The X-Files (TV Series) The Truth (2002) User Reviews

Much as you try to bury it, the truth is out there.

[Muldernscully · 8/10 · 7 December 2007]

The Truth brings to an end an excellent run of nine years of the best t.v. show ever. While not perfect, The Truth was a fine end to the series.

The best thing about The Truth is that Mulder is back. David Duchovny's character adds an undefinable quality to the show. He still has his sense of humor, which is as wry as ever. As much as I liked Agent Doggett, how much different would the show have been with Mulder lasting the entire series? On to the episode. The last we saw of Alex Krycek, he was asking Skinner to kill Mulder. Now, as a ghost, he is helping Mulder. I guess death caused Krycek to change his mind.

The Truth pays tribute to the great guest actors over the years by bringing them back in cameos as witnesses or ghosts. It was nice to see them all again. And for the characters that they were unable to bring back (e.g. Deep Throat, Alien Bounty Hunter), they were shown in flashback clips.

The trial serves as a tool to take us back through memory lane and recap the mythology by showing past clips of the series. If you don't care for flashback episodes, this will irritate you some. I don't mind it. Skinner's case is pretty flimsy in that he hopes that by proving that there is an alien conspiracy that it will exonerate Mulder of murder. It's just a contrived reason to do the flashbacks.

Jeffrey Spender, as a witness, manages to give the wrong death of Samantha Mulder as 1987. That, of course is wrong, as she died in 1979. Apparently, that error has been corrected in syndication reruns.

I found it interesting that Skinner said that Marita Covvarubias knew of Super Soldiers. The didn't pop up in the series until well after she left.

When Gibson Praise comes in to testify, look at Mulder. Mulder puts his head down on the desk and stares intently at Gibson. You can tell he is sending a message to Gibson, since he can read thoughts. Though we don't know what that message is.

I like the look on the prosecutor's face when he sees that the trial is rigged.

When Doggett sees the stripped x-files office, he takes time to roll up the "I Want To Believe" poster and take it with him. Does that mean that Doggett "wants to believe" now? I don't understand how Mulder divulging the date of the alien colonization at the trial would have saved Mulder's life as the Cigarette Smoking Man(CSM) suggested. They would have discounted that fact along with everything else.

CSM also mentions how the aliens fear where he lives because of the abundance of Magnetite that is lethal to them. However, the aliens never shared this knowledge with the alien replicants(Super Soldiers), as two of the alien replicants wandered to close the Magnetite and were destroyed.

The thing that bugs me the most with this episode is Kersh's change of heart. All this time, he has been suppressing the agents in charge of the x-files. He has never hidden his displeasure with the x-files, especially Agent Mulder. He helps rig the trial even though you can tell at the beginning that he is not in favor of doing it. Then, I guess, his conscience finally gets the better of him and he helps to bust Mulder out of prison. I would have preferred to keep Kersh mean and nasty, instead of having this sudden turn around of character.

The Truth does as well of a job as it could for a series finale; bringing back past characters, showing classic scenes. It drags a little in the middle during the trial and I already mentioned by displeasure with Kersh. However, it has some great drama in it, and some good action in the end. The Truth is not perfect, but it's a fitting end to the X-Files.

I've been chasing monsters with a butterfly net.

[Sanpaco13 · 8/10 · 21 May 2010]

The Truth is a strange kind of ending to a wonderful series. I have mixed feelings about it because it really doesn't bring the kind of ending to the show that I might have liked to see, but at the same time, I don't really know what I would have done differently to make it any better. I do kind of like some of the summary of the show we get from the trial scenes, but at the same time it gives the episode a kind of clip show feeling that takes away from it. I am all for the reappearance of some of the favorite characters who have since passed on. But I did wish there was a little more X and a little less Krycek. I like how the episode begins with the "what are you thinking" line and how the episode also ends the way the series began in a motel room discussing the truth. Although I have to admit that I much prefer the Pilot hotel scene to the finale hotel scene. In the Pilot there is still so much mystery and suspense and excitement, but in the finale there is a feeling of loss and unfinished business that may not ever be addressed. There seem to be a lot of ends left open. What happened to Skinner and Kersch? What happened to Doggett and Reyes? Even in the movie that came out recently we don't get much answer to these questions. We know that Skinner is apparently still alive and well and seems to have become someone important but thats about it. I felt that this was a good episode in itself but a poor conclusion to the series.

Not the best episode, but at least Mulder & Scully are reunited

[bugmouthga · 8/10 · 17 February 2006]

First off, I think of myself as a big X-files fan, although I didn't become a regular viewer until the 7th season. Why? Well, honestly, I was too much of a scaredy- cat. I remember seeing the previews when it debuted in 1993. It looked new and fresh. And SCARY!!!! And I used to have a hard time watching scary shows. And since no one else I knew wanted to watch it with me, I missed out, bereft of one of the greatest shows ever created.

