"The X Files" Pilot (1993)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

Robert Mandel

Writers:

Chris Carter (creator)
Chris Carter (written by)

TV Series:

"The X Files" (1993)

Original Air Date:

10 September 1993 (Season 1, Episode 0)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

trust no one

Plot:

A young F.B.I. agent is assigned watchdog duty over a fellow agent, but finds herself drawn into his investigations of paranormal and unexplained phenomena.

Plot Keywords:

Female In Bra And Panties | Bra | Male Female Relationship | Underwear | Girl In Bra And Panties

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy.

Cast

David Duchovny	...	Fox Mulder
Gillian Anderson	...	Dana Scully
Charles Cioffi	...	Section Chief Scott Blevins
Cliff De Young	...	Dr. Jay Nemman (as Cliff DeYoung)
Sarah Koskoff	...	Theresa Nemman
Leon Russom	...	Detective Miles
Zachary Ansley	...	Billy Miles
Stephen E. Miller	...	Coroner John Truitt
Malcolm Stewart	...	Dr. Glass
Alexandra Berlin	...	The Orderly
Jim Jansen	...	Dr. Heitz Werber
Ken Camroux	...	Third Man in Blevins' Office
Doug Abrahams	...	Patrolman #1 (as Doug Abrams)
William B. Davis	...	Cigarette Smoking Man / CGB Spender
Katya Gardner	...	Peggy O'Dell (as Katya Gardener)

Runtime:

46 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Company:

20th Century Fox Television

Trivia:

The X Files opening/closing theme music is not featured in this episode.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Mulder and Scully are driving after their plane lands, we see at one point that Mulder has his left hand on the wheel and he is eating a sunflower seed with his right, yet when the shot changes he's driving with his right hand and eating with his left.

Quotes:

Special Agent Dana Scully: Agent Mulder. I'm Dana Scully. I've been assigned to work with you.
Special Agent Fox Mulder: Oh, isn't it nice to be suddenly so highly regarded. So who did you tick off to get stuck with this detail, Scully?
Special Agent Dana Scully: Actually, I'm looking forward to working with you. I've heard a lot about you.
Special Agent Fox Mulder: Oh really? I was under the impression that you were sent to spy on me.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Reflections on 'The X-Files' (2004) (V)

One of the most revolutionary shows of the 90's (and of all time).

The X-Files became a cult phenomenom in its first season, gaining a rabid following strong enough to convince FOX to pick up the show for another year, and to sign the cast and producer Chris Carter to long-term deals. Looking beyond the commercial success and fan base rivaled only by Star Trek's "Trekkers", however, you find a serial drama that really was the most revolutionary show of the 1990's, and one of the most daring of all time. It broke all the rules - it was dark, both visually and emotionally. So dark that at times, especially during the first two seasons, the only lighting was that of flashlights held by the lead actors. It avoided stereotyping and the "sex sells" mentality of most mainstream shows (i.e. NYPD Blue). It had an incredibly strong female role model in Gillian Anderson's character of Dana Scully. It found an enemy where Hollywood had failed - instead of looking overseas and creating further false impressions of foreign nations, it pointed the finger at domestic governments. Big Brother, if you will, was back. To steal one of the show's catch phrases, the decade became the "Trust No One 90's", especially not your own government. Given the state of politics today, the show was probably right.

With an eighth season on the way, FOX has decided to issue the entire show on DVD. Season one is really the introductory year. Stars David Duchovney and Gillian Anderson look young, unsure of themselves, yet the chemistry is there. The seeds for future storylines are planted. While seasons two and five (leading up to the first feature film, with a potential of more to come) are probably the best, fans and potential fans alike should consider this boxset despite its somewhat hefty pricetag. It is a true television masterpiece.