The X-Files doesn’t come to British shores until February, but the first episode of the six-ep reboot aired last night (January 24) in America, and went down a storm with viewers. Those who had waited for the return of supernatural drama had to wait almost 15 years for its return, after it ended its eight-year run on television in 2001. A film did follow in 2008 to bridge the gap, but the universal agreement was that it was a bit pants.
So when our two beloved FBI special agents returned last night – UFO-believer Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and sceptical partner Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) – along with the villainous Cigarette Smoking Man, mean boss Skinner and new addition Joel McHale, the US section of the internet lots its collective shit. Tension had been heightened by the delay in broadcast, thanks to an overrunning sports broadcast, but these tweets provide strong evidence that when The X-Files finally comes to the UK in February, it will actually be as good as it ever was. And if you don’t believe after seeing these, you probably never will.
Me watching the #xfiles opening title sequence right now. pic.twitter.com/xt2CRgZShk
— Michael Ausiello (@MichaelAusiello) January 25, 2016
Every1 should watch this new Xfiles show about a husband and wife who arrest aliens. it seems good so far #XFiles
— Trevor Moore (@itrevormoore) January 25, 2016
As a lifelong X-Files fan, I was very satisfied with the premiere episode. I'll review the entire miniseries when it's completed.
— Chris Stuckmann (@Chris_Stuckmann) January 25, 2016
Every time Scully effectively and efficiently shoots down a mansplainer, take a drink #XFiles
— joe erbentraut (@robojojo) January 25, 2016
New #Xfiles got me like pic.twitter.com/Re8djKu5CL
— Jocelyn Plums (@ColoradoUgly) January 25, 2016
Me whenever I remember Mulder and Scully have a child together #TheXFiles pic.twitter.com/o9KUtJyW9X
— Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) January 25, 2016
BOOM. #XFiles @theXFiles https://t.co/veg1bqaGoX pic.twitter.com/4ciey1SvzL
— GIPHY (@GIPHY) January 25, 2016
Wouldn't Smoking Guy be vaping by now? #XFILES
— Jeremy Newberger (@jeremynewberger) January 25, 2016
Typical Mulder. "Hey, Scully. I'm just calling to say something super dramatic and I'm going to leave you hanging. CLICK." #Xfiles
— Lauren Modery (@Hipstercrite) January 25, 2016
This is NOT THE FIRST "Listen to me Scully what if everything we think is a lie" drunk dial she has gotten from him #Xfiles
— S.I. Rosenbaum (@sirosenbaum) January 25, 2016
"It's bringing peace & love…KILL IT!" #XFiles @thexfiles pic.twitter.com/AdWhE90NHh
— Tara Bennett (@TaraDBennett) January 25, 2016
#XFILES I am officially 12 again.
— Sutton Crawford (@Suttoncrawford) January 25, 2016
Just got chills watching those opening credits knowing a NEW episode is following #XFiles
— Adam Barta (@Adam_Barta) January 25, 2016
It's always aliens. #XFiles pic.twitter.com/dIb2LMqnr1
— Nerdist (@nerdist) January 25, 2016
when u hear that #Xfiles theme music for the first time in over ten years pic.twitter.com/T3UhttLjzM
— darth™ (@darth) January 25, 2016
Now that I'm an adult, #Scully seems way less like a buzzkill and way more like the only rational person that exists in this show. #XFiles
— slappy (@Tiffstamatic) January 25, 2016
1. Mulder & Scully have so much chemistry they should add another row to the Periodic Table #XFiles …
— JJ Lee (@jj_lee) January 25, 2016
….Watching #XFiles like….. pic.twitter.com/Qniuyu3MXF
— Dr. Non-Chalant ? 3.1 (@AustinStKloud) January 25, 2016
I don't know how #XFiles will play to a modern audience, but if you grew up with it, this was basically crack.
— Adam Holisky (@AdamHolisky) January 25, 2016
I don't want to get all victim-blaming here but if *I* was a multiple alien abductee, I certainly wouldn't buy a car with a sunroof. #XFiles
— Lesley Kinzel (@lesleykinzel) January 25, 2016
I just got home and football ran over and I don't have the full XFiles episode and where do I bring a torch to burn something to the ground?
— Felicia Day (@feliciaday) January 25, 2016
As for the critics, the majority of them gave the first episode a pretty lukewarm review, so here’s what Twitter had to say in return.
The episode was brilliant!!!!!! ? #XFiles
Hey critics, here's a little present for you… pic.twitter.com/SsaGPULEOi— Maripa Iglesias ⎊ ⧗ ⍟ (@Dra_Xtrange) January 25, 2016