Eventually, I braved- and wised- up, and started watching the reruns. There was some great acting, writing and directing. Finally, I started watching the new episodes during season 7, which has since become my favorite, introducing me fully into the world of the FBI, aliens, conspiracies and lot's of fun creatures. Later, it became a wonderful thing for me to watch past episodes, watching these lovely characters evolve, grow and change; Scully, in particular, who remains my favorite character.

Season 9 had it's moments. There were a few episodes I could watch over and over again, and others that I never watch for one reason or another. And like the season it concluded, "The Truth" had it's share of both good and well, not so good.

When it originally aired, I watched with breathless anticipation. At that time, I still had not seen a lot of the episodes (particularly from the first 3 seasons), so the flashback clips added some insight to the show. Now that I have seen every episode though, re-watching "The Truth" can be somewhat cumbersome, and I find myself thinking, 'jeez, I've already seen all this before!' I've read that many of the fans felt the same way.

The trial itself did seem a bit unlikely to me as well, although I figured if Mulder did come out of hiding, he would probably get into trouble with the government. I just never imagined that it would be with the military. It also seemed unlikely that Mulder would ask Skinner to represent him, or that the court would allow it in the first place, but then, I'm no lawyer, so what do I know of such things, right? The best part of this episode is the reunion of Mulder and Scully. I think a lot of the fans were waiting for this. And Chris Carter, in his own I-don't-like-emotion-so-I'll-skirt-around-the-whole 'love-thing' at least let his characters have a little bit of happiness at Mulder's return.

Now, some have mentioned that they did or didn't care for the whole Doggett and Reyes thing, for various reasons. Here's my take on it. Agents Reyes and Doggett were decent characters, portrayed by decent actors (whoever was picking on Annabeth Gish, maybe you should see her in something else before you judge. She's really all right.) But what they're NOT is Mulder and Scully. Any of you children of divorce? Any of you since grown up and learned to get along with, or even like your step parent(s)? That's what I think the dislike of Doggett and Reyes comes from, particularly Doggett who was partnered with Scully for awhile during all of season 8. He may be a decent guy, but he's NOT Mulder. And many of us didn't care to see him "with" Scully, although not in the romantic sense at all, of course. It is perhaps, a crude explanation, but it's the closest scenario I can come up with at this late hour.

Another thing before I go. I usually try not to "single" anyone out, but somebody made a nasty comment that deserves a little picking on- after all, he picked on myself and many others with his remarks. A person under the screen name of xyzcosmonaut put down probably at least half of our fans by calling us "shippers" sad. Well, I know that Chris Carter tried to shy away from this aspect of the show, probably fearing that resolving the sexual tension that had been building up between the two leads since the beginning of the series would ruin it. I don't know, but, if you notice, Mulder and Scully never really got to "be together" until the end of the 8th season, when Duchovny was leaving. But one of the bright spots of season 9 to me was keeping Mulder's presence felt, mostly through Scully's constant connection with him particularly through their child, William (oh, and don't get me started on that terrible "resolution"! Ugh!)

But finally, we got to see Mulder and Scully back together like they were meant to be. Maybe that sounds silly or corny, but most people would prefer to have someone to love and grow old with than to die alone. Why should these characters be any different? Love makes the world go round and it comes in many different forms. It IS human nature, and what is wrong with Mulder and Scully loving each other? "The Truth" doesn't offer the truth about a lot of things. It doesn't resolve any of the main characters' turmoils. But it DOES answer one, important question that us SAD, little shippers have always known- that Mulder and Scully love each other!

Acting performance of Robert Patrick

[zombix-1 · 10/10 · 13 October 2021]

I watched first seasons on TV in the 90s, then complete series on dvd several years later, and now, after 15 years I watched it again in HD, and I never really noticed how good Robert Patrick performance is until now. His facial expressions and methods to show emotions are perfect, especially fear. He's far better actor than anyone else in this show.

Bringing down the curtain on 9 years of pure brilliance...

[Nic2k83 · 10/10 · 17 May 2004]

After 202 episodes spanning across nine years, the X-Files finally closes its doors. For die-hard fans, this two part finale is sure to satisfy, with expert performances from all the cast involved. The plot centres around a military tribunal with Agent Mulder on charge for the murder of a military man who can't be killed, Knowle Rohrer, a government super soldier. With Skinner acting as Mulder's defence, all of his allies from the past nine years testify on his behalf. I won't tell what happens from there on, just make sure you watch it! Superbly written and directed by Kim Manners and Chris Carter, this episode shows many twists and turns and highlights once again the fantastic on screen chemistry which Mulder and Scully share. Chris Carter has left the door open for another X-Files movie, so lets hope The X-Files makes a return to the big screen as soon as possible. To Chris Carter, I salute you, The X-Files 1993-2002, R.I.P

A fitting finale to a miraculous series

[tRiVi8L · 7 March 2005]

