The X Files
One of the television shows that defined the 1990s, ''The X Files'' centered around FBI special agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully as they investigated supernatural phenomena and uncovered a sinister conspiracy of collusion between world leaders and a malevolent group of alien invaders. It was a strange fusion of science fiction, detective, and horror tropes that captured the imagination of a nation and paved the way for later enigmatic mythology-heavy shows like ''Lost'' and ''Fringe''.
At the center of the show, beyond all the darkness and the weirdness of the paranormal, lies the sometimes platonic/sometimes romantic relationship between Mulder and Scully. Initially the show posited Mulder as the enthusiastic believer in the paranormal and Scully as the skeptic, but as the show went on an intimacy developed between the two that replaced their professional relationship. Fans would live for the moments when the two embattled agents would drop their cool demeanor and hint at their true feelings for one another.
The Truth is Out There...
At its core, ''The X Files'' is a mystery show. Every week, Mulder and Scully would either deal with some bizarre paranormal event or they would plumb the depths of the conspiracy. In a show as mythology-rich as ''The X Files'', it can be a little daunting for newcomers to get into the show. Here are a few important descriptions to get you started.
'''Fox Mulder''': The believer. Fox Mulder became obsessed with fortean phenomena after witnessing his sister getting abducted as a child. Since joining the FBI, he's been at the center of a complex web of betrayals and violence, tying directly into the dark secrets of his own family.
'''Dana Scully''': The skeptic. Recruited to the FBI from medical school, Scully provided forensic services on X-Files cases. Though initially partnered with Mulder in order to keep him grounded, Scully eventually came around to his perspective. They would end the series as lovers.
'''Walter Skinner''': Assistant Director Walter Skinner is Mulder and Scully's supervisor. Often forced to hamstring the investigator's efforts due to the machinations of the Syndicate, Skinner comes fully over to Mulder and Scully's side after witnessing a space craft.
'''The Syndicate''': The shadow government comprised of people who are helping the aliens colonize earth. They are the primary force working against Mulder and Scully and they frequently engage in kidnapping, threats, and murder to keep their secrets safe. Every once in awhile, one of their number assists Mulder in his investigations, but these whistleblowers tend toward very short lifespans.
'''Cigarette Smoking Man''': The main representative of The Syndicate and the primary antagonist of the series, the Cigarette Smoking Man is tasked with keeping the alien's secrets safe. He has been in the bloody end of conspiracy lore since the sixties, when he assassinated John F. Kennedy. His viciousness and corruption was so thorough that he killed his own son for assisting Mulder. Yet CSM is somewhat of a melancholy character, a failed novelist who no longer believes in his mission or his country. He also has a very personal connection to Fox Mulder and his family.
'''Alex Krycek''': The Syndicate's loose cannon, Krycek originally appeared as Mulder's new partner but is discovered to be a mole for the Syndicate. He kept reappearing in the series, sometimes as a Syndicate ally and sometimes as an enemy of the Cigarette Smoking Man. Whatever side he was on, he was always unpredictable and extremely dangerous.
'''John Doggett''': After Fox Mulder disappeared in season five, Special Agent John Doggett was assigned to Dana Scully as a replacement partner. In what would become an inversion of roles, Doggett played the skeptical one and Scully, hardened by years of dealing with the paranormal, became the believer. Doggett eventually came around, especially after his past as a Marine infantryman started catching up to him.
'''The Colonists''': The Colonists are an enigmatic extraterrestrial species that works with human conspirators to enslave and subjugate the human race. They had inhabited earth in the distant past, but were forced to leave under mysterious circumstances. Their behavior and motives are often difficult to discern, but they're definitely not friendly. When violence is called for, they employ unstoppable assassins to carry out their wrath. We also learn that there is a second faction that opposes the colonist's plans.
'''Black Oil''': The black oil is a black viscous substance that the aliens left during their original prehistoric habitation of earth. It contains the alien's genetic information and acts as a parasitic life form, entering and possessing humans and converting them into aliens. The Syndicate were intending to spread black oil through the populace with the use of bees.
I Want to Believe...
The X Files lasted for nine seasons, all of which are available in box sets, including a massive set that holds every episode. In addition, the show had the Lone Gunmen spinin video games, novels, comic books, and memorabilia. The show has a loyal following and conventions still pop up around the world.
Roughly speaking, fans of the show tend to be divided into two groups: people who like the mythology-heavy episodes involving the sinister conspiracy and those who favor the "monster of the week" episodes. If you're primarily interested in the various aspects of the show's conspiracy, there are DVD collections that hold episode pertaining to abductions, colonization, the black oil, and the super soldier program.
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