The Best of The X-Files
The 40 most memorable X-Files. As I re-watched The X-Files in anticipation for the new mini-series on Jan. 24th, I put together a list of the episodes that stand-out among the rest and are still just as enjoyable to watch today as when they first aired.
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- DirectorDavid NutterStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonXander BerkeleyMulder and Scully are sent to investigate when a team of geophysicists stationed at a remote Alaskan outpost are killed by a parasitic alien life form.The first episode that proved The X-Files had the potential to have monster-of-the-week episodes as good as feature horror films.
- DirectorFred GerberStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonHarriet Sansom HarrisMulder and Scully search for two missing girls who disappeared after their fathers were murdered in an identical fashion.A mysterious death followed by plenty of twists and surprises. This is early X-Files at it's best.
- DirectorDavid NutterStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonBrad DourifScully believes that the psychic predictions of a death row inmate are the only hope in the kidnapping of two college students.Not only do we get an insane performance from Brad Dourif as Luther Lee Boggs, we also see Mulder and Scully's roles as believer and skeptic reversed for the first time.
- DirectorR.W. GoodwinStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonLindsey GinterDeep Throat tips Mulder to a critically important case involving a missing fugitive and the cloning of extraterrestrial viruses.All of the first season had lead up to this. The slower pace picks up to an action-packed season finale with car chases, human test subjects, our first look at an alien and a shocking death.
- DirectorDaniel SackheimStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonMitch PileggiMulder pursues a humanoid, parasitic organism that uses sewage systems as its home.The infamous Flukeman episode. We are also first introduced to X, Mulder's most mysterious informant.
- DirectorDavid NutterStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonBruce WeitzScully and Mulder hunt down a fetishist who collects pieces of the dead.While this case isn't an X-File, this episode introduces us to the most believable of all it's monsters, Donnie Pfaster. This is the beginning of a series of episodes that stand-out as being some of the most frightening things to ever be shown on television.
- DirectorKim MannersStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonDan ButlerThe agents investigate a murder in a small town populated by devil worshippers.Season Two at it's best. Satanic school teachers, weird rituals, a man-eating snake, multiple plot twists all done with a sick sense of humor and topped off with the most unsettling ending The X-Files ever delivered.
- DirectorNick MarckStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonPeter DonatWhen someone sends Mulder and Scully obituaries showing three separate but identical men apparently having died, the agents investigate, but things take an unexpected turn when Mulder receives a call from his father.The introduction to the shape-shifting alien bounty hunter and the conspiracy surrounding the clones.
- DirectorRob BowmanStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonSteven WilliamsMulder is forced to make an impossible choice, when the alien bounty hunter gives him an ultimatum - Scully's life for Samantha's.The second part of Colony, End Game has some of the series most unforgettable moments.
- DirectorKim MannersStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonJim RoseThe agents search for a killer in a Florida town inhabited by sideshow performers.Weird, creepy and funny all at the same time. A murder mystery within the world of circus sideshow performers.
- DirectorDavid NutterStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonPeter BoyleA grumpy old man with psychic powers that show him how someone will die assists the agents with the hunt for a crazed killer who targets psychics. He also cryptically reveals to Mulder and Scully their own ultimate fates.One of the most moving, heart-felt, suspenseful and funny episodes of all The X-Files. Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose is perfection. This episode transcends television, it's just as good as the feature films of 1995.
- DirectorDavid NutterStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonMitch PileggiAn "alien autopsy" videotape and a murder spark Mulder's search for a strange creature. Scully looks for information about her disappearance.The beginning of a 2-part adrenaline-fueled, action packed train ride.
- DirectorRob BowmanStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonStephen McHattieMulder becomes trapped aboard a train rigged with an explosive device. Scully searches for the truth behind the government's secret experiments.There's a bomb on the train. This X-Files episode is better than Speed.
- DirectorKim MannersStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonBobbie PhillipsWhile looking for signs of alien ships in the sky above a small town, Mulder learns of a series of deaths supposedly caused by metallic cockroaches. He turns to sexy entomologist Bambi for help, which makes Scully angrily rush to his aid.Mulder and Scully's relationship was at their best here. Some ridiculously funny moments.