This 2-hour finale of the acclaimed TV Series, THE X-FILES, is a fitting send off of the show from the small screen to the big screen. From Mulder to Scully, Reyes to Doggett, Skinner, CSM, to some nifty tricks up the sleeve by Chris Carter, Frank Spotnitz, Gilligan, Manners, et al, this 2-hour episode does not disappoint! While the series finale does not untangle all the strings, the creators and talent do twine most of the strings together into a nice farewell. Die hard fans and casual viewers alike will find it thoroughly enjoyable. And, fear not, for this series finale marks the end of the television portion of THE X-FILES and marks the starting point of film versions to come!! Stay tuned for second THE X-FILES feature film in 2006! THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE

The Truth

[kurtcollins1005 · 8/10 · 14 July 2007]

I agree with Rom Port, I think the series would've been better served by ending around season 7. Robbert Patrick is great as Doggett but he's no Mulder. It wasn't his fault, it was just that chemistry between Duchovny and Anderson was the core of the show. I still think this show holds up season 1-6 along with this episode, but, the last 2 seasons were a textbook case on how NOT to end a TV series. Even JJ Abrams of Lost brings up the X Files "theory", basically get out when the stories are still strong. I admire Chris Carter and I'll be honest, it's my guilty pleasure to see Mulder and Scully back on the big screen. Especially now with all the conspiracies they could find.

They don't make shows like this anymore.

[suvechhabose · 10/10 · 18 August 2019]

I cried. God i cried. This episode is, one of the best episodes out of all the tv shows episodes' out there. I thank myself i watched it ,i thank them who made x files. This was the perfect ending.God knows why they started s10 and s11.



About the episode-The Truth reveals everything.What the whole x files kept as a secret. It was presented beautifully by showing us important scenes from s1 to s9,romance and humour were present.The cast gave their 100% .

The series took a different turn at beginning of s6,it downgraded a bit but this episode will make you believe. Worth waiting for the truth. Worth watching x files. And yes, as long as there's unknown phenomenons and conspiracies hidden and/or getting born, The truth is out There.



M not going to reveal more about this episode.(it's remarkable cause i dont think any one could ve done this episode better or could make a x files rip - off which is better than x files) Cause as an x files fan ,and as u have wasted so much time watching x files , I want you to the know the truth , i want you to literally see "the truth".



Why u ask? Because this episode was aired in early 2003 or 04'. And me in 2019 watching it and saying, They don't make shows like this anymore.

There's nothing more dangerous than the truth.

[mattiasflgrtll6 · 10/10 · 2 May 2019]

After a full year, Mulder finally shows up, and he's in more trouble than ever. After supposedly murdering a man he knocked down, he's put on an illegitimate trial where he has to prove his innocence.

Even though this season started off somewhat worryingly, it turned out to be not that bad actually. Nevertheless, I was happy to see our dear old Fox again.

You're just as creeped out as Scully when she meets Mulder in jail. Why is he acting so weird? Almost at peace with possibly getting a prison sentence or worse for something didn't do, and repeating how he's guilty of his "crimes"? Of course, it turns out they are trying to brainwash him into confessing his guilt, which as you can guess he won't. But something is still off. He asks Skinner to defend him instead of hiring a real lawyer, and he's knowingly withholding information, even from Scully. The fact that he's so un-cooperative really increases the suspense, since it's up to everyone around him to get him released instead.

The trial that follows is very intense. You keep rooting for Mulder to be proven innocent, but every single testimony, no matter how convincing, gets shut down. That includes Jeffrey Spender, despite having visible proof of government experiments performed on him. Chris Owens as usual does a great job portraying him. I liked how several characters stepped forward and explained the whole complicated mythology to the judges. Over the years it's gotten harder and harder to follow, but here it was recapped in a way that actually made some kind of sense, which is an impressive feat. Several familiar faces show up either in the form of living presences or ghosts. The most surprising one to me was Mr. X. He has such an intense presence whenever he's onscreen, showing off a more gruff demeanor than the other informants on the show.

There's some nice suspense near the end when Mulder is sentenced to death, and he gets help from Skinner and some others to escape. The entire government is after him this time.

Once you find out why Mulder didn't want to tell Scully what he heard, it makes sense. Cigarette Smoking Man is the one who reveals that there's an alien invasion planned on December 22 2012, and that there's nothing they can do to stop it. Seeing Smoking Man so gleeful despite looking decreipt after the attempted murder simply because he knows this will finally kill both of them is eerie. Talk about someone who's evil all the way to the end.

The best parts of the episode are the scenes with Mulder and Scully. You can see how years of working together and growing affectionate of each other has developed into a beautiful, lowkey romance. The ending with them holding each other in bed both fearing the possible alien apocalypse knowing at least they have each other is heartbreaking, but also very sweet.

