Do not adjust your web browser. You are now entering the Retro Squad, where we are reviewing past episodes of your favorite shows, in order, every week.(S01E01) As I watched this episode, I realized that, even though I call myself an X-Files fan, I did not watch the series when it first aired on FOX in 1993. In fact, I can't quite pinpoint when I became a die-hard fan or what the first episode was that I watched. I'm pretty sure I was hooked by one of those Monster-of-the-Week episodes and not part of the overall aliens-on-earth conspiracy storyline. I think I was hooked sometime during season three. All I know is my husband and I caught up on The X-Files early on in our college years when reruns played back-to-back each night (possibly on F/X?).
Before I get to the pilot, it's important to note just how important The X-Files is for FOX. It was one of the network's first big hits. It actually helped legitimize the network as something more than the home of The Simpsons, which was still controversial and people couldn't get past the fact that it was a cartoon. The X-Files combined science fiction with clever dialogue and humor-- something later done in Supernatural, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly. Let's just say that it's an important show in the science fiction genre and, if it weren't for that darn Star Trek, it might've been the most important science fiction program ever.
About the pilot: watching it again was illuminating. I had forgotten that Dana Scully had joined The X-Files as sort-of a mole, called in to debunk Fox Mulder's hair-brained theories about monsters and aliens. The pilot does a remarkable job of setting up so much for future episodes. While many pilots feel like pure set-up, this one is seamless between storyline and set-up. We meet Agent Dana Scully at the beginning as she's bummed out to find out she's been assigned to The X-Files and Agent Fox 'Spooky' Mulder. We also meet The Cigarette Smoking Man, a key character throughout the entire series. At the end, we get to see that giant government warehouse where evidence is logged and forgotten. And, of course, the writers set up the sexual tension between the agents-- some of the best sexual tension ever written for television. It all starts when Scully runs into Mulder's hotel room and has him look at a couple of bumps just above her butt, because she's worried she has the same bumps at the supposed alien abductees they're investigating.
We also learn that Mulder's sister disappeared when he was 12 years old. He says he didn't remember the event until he underwent hypnosis, a study that Scully's not too fond of. We also get to see Gillian Anderson laugh as she's trying to make sense of Mulder's crazy theory that a comatose boy killed a bunch of his classmates. That is one of the few times where Scully ever laughs during the entire series.
The Pilot is quintessential X-Files. The case about murdered kids in Oregon (or, Or-ih-gone, as Mulder pronounces it) is never clearly solved and, of course, their paperwork disappears. An interesting note: the episode begins with the text, "THE FOLLOWING STORY IS INSPIRED BY ACTUAL DOCUMENTED ACCOUNTS." Not so. That's just for effect.
The sticklers for detail over at The X-Files Wiki note these "In-Jokes" for the premiere episode:
- The location of case, in Bellefleur, Oregon is a nod to creator Chris Carter's hometown of Bellflower, California;
- David Duchovny's father is sitting behind Gillian Anderson on the plane to Oregon;
- Scully's autopsy begins at 10:56, a reference to Carter's birthday of 10/13/56;
- At one point, Scully's clock reads 11:21, a reference to Carter's wife's birthday of 11/21/48.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-05-2006 @ 12:53AM
christine said...
The X-Files is my favorite show of all time! But, what kept me coming back episode after episode was the unbelievable chemistry between David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson as Mulder and Scully. I still catch the reruns on SciFi and TNT even though I own all the dvds. Bring on another X-Files movie with David and Gillian.
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6-05-2006 @ 6:45AM
Thomas said...
I remember catching the pilot by total chance when it first aired on Sky One here in the UK. I was 13 at the time and I was totally entranced by it and missed dinner to watch it through to the end. The best thing was that it didn't become popular at all until it aired on BBC2 by which time I had been drawing large x's on all my school folders and telling people to "trust no one" for months, then all of a sudden people knew what I was talking about and rather than being a nut I was someone who knew what was happening.
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6-05-2006 @ 8:08AM
Nawfal Faizullah said...
I'm really should watch this show. I bought every season on DVD when I saw it cheap online, but half way through the first season I just got a bit bored, turned it off, and put my attention towards The West Wing. It sounds like it would be my thing, I'm a huge Lost fan, but I guess I need a bit more encouragment...
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6-05-2006 @ 8:52AM
Michael said...
The time of 11:21 comes up many times during the first couple of seasons of the series.
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6-05-2006 @ 9:34AM
Alan P said...
I, like you became an X-files fan about three years in. I worked as a Domino's driver at the time. On Fridays, every house I went to, was watching it, and a regular customer suggested that I tape it. I was hooked about ten minutes in.
X-files was the highest rated Fox non-sports show, and Fox's first #1 rated show. It is a pity that the last few seasons where so bad. I still enjoy the early shows, They demonstarate, that good writing, well told is excellent TV.
I also realized how old I really was, when online discussions at the time not only could not tie "Deep Throat", with Watergate, but couldn't link it to the X-rated movie either.
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6-06-2006 @ 8:40PM
Emily H said...
I was so lucky to catch this show by chance on the first night it aired back in 93! The teaser spooked the hell outta me (i was 12 @ the time) and my love for The X-Files started right from that night. Were i live in Mtl...if u didnt have cable, The X-Files aired @ midnight on Friday nights and i must say...That was the best time to watch the show...it really set the mood (specially when ur 12!) Unfortunatly they stopped after season 5 so i had to watch on Sundays...never really was the same...but still....I LOVE THE X-FILES...I MISS YOU SO SO MUCH...Still to this day, whenever i see something that reminds me of The X-Files i get a funny feeling in my stomach! Never felt this way about any other show...Long Live Mulder & Scully!
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6-12-2006 @ 9:57AM
Carl T. Wirth said...
a week late, so what..Before I found out that the 11/21 was in honor of Carter's wife I thought it was clear reference to the great change in America that we were innocent on 11/21/63 and when the clock clicks to 11:22 it means how much America changed on 11/22/63 the day Kennedy was assassinated by who and whom and why...the truth is out there on that one too...
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8-11-2006 @ 10:11AM
Jen said...
It’s funny I was thinking of going through the show and writing up summaries on each episode for my blog. Hah. Never got around to it though.
I was in my freshman year of college when this show came out. My roommate was really excited the show was coming out. Me, I didn’t think much of it. But I watched the pilot with here and wouldn’t you know it, instantly hooked! Hah!
What I liked about the pilot was how well it set up the series with questions about conspiracies. Plus it gave us a good look at how well Mulder and Scully play off each other.
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