The X-Files
Basic Information
Full Name: Fox William Mulder & Dana Katherine Scully
Aliases/Nicknames: Spooky Mulder; Ahab, Starbuck (Scully’s nicknames by her
father)
Age: Varied throughout the series
Gender: Male (Mulder), Female (Scully)
Occupation: FBI Special Agents
Affiliation: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Appearance
Height: 6’0" (Mulder), 5’3" (Scully)
Build: Athletic (Mulder), Slender (Scully)
Eye Color: Green (Mulder), Blue (Scully)
Hair Color: Brown (Mulder), Red (Scully)
Distinguishing Features: Mulder often has a five o’clock shadow; Scully has a cross
necklace
Background
Place of Origin: New York City (Mulder), Washington, D.C. (Scully)
Family: William Mulder (father), Teena Mulder (mother), Samantha Mulder (sister)
for Mulder; William Scully (father), Margaret Scully (mother), Melissa Scully (sister)
for Scully
Education: Psychology at Oxford (Mulder), Medical degree at Stanford (Scully)
History: Mulder became obsessed with the paranormal following his sister’s
disappearance; Scully was recruited to debunk Mulder’s work but became an ally
Personality
Traits: Mulder is obsessive, intuitive, and believes in extraterrestrial life; Scully is
logical, skeptical, and relies on scientific evidence
Likes: Mulder enjoys sunflower seeds and conspiracy theories; Scully has an
affinity for science and medicine
Dislikes: Mulder dislikes deception and government cover-ups; Scully dislikes
being kept in the dark
Strengths: Mulder is a brilliant profiler; Scully is a skilled medical doctor
Weaknesses: Mulder can be overly trusting of dubious sources; Scully sometimes
struggles to reconcile her faith with her scientific background
Abilities
Skills: Both are proficient in investigative techniques, firearms, and have high-level
clearance
Powers (if applicable): N/A
Equipment/Tools: FBI badges, service weapons, forensic kits
Relationships
Allies: The Lone Gunmen, Assistant Director Walter Skinner
Enemies: The Syndicate, various paranormal entities
Romantic Interests: Each other, eventually
Mentors: Deep Throat (Mulder), Scully’s father (Scully)
Proteges: Various FBI agents they work with
Story Arcs
Notable Events: The search for Mulder’s sister, Scully’s abduction and cancer
Character Development: Mulder’s quest for the truth softens; Scully’s skepticism is
challenged
Challenges/Conflicts: Uncovering government conspiracies, battling paranormal
threats
Quotes
Catchphrases: “The truth is out there.” (Mulder), “I want to believe.” (Mulder),
“Science, Mulder.” (Scully)
Notable Dialogue: “Trust no one.” (Mulder)
Trivia
Interesting Facts: Mulder’s apartment number is 42; Scully is named after Vin
Scully, the sportscaster
Influences: Inspired by earlier shows like Kolchak: The Night Stalker
Cultural Impact: Popularized the paranormal investigation genre on television
Probable Death Battle Victor
Vs Marty McFly: Mulder and Scully (with their FBI training)
Vs Robin Hood: Robin Hood (due to his legendary archery skills)
Vs T-800 Terminator: T-800 Terminator (nigh indestructible)
Vs The Master Chief: The Master Chief (advanced technology and combat skills)
Vs Wonder Woman: Wonder Woman (superhuman abilities)
References
First Appearance: “Pilot” episode of The X-Files, September 10, 1993
Creators: Chris Carter
Portrayed by (if applicable): David Duchovny (Mulder), Gillian Anderson (Scully)
Agents Mulder and Scully’s partnership is one of the most iconic in television history,
known for their contrasting personalities and unwavering pursuit of the truth. Their
dynamic has left a lasting legacy in pop culture.
The X-Files is an iconic American science fiction drama television series that was
created by Chris Carter. The show originally aired from September 1993 to May 2002
on Fox, spanning nine seasons with 202 episodes. It was later revived for a tenth
season with six episodes in 2016, and an eleventh season of ten episodes in 2018.
The series also inspired two feature films: The X-Files (1998) and The X-Files: I Want
to Believe (2008).
The series centers around two Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agents,
Fox Mulder (played by David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (played by Gillian
Anderson), who investigate the “X-Files.” These are marginalized, unsolved cases
involving paranormal phenomena1. Mulder is a skilled criminal profiler, a fervent
believer in the supernatural, and a conspiracy theorist who is convinced of the
existence of extraterrestrial life1. Scully, on the other hand, is a medical doctor and a
skeptic, initially assigned to debunk Mulder’s work with her scientific approach1.
Despite their differing perspectives, they develop a deep trust in each other as they
encounter various unexplained phenomena.
Throughout the series, Mulder and Scully become embroiled in a larger conflict and
uncover a government agenda to keep the existence of extraterrestrial life a secret.
Their shared experiences lead them to form a close bond, which evolves from a
platonic relationship into a romantic one by the end of the series1. The show’s
narrative is divided between episodes that follow a complex, overarching plot about
a planned alien invasion, and “monster of the week” episodes that focus on
standalone stories involving various creatures, mutants, or villains.
Agent Fox Mulder is characterized by his relentless pursuit of the truth, often at
great personal cost. His belief in the paranormal is deeply rooted in his backstory,
particularly the mysterious disappearance of his sister, which he believes was an
alien abduction.
Agent Dana Scully is the rational counterpoint to Mulder’s believer, bringing a critical
eye and scientific rigor to their investigations. Her character undergoes significant
development as she encounters phenomena that challenge her skepticism.
The X-Files has had a significant impact on popular culture, known for its
catchphrase “The truth is out there” and its influence on subsequent science fiction
and supernatural-themed shows. It has garnered a dedicated fan base and critical
acclaim, including several awards throughout its run1. The dynamic between Mulder
and Scully, as well as the show’s blend of suspense, horror, and conspiracy theory,
has made it a seminal work in the science fiction genre.