The all-new 6 episode mini-series of The X-Files premiered and it attempts to very quickly sweep a few lingering questions from the first series ending under the rug, while reminding us why we loved the show to begin with.

Fair warning this is a recap and review so SPOILERS ABOUND.

SPOILER ALERT

Okay, let’s go.

We return to the world of the X-Files with a summation of the entirety of the previous 9 seasons as told by Agent Mulder (David Duchovny).  He began his search for the truth when his sister was abducted by aliens when he was a child.  We then get a history of UFO sightings as noted by the United States government and the explanation of the formation of a secretive  division of the F.B.I. known as The X-Files..  Suddenly, a UFO crash lands  in a mountainous region of the desert and an alien life form’s hand smears the inside of a window, grasping for a way out.

Cut to black.

The X-Files have returned.  Well, for 6 episodes anyway.

We next meet Dr. Scully as a surgical doctor in Washington D.C. who is interrupted by by a phone call, it’s the F.B.I. They are looking for Agent Mulder who is now hiding in seclusion.  It seems that internet conspiracy theorist Ted O’Malley (Joel McHale) is looking for an interview.  Soon we see the reunion of Mulder and Scully as they are about to meet Mr. O’Mailey. The years have passed but their  chemistry has not aged a bit.  In a brief exchange we surmise that the two were a couple for some time, but Scully left him in seclusion.

The moment is fleeting as O’Mailey rolls up in a limousine asking for their help in solving something he has uncovered.  O’mailer is tenacious and will not take no for an answer.  Soon they are on the doorstep of a young girl names Sveta.  She  has had a history with alien abductions during which she has been used as a beading sow for the aliens. What’s more, the young girl has absorbed Alien DNA through the multiple breedings and has gained significant powers, mind reading and telekinesis being a few of them.

Meanwhile, at the alien crash site from the beginning of the show, the army discovers the pilot of the crashed spacecraft clawing his way across the ground.  The commander in charge tersely commands that the life form be killed, soldiers surround the being and pepper it with bullets.

O’Malley takes Mulder to a secret facility in which an entire, fully functional spacecraft has been reconstructed.

Back at her day job, Scully proceeds with medical examinations when Ted O’Malley shows up to romance her a bit.  “Is there a reason why you are here, Mr. O’Malley?” She asked him.  Mulder goes back to visit Sveta and soon realizes that there is a lot more to the story.  Who is hiding something?  Does O’Malley have a secret agenda?  Is he playing everyone for a fool in a large conspiracy?

The four meet at Sveta’s home and it is all explained.  The government has seized on the post 9-11 paranoia and slowly began a plan to control a lazy populace, keeping them unaware of impending control.  O’Malley plans to go public with the news the next day.

Mulder returns to his old X-Files office and runs into his old boss, Walter Skinner (Mitch Pileggi)  The X-Files division were all a rouse, a way to keep Mulder preoccupied while the real, bigger plan was unfolding.

The next day we see Sveta on national T.V., mics thrust in her face, being interviewed by a mob of reporters.  She turns on O’Malley calling him a liar and his reputation is ruined. Watching the newscast, Mulder says, “They got to her.  She’s scared.”

The final scene is chilling as Seta is driving on a lonesome road in the middle of nowhere.  Her car stalls and is then bathed in a brilliantly white beam of light.  She tries to escape from her car when a green laser is projected down.  Before she can escape her car the vehicle is blown to shreds and the UFO that just obliterated the automobile flies off into the night.

The episode closed with a slow reveal of The Smoking Man and his concern that the X-Files have been reopened.

THE END

This opening episode was pretty damned entertaining.  Having only seen a few of the original series I can say that it felt like old times.  Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny slip right back into their roles with an ease that feels like coming home again.

Of course, the writers had to figure out a way to bring the 90’s memories into today’s world.  We now live in a far more connected society.  The internet is everywhere, everyone has a cell phone, and our world has become far less mysterious and a lot more dangerous.  Why though?

Series creator Chris Carter writes this first episode and sets up a much bigger, far more evil conspiracy to be unraveled.  One that has even enslaved alien life forms in a seemingly intergalactic scheme to control everything.  They have upped the ante that’s for sure.

What does this mean for the series?  A lot actually.  This means that the old magic is still there.  It means that series creator, Carter, knows how to create a much bigger scope than what we were familiar with years ago.  He has returned to what made the series great to begin with by making us question our own reality, while entertaining us and even scaring us just enough to somehow be reassured that things are okay… maybe.