Whether you enjoyed the six-episode comeback or not, this Monday marks the first time in six weeks that Mulder and Scully will not be gracing our television screens. Though it was received with mixed reviews, I think there's something to be said about a television show that can pick up where it left off 20 years ago and retain some of the same qualities that made us love it in the '90s. That being said, there's nothing quite like the original, so here's my top 15 favorite classic "X-Files" episodes to hold you over until the next season. (And I mean, no spoilers, that cliffhanger ending? There's gonna be another season.)
15. Shapes (Season 1, Episode 19)
This episode probably won't make a lot of favorites lists because overall, it was pretty forgettable. It lands at number 15 on my list because of Scully's unwillingness to "believe." After a humanoid, hairy arm crashes through the bathroom door, Scully claims a "mountain lion" tried to attack her. She'll try everything to shut down Mulder's theories. It's pretty funny.
14. Pilot (Season 1, Episode 1)
This one had to make the list. As an episode, it's a little all over the place, and the terrible acting of the guest stars gives me severe second-hand embarrassment, but this started it all. Also, Mulder and Scully are so young and innocent. They have no idea what's coming for them.
13. 2Shy (Season 3, Episode 6)
Some may write this episode off as a "Squeeze" ripoff, but when Detective Cross tells Scully he "questions the wisdom of assigning female law enforcement to certain kinds of cases," and she literally stabs him with her eyes for his high-key sexist attitudes, I lose it. Every. Time.
12. Home (Season 4, Episode 2)
Between the fetus in the baseball field and the family of incestuous brothers, this episode goes down as being one of the scariest episodes ever. After it's original airing, it was banned from being played again except on Halloween.
11. Die Hand die Verletzt (Season 2, Episode 14)
The satan-worshipping members of the Board of Education accidentally summon the devil, who materializes as a substitute teacher. Also, it literally rains frogs, and Scully still doesn't believe.
10. War of the Coprophages (Season 3, Episode 12)
Possibly the only episode where Scully's skepticism turns out to be right, this one features tons of cockroaches and a naturalist named Bambi.
9. Small Potatoes (Season 4, Episode 20)
X-Files writer Darin Morgan guest stars on this episode, as a janitor with a tail who can shapeshift into anybody. At the end, he takes the shape of Mulder and almost kisses Scully. #Sculder4ever
8. Ice (Season 1, Episode 8)
On this episode, Lynette from Desperate Housewives and that other guy team up with Scully and Mulder to investigate bizarre deaths of scientists studying ice core in northern Alaska. Everyone turns on everyone. It's intense.
7. Eve (Season 1, Episode 11)
Kids are creepy, especially super smart twin girls who poison everybody.
6. Chinga (Season 5, Episode 10)
During Scully's vacation from the FBI, she encounters strange deaths, caused by a creepy little girl and her demon doll. Of course, she uses her vacation to investigate.
5. Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose (Season 3, Episode 4)
This episode was hilarious and touching, and featured Peter Boyle as Clyde Bruckman, a cynical psychic who could see the way everyone he encountered would die. He went on to win an Emmy for his guest role on this episode.
4. Squeeze (Season 1, Episode 3)
The original Monster-of-the-Week, Eugene Victor Tooms was a liver-eating mutant, who killed people in order to regenerate every thirty years.
3. Arcadia (Season 6, Episode 15)
In this episode, Mulder and Scully go undercover as a married couple to investigate disappearances in the most suburban of suburban neighborhoods. Scully also calls Mulder "poopy-head."
2. Bad Blood (Season 5, Episode 12)
In this episode, Mulder and Scully recount their versions of an investigation went wrong, and it's hilarious. Also, that fat kid from the Sandlot makes an appearance as a vampire delivery guy.
1. Syzygy (Season 3, Episode 13)
Because of a planetary alignment, everything is messed up. Mulder and Scully keep fighting, and two very stereotypical high school BFFLs start killing teenage boys with their telekinetic powers. This episode manages to combine paranormal criminal investigation with piercing social satire, making it my favorite episode of all time.
