6. The Truth Is Out There
By the time X-Files first aired, television shows were primarily made strictly for entertainment purposes. Gone were the days of The Twilight Zone or Night Gallery where it produced programs which not only entertained, but engaged viewers in thought provoking content as well. Though not all dramas at the time were made just for entertainment, many had lost that quality of giving the viewers a deep topic to discuss. The X-Files was more than a show about aliens, but about many types of philosophy. Several episodes dealt with pre-destination, the meaning of death, faith, religion and many other topics which could be considered controversial. Nearly every episode ends leaves you questioning what you just saw and how you should think about it. To reference Skinner's monologue from the last page, in a situation like his how many people really would want to look beyond that experience? It makes you think about the power of both belief and faith. Not many shows at the time ever attempted to delve into major philosophical issues, but X-Files was never afraid to challenge viewers perceptions of the world.