With the ‘The X-Files‘ leaving Netflix Streaming in April of 2015, it seems only appropriate that it be the subject of Throwback Thursday, ScienceFiction.com’s ongoing column dedicated to the great science fiction of the past.
Though, it should be admitted that not everything we highlight for the column is necessarily the greatest science fiction in the world, but I think it’s fair to say that ‘The X-Files’ truly is. If only for Antarctic rage viruses and volcanoes that drive you insane. It is just so darn beautifully creative.
Anyway, I have no idea how old you are, but I like to think everyone is the same age as me, so I can assume that you started watching the show when you were way too young, and had a million sleepless nights. I can also assume that you, like me, checked out every book in the library on UFOs just to compound the number of sleepless nights. You probably still remember those nightmares of being abducted, and I apologize for making you remember them now.
But for those of you who did not get to grow up with this hallmark of a monster-of-the-week show, I’ll give you the basics. Mulder and Scully are FBI agents who attempt to solve unsolvable crimes called the X-Files. Usually, these crimes involve spaceships, werewolves, menacing computer, men who control lightning, and toilet monsters. Yes. Toilet monsters. Let me tell you, you’ll never go into another port-a-potty again after you watch “The Host,” which involves a tapeworm/human monster. I think I’m still backed up, and that episode came out more than a decade ago.
Mostly, the show is centered around the conspiracy of Mulder’s abducted sister, which actually revolves around a massive government cover-up. Even without the werewolves, the Jersey Devil, and a moth man, these episodes are entertaining enough, especially since they mean running away from exploding trains, shapeshifters, and blowing up ancient landmarks. It means creepy episodes that make you wonder if we aren’t alone in the universe, what sort of thing would the aliens be up to. It makes you wonder at what secrets the government could really be keeping… which is paranoia-inducing, I know. But also incredibly fun!
However, if UFO conspiracy isn’t your thing, ‘The X-Files’ is all about every other paranormal thing that could ever happen, with Mulder and Scully trying to solve cases like a space ghost from Mars hellbent on revenge. It’s ridiculous but so much fun to watch. Believe you me.
Best of all, the show is science-fiction in way that is rarely tackled. Sure, we know science-fiction creates alternate technological words, dystopias, and futures for us, but ‘The X-Files’ gives us science fiction in the present, which is a hard thing to do.
So if you haven’t seen the series in a while, or have never, get to it before it leave Netflix streaming for good! Or, at least until a contract is renegotiated. Have fun!