| Nine years ago the television world was taken by storm. "The X-Files" first debuted on September 10, 1993 as a fill-in show for the Fox network. It was only supposed to last for a portion of a season until Fox could find a permanent show for the nine o'clock spot on Friday nights. Unknowingly to the creator, Chris Carter, "The X-Files" soon became a hit drama. Nine years after the premiere; however, "The X-Files" ended its nine-year run with its 201st episode on May 19, 2002. "The X-Files" began by following two FBI agents who came from two different realms of the paranormal world. Special Agent Fox Mulder, portrayed by David Duchovny, played the role of the believer. He was driven by the idea that his sister had been abducted by aliens. He was an Oxford educated psychologist who had a knack for criminal profiling. Special Agent Dana Scully, portrayed by Gillian Anderson, played the role of the skeptic. She was a medical doctor who trained at Quantico Academy and who then joined the FBI. The X-Files was a division of the FBI, outside of the bureau's mainstream. Scully was initially assigned to the X-Files to debunk Mulder's work and to shut him down for good. "The X-Files" grew into an ongoing series. The series was thrown for a loop when, during the series one finale, the X-Files was shut down. At the beginning of season two, a second arc was formed when Scully was apparently abducted by aliens (Gillian really got time off to have her baby Piper Maru). This was just the beginning of a variety of twists and turns that "The X-Files" would encounter throughout its nine seasons. "The X-Files" continued, putting together alien abductions, vampires, goblins, and monsters into a whirlwind conspiracy. In the summer of 1998, "The X-Files" movie, "Fight the Future" premiered, continuing the series on the big screen. The basis behind "The X-Files" turned beyond the dark, mini-movie that was made every week. The relationship that was formed between Mulder and Scully was unbreakable. They shared a bond that was irreplaceable and unexplainable. The cast of characters that joined Mulder and Scully were equally as mysterious. They ranged from other characters within the FBI to shady characters that were working against Mulder and Scully. The writing and directing behind the scenes of the show was greatly praised. Starting with its first season, "The X-Files" has gone on to be nominated for a variety of awards including those in the Golden Globes, the Emmys, the Screen Actor's Guild Awards, the People's Choice Awards, and more. In the 1994-1995 season, "The X-Files" won the Golden Globe for Best Television Series Drama. In the 1996-1997 season, "The X-Files" won the Golden Globe for Best Television Series Drama once more. Both David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson won for best actor in a drama series and best actress in a drama series respectively. The last two seasons of "The X-Files" have changed the series forever. After the seventh season, David Duchovny made the decision to leave the series. The seventh season ended with the supposed abduction of Mulder and the unbelievable pregnancy to a barren Scully. The beginning of season eight began with Scully searching for Mulder with her new partner Special Agent John Doggett, played by Robert Patrick. Another cast member was added when Special Agent Monica Reyes, played by Annabeth Gish, became Doggett's partner. By the beginning of season nine, Duchovny had left the series and Scully had a baby boy, William. Duchovny later returned; however, for the two-hour series finale. The decision to end "The X-Files" came from creator/executive producer Chris Carter who said, "It's the ninth inning. We want to go out on top. We wanted to go out as a strong show." Carter also adds that another "X-File" movie is in the works. He said, "they've (Duchovny and Anderson) both expressed interest in doing the movie so it's really just negotiations." Over the past nine years, "The X-Files" has accumulated over $1 billion for the Fox network. "The X-Files" has dealt with all realms of the unexplained since its debut in 1993. It turned from a fill-in show to a hit, award-winning drama, which changed television history. Soon after its debut, the "X-Files" gained a loyal following. Although to many it's heart-breaking, fans can always turn to the re-runs of episodes that they have held so dearly. |
| My Last Words on The X-Files Series Finale |
| This article was written by me on May 16, 2002 (three days before "The X-Files" series finale). It was written for the Hurricane Herald newspaper (our school newspaper) as a sense of closure for me. (It was written as if the finale had already taken place) It all came from my memory, no research was performed and I wrote it in under twenty minutes. Thanks for reading, it really means a lot to me! |
| The X-Files and its affiliated characters belong to Chris Carter, 1013 Productions, and the Fox Network |