X-Philes will finally get to watch the new miniseries of "The X-Files" on FOX beginning Jan. 24 and many may already be finished or are about to finish their 202-episode-and-two-films marathon of the entire series, but for those who are new to this or don't have enough time to hold a hardcore marathon session, we've got a few ideas on how you can get yourself up to speed.
There are many ways you can go when watching "The X-Files" but your choice of episodes to watch would depend on which direction you want to go. The signature path of the series follows an alternating mythology and monster episodes throughout its run so you already have two obvious options. The third option is to go by episode writer, and we think this is also a valid choice to make since the writers who wrote the best episodes of the series returned for the six-episode special.
Before we get to the list, it is important to note that the two full-feature films are a part of the series mythology, however, if you just have time for one, you should definitely choose the 1998 "The X-Files: Fight the Future," which takes place between seasons five and six.
So where should you go from here? You can choose your path now. Will you go for mythology, monsters or writers?
Mythology Route
The mythology route will require you to watch 72 episodes from the whole series as well as the first film since that one is also mythology heavy. The mythology arcs in the entire series were heavily developed by series creator Chris Carter with the help of Executive Producer Frank Spotnitz and David Duchovny, who played Agent Fox Mulder.
There are at least five mythology episodes per season and the only reminder we can give you about this is that you shouldn't miss all season pilots and finales. It's not just the pilot and finales being a part of the overarching mythology but that the show really knows how to pull its audience in and how to go out with a bang.
Monsters Route
"The X-Files" introduced its fair share of monsters, human, extra-terrestrial and of mind-boggling origin but we've listed down 10 of the most memorable monsters in the series. But take note that this list of memorable monsters we consider as the best or worst is still subjective since each monster's impact still depends on a person.
Season 1
We have two creatures that made our skin crawl in the pilot season and these are Eugene Victor Tooms from episodes three and 21, and Eve 9 and 10 from episode 11.
Tooms is the main reason you should secure every little opening in your home because he can squeeze himself in tight places-yes, that includes your toilet-and enter a person's home to eat his victim's liver. His serial killing days spanned a hundred years.
Eve 9 and Eve 10 are seemingly ordinary twin children who become the proof of why you should not easily trust anyone no matter how innocent they look. Why? Simply put, these two are psychopathic killers who are responsible for their own father's death.
Season 2
Season 2 has three contenders with the Flukeman from episode 2, Phyllis H. Paddock of episode 14 and Leonard of episode 20.
We can't even begin to describe what the Flukeman and Leonard look like since the only word that comes to mind is "disturbing." It's worth noting, however, that Leonard's episode is more comedic than horror, although he looks horrific.
Phyllis is seemingly innocent but you get that eerie feeling too. Just imagine having a substitute teacher like her around.
Season 4
Leonard Betts of episode 12 takes the slimy cake in season four. He is scary, creepy, eerie and gross but he gets an episode named after him so that must count for something.
Season 5
Hands down, Chinga of episode 10 wins the creepiest creature award for season five because we've had enough of sinister dolls trying to kill humans — thanks, Chucky and Annabelle — but this one has to force its victim to gouge their own eyes out. Ouch!
Season 6
That yellow fungus in episode 21 really takes the "trip" in the episode title "Field Trip" seriously as it slowly ingests its victims alive while taking them on an ultimate hallucinogenic trip. Agents Mulder and Scully get tangled up in an "Inception" like adventure as they are led to believe that they have been freed when, in fact, they are still in the process of being slowly ingested.
Season 7
Rob Roberts from episode three is a monster out of hunger, even if he doesn't want to be. But what can he do? A creature's got to eat, right? Still, he's got the razor sharp teeth and completely black eyes that would make you run for your life when you spot him — or if you spot him.
Season 8
The Beggar Man rolls along in episode eight and this little guy — pun intended-is an Indian mystic who will come at you with open arms and kill you from the inside out. He is played by Deep Roy so if you want to take the image of the Beggar Man coming out of a body being dissected, you can always watch Tim Burton's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" after to see him as the Oompa Loompa.
Writer Route
Let's make this simple. The writer's route focuses on the three writers whose episodes were considered as the best by many X-Philes. The writers you have to watch out for are the team up of Glen Morgan and James Wong and the stand-alone episodes of Darin Morgan. The list is below.
Glen Morgan and James Wong
Season 1:
"Squeeze"
"Shadows"
"Ice"
"Beyond the Sea"
"E.B.E."
"Tooms"
Season 2:
"Little Green Men"
"Blood"
"3"
"One Breath"
"Die Hand Die Verletzt"
Season 4:
"Home"
"The Field Where I Died"
"Never Again"
Darin Morgan
Season 2:
"Humbug"
Season 3:
"Jose Chung's 'From Outer Space'"
"War of the Coprophages"
"Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose"
Don't forget to watch the first feature film between seasons five and six no matter which route you take!
As a reminder, don't get disheartened if the first episode of the mini-series didn't catch your fancy. As we've explained before, there's still a reason to believe that it will get better.
