X-Cops

This article is about the X-Files episode. For the band, see X-Cops (band).

"X-Cops"
The X-Files episode
A man in a sheriff's uniform is talking to a man with black hair dressed in brown jacket. The film quality is deliberately low-quality.
Fox Mulder talking to Deputy Wetzel about the monster. The episode was filmed in the same style as the reality television series Cops.
Episode no.Season 7
Episode 12
Directed byMichael Watkins
Written byVince Gilligan
Production code7ABX12[1]
Original air dateFebruary 20, 2000 (2000-02-20)
Running time44 minutes[2]
Guest appearances
  • Judson Mills as Deputy Keith Wetzel
  • Perla Walter as Mrs. Guerrero
  • Dee Freeman as Sergeant Paula Duthie
  • Lombardo Boyar as Deputy Juan Molina
  • Solomon Eversole as Ricky
  • J. W. Smith as Steve
  • Curtis C. as Edy
  • Maria Celedonio as Chantara Gomez
  • Frankie Ray as Crackhead
  • Tara Karsian as Coroner's Assistant
  • Daniel Emmett as Cameraman
  • John Michael Vaughn as Soundman[3]
Episode chronology
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"First Person Shooter"
The X-Files season 7
List of episodes

"X-Cops" is the twelfth episode of the seventh season of the American science fiction television series The X-Files. Directed by Michael Watkins and written by Vince Gilligan, the installment serves as a "Monster-of-the-Week" story—a stand-alone plot unconnected to the overarching mythology of The X-Files. Originally aired in the United States by the Fox network on February 20, 2000, "X-Cops" received a Nielsen rating of 9.7 and was seen by 16.56 million viewers. The episode earned positive reviews from critics, largely due to its unique presentation, as well as its use of humor. Since its airing, the episode has been named among the best episodes of The X-Files by several reviewers.

The X-Files centers on Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), who work on cases linked to the paranormal, called X-Files. Mulder is a believer in the paranormal; the skeptical Scully was initially assigned to debunk his work, but the two have developed a deep friendship. In this episode, Mulder and Scully are investigating an X-File that takes place during an episode of the Fox reality television program, "Cops." Mulder believes he is hunting a werewolf, but discovers that the monster is actually feeding on fear. While Mulder embraces the publicity of "Cops," Scully is frustrated by the presence of the film crew.

"X-Cops" is a fictitious crossover with "Cops." The episode was inspired by "Cops," which Gilligan enjoyed watching. He pitched the idea several times to series creator Chris Carter and the series writing staff. The idea was met with a mixed reception, but Gilligan was eventually given the green light to produce the episode because the series was nearing its end with the conclusion of the seventh season. In keeping with the format of the real-life "Cops" program, the entire episode was shot on videotape and featured several members of the "Cops" crew. The episode has been thematically analyzed for its use of postmodernism and its presentation as reality television.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference DVD was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "The X-Files, Season 7". iTunes Store. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  3. ^ Shapiro (2000) pp. 141–52.