The only things that didn't make sense to me were Krycek and Kersh helping Mulder. Krycek has always been a conniving mastermind, but now since he's a ghost he's suddenly nicer? What? Kersh was characterized inconsistently, first you see him opposed to the trial and rigs it reluctantly, then he seems more than glad to bring Mulder down, and then when he's sentenced to death he helps him escape from prison. Make up your mind, writers.

This was originally written as the series finale, and while I can see why some fans are disappointed it didn't tie up all ends, I thought it was conclusive enough I was satisfied at the end of it. I'll have to see for myself how the next two seasons fare, but as an X-Files entry in general it's excellent.

"We can only hope to go down fighting."

[classicsoncall · 8/10 · 31 August 2017]

It appears Chris Carter wrapped up 'The X-Files' the best way he could (at least for the original nine season run), with an impressive trip down memory lane to furnish some of the highlights from the series. A way was found to bring back virtually every important character in the X-Files universe, be they dead or alive. I was confused at first with the appearance of Alex Krycek (Nicholas Lea), but it wasn't difficult to figure out that Mulder's ghosts from the past would be on hand to lend some resonance to the story. In true X-Files fashion, we also come to learn that the deaths of former characters were greatly exaggerated, like those of the Cigarette Smoking Man (William B. Davis) and Jeffrey Spender (Chris Owens).

The basis for the show though, the trial of Fox Mulder for murder, never really played out as a murder trial in actuality, as it all came down to proving the government's involvement in a conspiracy to hide what it knew about an alien takeover of Earth and the aftermath of that failed attempt. Funny, but no one, including Mulder himself, ever came up with a self defense strategy. After all, those thirty witnesses the government said it had would have observed the struggle at the top of the Mt. Weather facility.

The most impressive part about that trial for me was how Agent Reyes rose to the occasion and lambasted everyone for their lies and cover ups. That was the most solid effort Annabeth Gish put into her role in the two seasons she worked on The X-Files. And speaking of Agent Reyes, and her new relationship with Doggett, it was clever the way they appeared to be living together when they first found out about Mulder. One didn't have to be hit over the head to figure that out.

But in true X-Files fashion, the show also did some abrupt U-turns to keep the viewer off balance, like Deputy Director Kersh's (James Pickens Jr.) sudden turn at the end, and Cigarette Smoking Man still alive and living secluded in the New Mexico desert. I also wondered why Gibson Praise didn't become a target again once he made his reappearance. And of course, Gibson's outing of an alien on the board opposing Mulder in his trial went unanswered, so you had some loose ends left to deal with, that of course, won't be dealt with.

All in all though, it was a cool nine year run that made 'The X-Files' my second favorite show of all time. Sorry folks, my Number One, is, and probably will always remain, Rod Serling's 'Twilight Zone'. Too bad their eras were so far apart, it would have been neat to see Serling and Chris Carter collaborate with each other for some really weird stuff.

Unsatisfying End of the X-Files Feast

[loudprincess · 6/10 · 29 March 2007]

The X-Files was a phenomenal series with years of incredible performances, excellent writing, nail-biting tension, and vivid character development. Being the huge, enigmatic show that was, this finale served as one of the most unsatisfying ends to an amazing series.

***Spoilers*** I was never one of the folks who believed that Mulder and Scully should be romantically involved, so my disappointment with the show started right around the time of the movie, and that probably lends to part of my resentment towards this episode. Anytime Mulder and Scully kiss or make doe eyes at one another, I kind of cringe, since they were originally written as agents so dedicated to their missions that they really didn't need to fill in the romantic void with one another.

That said, that point not withstanding, I was sad to find that the episode was almost entirely spent on rehashing the past nine seasons at a breakneck pace while cramming every pivotal character into some corner of the story. Cancer Man living in a cave in the desert? Please. And how many times can an FBI authority figure (Skinner, Kersh, etc.) be accused of not helping Mulder and Scully? That point was so worn out by Season four that was I dying for another conflict point to be introduced. ***End of Spoiler***

Of course, there's Reyes and Doggett, who practically took over the show in the last two seasons, but relegated to being sidekicks in the finale. Of course, it's the Scully and Mulder Show, but by the time the creators decided to call it quits, the series had become so complex that giving it a couple of hours to end wouldn't do it justice.

For a show that tried to avoid wrapping episodes in a neat, little package, this episode strives to do just that. I would have been a lot more satisfied if they left a few ends untied, a few baddies unresolved (CSM), and the romantic angle of Mulder and Scully alone so that future movies would have something juicy to feed on. But as it stands, the finale doesn't leave a whole lot for the writers to work with that won't turn a future film into some cheesy "where are they now?" story.

Wow:)

[tylerfarmer-25136 · 10/10 · 19 February 2019]

A great ending to a great series. May not have ended the way people have wanted it to, but I think Chris Carter did a great job wrapping up the series as a whole

Heavy going, but ties up lots of loose ends.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 7/10 · 1 December 2022]

Mulder is back, and stands accused of killing a member of The Military.

