Now, I've had the X Files in my life for the majority of my years, would spend each new episode on the couch eating peanut butter crackers with my pop and enjoying whatever swamp monster or alien agenda that was being presented, but from watching the last season(9) of the X Files it seems that Chris Carter is bad at ending stories.
During the "Mulder and Scully" years, the writing went above and beyond the standard character development and episode plot-lines. After the pilot received some success and a first season was issued, Chris Carter(the creator) did a little trick that works wonders for a visual series; combining the actors with the characters in terms of habits/personal habits and/or characteristics. This blurs the line between actor and character, is also risky due to the nature of drama within Hollywood agendas and personal agenas(but thats another topic).
The amazing aspect of the X Files is that the writing flowed perfectly with the synchronization of the actor-to-character. As Gillian Anderson became more in touch with Scully, we'd see episodes that were really focused on Scully's story/agenda. The same goes for Dechuvney and Mulder. Mostly this occurs during seasons 2 and 4.
{SEASONS SYNOPSIS}
Season 1 was the setlist of episodes that would sell the show to allow for multiple seasons. its the boiled down, raw, X Files where the events that occur will be mentioned throughout all seasons. Towards the end, there began an underlaying plot of an alien agenda within the government, something which destroyed characters in the initial season.
Season 2 was the most crucial season to solidify the X Files in order to tell the story of all continuing seasons. This season created the legendary format of stand-alone, alien-conspiracy agenda, and comedic(B-Movie) format which would define each season here-after(so long as it was Mulder and Scully on the case).
Season 3 had a lot of episodes, not many are memorable compared to the other 'classic' episodes that occurred before and after its airing. Mulder and Scully at this point are deadlocked together.
Season 4 breathed new life and new ventures into the X Files, many 'classic' and 'iconic' episodes aired during this season. The Smoking Man is a household name at this point in the show, with some episodes dedicating time into the man behind the conspiracy.
Season 5 marks the middle of the series, still keeping the momentum of season 3-4 episodes using the season 2 format of serious/funny/stand-alone episodes which created an enjoyable episode regardless of order in the season.
MOVIE 1: First X Files movie hits theatres, ironically was made before season 5 but is lead up to during season 5. Perfectly ties to alien agenda plotline without doing "too much" to influence the series.
Season 6 had "Jose Chung's From Outter Space" the best self-aware X Files episode. More classic 'stand-alone' episodes aired. Drama concerning the Alien Agenda plotline has skyrocketed in the previous season and continues to develop over the next two seasons.
Season 7 plotlines are matured heavily with supporting characters, and some characters are removed from the show(but in the same spirit of earlier seasons) Alien Agenda plotlines are the focus of this season.
Season 8 marks a strange limbo that will ultimately conclude the series; Mulder is off and on, a new agents take the stage, and the alien agenda plotline is dashed and scattered. Most of the season is dedicated to developing characters who will only be around for one more season before being forgotten in the final movie. Forced character relations and character 'demons' as well as suspicions between the characters.
Season 9 all hope is lost. Its obvious the show will end this season. Writing is sloppy in order to by time to end worthy characters, and haphazardly attempts to create more character development for one season old main characters that won't get another season to grow. Alien agenda plotline has completly fallen to shit at this point. The previous plotline dead, the new agenda is poorly portrayed and has little to do with the actual characters of the show. Shit is made up on the fly continuously. Most of the season leans on the Mulder and Scully years openly.
MOVIE 2: Years after the series ended, the second movie proves that Chris Carter wasn't washed up, but that new shows needed to be aired on FX network. The movie does not try to focus on the alien agena because such an attempt would be fruitless as a new season would be impossible. Its an extended episode that is really well done. Mulder and Scully get some further closure that is written well into the storyline of the show concept.
I'm glad I sat down and re-watched the series in order, as I missed a good amount of episodes over the years I watched it on TV.
Mulder and Scully are the best main agents solely because the show was made for them, Dogget and Reyes had to be worked into th show and thus are inferior.