- DirectorRob BowmanStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonDana Wheeler-NicholsonA rare alignment of the planets gives two homicidal teenage girls dangerous telekinetic powers while simultaneously driving their small town insane with satanic panic. Mulder's interest in the local female detective makes Scully jealous.Again, Mulder and Scully's exchanges add a lot of humor to another crazy episode about 2 teenage girls with special powers in a town that goes crazy due to an astronomical alignment.
- DirectorRob BowmanStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonMitch PileggiThe agents investigate the mystery surrounding a sunken World War II aircraft.The introduction to the Black Oil. Also, it's satisfying to watch Mulder get violent with Alex Krycek, the best villain of The X-Files.
- DirectorKim MannersStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonMitch PileggiMulder uncovers clues about a cover-up involving an alien entity and a sunken World War II aircraft. Scully pursues the man who murdered her sister.Not as strong as the first part but we get to see Mulder's father working with The Smoking Man and severe vengeance is served on Krycek.
- DirectorRob BowmanStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonMitch PileggiA seemingly unmotivated murderer, who can apparently talk his victims into killing themselves is on the loose and it is up to Mulder and Scully to study the clues left to them by the person and capture him.A man who can cause you to do things against your own free will. That's as scary as it gets. This is X-Files at the peek of it's powers.
- DirectorRob BowmanStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonCharles Nelson ReillyScully recounts the investigation of an alleged UFO encounter for the famous quirky author Jose Chung's latest novel. The case gives a whole new meaning to the term Rashomon effect. Chung later returns in Jose Chung's 'Doomsday Defense' (1997).Easily within the top 3 best X-Files episodes and one of the greatest episodes to ever be broadcast on television. A hilarious mind-bender.
- DirectorR.W. GoodwinStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonMitch PileggiAfter his mother suffers a stroke under strange circumstances, Mulder searches for a strange, benevolent alien man that possesses miraculous healing powers.Here we are introduced to Jeremiah Smith, the healer, who seems to be the polar opposite as the bounty hunter.
- DirectorR.W. GoodwinStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonMitch PileggiWith his mother on deathbed and the alien bounty hunter in pursuit, Mulder decides to put the alien healer in mortal danger for a chance to finally uncover the whole truth behind the alien conspiracy. Meanwhile, Mr. X's cover is blown.Introduction to the the killer bees. Mulder gets to see proof his sister was indeed cloned and the showdowns between Mulder, Jeremiah Smith and the bounty hunter are great.
- DirectorKim MannersStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonTucker SmallwoodThe remains of a murdered deformed infant lead the agents to a family of murderous, inbred, animal-like brothers living on a secluded farm in a remote section of Pennsylvania.This is known as one of the scariest X-Files but I find it to be the most disturbing. Also, these inbred villains set booby traps for Mulder and Scully, which is quite thrilling.
- DirectorKim MannersStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonMitch PileggiA tip from Krycek takes Mulder to a gulag in Tunguska, Russia where prisoners are being used for experiments with the black oil alien virus. Meanwhile, Scully's colleague is infected with the same virus which lay dormant in a meteorite.The return of the Black Oil. Again, it's great to see Krycek at the mercy of Mulder. A great action-packed mythology episode. Unfortunately, the 2nd part doesn't offer any new information or answers and is quite disappointing. In fact, after this episode, everything in the mythology is disappointing until the feature film.
- DirectorRob BowmanStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonMitch PileggiAn incarcerated serial killer claims Mulder's sister was one of his many victims.What I didn't like about this episode is that it's obvious to those of us who have watched all the episodes leading up to this that Mulder is being sold a lie, as we've seen Samantha's clones. However, Tom Noonan's performance is so convincing we can't help but second guess everything we've seen before in the series.
- DirectorKim MannersStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonPaul McCraneA headless corpse of a paramedic walks out of the hospital morgue triggering a manhunt for a man with unimaginable regenerative powers, that come at a terrible cost. The case makes Scully realize in shock that she may not be well.One of the strangest X-Files. It's funny, gross and frightening all-at-once.