Despite one season receiving criticism, many viewers actually consider The X-Files to be a strong show. Premiering on Fox in 1993, it quickly gained a following for its memorable standalone monster episodes and engaging main characters. With The X-Files now available to stream for free on Pluto, it’s the perfect time to rediscover its often-overlooked episodes and experience the chills all over again, especially from iconic villains like Tooms (Doug Hutchison).
Good news for fans: a reboot of the show, spearheaded by Ryan Coogler, means we’ll likely see more of Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) in the future! In the meantime, revisiting all 11 seasons – and the film – is a great way to enjoy the series. However, despite the captivating world Chris Carter built and the show’s enduring popularity, one season consistently receives negative feedback.
‘The X-Files’ Season 10 Premiered A Decade Ago
Fox
The tenth season of The X-Files began airing on Fox on January 24, 2016. The six episodes delve into the truth behind the alien conspiracy and revisit the dynamic between Scully and Mulder. The season also features appearances by the iconic Cigarette Smoking Man, played by William B. Davis, and delivers some genuinely spooky moments. It’s not all serious, though – there’s plenty of humor, and a strong supporting cast including Kumail Nanjiani as an animal control officer, and Lauren Ambrose and Robbie Amell as new FBI agents Einstein and Miller, who echo the personalities of Scully and Mulder. Joel McHale appears as Tad O’Malley, a TV host consumed by a particular conspiracy theory.
The new episodes arrived several years after the Season 9 finale (May 2002) and the 2008 movie, I Want To Believe. Watching the movie beforehand is recommended, as it provides important background for the characters Scully and Mulder. Both the movie and Season 10 explore themes of loss and the passage of time. While not the darkest sci-fi show, The X-Files always mixed humor with darker moments, and the revival continues that balance. However, Season 10 wasn’t the end; Season 11, with 10 episodes, premiered in January 2018, about two years later.
Why ‘The X-Files’ Season 10 Is Actually Underrated
Fox
Season 10 of The X-Files does have its flaws, according to many fans. A major point of criticism is the new storyline involving a supposed “conspiracy of men” and the idea that humans were infected with a virus called the Spartan virus. Some viewers also found it strange to see Scully, who was previously the show’s voice of reason and science, seriously claim she has “alien DNA.” The phrases “a conspiracy of men” and “alien DNA” are repeated quite often throughout these episodes, which some found excessive.
Looking back, maybe people were too critical of The X-Files Season 10. Gillian Anderson delivers a really strong performance, especially when portraying Scully’s sadness over giving up her and Mulder’s son, William. With ten years since the premiere of “My Struggle,” it’s easier to see what the season did well and feel a bit nostalgic for it. The most important thing, though, was seeing Scully and Mulder working together again. While they aren’t a couple, their separation actually feels like the right storytelling decision. The X-Files was always a series that could be silly, fun, and sometimes dark, and it wouldn’t have felt true to the show to give Scully and Mulder a perfectly happy ending, considering the trauma they’ve both experienced with William.
Lots of sci-fi shows start strong, and The X-Files was no exception. While its tenth season isn’t quite as good as the first, it’s been unfairly criticized. The first and sixth episodes, “My Struggle” and “My Struggle II,” introduced some controversial new ideas about aliens and government conspiracies, which upset some fans. However, it’s good for a show – especially one that’s been brought back after a long break – to shake things up. Seeing Scully and Mulder really question their beliefs and what’s actually happening is actually pretty interesting, and it gets to the heart of what the show was always about.
Reviving The X-Files was always going to be difficult. It’s hard to follow up a show that ran for nine seasons and had such a strong impact on viewers. While fans wanted to see Mulder and Scully investigate strange cases again – and they did get a taste of that in Season 10, Episode 3, “Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster” – the season wasn’t perfect. Some episodes, like “Babylon,” felt weak and didn’t handle the topic of terrorism with enough depth, and included a bizarre scene of Mulder dancing to “Achy Breaky Heart.” “Home Again” attempted to tackle the issue of city gentrification, but felt a little awkward, though The Trashman was a fairly memorable villain.
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What really makes The X-Files Season 10 work are the touching moments between Scully and Mulder. It’s interesting to see them return to their investigative work after a break, and to consider how they’ve grown and what they want from life. While some of the dialogue feels a bit forced – like when Scully, in “Home Again,” reflects on William after witnessing the villain’s actions, saying, “I want to believe, I need to believe, that we didn’t treat him like trash” – it’s clear her feelings are genuine and come from a good place.
Though previous seasons had stronger dialogue from Scully, more compelling creatures, and a conspiracy that many fans found more logical (even considering the show’s focus on aliens), Season 10 still has its merits. It’s not flawless, but it’s enjoyable to revisit Scully and Mulder, and after ten years, these six episodes can definitely evoke a sense of nostalgia.
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2026-01-24 21:39