Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalHispanic Heritage MonthIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
The X-Files
S7.E17
All episodesAll
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

All Things

  • Episode aired Apr 9, 2000
  • TV-14
  • 45m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
4.1K
YOUR RATING
Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny in The X-Files (1993)
AdventureCrimeDramaMysterySci-FiThriller

Scully is finishing up the autopsy of a person at a hospital. A file mix-up involving the autopsy folder and another patient's x-ray leads Scully to discover a former lover of hers has been ... Read allScully is finishing up the autopsy of a person at a hospital. A file mix-up involving the autopsy folder and another patient's x-ray leads Scully to discover a former lover of hers has been admitted at the hospital. Meeting with him again causes Scully to re-examine the decisions... Read allScully is finishing up the autopsy of a person at a hospital. A file mix-up involving the autopsy folder and another patient's x-ray leads Scully to discover a former lover of hers has been admitted at the hospital. Meeting with him again causes Scully to re-examine the decisions she has made in her life, leading to her where she is to today.

  • Director
    • Gillian Anderson
  • Writers
    • Chris Carter
    • Gillian Anderson
    • Jeffrey Bell
  • Stars
    • David Duchovny
    • Gillian Anderson
    • Colleen Flynn
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    4.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Gillian Anderson
    • Writers
      • Chris Carter
      • Gillian Anderson
      • Jeffrey Bell
    • Stars
      • David Duchovny
      • Gillian Anderson
      • Colleen Flynn
    • 34User reviews
    • 7Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos16

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 11
    View Poster

    Top cast12

    Edit
    David Duchovny
    David Duchovny
    • Fox Mulder
    Gillian Anderson
    Gillian Anderson
    • Dana Scully
    Colleen Flynn
    Colleen Flynn
    • Colleen Azar
    Stacy Haiduk
    Stacy Haiduk
    • Margaret 'Maggie' Waterston
    Stephen Hornyak
    Stephen Hornyak
    • Dr. Kopeikan
    Victoria Faerber
    • Nurse #1
    Nicolas Surovy
    Nicolas Surovy
    • Dr. Daniel Waterston
    Carol Banker
    • Carol
    Elayn J. Taylor
    Elayn J. Taylor
    • Nurse #2
    • (as Elayn Taylor)
    Cheryl White
    Cheryl White
    • Nurse #3
    Scott Vance
    Scott Vance
    • Healer
    Patricia Steffy
    Patricia Steffy
    • Hospital Visitor
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Gillian Anderson
    • Writers
      • Chris Carter
      • Gillian Anderson
      • Jeffrey Bell
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews34

    7.04K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    8kbaever

    We knew she'd brains and now we get to see what's in her heart.

    The episode isn't brilliant but it isn't trash either. We get to see that Scully is far from flawless. If you're confronted with your past, you're forced to make peace with it and deal with your present life and choices. If all you want is the brainless entertainment you will hate this episode. I don't blame Gillian Anderson for wanting to give Scully's character more depth. We know Scully; the scientist, her morales, her loyalties and her religion. Now we get a peek at Scully; the woman.
    7paltrow389

    another side to Scully

    Like the above poster, this is far from my favorite episode - either when it aired or watching it again all these years later. Parts of it are way too touchy-feely and smack of pop psychology, and the slo-mo effects are little gimmicky. At times, it feels like a music video (though a nicely done one) with bits of drama and narrative thrown in.

    But seeing it again, I appreciate that it gives us a different glimpse of Scully. Like many females, I loved Scully's intelligence and determination throughout the series, but in this episode, it was nice to see her passion too, even if it also means she might not be perfect in her choices. Finally, she gets to respond to impulses that aren't governed by logic or science! Preceding X-Files writers (Glen Morgan and James Wong, especially) were instrumental in making Scully her own person, independent of Mulder, but leave it to Gillian Anderson herself to force the question of Scully's life outside of the X-Files.
    7fernandoschiavi

    While its abstract narrative and slower pacing may not appeal to all viewers, it stands as a thoughtful meditation on love, loss, and self-discovery

    The seventeenth episode of The X-Files' seventh season, "All Things," stands out as a deeply introspective and spiritually driven narrative, marking Gillian Anderson's directorial debut. In this unique departure from the series' typical formula, the episode focuses on Agent Dana Scully's personal journey and exploration of fate, love, and self-awareness. The plot revolves around Scully's chance encounter with Dr. Daniel Waterston, a former mentor and romantic interest, who is now gravely ill. As Scully faces unresolved emotions and questions the choices she has made throughout her life, the episode delves into themes of destiny and interconnectedness.