It would be thirteen years before the show would return, I remember the distain felt by many fans when the show ended here, this did feel like a natural end of The X Files.

Personally, this final installment, was not as good as I had hoped for, but still a watchable, interesting episode, which does tie up several loose ends.

It's like a role call of past episodes, there are so many faces from the past, so many flashbacks, and that's perhaps some of the problem. It's like as if too much time was spent slotting in so many faces, that the actual plot seemed to be sacrificed at times.

I wasn't particularly crazy about The Super Soldier storyline, it did go on and on, I was glad to see some sort of resolution.

On the plus side, the acting was great, and it was nice to see Skinner having such a big part, and it was of course nice to see Mulder and Scully.

On the downside, the story was maybe a little too heavy, and I felt that Doggett and Reyes were just sidelined, both having put in some cracking performances in Series 9, they just seemed to be shoved to one side here.

Interesting, just a little too heavy, 7/10.

creative exhaustion!

[dermotmoconnor · 1/10 · 29 July 2009]

I watched the show first time around in real-time, and have finally watched it again on DVD (over the course of a few months).

The mytharc from seasons 1-6 made a lot more sense than I expected. My low opinions of the alien story were artifacts from the final 3 seasons.

The show peaked around seasons 3-5.

It never recovered from the absence of Darrin Morgan.

In s7, creative exhaustion hit, hard. The wit & originality was gone - along with the Syndicate! Rule #1: there is no drama without conflict. Your PROtagonist MUST have an ANTagonist. Killing them off for a cheap thrill killed the show.

The season 9 "Super Soldiers" arc was lame in the extreme. The Skeptic/Believer structure of the show was also handled poorly - turning Scully into the believer, and Doggett into the skeptic was daft. All it would have taken was one episode - have Doggett see an alien with his own eyes - a "Road to Damascus" - and have him become a believer - acolyte - of Mulders. As Groucho Marx said - "Who are you going to believe, me or your own eyes?" That would be credible, and we could have followed his personal arc. Instead, it takes Doggett TWO FREAKING YEARS to accept the obvious, by which time the show is dead.

Were all of the final 3 seasons episodes bad? No - several were well worth watching - but overall, the experience was dispiriting. 8x6 "Redrum" was one of the more original...partly inspired by the movie "Memento", I think.

In Season 7, episode 9 "signs and wonders" at 8 mins, 25 seconds a boom mike operator is visible fully in the left side of the shot, in WS. If you can't keep the boom guy out of the frame, then you have a systemic problem with the show. This might have been excusable in an earlier season, but the 3:4 WS issue was well known by this time. I can't imagine how they allowed such a basic mistake to occur. Not a good omen. At that point, you realise that the Slide has begun.

Another beef: the final 3 seasons killed off critical characters (or saw them disappear for no reason): Krycek, CSM, blonde UN lady, etc. Oh, they all suddenly reappear for the final episode, but for no good reason. Where were they? The show had lost all respect for continuity. You'd think that, given Duchovny's absence, they'd have leaned on these characters more not less - another sign of CC's lack of common sense.

Another irritant: an absence of great villains (antagonists). Krycek and CSM were interesting because they had MOTIVES. You could sense that they were more than just twirly mustache baddies. CSM believed that he was good (a trait of first class baddies). He was evil, but human, with human failings. What do we get in seasons 8 and 9? Kirsh. The phrase "one dimensional" springs to mind. Could this character be less interesting? His sole reason is to be a road block, nothing more. Lazy, lazy, LAZY!!! TIRED, exhausted, tedious characterisation. Of course, he redeems himself, but only in the final episode, and for no apparent reason. Just another gob of phlegm in the face of the audience.

Speaking of 1D characters, Cary Elwes. Were we expected to take him seriously, or was he comic relief? The lone gunmen were scarier than his character.

Yet another irritant: why the ghosts in the final episode? Krycek is suddenly Mulder's guardian angel, in defiance of 9 years as his arch enemy? He's the killer of Scully's sister, or has CC forgotten?

X is back as a spectral visitor - he would have been plausible as a spirit guide instead of Krycek. Why not have Krycek as a spirit demon, taunting Mulder, if they wanted him as a guest star? This isn't rocket science, you know!

X is clearly a ghost, yet hands Mulder a corporeal piece of paper? WTF?

The lone gunmen I could have handled, as Mulder's absence from their funeral was crass and very unheroic - but after Krycek & X, this felt contrived - pandering to the audience, and ultimately not respecting their intelligence. The currency of death was also cheapened - characteristic of too many US TV shows (I'm looking at you, "Heroes").

