UNCUT - The X-Files S2E1 - Little Green Men

Hey how about "Scare Shot Of The Episode" where you debate the best example of a jump scare or "dread scare" shot in each ep. For instance, in this one I think the best "Jump Scare" was the shot of Mulder looking through the barricaded window and the alien light blinds him.

Alex seems to think the Senator guy listening to Bach is a new character, but he was literally in the S1 Finale, and previous S1 episodes where Mulder asked him for help.

bit late to the party and catching up, but: 1)Definitely more to Skinner ;-) and he'll have more time to be explored, though I personally doubt that that was intended from the beginning 2)my sister's email password for a long time was trustno1 (and she trusted me enough to share that with me) 3)the opening tag is *occasionally* different, 95% of the time it's the usual

🔴🟡🟢Segment idea🟢🟡🔴 Many of the X-Files episodes were inspired by Skeptic Magazine (particularly the cryptid episodes, but also faith healing, false memory syndrome, etc.). Or if not inspired, they definitely used it as a resource. Just a short recap of an article of what the skeptic's take was on the topic at the time, essentially Scully's position (could call it Scully's Corner or some such). Sure there could be some good conversation from that. Back issues of Skeptic Magazine are available in multiple ways (sure you can research that).

It is worth pointing out that Lost was made by a bunch of comic book writers (Damon Lindelof, Brian K. Vaughan, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Paul Dini, Jeph Loeb). The industry teaches comic book writers to write 22 pages to a cliffhanger, and worry about the writing the resolution next month. Infamously, Stan Lee only decided who Green Goblin was in the Spider-Man issue where it was revealed, despite having teased it for many issues. He had no idea. The Captain America issue where they reveal the head of the Secret Empire as Richard Nixon was also only decided in the issue where it was revealed, despite being part four of a four-part story. Lost does have great character writing though. I think both Josh and Alex would love it actually. What I find most bizarre about Lost is, if you ask most people what the twist at the end is, they get it completely wrong. Serious Mandela Effect stuff. Very weird.

I thought at the end Mulder changed some settings on the tape player and was starting to listen to the tape, that he didn't trust Scully, but it could also be that Scully switched the tapes, Mulder was reassigned but maybe really Scully is still assigned to watch Mulder. Just a theory! Also Skinner putting Mulder back on a fraud case that Mulder by his own admission had really cracked in a few days was an open ended invitation to Mulder to keep investigating X files while his costs are billed to another project. Compartmentalization happening at all levels, they know Mulder is a sleuth hound you point him at the target and he will break his leash every time, they use that, now we have confirmation after Skinner throws out Smoking Man and puts Mulder back on the Leash!

Really solid season premier. I like how they didn't just have the typical "part 2 resolves all the loose ends from the previous season finale" and just reinstate the X Files right away. We've got this period of mourning as it were for the department being shut down. Even though Scully was the skeptic, it's almost Mulder who has given up more. Big W for Skinner throwing the cigarette man out. To borrow a Star Trek term, could he be the "Not so Badmiral" of this show? Maybe. I don't know if that senator sending Mulder to Aricebo was a setup or not. I always assumed he was just someone with a personal interest in extraterrestrial life who also had the resources to help Mulder, and that in turn Mulder was one of the few with the interest and experience to help. Aligned interests. I suppose in theory he could have been sending Mulder down there to get him killed by the blue berets, but then why tell him they're coming? So I lean toward perhaps not an ally as such, but someone with shared interests. I honestly can't remember if he shows up again or his allegiances are confirmed. I mostly remember certain episodes, especially in the MOTW category that were particularly memorable, but most of the show has faded from memory at this point. But yeah, great episode, and I like how they're keeping us in suspense about how you can have a show called X Files with no X Files.

I am trying so hard not to just keep watching more, because I am waiting for the guys to watch with me. Honestly, I came for the Trek but it's hit a doldrum for me at the moment so to have X-Files has really been fun. I don't think I have watched the full series straight through before so this has been pretty great. Thanks gents.

I forgot how good this one is. Love Skinner. Another great bald.

The mix of the alien mythos and MOtW was a brilliant choice by Chris Carter. Neither alone could have sustained the show for so many seasons. FOX knew they had a special show and so were willing to give it a couple of seasons to find an audience.

While I kind of like what it says about Scully with her specific password guesses. I just don't believe anybody in any serious position, even in the 90s, would ever have a guessable password. Need to throw a special character in there, Fox! Oh well, at least she didn't check your internet history.

Diggin the new format. If you're enjoying the show this much it deserves the Star Trek treatment.

James Bond arc could be fun

So excited for X-Files to have Patron Takes

Excellent S2 opener, enjoyed the discussion guys. Next episode is something else!!!

This is the one where Mulder visits the Goldeneye antenna cradle.

I've seen the X-Files all the way through at least twice. I still have almost no memory of seasons 1-3. I couldn't tell you what the arc of season 2 is.

Lol at Josh's eyes exploding when Scully headpats Mulder. I endorse X-tier replacing S-tier for X-files episodes.

