| "Syzygy" | |
|---|---|
| The X-Files episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 3 Episode 13 |
| Directed by | Rob Bowman |
| Written by | Chris Carter |
| Production code | 3X13 |
| Original air date | January 26, 1996 |
| Running time | 44 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Syzygy" is the thirteenth episode of the third season of the science fiction television series The X-Files. The episode first aired in the United States on January 26, 1996, on Fox. It was written by series creator Chris Carter and directed by Rob Bowman.
The show centers on FBI special agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) who work on cases linked to the paranormal, called X-Files. In this episode, Mulder and Scully investigate the murders of high school students in a small town where everyone is acting strangely. They discover that two teens are responsible, due to a rare planetary alignment that affects their behavior.
The episode is a "Monster-of-the-Week" story, unconnected to the series' wider mythology. "Syzygy" earned a Nielsen household rating of 10.8, being watched by 16.04 million people in its initial broadcast. The episode received mixed reviews, with many critics and fans upset by the negative portrayal of Mulder and Scully.
The episode's title refers to an astronomical alignment of three celestial objects, usually the sun, the Earth, and a moon or planet. In addition, the episode contained various fan in-jokes, such as Scully getting upset because Mulder is always the driver, which was inspired by complaints from fans.