The procedural format is one of the most idiosyncratic of television as a medium, and has gone from being the standard to something of a refresher when a current series decides to go that way. In times where the long story is imposed as if it were an extended movie, sometimes nothing works as well as facing a monster every week and that the characters evolve gradually during the adventures.
That is why few series are more suitable for that time where you decide to let yourself go, or simply want an episode to watch during lunch, than a procedural (actually the best are half-hour comedies, but that is a topic for another day). AND one of the best companions for those moments I’ve had recently was ‘The X Files’.
The truth is out there
Many undoubtedly remember fervently following the original broadcast of this exemplary series of science fiction and supernatural horror. But when it was uploaded to Disney+ for me it was not only the perfect excuse to get it back, but it was the best lifesaver for when I wasn’t sure what to watch. Because it was refreshing to see how, especially in its first seasons, the Chris Carter series still working like a shot.
It was not only his good use of the procedural rules and how he solidified the “monster of the week” format, drawing on great references from the fantastic on television to give it a special character in each episode. There would be better or worse chapters, but never ceased to be entertaining. The feeling of adventure in a new place and with a self-conclusive character make each delivery like perfectly administered doses.
A sense of wonder and cynicism went hand in hand on the show, something that was reflected in the impeccable dynamic between the Mulders and Scullys played by David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson. Their conflicting perspectives on their work provided a perfect tension (and that without going into the sexual and romantic tension that also drove the group), at the same time that they supported their critical gaze with government organizations and allowed themselves to fantasize about forces beyond our comprehension (and our atmosphere).
‘Files X’: exemplary and highly entertaining
Just the more the dynamics between the protagonists were disrupted, the more the series faltered. It is the toughest challenge that Ryan Coogler is going to have to face in his long-awaited reboot of the series with a new cast. Not just because Mulder and Scully are characters that are television history and, therefore, irreplaceable, but because that dynamic is rare in moments of “PeakTV”.
Although there are cases that have been able to understand the power of that relationship between protagonists in the midst of supernatural adventures, such as the phenomenal ‘Evil’ by the Kings. And even movie franchises like the ‘Warren File’ have molded their characters to bring them closer to Mulder and Scully (but without sexual tension). It is just one of the samples of how ‘The X-Files’ has had an immense impact on current fantastic creators and why its initial journey It’s still absolutely essential. For any TV fan.
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