It's not Lost, it's JJ Abrams. :)

Despite being a mythology episode, it has a completely different feel compared to the season one finale. Some absolutely great moments here, the episode is a bit lower on plot IMO but therefore very heavy on the atmosphere, and it works. Welcome to season two!

Fun fact: the TV show young Fox Mulder mentions, The Magician, was an NBC series that starred Bill Bixby (of My Favorite Martian and The Incredible Hulk) and lasted 1 season. I enjoyed that show.

As mentioned by Martin Wilson, the name Richard Matheson was an homage to the horror/sci-fi and TV writer, who wrote the Star Trek TOS episode "The Enemy Within" and wrote the teleplays for The Night Stalker and The Night Strangler TV movies, among other things.

Love the sound and lighting in this episode, may be the best in the series.

A banger of a season premiere! I love these serialized mythology episodes more because the characterization is more consistent and the subtlety forces you to pay closer attention and exercises your brain. I get chills at the repeating recording of "Deep Throat said trust no one" in growling tones in the bunker in an episode where trusting what we see and believe is being questioned. I enjoy the "simple" entertainment of the monster of the weeks but far more enjoy the complexity of these serialized episodes. Can't wait for more!

This one had a cringe moment that only an Austrian like me will recognize. The voice with the german accent from the real Voyager 1 recording is Kurt Waldheim, fellow Austrian and in 1977 when "V'Ger's older brother" was launched General Secretary of the United Nations. Yes, this is the same position Avasarala holds in The Expanse but in the real world with much less power. Waldheim later became president of Austria in 1986. His slogan for the election was "An Austrian the World Trusts". Of course because he had been UN Secetary General. But this was a huge mistake and soon not true at all. Historians found out he had been a brown shirt in Hitler's SA and that he had done some shady things in his time as an officer in the German Wehrmacht in WWII. Although he insisted that he had not been a true Nazi believer and he was elected as president most world leaders shunned and didn't invite or visit him. So he was very isolated, was forced to renounce a second term and was soon forgotten. So it's very cringe for me knowing he will be out there as represetative of humankind on Voyager's "Golden Record" for maybe a very long time.

Remember this episode title.

Sweeeeet! This and (soon) DS9 S4! Some prime beef, boys. Let's eat!

Just to be clear - Contact was written by Carl Sagan in 1985 and much of what X-Files in terms of the monologues in the terms of life beyond, probably came from Carl.

Woooo! Back with the X-Files! That was a long week! ;) I like that you've added the discussion element to the end of the episodes going forward. I think this is a solid start to the second season. It puts our main and supporting cast in place and sets up where we are after the events of last season's finale. There's clearly more going on with the alien arc, hence the closure of the X-Files and it was good to see your reaction to Skinner's "get out!" moment. Characters in this show are often more complex than how they first appear. Look forward to listening to your thoughts in full, and roll on the next episode!

Richard Mathieson is just a Senator definitely not Secretary of State,the character is named after the famous horror novelist who wrote I Am Legend among many others.

Loving the new format, with all the what-if's and solid production and story discussion. I'll have to watch for the patron takes notices for X-Files now. To Josh, Alex and all you first timers, you will never be able to predict the X-Files but keep it up it is so entertaining to get a view into your thinking and how it is different from when it originally aired. I can verify that ONE of the what-if's/guesses/predictions/wishes is sorta/kinda correct, let's wait and see what it was..... For ideas, looking into the basis for some of these episodes would be entertaining because I know Chris Carter did get ideas for some scripts based on current events at the time.

In case you have not been following: Troubling 'pattern' in deaths and disappearances of 11 scientists. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/missing-scientists-probe-sparked-after-ufo-general-disappeared-republican-lawmaker-reveals https://www.foxnews.com/media/nancy-grace-warns-troubling-pattern-deaths-disappearances-11-national-security-scientists https://www.newsweek.com/wave-of-missing-or-dead-us-scientists-everything-we-know-11867967 Edit: Another one that belongs on the list: UFO Whistleblower’s Mysterious ‘Overdose’ Becomes Latest In A List Of Suspicious Deaths https://wltreport.com/2026/04/26/ufo-whistleblowers-mysterious-overdose-becomes-latest-list-suspicious/?utm_source=PTN&utm_medium=mixed&utm_campaign=PTN

Josh and Alex, one thing, not mentioned was when Fox in his flashback, he goes for the gun, but never picks it up to use it, then when he is seeing the light behind the door and it opening, he grabs the gun without hesitation, and fires, but then realizes that it would not fire. Without saying it, I feel he knows he should have fire the gun when they took his sister and it has been bothering him, so this time, he just fires but then comes to understand, he could do nothing to stop it.

I really do not think it mattered if Sully told Mulder or not, that she saw a little Alien, since the X-Files are closed. It the department was not closed, that would be different. Just my option.

You're going to enjoy where it goes in terms of MotW for sure

Video of the collapse. Basicly the support cables came losses from age. https://youtu.be/RfReK3XjPw8?si=sfc_O5B4YMNDaqCS It was a location in the movie Contact..

No spoilers. A private conversation with Chris Carter: Little green men. https://youtu.be/Cx0cgyhO3SA?si=XTnTezZAgOvUXHxK