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Season 5 – The X-Files

Play trailer Poster for Season 5 – The X-Files Nov 1997 Drama Sci-Fi Mystery & Thriller Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
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67% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 95% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
In one of the longest-running science fiction series in network TV history, FBI special agents investigate unexplained, mind-bending cases known as "X-Files." Though the government is convinced that the outlandish reports are false, conspiracy theorist Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and realist Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), for most of the series, stop at nothing to prove that "the truth is out there." Series creator Chris Carter also serves as executive producer of the thrilling pop-culture phenomenon.
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The X-Files — Season 5

Critics Reviews

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Eric Mink New York Daily News Oct 25, 2017
If this season of The X-Files can operate consistently at this level of quality, we fans will have no complaints. Go to Full Review Patrick Garvin Boston Globe Oct 15, 2017
Bad Blood was the strongest of all the series' comedic episodes. Like many of the standalone episodes in season 5, it proved that the writers were not only willing to abandon linear storytelling but play with tone as well. Go to Full Review Ira Madison III New York Magazine/Vulture Oct 15, 2017
The idea of an all-out alien war is introduced into the series as well, but the mythology episodes were pretty much running into a wall by season five. Go to Full Review Grace Duffy The Mary Sue Oct 15, 2017
If any one thing can convey the sheer importance of this friendship as the backbone of the show, it's the way one character starts to falter at the slightest indication they might lose the other one. Go to Full Review Steven Horn IGN Sep 27, 2017
7/10
There are some stinkeroos... but also some true winners. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jakey B @RT00961171 Aug 23, 2026 Deviating away from the extra terrestrial, the ongoing story now being more realised conspiracy and drama that doesn't particular move the plot much forward. Giving way for some of the more unique stand alone mysteries and another shocking place to end off, leaving most of the resolution for the movie. This season does feel the most distinct and still keeps the quality of the previous ones, even though this isn't my favourite in terms of the ongoing mythology. See more Tim L @RT73328012 Aug 11, 2021 A fresh rebound from what was looking scary. See more Apr 3, 2021 Awesome action and cool clever See more Apr 2, 2021 Great show and clever See more Jul 9, 2020 Though the writers can be content in trying to recapture the magic of iconic moments from episodes of seasons past, the fifth season of The X-Files still manages to be scary and funny, with the most iconic comedic episodes coming out of this season. Come on, "Bad Blood" was hilarious. As for the former camp? "Folie a Deux". Come on, an MOTW episode that actually succeeds in making Mulder look insane. Won't go into too much detail so you can see it for yourself. Pretty impressive considering our two leads were already doing double-duty with this season and the movie. While the fifth season is a step-down from the last two seasons, it still has enough enjoyable episodes to make it not just another compelling season of television but a fitting swan song for the show's original run in Vancouver. See more Cable B @RT91295952 Jan 10, 2020 The 2nd Best Season of X-Files, no doubt about it. See more Read all reviews
The X-Files — Season 5

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Cast & Crew

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David Duchovny

FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder

Gillian Anderson

FBI Special Agent Dana Scully

Mitch Pileggi

Asst. Dir. Walter Skinner

Nicholas Lea

Alex Krycek

Laurie Holden

Marita Covarrubias

Chris Owens

Mutato

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Nov 2, 1997 Redux Scully's truthfulness about Mulder comes under scrutiny; the FBI may have a part in Scully's having cancer. Details Episode 2 Aired Nov 9, 1997 Redux II Scully lingers near death, endangering the future of the X-Files; Cigarette Smoking Man comes forward with a surprising offer to save Scully. Details Episode 3 Aired Nov 16, 1997 Unusual Suspects Flashbacks to 1989 show the genesis of the Lone Gunmen and recall how Mulder began his quest; guest Richard Belzer. Details Episode 4 Aired Nov 23, 1997 Detour En route to an FBI convention in Florida, Mulder and Scully are stranded in the woods with a deadly predator. Details Episode 5 Aired Nov 30, 1997 The Post-Modern Prometheus Mulder and Scully follow the trail of a modern-day Frankenstein after responding to a letter from a single mother in a small town. Details Episode 6 Aired Dec 7, 1997 Christmas Carol Scully returns home for the holidays and begins to have dreams which seem to be connected to a murdered woman's daughter. Details Episode 7 Aired Dec 14, 1997 Emily Scully tries to protect a girl from the men responsible for her parents' deaths; Mulder is drawn into a deadly confrontation while probing the girl's origin. Details Episode 8 Aired Jan 4, 1998 Kitsunegari Mulder and Scully race to prevent an old adversary and recent prison escapee from taking revenge on Mulder. Details Episode 9 Aired Jan 11, 1998 Schizogeny Mulder and Scully fear a greater evil lurks behind the murder of a man whose teenage son is a suspect in the crime. Details Episode 10 Aired Feb 8, 1998 Chinga Vacationing Scully meets a girl who makes people injure themselves; written by Stephen King and Chris Carter. Details Episode 11 Aired Feb 15, 1998 Kill Switch Mulder and Scully become the targets of a supercomputer while investigating the disappearance of two computer geniuses. Details Episode 12 Aired Feb 22, 1998 Bad Blood Mulder and Scully try to explain their roles in a twisted killing that occurred while they were investigating a case in Texas. Details Episode 13 Aired Mar 1, 1998 Patient X Scully confronts a new threat to her life as Mulder probes a series of horrific mass killings, which leads him to evidence of extraterrestrials. Details Episode 14 Aired Mar 8, 1998 The Red and the Black Mulder is drawn into a dangerous confrontation with creatures that could expose the conspiracy surrounding extraterrestrials. Details Episode 15 Aired Mar 29, 1998 Travelers Mulder questions a former FBI agent (Darren McGavin) about an X-file case from the 1950s which may have involved his father. Details Episode 16 Aired Apr 19, 1998 Mind's Eye Mulder (David Duchovny) disbelieves evidence that implicates a blind woman (guest star Lili Taylor) in a murder. With Gillian Anderson and Blu Mankuma. Details Episode 17 Aired Apr 26, 1998 All Souls At the request of a priest, Scully probes the death of a girl with disabilities and uncovers a supernatural mystery. Details Episode 18 Aired May 3, 1998 The Pine Bluff Variant The agents investigate a group of anti-government terrorists who are experimenting with biological warfare; Scully notices a change in Mulder's behavior. Details Episode 19 Aired May 10, 1998 Folie a Deux Scully and Mulder meet a delusional man who is convinced his boss is a monster and is willing to prove it. Details Episode 20 Aired May 17, 1998 The End An investigation into an assassination attempt brings Mulder into contact with a person from his past. Details Episode 21 Aired Jan 31, 2026 FBI agents Fox Mulder, the believer, and Dana Scully, the skeptic, investigate the strange and unexplained, while hidden forces work to impede their efforts. Details

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The X-Files — Season 5

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Season Info

Director
Chris Carter, Kim Manners, R.W. Goodwin, Brett Dowler, Rob Bowman, Ralph Hemecker, Daniel Sackheim, Allen Coulter, Peter Markle
Executive Producer
Chris Carter
Screenwriter
Frank Spotnitz, Chris Carter, Vince Gilligan, William Gibson, Jessica Scott, John Shiban, Tim Minear, Tom Maddox, Mike Wollager, Stephen King
Network
Fox
Rating
TV-14 (V)
Genre
Drama, Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller, Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date
Nov 2, 1997
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