The Truth is In Here...
Devoted X-Phile and podcast addict Tony Black, alongside a group of committed Philes, presents THE X-CAST: AN X-FILES PODCAST dedicated to exploring the series from its inception in 1993, up to the 2027 reboot and beyond.
Supported by a legion of co-hosts and guests, Tony will be picking apart each X-File, exploring the stories, characters and of course monsters that made the show the seminal TV experience of the 1990's, and turned FBI Agents Fox Mulder & Dana Scully into iconic modern heroes.
Go with them on the journey. Just remember one thing...
TrustNo1
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Fight the Future Minute #10: What About My Men?! Welcome to our detailed coverage of The X-Files: Fight the Future, unpacking the 1998 movie one minute at a time! In minute ten, host Carl Sweeney and guest Luke Winch discuss the arrival of sinister government forces and missing firemen... Host / Editor Carl Sweeney Guest Luke Winch With thanks to our Patrons: Adam Chamberlain, Michelle Milbauer, Ferdinando Bianchini, Cathy Glinski, Kurt North, Jenn Ferguson, Adam Silva, Marlene Stemme, Deana Fer...
Fight the Future Minute #9: Captain Miles Cooles Welcome to our detailed coverage of The X-Files: Fight the Future, unpacking the 1998 movie one minute at a time! In minute nine, host Carl Sweeney and guest Luke Winch discuss the arrival of the legendary Texan fireman, Captain Miles Cooles... Host / Editor Carl Sweeney Guest Luke Winch With thanks to our Patrons: Adam Chamberlain, Michelle Milbauer, Ferdinando Bianchini, Cathy Glinski, Kurt North, Jenn Ferguson, Adam Silva, Marlene Stemme, Deana...
Fight the Future Minute #8: Run, Kids, Run! Welcome to our detailed coverage of The X-Files: Fight the Future, unpacking the 1998 movie one minute at a time! In minute eight, host Carl Sweeney and guest Luke Winch discuss Texan children, running away from holes and more... Host / Editor Carl Sweeney Guest Luke Winch With thanks to our Patrons: Adam Chamberlain, Michelle Milbauer, Ferdinando Bianchini, Cathy Glinski, Kurt North, Jenn Ferguson, Adam Silva, Marlene Stemme, Deana Ferreri, Katie Doe,...
Fight the Future Minute #7: Stevie Welcome to our detailed coverage of The X-Files: Fight the Future, unpacking the 1998 movie one minute at a time! In minute seven, host Carl Sweeney and guest Luke Winch discuss falling down holes, skulls and the arrival of young Stevie... Host / Editor Carl Sweeney Guest Luke Winch With thanks to our Patrons: Adam Chamberlain, Michelle Milbauer, Ferdinando Bianchini, Cathy Glinski, Kurt North, Jenn Ferguson, Adam Silva, Marlene Stemme, Deana Ferreri, Katie Doe...
Fight the Future Minute #6: Black Oil! Welcome to our detailed coverage of The X-Files: Fight the Future, unpacking the 1998 movie one minute at a time! In minute six, host Tony Black and co-hosts Carl Sweeney & Sarah Blair discuss the arrival of the black oil, the surprising Fast & Furious connection to The X-Files, and how to correctly say "buttwipe!" in Texan... Host / Editor Tony Black Co-hosts Carl Sweeney / Sarah Blair With thanks to our Patrons: Adam Chamberlain, Michelle Milbauer...
Fight the Future Minute #5: E.B.E. Hunt Welcome to our detailed coverage of The X-Files: Fight the Future, unpacking the 1998 movie one minute at a time! In minute five, host Tony Black and co-hosts Carl Sweeney & Sarah Blair discuss the difference between Fahrenheit and Celsius, why British people call flashlights torches, and Sarah's creepy Google assistant. Oh, and some X-Files as well... Host / Editor Tony Black Co-hosts Carl Sweeney / Sarah Blair With thanks to our Patrons: Adam Chamber...
Fight the Future Minute #4: E.B.E. Attack Welcome to our detailed coverage of The X-Files: Fight the Future, unpacking the 1998 movie one minute at a time! In minute four, host Tony Black and co-hosts Carl Sweeney & Sarah Blair discuss cave dwellers, whether Alec Guinness was one of the E.B.E suit guys, and that time Sarah was an extra in a major Hollywood movie... Host / Editor Tony Black Co-hosts Carl Sweeney / Sarah Blair With thanks to our Patrons: Adam Chamberlain, Michelle Milbauer, Fe...
Fight the Future Minute #3: Entering the Cave Welcome to our detailed coverage of The X-Files: Fight the Future, unpacking the 1998 movie one minute at a time! In minute three, host Tony Black and co-hosts Carl Sweeney & Sarah Blair discuss their favourite ice caves, the Species franchise and how rubbish it must have been to be a caveman... Host / Editor Tony Black Co-hosts Carl Sweeney / Sarah Blair With thanks to our Patrons: Adam Chamberlain, Michelle Milbauer, Ferdinando Bianchini, Cathy...