When you have a property like the X-Files, you have to raise the stakes over time. This was done from seasons 1-6. The only path that makes sense is to show us more, not less, over time. Tease, yes, but RAISE THE STAKES. What we get in the final 3 seasons is less, less, and less. Burt Reynolds as God? I had to shower after that atrocity - not to mention the $$$ that must have been blown. One would think that CC would have realised all this prior to the second film - but no. Even after 7 years or R&R, he has learned nothing. Only a full scale war against the aliens or a first class monster episode would have sufficed. Instead, a sub-mediocre offering like the final TV episode was provided. Truly sad...George Lucas syndrome, it seems.

If I had his money & clout, I'd hire a talented young writer and have them do the heavy lifting. However, in Hollywood, EGO is all. Better to do it yourself and fail, than have someone else do it and succeed.

Note to CC and Lucas: LEARN HOW TO DELEGATE, for FUN & PROFIT.

The next time I watch the show, I'll restrict myself to seasons 1-6, which were magic of the first order. The bulk of the final 3 can safely be consigned to the memory hole, where they so richly belong.

great episode!

[greengoliath612 · 24 December 2004]

x-files is one of most brilliant show in history of television, if not the most brilliant. it has more great episodes than any other shows previously or yet to come. so, yes, i have to admit that season nine was a Little sub par (but it was the ninth season, after all, so i guess it figures!) but the finale was really awesome. a lot of people among the x-philes were disappointed by this finale, but i think it's as cool as it could have been. it contains an extremely well done summary of the myth arc of the show, which is not that easy considering how complex it is, that is displayed during a secret trial involving Mulder. sure, the idea is not new, but it works, and is completely in the spirit of the show. but the best parts of the episode are the one that don't take place in the trial: the infiltration by Mulder of the headquarters of the secret government, his return to pueblos, 8 years after anasazi, the final confrontation with the csm, the scene in the oval office, and most than all: the final scenes between Mulder ans scully in the motel, reference to the pilot. as for the 2 revelations (the date of the invasion, and the fact that it can no longer be stopped) may seem dull at first, but take all their meaning when you know the signification of :december 22,2012. i think that episode was brilliant, especially since it was an all star episode gathering all the actors of the show-including the dead- and a great way to end the greatest television show ever. long live cc! 6/6

Not the end

[JimNebuchanezzar · 10/10 · 4 January 2005]

Contains Spoilers.

Yes, it offered the truth, but fortunately, it isn't the end of the X-Files.

The final episode of the X-Files for now, as said below, details the trial of Fox Mulder, imprisoned for killing a US Governments super soldier, a man that cannot be killed (which I might point out, he didn't do). Throughout the episode (written by Chris Carter and directed by my favourite X-Files director, Kim Manners), Skinner, acting as Mulders defense, calls up witnesses to testify on Mulders behalf, to attempt to expose the Governments knowledge of UFO's and extra terrestrial life, and show that Mulder couldn't have possibly killed this government Super soldier. Through the recounts by several key cast members (Krychek, Scully, that UN lady, etc etc etc) of the important events that have transpired throughout the X-Files's history, Skinner eventually proves to the tribunal that the super solider was not killed by Mulder, and indeed was never killed. Never the less, the military court sentences him to death by Lethal injection.

Through the night, Deputy Director Kersh (who was a member of the prosecution team against Mulder) helps Skinner & Dogget break Mulder out of the jail, and Mulder leaves with Scully to seek the truth.

The last half an hour is what the title is about, CSM, Cancer Man, whatever you wanna call him, tells Mulder (and Scully), that the world will be invaded by a race of aliens on December 22, 2012 (the day that the Mayan calender ends), and that the human race will effectively die. CSM then leaves him there to die. Luckily, Mulder, Scully and co escape in just enough time to get out of the hideaway of CSM, and they attempt to kill Mulder and Scully, but effectively, kill CSM. Meanwhile, at the FBI HQ, Skinner discovers that the X-Files have been permanently shut down, and there is nothing he can do to stop it. The show ends there really, leaving it open to another movie about what can Mulder and Scully do to help the human race.

What else can I say, the show ends rather abruptly in terms of the overall story, is shot superbly and offers a great summary of what has happened throughout the history of this brilliant show. Now we are left to wait for the next movie.

This was a series finale?

[MyEinsamkeit · 6/10 · 5 January 2017]

It was exciting for a while, but some of the stuff made no sense. Why was Alex and X shown as ghosts? I like them, but it was pretty pointless for them to show up as ghosts. The thing that really bugged me is that after the little kid expose one of the guys as a super solider, nobody didn't take it serious. And what happen to him? The whole super solider story line IMO was cool, but it would of been cool if they were exposed more and killed more. And Joe and his partner just rides off and we never see them again lol. The only parts i enjoyed the most was with Scully and Mulder together. I think the series was kinda bad, i also didn't like the fact that David left , i think he should of stayed until the end of the series. Overall , an exciting episodes that went downhill pretty quick half part . 6/10 ratings. Love the series though, its the best TV series IMO next to Smallville.

