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Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this dark sci-fi drama can be very scary at times, sometimes depicting monsters, deformed humans, disturbing scenarios, and violent acts. The show's mythology centers on government conspiracy, cover-ups, and the possibility of alien abductions. Younger viewers may be frightened by the possibility of abduction and scared by the often-graphic images of slimy creatures and the constant, tension-building entrances into dark holes, pits, and sewers.

Families can talk about their beliefs about aliens. Is there extraterrestrial life on other planets? If so, what form do you think it might take? Have humans already had contact with alien beings? Are aliens to be feared or sought out? What types of paranormal or spiritual situations do family members believe in (ESP, psychics, faith healing, etc.)? Families can also talk about Mulder and Scully's partnership. Why do they make such a good team? What does each bring to their relationship?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Sierra Filucci

Both creepy and intriguing, THE X-FILES was hugely popular during its nine-year run on Fox in the 1990s and early 2000s (it now airs in syndication and is available on DVD). The show features Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) as FBI agents charged with investigating cases that involved the paranormal. Along with dark, often-scary episodes about specific creatures or unexplained events, the show revolves around a mythology of government conspiracies and cover-ups related to extraterrestrials.

Mulder is deeply suspicious of the government and believes fervently in the existence of extraterrestrials, due to the fact that he remembers his sister being abducted by aliens when he was a child. Throughout the series both Mulder and viewers questioned the veracity of his memory, and the truth was finally revealed in the final season. Scully, a trained medical doctor, starts out as a skeptic assigned to the X-Files to debunk Mulder's unpopular theories, but she eventually comes to believe in the paranormal.

The X-Files gained a large cult following among Internet users and other sci-fi fans. The show also influenced popular culture with its slogans, such as "I want to believe" and "The truth is out there." Throughout the series, subtle sexual tension bubbled between Mulder and Scully. Though their intimacy intensified as the series progressed, the exact nature of their relationship near the end was ambiguous.

In the series' final seasons, as its popularity was waning, Duchovny and Anderson were written out of the show and replaced by two new FBI agents, Monica Reyes (Annabeth Gish) and John Doggett (Robert Patrick). The show never recovered its earlier success and was cancelled.

Teens who like sci-fi or horror will enjoy The X-Files for its complexity and rich character development. Parents may want to preview episodes for appropriateness for younger or more sensitive teens, since some shows are scarier than others. Viewers jumping into the middle of a season may be confused by the episodes dealing with detailed back stories.

Fans of The X-Files might also enjoy Lost, The 4400, and The Twilight Zone (on DVD).

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Content
		CS	adults	kids
Sexual Content Some sexual tension between main characters. Rare allusions to unusual sexual practices, like inbreeding.
Violence Most episodes have scary elements, some with gruesome creatures and behavior. Some episodes include strong violence, including stabbings, gun fights, and physical violence -- some very graphic.
Language Mild profanity, like "damn," "hell," and "ass."
Message
	Social Behavior Mulder and Scully have a relationship of equals, thankfully devoid of traditional male dominance. Scully is almost always the first to step into a dark, scary hole, and she's the more highly educated of the two. The two are in pursuit of justice, but occasionally go against the law when they believe they're right. The show deals with a vast government conspiracy of lies and cover-ups.
	Commercialism
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco A recurring bad guy smokes cigarettes constantly.

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