I don’t talk about it much, but I really do love The X-Files. I’ve only written on post on the show on Popgun Chaos and it was mostly a rant about one of the worst episodes of the series. But I have so many fond memories of The X-Files and so when Kumail Nanjiani launched his podcast, The X-Files Files, I was so very excited.
My friend/co-writer/co-creator/partner-in-crime Rich Valerius has been watching X-Files on and off for a year or two now and he will text me every once in awhile with his latest complaint about the show. So, my only thoughts about the show lately have been coming from his sarcastic observations. But listening to Nanjiani’s podcast has made me fall in love with Mulder and Scully all over again.
The show can get a bit repetitive when Kumail and his guests gush over the things they love about X-Files, but I don’t care. The positive atmosphere of the show is a real draw for me because it is all about loving a show that was once so influential and has become something of a forgotten gem.
I think the most important point the podcast has made so far is how there are no other heroes on TV like Fox Mulder. He isn’t the square-jawed, lawful-good hero, but he also isn’t a dark, brooding anti-hero either. He is interested in his agenda, but he doesn’t achieve it by any means necessary. And while other action heroes are interested in women, Mulder is interested in the truth and that’s all. He would rather be doing research on government conspiracies rather than trying to date Scully.
Kumail’s podcast reminds me of all the things that I love about The X-Files and even though there are some terrible episodes, it’s a show that endures and is still important.
