planet Earth. The second part of the series tells about the investigations of partner agents related to the "monsters of the week", they often do not come into contact with mythology. But some episodes have an indirect connection with the mythological storyline, for example, intrigues and conspiracies in the US government and inside the FBI, the personal life of both secondary characters and main characters. Therefore, in order to fully understand and appreciate the artistic value of the series, you need to fully watch all the series and not try to divide the plot into non-mythological and mythological. By the end of the series, its essence is revealed, which explains most of the events taking place in it. The idea of the authors is that the truth is foggy and slips away at the last moment.
Roll Calls and Rooted Ideas
The Carter formula for success is neither new nor original; it was expertly used by both David Lynch in Twin Peaks, Stephen Spielberg in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and many other filmmakers around the world. The fact is that the plot is based on ideas adapted to the understanding of ordinary people about the world as a training ground for the struggle of Darkness and Light, Good and Evil, the Devil and God. For example, in the debut series of “Materials” there is immediately a roll call with “Twin Peaks” - in both movie masterpieces the heroes suffer from an invisible evil force, as if spilled in the air. And the second and fourth episodes are directly similar to Spielberg's creation, mentioned above. And the third series exaggerates a somewhat boring story about “body kidnappers and the invasion” (there were already a lot of films with this idea). It is no coincidence that the actors were chosen. The X-Files used the most successful option - a man and a woman, partners, a skeptic and an enthusiast. All these references and roll calls do not at all indicate impudent plagiarism and borrowing, but rather the rooting of these ideas in the self-consciousness of the modern viewer. The craving for mysticism, unknown and unknown, interest in occultism and esotericism accompanies humanity from the very beginning of the emergence of civilization and does not wane.
Main characters. Fox mulder
Fox William Mulder (David Duchovny) is an FBI special agent. He was the central character for the first seven seasons, the last two appeared occasionally in the frame. He believes in an alien presence on Earth and in a conspiracy whose purpose is to deny and hide the truth of the existence of UFOs. Secret materials become an important priority for the agent, the meaning of life. Despite his cynical sense of humor and a certain alienation, Fox shows enthusiasm and unbridled interest when it comes to paranormal phenomena, mainly due to the abduction of his sister. He always trusts his feelings and intuition during the investigation. But his emotional attachment to UFO affairs is becoming stronger throughout the series, as he is also experiencing the abduction of his partner, her cancer. In the seventh season, Mulder increasingly loses control, especially when Scully is in danger, becomes aggressive and threatens with a weapon.
The role of Fox Mulder, David Duchovny played amazingly, and she made him a world star. But after the release of the seventh season, the actor said that he wanted to "move on", his decision significantly influenced the development of events of the 8th and 9th seasons of the series.
Dana Scully
Dana Katherine Scully (Gillian Anderson) is a special FBI agent from Materials and part-time the main character in two films that were shot on its basis. Scully and her partner, Fox Mulder, have been working together for seven seasons, but Dogget becomes the eighth partner of Dana. In the series, their headquarters are in a basement in Washington, DC, they are investigating undisclosed cases that are labeled "classified materials." Scully appears as a skeptic for seven seasons and believes that everything can be explained using science, unlike the gullible Mulder. At the end of season 8, after Mulder was kidnapped, Scully also becomes a "believer." Gillian Anderson is surprisingly beautiful, which sometimes prevented her from embodying the image of a strict FBI agent. The main character is present in almost all episodes of the television series The X-Files and films released by the 20th Century Fox film company: Travelers, Zero Total, 3, Unusual Suspects, X-Files: I Want to Believe, The X-Files: The Battle for the Future. Her appearance was exclusively episodic only in a series called "Gift" in the recollections of recurring shots from the last series.
Walter Skinner
Walter Skinner (Mitch Pileggi) is the FBI Deputy Director and Agent Head for Scully and Mulder. He served in the Marine Corps, fought in Vietnam, but was demobilized due to a severe wound. In season 3 (episode 21), it turns out that he is married to Sharon Skinner. He was also treated for a disorder of dreams - visions of an old woman - a succubus. It is in excellent physical shape, despite its age: is engaged in boxing and runs. After Mitch Pileggi appears in the films “Fighting for the Future” and “I Want to Believe”.
At first, Skinner was Fox’s immediate supervisor in his work on the X-Files project. It is not clear to the end whether he was under the control of the Smoker and senior management or was independent in his actions and actions. After some time, he begins to trust Scully and Mulder, becomes their ally, even tries to repeatedly resist the conspirators, for which he pays.
John Doggett
John Jay Doggett (Robert Patrick) - FBI Special Agent, appears on the series in the 8th and 9th seasons. He served in the US Army, has a master's degree from the University of Syracuse. At the beginning of his career, he worked as a detective in the New York police, was engaged in the search for fugitive criminals. In 2000, John Doggett leads the operation to search for special agent Fox Mulder, but after failure he is transferred to the X-Files project as Dana Scully's new partner. Between them immediately a certain distrust arises. The new partner is always skeptical, but Dana has now become "believing." Robert Patrick, although he created a charismatic image, could not replace Duchovny. After Scully leaves, John very often turns to her for help in investigations. However, after being sentenced to death in 2002, Doggett helps him escape. And having returned to the department together with their new partner Monica Reis, they discover the loss of all the documentation. It is not known how the fate of the hero was.
Monica Reis
Monica Reis (Annabeth Guiche) is an FBI special agent who works with John Doggett in the classified materials department. She became the main character in the last ninth season, replacing Scully. For the first time as an FBI agent, she appears in Season 8 in the series “This Doesn't Happen.” The voyage is highly spiritual and religious; she practically does not doubt the existence of supernatural phenomena. The heroine Annabeth Guiche combines the features of different team members, that is, she is not completely “faithful” like Mulder and does not rely solely on science like Scully, but is not as skeptical as Doggett. Curiously, in the filmography of the actress, films in the genres of comedy, drama, and short are dominant. Which is not surprising, all the leading actors have different filmography, different characters, and they are such dissimilar actors.
"Secret materials". Smoker
The character of the television series, included by TV Guide in the list of 60 most harmful, mysterious and nasty villains of all time, is the Smoker. It was played by William B. Davis. Despite the fact that in the 1st season his character spoke only a few words, he immediately turned into one of the main opponents of the main characters. His silence and silent presence only increase emotional stress. The smoker appears invariably with a burning cigarette; no one knows his name. The main antagonist is the US representative in a secret organization (Consortium), which is engaged in everything related to aliens. Her tactics are ruthless and deadly simple: "no witness - no problem."
Return
The television series, unfortunately an impressive army of fans, was eventually sacrificed to increased claims, including those put forward by the actors. The X-Files seemed Dukhovny and Anderson a trap, they were tired of being held hostage by one role, they wanted variety. However, 13 years after the closure, Fox announces the return of the cult project in the form of a mini-series, out of 6 episodes that will be filmed in the summer of 2015.