The Un-Unofficial X-Files Episode Guide

I have had the good fortune to work on The X-Files Interactive CD-ROM for HyperBole Studios in Seattle.  When I first arrived at HyperBole, I learned that the producer had in his office a video library of the first three seasons of The X-Files that we had received from Fox Interactive as reference.  I had not seen much of the X-Files up until that point, and decided that The Time Had Come.  And so, dear reader, I had the pleasure of watching the first three seasons of the X-Files, start to finish, in order, in three months. (That's 76 episodes in 90 days.  That took some doing.)

If you have not yet had the pleasure of indulging in Chris Carter's brainchild, I first and foremost envy you the discovery yet to come, and I secondly recommend that you make a point of seeing the show in the sequence in which it was produced.  This tale unfolds, piece by piece, across all five seasons, and it was intended to been seen in that order.

Or, you could watch them backwards.  Whatever.  ;-)  As part of my experience, I have assembled this guide of sorts that may be of use to someone trying to figure out how this show goes together.  It includes my personal feelings on each episode, ratings, and whether or not an episode has a bearing on the Greater Story.  I have also included a chart of a "sweet path" through The X-Files that avoids most of the pitfalls (and there are a few, beware).

If you find problems, typos, or arguments to be had in this guide, please notify me.  Enjoy!

                      -Jason

p.s. By the way, Chris Carter changed the official color of The X-Files from green to steel blue in the fourth season. By coincidence, that is the same season I stopped watching the show. Go figure.