    Anderson's direction demonstrates a keen sense of visual storytelling, employing symbolic imagery and dream-like sequences to convey Scully's inner turmoil. The use of soft lighting and fluid camera movements creates an ethereal atmosphere that complements the episode's introspective tone. One of the standout sequences is a montage accompanied by a hauntingly beautiful musical score, illustrating Scully's reflection on pivotal moments in her life. This artistic approach, though ambitious, may feel too abstract for viewers accustomed to the show's more straightforward narrative style.

    The script, also penned by Anderson, takes a contemplative approach, focusing heavily on character development rather than external conflict. This narrative shift allows for a rare exploration of Scully's emotional landscape, which has often been overshadowed by the series' paranormal investigations. Anderson delivers a nuanced and heartfelt performance, capturing Scully's vulnerability and strength as she grapples with existential questions. However, the episode's pacing can be uneven, with certain scenes lingering longer than necessary, potentially diminishing the overall impact.

    One of the episode's strengths is its thematic exploration of synchronicity and spirituality. Scully's encounters with symbols and moments of serendipity suggest a universe guided by unseen forces. Anderson skillfully integrates these elements without becoming overly didactic, inviting viewers to ponder the mysteries of fate and choice. The absence of Mulder for much of the episode, while initially jarring, allows Scully's journey to take center stage, emphasizing her autonomy and growth.

    "All Things" is a bold and introspective entry in The X-Files canon, showcasing Gillian Anderson's talents both in front of and behind the camera. While its abstract narrative and slower pacing may not appeal to all viewers, it stands as a thoughtful meditation on love, loss, and self-discovery. Anderson's creative vision and exploration of Scully's character add depth to the series, making this episode a memorable and meaningful departure from the show's usual structure.
    3treborbasset

    A confusing mess

    An episode written by Gillian Anderson, in which she plays herself rather than Scully, which barely features Mulder, which is about a long lost love interest we have never heard of. This isn't even an episode of the X-Files, it's just some some hospital soap opera.

    This guy we are supposed to care about means nothing to us, and the writing is all over the place. It was very difficult to follow and all a bit pointless.

    The Taoism/Buddhism connection was also completely out of character considering Scully's strong history of Christianity in the show. Again, it was added because Gillian Anderson was interested in it. I think it's an interesting topic and I'm sure the writers could have come up with a real plot for it but it had no place in this episode, which itself has no bearing on the wider show. Just immediately forgotten as the silliness it is. Season 7 really is where The X-Files jumped the shark repeatedly.

    The one saving grace of this episode is that it's better than the comedy/musical episode that David Duchovny directs two episodes later.
    9mail_her

    i love one scene in this episode

    there is this moment in the episode when you see such tenderness and longing in Scully -- a memory of a great love and loss... it is when she learns he has been in DC for all this time... i found it so incredibly tender... it so perfectly captured that moment we all have when we remember what was and what might have been... i am still blown away when i see the way she bends forward and touches his hand... the rest of the episode is a blur, just back fill. but that scene to me is priceless and makes this whole episode so utterly great... when you look at the first season (which would mean Scully had just ended the relationship a couple years before), she is young and driven and professional -- it's hard to imagine that she felt such passion and pathos... i wonder if she could only show it with the passage of time and realization of where she is at now...

    Related interests

    Still frame
    Adventure
    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
    Mystery
    James Earl Jones and David Prowse in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
    Sci-Fi
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      As of 2020, "All Things" remains Gillian Anderson's only writing credit of her entire career. It is also her only directorial credit beside the short film The Departure (2014).
    • Goofs
      You can see the string pulling the apothecary sign.
    • Quotes

      Scully: Time passes in moments... moments, which, rushing past, define the path of a life just as surely as they lead towards its end. How rarely do we stop to examine that path, to see the reasons why all things happen, to consider whether the path we take in life is our own making or simply one into which we drift with eyes closed. But what if we could stop, pause to take stock of each precious moment before it passes? Might we then see the endless forks in the road that have shaped a life and, seeing those choices, choose another path?

    • Connections
      Featured in The X-Files: Trust No 1 (2002)
    • Soundtracks
      The Sky is Broken
      Written by Moby

      Performed by Moby

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ1

    • What is the song played in 'all things'?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 9, 2000 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Hulu
      • Instagram
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • 974 N Broadway, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Ten Thirteen Productions
      • 20th Century Fox Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 45m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1
      • 16 : 9

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.