A good ending to the awful 9th season

[ti6o · 7/10 · 3 July 2005]

Well, I've been following the series since they started in 1993 , I can surely say this 9th season was the worst of all - without Mulder and with many "crappy" , dull stand alone episodes...( unlike the 8th season which had superb stand alone episodes ) . Scully behaved very strange in this season ... in one moment she is suffering for her baby and Mulfer ... in the other - examining a dead body in the morgue for the consecutive dull x-file...

P.S I was so disappointed when the LONEGUNMEN died in such a ridiculous way... that was probably the poorest part of the whole season

________ THE GRANDE FINALEEE - 7/10 ___________

Definitely didn't expect to see " the truth " in this episode, but I neither expected anything like this... not that it is lacking suspense and action or something... it just looks unfinished .. as it is one regular episode, but not the last one... nothing in the final credits to suggest that it is the final episode which brings me to the idea that it may not be the last episode... I enjoyed " The truth ", it really is a very good summary of the whole series and many things cleared to me ....However, I can't really accept that Mulder has failed and nothing can be done, so he'll lie down with Scully till 22 December 2012 ... What happens with the others ? ... What happens with their so-special son? ... I anticipated answers which I did not receive... The thing I will remember from this episode is the " I WANT TO Believe " reference ... you want to believe..yeah..but in what and is it worth trying to get to the truth ... genius !

very disappointing

[Rom_Port · 2/10 · 13 June 2007]

I just finished reviewing all 9 seasons of the X files (while watching the 8th and 9th seasons for the first time) and i guess that my comment is not only about the last episode but also about both last seasons.

The first thing that i realized is that at least for me the show was based on agent Mulder and his special non-romantic relationship with Sculley, the last 2 seasons totally ruin that, Mulder mostly isn't there and when he is the he deals with the romances with Sculley and their baby. Although i think Robert Patrick (agent Dogget) is quite good he is still no match for David Duchovny as an actor. I find the last 2 seasons lack the great acting and the great sense of humor there was in the first seasons (especially 1-6).

The last 2 seasons really turned one of the greatest series to just another sci-fi series, and thats why i think it would be much better the show would end with the ending of the 7th season (mulders abduction by the aliens). That would save us the 2 seasons that took the show down and also would be a great point to a sequel movie if there is ever gonna be one.

a weak recap

[gkertai · 8 January 2005]

If you've watched the whole nine years of X-files, then this episode won't give you any new details to ponder, only set the date of the alien invasion (which you already knew would happen sometime anyway). It is no more than a recap of the alien conspiracy storyline with many flashbacks of earlier episodes and all the important characters (be it living or dead) showing up for a sentence or two. I'm not very surprised that there were no new truths to reveal, since the conspiracy theory got fairly exhausted over the years. However I expected something more intelligent than the "let's have a bit of everything in it for all kinds of audiences" recipe. Well, it had: a little nostalgia for the forgetful; lot's of romance for those always having wanted to see Mulder and Scully kiss; some chasing and escaping for those in favor of the thrills; fighting with authorities for the drama lovers; the (unnecessary) bombing of an entire Indian village for the SFX fans; and the usual cliffhanger for those who'd like to believe that it's not really the end (OK, maybe somewhat weaker than usual). Unfortunately it did not have any of the wit, sarcasm, originality or the surprise element that the X-Files series was worth watching for.

About as good as it could have been...

[n-mo · 7/10 · 8 October 2019]

... which is not saying a whole lot.

So far as the overarching "myth-arc" went, though, 'The X-Files' was really resolved in mid-season 6, with the conclusion of the Gibson Praise arc and the killing off of the syndicate. In hindsight, however, given that the writers felt obliged to continue, we can really say the introduction of Praise was the show's jumping of the shark: I mean, really, a kid who can read minds perfectly is impossible to top for a series that wants to showcase the paranormal and retain some sort of verisimilitude to its look and feel. Not surprisingly, subsequent attempts to revive or re-explore the series's alien mythology never really took off or built up to any sort of grander coherence, and the standalone "Monster of the Week" installments became increasingly self-referential.

None of it was necessarily *bad*, but neither was it even remotely so gripping as had been the first five and a half seasons. But surely season 9 could have done better with just about any stupid or disjointed story arc than the one it actually played out: the search for Mulder and the invasion of the supersoldiers. Weren't these points already hit in season 8, for crying out loud? It was a mess of a season but to the writers' credit they seemed resolved to tie it up however they could. I suppose that's why the finale gets so much flak: tying up this mess was a dirty job but somebody had to do it, and really, there's not much else it could have done.

At any rate they hit all the essential plot points encapsulating the ninth season and indeed, the series as a whole. The missing Mulder turns up suddenly and naturally, he's in trouble. In his quest to expose corrupt, shadowy powers lurking behind the scenes in our lives and our society he has been unjunstly put on the hook by those same powers, who are determined to keep their dark secrets hidden whatever and whoever the cost. Scully will play the key role in getting him out, helping him as the two have always helped each other, aided indispensibly by Skinner as well as Doggett and Reyes (the latter of whom notwithstanding the writer's stated intentions to make a central character never really rose above being Scully's midwife and then nanny).

