Apocrypha Meets the Pentagon Papers: The Appeals of the X-Files to the X-Phile

Beginning of article

Introduction: Qualifying As an X-Phile

This paper must begin with a confession: my name is Bambi and I am an X-Phile. This study is both a critical analysis and the musings of a fan. In order to discuss X-Philedom as an insider, it is necessary to qualify. Alas, I was not one of the original legions who flocked to the show in its first season-although I knew some who were. Many of my compadres-some of whom were on the edges of the industry (aspiring actors, writers, and directors) and others who were ensconced in academia-lauded the series for being smart, witty, and challenging. I, however, remained the "Scully" when it came to a show that was rooted, after all, in wanting to …