Nothing Important Happened Today

"Nothing Important Happened Today," the first episode of the ninth season of The X-Files, directed by Kim Manners and written by Chris Carter and Frank Spotnitz, serves as a significant pivot for the series as it transitions into new territory following the events of the eighth season. The episode introduces a darker tone while continuing to explore the complexities of its characters, particularly in the wake of Mulder's (David Duchovny) disappearance. This installment sets the stage for a season filled with uncertainty, intrigue, and the ever-present threat of alien conspiracies.

The narrative begins with an EPA official named Carl Wormus, who is lured into a deadly situation by Shannon McMahon (Lucy Lawless), a mysterious woman with ties to a larger conspiracy. The episode quickly establishes a sense of foreboding as Wormus is forced off a bridge and subsequently drowns. Meanwhile, Agent John Doggett (Robert Patrick) is introduced as he grapples with Mulder's absence while trying to navigate his new role within the FBI. As he investigates Wormus's death, he encounters Scully (Gillian Anderson), who is dealing with her own personal challenges related to her pregnancy. The tension escalates as Doggett uncovers connections between Wormus's death and a broader conspiracy involving alien technology and government cover-ups.

Visually, "Nothing Important Happened Today" employs a gritty aesthetic that reflects the dark themes permeating the episode. Manners' direction effectively captures the tension and urgency of the investigation, utilizing shadows and dim lighting to create an atmosphere of suspense. The cinematography enhances the feeling of isolation experienced by the characters, particularly as they confront unseen threats. The pacing is brisk, maintaining viewer engagement as the plot unfolds, though some critics have noted that certain moments feel rushed or underdeveloped.

The performances in this episode are noteworthy, particularly Robert Patrick's portrayal of Doggett as he struggles to find his footing in a world filled with uncertainty. His character's determination to uncover the truth is palpable, and his interactions with Scully reveal a growing mutual respect despite their differences. Anderson delivers a strong performance as Scully, showcasing her resilience in the face of personal and professional challenges. Lawless's portrayal of McMahon adds an intriguing layer to the narrative, embodying both allure and menace.

Thematically, "Nothing Important Happened Today" grapples with issues of trust, loss, and the search for truth in an increasingly complex world. The episode critiques how individuals can become pawns in larger conspiracies while also exploring personal agency amid external pressures. Doggett's journey reflects his struggle to earn his place within the X-Files team while confronting his own skepticism about Mulder's legacy. The introduction of elements like bioengineering and government experimentation raises questions about ethics and morality in scientific advancement.

"Nothing Important Happened Today" serves as a compelling reintroduction to The X-Files universe, laying the groundwork for an intriguing season filled with new challenges and mysteries. While it may not fully capture the essence of earlier seasons due to its reliance on established mythology and pacing issues, it effectively engages viewers with its mix of suspenseful storytelling and character exploration. Ultimately, this episode invites audiences to reflect on their own beliefs about truth and trust in an uncertain world while setting up significant stakes for future narratives.

Really, nothing important happens. Looks like not even the writers know where Mulder is, they should have at least said something about this in season 8 finale. I makes no sense to ask a 100 times in this episode where Mulder is just to mention his name. Stop making him linger....if he is gone, let him be gone and focus on the new "main" characters, this new "wtf are you" Assistant Director and Monica Boring Reyes. Gillian Anderson has done some impressive performances in the past....now she is just moaning around the house playing mommy, doing a stupid autopsy and running away when trouble arises. Dogget and Skinner stand out but aren't given enough room to play, they are arguing all the time between them and the other characters....so many characters. I hope the next chapter is less chatting and more action. And please give Scully a gun and start kicking some a**es.

With Mulder gone Dogget and Reyes get more time than Scully but they do dig into the super soldier theory (new story arc?). Also some answers about Scully's baby but other than that not much happened. We knew Mulder would be back for the Shows finale but couldn't they have done a better job of wrapping things up? With at least 2 episodes wasted that I can think of with the one about the Brady Bunch House and that episode with Burt Reynolds that they could have been giving answers to and having the finale go another way. Grrrr! I don't know why I keep watching reruns on TNT and SCIFI. Some people liked those episodes and maybe if it wasn't for the fact that the show WAS GOING OFF THE AIR FOR GOOD those episodes would have been OK. I did like some of the monster of the week ones and Doggets back story. I hope they do a movie someday and maybe show Mulder & Scully together living in a rural community and having visits with the kid (as some relatives but not as parents since he's older now and used to his new parents). Then they can be called on some XFILE after Mulder's trial is found to be an unlawful kangaroo court and charges dismissed. They could get proof finally that there are Aliens and bring back the head of a super soldier to the NY Times. Something pleeease.

Which was why I LOVED this episode. As much as I loved Mulder, I was willing to see a X-Files without him. I loved the addition of John Doggett and I knew Monica Reyes would eventually take over Skully's place in the show, had the show gone on longer.

It's because, the X-Files is a CONCEPT, it's NOT strictly about Mulder or Skully, or even CGI Spender or Geoffrey Spender or The Lone Gunman or X or Deep throat. Or Agent Fowley, or Skinner or Kirsch. Or Carey Elwes.

