The Truth is Somewhere Out There
“The X-Files” left their mark on the television world, there is no doubt about that. The 1990’s hit science fiction, horror program introduced topics and ideas that would change the media industry, and pop culture in general, for decades to come. One of these topics was the debate on whether or not extraterrestrial life exists past our own planet earth, presented in the show through episodes known as “mytharcs”. A landmark episode, one that cumulatively exemplifies the recurring theme of the show, is the season one finale “The Erlemeyer Flask.” In this episode, the two protagonist Federal Bureau of Investigation agents, Dana Scully and Fox Mulder, find evidence of a government cover-up of alien life. The major reveal at the end, an extraterrestrial fetus in liquid hydrogen, was a major shock to anyone that was watching. Although it may seem like a silly topic to discuss, the answer as to whether or not aliens exist is still unconfirmed by science. There very well may be organic life in a far away world, unseen by men’s ventures. This does not mean the stereotypical “little green men” with beady eyes and advanced technology, but could include molecules that are not cognizant or intelligent, but may just have the basic properties of a living entity. The X-Files in general deals with these questions in a way that was previously not thought of, and introduced numerous conspiracy theory spin-offs in American society as a whole. “The Erlenmeyer Flask” may not be the most intriguing episode in the 9-season thriller show, but it is a landmark episode due to the fact that it finally reveals the basis of the drama. We may never fully be able to answer the conundrum of extraterrestrial life, unless of course, aliens come for a quick visit or greet us when we finally get to Mars, but just the notion presented by The X-Files that an alien race accompanies humans in our gigantic universe is downright mind-blowing. It all starts in this episode, growing through the years to show a clear plot and story revolving around the FBI agents and their nemesis agency, the Syndicate.