(Spoiler alert: Please do not read if you didn’t watch Sunday’s premiere of “The X-Files” event series)
“The X-Files” fans found plenty to enjoy in the premiere of the six-episode event series on Sunday, but there were definitely some plot points that rubbed viewers the wrong way.
Some said the episode rushed to cram in as much exposition as possible due to the short season, while others were upset that the new storyline seems to discount the conspiracy storyline present throughout the previous nine seasons.
Read some other reasons fans hated the new episode below.
1. Rushed
Many felt that trying to fit an entire season of paranoia and alien/government conspiracy into six episodes was detrimental to the show, with some social media users dubbing the premiere of the event series “The Exposition Files.”
“This episode felt a little rushed,” one redditor wrote. “So now this episode has thrown out everything all the previous seasons had slowly built.”
2. New Conspiracy vs. Old Conspiracy
In the premiere, Mulder becomes convinced that there is no alien conspiracy, despite all the evidence he uncovered in the original series. Instead, he now believes that a secretive group of powerful human leaders will use alien technology in a bid to take over the world.
Fans across social media voiced their disappointment that the original show’s storylines were essentially thrown out. One fan wrote, “Years of mythology thrown out like that!!”
3. Return of CSM
While some were happy for the return of the Cigarette Smoking Man (William B. Davis), others were incredulous given that fans saw him get blown away by a missile in the original series finale. In a series filled with the paranormal, this has proven to be too much for some to handle.
“How the hell did CSM survive?#somanyquestions,” one Twitter user wrote.
4. Time Is Harsh
The old scourges of ageism and vanity reared their ugly heads, as many decided to voice their opinion on how well stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson have aged since the show went off the air. Anderson definitely got the worst of it.
“WTF happened to Gillian Anderson‘s face? Mulder looks like he aged gracefully. Scully’s face looks stifffer than some morning wood,” one Twitter user wrote.
5.Left-Leaning
Joel McHale played a character clearly modeled on right-wing pundits like Bill O’Reilly, claiming he only pushes the conservative agenda because it makes him money. Conservative viewers were none too happy to see themselves mocked on the Fox show.
“I guess the #XFiles has decided to alienate 1/2 of of it’s potential audience. Didn’t know that Conservative ratings weren’t welcome,” one Twitter user wrote.