The X-Files was not about one single character or pair of characters, but that was the format of the show - Two individuals go it alone against The World and All the Lies and try to find The Truth, which is blocked to them at every avenue - And the bad Guys are always 10 steps ahead. Sound Familiar? Because we can just assume FRINGE is this same story continued.

Mulder is GONE - He's just Gone, and he's in danger. Skully may be able to get in touch with him, but will not jeopardize his safety.

Doggett had determined to investigate Kersh in the 8th Season Finale. But by this time, he's blocked in like a sardine, and all the evidence and witnesses have been spirited away. Welcome to The basement, Doggett! Skully's baby William has some abilities and that makes him a target. And now Doggett finds a relation to his "friend" Knowle Rohrer and Shannon McMahon - What are they? We saw these guys basically re-assemble from a silver piece of Vertebrae last season. This episode is the start of the last Mythos Arc of The X-Files: The "Super Soldier/Alien Replacement" Arc.

I was glued to the TV when this was first-run because of course, Xena was going to join The X-Files. I was SO excited about this, and I thought she did an incredible believable job - This was the perfect Role for Xena. I always think of Lucy Lawless as Xena more than Lucy, it's just implanted in my brain that way.

This is the first of only two episodes that Lucy was in - It was intended that the character come back and be the best antithesis of Knowle Rohrer, but complications with a pregnancy prevented her from coming back.

But what we have here, is the hand-off, Mulder and Skully hand the X-Files over to Doggett and Reyes, their worthy successors. I liked the Doggett/Reyes team just like I liked the Mulder/Skully team.

It was just that, Well Mulder and Skully, had an impact on us for seven long years. The X-Files as a Concept and as a Show COULD have continued, with different people. It's like Life, things change. People come and go in the Telling, like Lord of The Rings, the narrative starts with Bilbo Baggins and is handed to Frodo, who hands it to Samwise.

It's just the nature of the 'verse - And now, the work done by Mulder and Skully has been handed to Olivia Dunham, Peter Bishop, Walter Bishop and Astrid Farnsworth in FRINGE.

It had been 7 years since TV had an X-Files type show until Fringe aired in 2009. Honestly, did anyone expect to see shows like The X-Files and Fringe from 2002 to 2008? Not in THAT Administration of Lies. An Administration Mulder would have fought with all his Might.

I'm hopeful our current Administration will continue for another 4 years. Then maybe even The X-Files could come back, if just as another Movie. If it does, I'd like to know the fates of John Doggett and Monica Reyes, because Carter made us care about them, as much as most "X Files Fans" did not care for them.

When "The X-Files" premiered in 1993, it fundamentally reshaped the television landscape. Combining supernatural intrigue with grounded character dynamics, the series turned skepticism and belief into thrilling drama. Its blend of conspiracy, horror, and wit made it a touchstone for sci-fi storytelling, influencing countless successors. Unfortunately, as it progressed into its later seasons, the magic began to fade, weighed down by convoluted storylines and the departure of lead actor David Duchovny as Fox Mulder, and season nine premiere, "Nothing Important Happened Today," exemplifies how far the series has fallen. There's barely a glimmer of intriguing drama left to be spotted, despite the crew's best efforts.

The episode introduces a new potential antagonist, Shannon McMahon, played by Lucy Lawless, who is a genetically modified super-soldier with the eerie ability to survive indefinitely underwater. While Lawless brings charisma and presence to the role, her introduction feels like yet another desperate attempt to prop up the floundering super-soldier storyline - a thread that had already exhausted its intrigue by this point in the series. The writers seem unsure of where to steer the show's mythology, recycling old ideas with diminishing returns. Kim Manners' direction and the show's polished production values remain high points, yet these technical strengths feel hollow when paired with a narrative that treads familiar ground without any fresh ideas. The slickness of the production serves to remind viewers of how innovative the show once was - and how perfunctory it feels now. Doggett and Reyes step up as the show's primary protagonists, continuing to investigate the murky dealings of Deputy Director Kersh and the government conspiracy. While both actors are committed to their roles and bring interesting quirks to their characters their chemistry never quite clicks. Compared to the iconic dynamic between Mulder and Scully, Doggett and Reyes' partnership lacks emotional depth and narrative spark. Perhaps the episode's most glaring flaw is its treatment of Mulder and Scully. Gillian Anderson's Scully, a character who had once been a linchpin of the show, is relegated to the sidelines, her role reduced to a shadow of its former self. The episode struggles to justify Mulder's absence, settling for vague allusions to his safety being in jeopardy. This lack of effort to address his departure in a meaningful way undermines the emotional stakes of the story.

"Nothing Important Happened Today" fails to establish a compelling new direction for "The X-Files'" final season. The episode is bogged down by tired mythology and lack of narrative focus, while the most baseline qualities are underscored by uninspired writing and the absence of the show's original heart. For a series that once dared to believe in the extraordinary, this premiere feels like an admission of mediocrity.