The X-Files Season 11: 10 Things We Learned From My Struggle, Part III

10. America Faked The Moon Landing

The X-Files has tackled any number of infamous conspiracy theories, from Crop Circles to JFK's assassination to Roswell. So it's no surprise to see the show incorporate another famous conspiracy yarn: that America faked the moon landing.

In an early scene in My Struggle, Part III, a younger version of the ominous Cigarette Smoking Man is witnessed overseeing a closed movie set. An actor steps out of the Lunar Lander, and utters the famous Neil Armstrong line "One small step for man... one giant leap for mankind." The shot then dissolves (we later see that yes, this is the actual broadcast).

Later in the episode, the Smoking Man is seen watching the clip with a young Jeffrey Spender, the son he would later try to murder as an adult. He remarks that it's how "heroes are made." Young Jeffrey believes he means doing what was once thought impossible. The Smoking Man no doubt means dealing in lies.

It's not a pivotal moment in the episode, but it is a nod to the show's origins. The X-Files is, after all, built off real-life conspiracy theories, whispers, and tales of the bizarre. It's actually shocking that the show hadn't tackled the "moon landing was faked" story before now.