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Bennion-Nixon, Lee-Jane and Bell, David
(2001).
Abstract
This chapter centres on the popular TV series (and movie and merchandising spin-offs), The X-Files(1993-2002). In particular, it seeks to interrogate the 'conspiratorial narratives' that The X-Files dramatises in its metatext. To accomplish this, we trace one story arc, or 'cumulative narrative', that crosses the seven seasons of the series broadcast by the end of 2000 in the UK: the story of the abduction of Samantha Mulder, younger sister of The X-Files' central character, FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder. This long-running, episodic storyline is especially pivotal to the series, as it is the desire to find 'the truth' of Samantha's abduction that propels Mulder in his single-minded pursuit of answers to the riddles posed by the X-files.
Our reading of the Samantha narrative is set in two contexts. First, as a core motif of The X-Files, it is located in the growing 'popular culture of conspiracy' - the production, circulation and consumption of conspiracy theories within the broad realms of popular culture. It is then set in a second context; that of the 'conspiracy of popular culture'. In particular, focus here will be given to the ways in which 'fringe knowledges' such as those about alien abduction (propagated and popularised by The X-Files) gain popular currency and mass exposure at the same time that they suffer harsh critical scrutiny from what we might call 'knowledge-keepers'. By looking at critical responses both to 'fringe knowledges' and to their representation and reproduction in The X-Files, we want ultimately to think about the forms and functions of 'popular conspiracy culture'.
Plain Language Summary
This chapter focuses on the popular TV series The X-Files (which also has movie and merchandise spin-offs). It specifically looks at the "conspiracy narratives" that are central to the show's storyline. To explore this, the chapter follows a key story arc from the first seven seasons (up to 2000 in the UK), which involves the abduction of Samantha Mulder, the younger sister of the show's main character, FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder. The mystery of Samantha's abduction is crucial to the series, as Mulder's quest to uncover "the truth" drives much of his obsession with solving the paranormal cases known as X-files.
The analysis of this storyline is placed in two broader contexts. First, it's seen as part of the growing "popular culture of conspiracy," which refers to how conspiracy theories are created, shared, and consumed in popular media. Second, the chapter examines the "conspiracy of popular culture" itself—focusing on how fringe ideas, like alien abductions (which The X-Files helped popularize), become widely known in mass media but are often criticized by experts. By considering how these fringe ideas are both embraced and challenged in The X-Files, the chapter aims to explore the role of conspiracy culture in popular media.
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)
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