The X-Filesis one of themost influential sci-fi shows of the ’90s, with its monster-of-the-week formula and iconic main characters. The core aspect ofThe X-Fileswas the pairing of Mulder and Scully, with their polar opposite approaches to the supernatural. The show applies a police procedural formula to the sci-fi genre, with each episode focusing on an unsolved mystery.
The X-Filesincludes overarching mysteries that develop the lore of the show and the relationship between Mulder and Scully, and the writers were not afraid to take risks. While someX-Filesepisodes can be skipped on a rewatch, all are worth watching once, and many ofthe best episodes ofThe X-Filesfollow the show’s signature monster-of-the-week formula.
“Squeeze” Is The X-Files Episode That Started The Show’s Monster-Of-The-Week Setup
Eugene Victor Tooms Was So Popular That The X-Files Brought Him Back
The X-Filesstarted on a strong note, with the pilot episode setting up the spooky tone and the conflict between Mulder and Scully’s approaches to the files. That said, it did not start its monster-of-the-week formula until the third episode,“Squeeze,” which features the terrifying human monster, Eugene Victor Tooms. This made “Squeeze” one of the show’s most important episodes.
He is one of only three monsters thatThe X-Fileshas featured more than once.
The first two episodes ofThe X-Filesfocus on a government conspiracy, but Tooms is the show’s first real monster. While “Squeeze” may not be one of themasterpiece episodes ofThe X-Files, it is one that came to define the show.Tooms is a mutant with the ability to stretch his body, entering homes through tight spaces and feeding on the inhabitants' livers.
With his creepy demeanor and yellow eyes,Tooms is one of the most terrifying monsters inThe X-Files, and he was so popular that the show brought him back. Tooms ends “Squeeze” in an institution, but is released later in the season, in the episode “Tooms.” He is one of only three monsters thatThe X-Fileshas featured more than once.
It’s Hard To Imagine The X-Files Without The Trend That “Squeeze” Started
It Is Likely That The X-Files Reboot Will Keep The Original Monster-Of-The-Week Formula
“Squeeze” really showed the potential ofThe X-Fileswhen it used a police procedural format to solve the horrific mystery that Tooms and his liver-eating ways presented. The show had found a formula that worked and rarely deviated from it.This monster-of-the-week approach came to defineThe X-Files, and influenced othergreat TV thrillers of the 1990s, likeBuffy the Vampire Slayer.
The upcomingX-Filesrebootis not set to be a continuation of Mulder and Scully’s story. While this could give a fresh start to the series, it is likely that the reboot will keep aspects that made the original show so successful.The monster-of-the-week formula is a significant part ofThe X-Files, so the reboot will almost certainly follow this approach.
