The X-Files: Pilot (1.1)

Pilots are extremely difficult to get right. You have to set up all the characters, create the groundwork for the mythology of the show, have an intriguing premise which needs to hook the viewer straight away and set up enough story arcs to keep the audience interested. All in the space of 42 minutes. The pilot for The X-Files creates a world so intriguing and plain ol' different to anything you've seen before that you're immediately hooked.

The story begins with FBI agent Dana Scully being assigned to The X-Files, a secret unit of the FBI ran by Fox "Spooky" Mulder, who investigates unexplained cases in a quest to discover the truth about extraterrestrial life and the abduction of his sister when he was 12 years old.

Both leads settle into their characters immediately, in particular Gillian Anderson, who appears to have played Scully for around four seasons already, she's that great! David Duchovny isn't as great, playing up the "kooky" side of Mulder a little too much (likely a result of the writers testing the waters in terms of his character), but he still impresses.

The main storyline is particularly involving and giddily leaves the viewer with a ton of unanswered questions. The special effects (in particular the swirling leaves around Billy Miles at the end) are equally as impressive. Considering this was made in 1993, they're pretty groundbreaking.

There are some corny moments, in particular the use of the Terminator-esque keyboard score and the pointless excuse to get Anderson into some skimpy underwear, but the overall quality of the rest of the pilot easily eclipses all that. This is an entertaining, mysterious hour from start to finish and an excellent start to The X-Files. Rating B+

Credits
Guest stars Charles Cioffi (Scott Blevins); Cliff DeYoung (Dr. Jay Nemman); Sarah Koskoff (Theresa Nemman); Leon Russom (Detective Miles)
Writer Chris Carter Director Robert Mandel