When she does get him out, life won't go back to normal at the FBI as it always does at the close of such a problem, for the simple reason that there will be no more X-Files and so we can't have such a non-closing closure. Mulder and Scully are to go into exile. And in the appropriate meta-style they are seen off by a consortium of all the important people in their careers: Skinner, Doggett, Reyes, Hirsch and Praise. Along the way they even encounter the Ghostly Trio of the Lone Gunmen. It's a farewell that couldn't be cheesier if everyone were throwing flowers as Mr. and the new Mrs. Mulder sped off in a Ferrari with "JUST MARRIED" scrawled on the back, but it's strangely appropriate and satisfying. So too is the conclusion, on the bed at almost the same cheap motel the two stayed in on their first case, meditating on the implications of their work, of Christianity and of each other for the future of humanity and indeed of themselves.

It's a scrappy couple of episodes but that's really the whole point. It's about picking up the scraps of a once-solid narrative which had grown weary and senile, notwithstanding the often-impressive afterglow in the last two and a half years. They could have done worse. Maybe they could have done better, but I'd say worse was more likely. Bravo, Ten-Thirteen!

What truth? - It's all about whiny & depressed Scully

[mikko-sandt · 1/10 · 4 July 2005]

I didn't want to believe it but seeing is believing. The finale to the best show ever turned out to be crap. First of all at least half of the episode is wasted on talking about things we already know. The Mulder trial is unrealistic in every sense, it's childish and poorly executed. We learn nothing new. In non-trial scenes you have Mulder & Scully hugging each other all the time - the most unfortunate fact about this is the total destruction of Scully's character. She used to be strong, independent and smart - now she's depressed, whiny and helpless who can't do a single thing alone. Bringing CSM back felt a bit forced but William B. Davis saved a lot. And at least he had a few good lines.

Mulder's quest for the truth turned into something childish and uninteresting during the past two seasons. That's the biggest mistake the writers did along with the fact that they destroyed Scully and what she used to stand for.

Can't think of a worse way to end a show.

You fall asleep on it?

[lastexitinny · 10 April 2008]

"The Truth" finished off the series as best it could. We now know the date for the alien colonization is set....What parts did you miss? You must have slept through it. Mulder and Scully discussed that there was hope that the date and what seemed to be unavoidable, could be changed and mankind still be saved...yes the story did get confusing along the way but it certainly wasn't BS at all....Their relationship was fully realized and confirmed with Mulder being the father of the baby Scully gave birth to. Ghostly apparitions guiding Mulder in the finale was a way of telling us that there is more to this than just aliens and colonizations. There is still a higher power and mysteries which we know nothing of. Much like what happens in this world can never be fully or actually explained..the year is 2008 and things still baffle us and we can't understand but we do believe..or we wanna believe. Thats what the X Files is all about: the unexplained, the miraculous, the God-like intervention, chance, luck, the talking dead and the powerful feeling that there is something bigger at work here but we don't know exactly what.

The Final Episode disappoints greatly :(

[TranceGemini613 · 1/10 · 17 December 2006]

This, the final episode, was perhaps one of the biggest disappointments I have seen on-screen to date.

The episode's premise was promising: Mulder, on trial for the murder of a man who cannot die, depends upon Skinner and Scully to back him up.

Unfortunately, what was a good idea quickly degenerated into a parade of characters from the show's better seasons, throwing in Krycek, Gibson Praise, Marita Covarrubias, etc. for no discernible reason except as a poorly-contrived...what? Plot point? It's like a clip episode only so, so much worse.

Then Mulder's on the run, Scully joins him, Krycek throws Smoking Man--who, by the way, has been hiding at an ancient Anasazi village?????--down some stairs and (apparently) kills him, and the episode ends with Mulder and Scully in a motel room, on the lam, with all their allies dead or wanted by the FBI. None of the fans' questions are answered (nor hardly addressed), and the whole thing has a very confused, "I'm-sick-of-this, let's-get-it-over-with" feel to it. There was so much potential, even after the last three seasons of pure garbage, and it was squandered.

Le sigh, the fans now must content themselves with watching Seasons 1 through 6 and hoping that, should Chris Carter make another movie, he dismisses Seasons 7, 8 and 9 as a drugged dream sequence. That would be the only honorable thing to do, seeing as how horribly he mangled this would-be happy ending.

Beyond Disappointed

[themorriganspet · 3/10 · 19 September 2017]

I was never one of the cult who thought this was the greatest fiction on TV. The sappy tropes in this episode almost ruined the entire experience for me. If you're nostalgic for this program, don't watch this episode. Lamest climax ever. Chris Carter should've been whipped for doing this.