Fight the Future Minute #2: 35,000BC Welcome to our detailed coverage of The X-Files: Fight the Future, unpacking the 1998 movie one minute at a time! In minute two, host Tony Black and co-hosts Carl Sweeney & Sarah Blair discuss the first footage we see of the film, fonts, cavemen, the Ice Age and we get a horrendous Arnold Schwarzenegger impression... Host / Editor Tony Black Co-hosts Carl Sweeney / Sarah Blair With thanks to our Patrons: Adam Chamberlain, Michelle Milbauer, Ferdinando Bia...
Fight the Future Minute #1: Opening Credits Welcome to our detailed coverage of The X-Files: Fight the Future, unpacking the 1998 movie one minute at a time! In minute one, host Tony Black and co-hosts Carl Sweeney & Sarah Blair discuss the opening credits of the film, Mark Snow's music, the history of 20th Century Fox, and what other big movies jostled for supremacy in 1998... Host / Editor Tony Black Co-hosts Carl Sweeney / Sarah Blair With thanks to our Patrons: Adam Chamberlain, Michelle...
Fight the Future Minute #0: Intro / Trailers Welcome to our detailed coverage of The X-Files: Fight the Future, unpacking the 1998 movie one minute at a time! In this introduction, host Tony Black and co-hosts Carl Sweeney & Sarah Blair introduce the concept of the podcast project--inspired by moviesbyminutes.com--how it will work, their own first watch experiences of the movie and what they would grade it out of 10. Plus they discuss the numerous trailers for the film and whether they worke...
5x20 'The End' - Episode Analysis Our coverage of Season 5 continues as Tony Black takes the hosting chair alongside recurring guest, Darren Mooney, as they discuss the epic Season 5 finale, 'The End'. They also unpick their Top/Bottom 3 of Season 5 and share your choices from the X-Cast Basement. PLUS! Stay tuned until the end for a SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT about the future of The X-Cast... Host / Editor Tony Black Guest Darren Mooney With thanks to our Patrons... Adam Chamberlain, Michelle Milbaue...
X-Files Character Pairings In our latest Patron Roundtable, Marlene Stemme hosts a discussion about character pairings in The X-Files What are the best ones? Which are the most memorable, and why? Marlene is joined by guests Annie Flowers & Michelle Milbauer to find out... Host / Editor Marlene Stemme Guests Annie Flowers / Michelle Milbauer With thanks to our Patrons... Adam Chamberlain, Michelle Milbauer, Cathy Glinski, Kurt North, Jenn Ferguson, Adam Silva, Marlene Stemme, Deana Ferreri, ...
5x19 'Folie a Deux' - Episode Analysis Our coverage of Season 5 continues as Carl Sweeney takes the hosting chair alongside fellow X-Cast co-host, Sarah Blair, as they discuss the madness-inducing hostage drama 'Folie a Deux'... Host / Editor Carl Sweeney Co-Host Sarah Blair With thanks to our Patrons... Adam Chamberlain, Michelle Milbauer, Cathy Glinski, Kurt North, Jenn Ferguson, Adam Silva, Marlene Stemme, Deana Ferreri, Katie Doe, Donna Pirkle, Isabelle Dubois, Andrew Blaker, Cortlan Waters ...
5x18 'The Pine Bluff Variant' - Episode Analysis Our coverage of Season 5 continues as Russ Hugo takes the hosting chair alongside recurring guest and Patron, Caredwen Foley, as they discuss the viral thriller 'The Pine Bluff Variant'... Host / Editor Russ Hugo Guest Caredwen Foley With thanks to our Patrons... Adam Chamberlain, Michelle Milbauer, Cathy Glinski, Kurt North, Jenn Ferguson, Adam Silva, Marlene Stemme, Deana Ferreri, Katie Doe, Donna Pirkle, Isabelle Dubois, Andrew Blaker, Cortlan ...
5x17 'All Souls' - Episode Analysis Our coverage of Season 5 continues as Kurt North takes the hosting chair alongside recurring guest and Patron, Michelle Milbauer, as they discuss the Scully-centric religious mystery 'All Souls'... Host / Editor Kurt North Guest Michelle Milbauer With thanks to our Patrons... Adam Chamberlain, Michelle Milbauer, Cathy Glinski, Kurt North, Jenn Ferguson, Adam Silva, Marlene Stemme, Deana Ferreri, Katie Doe, Donna Pirkle, Isabelle Dubois, Andrew Blaker, Cortlan ...
5x16 'Mind's Eye' - Episode Analysis Our coverage of Season 5 continues as Paige Schector takes the hosting chair alongside recurring guest Andrew Brooker, as they discuss the tragic second sight thriller, 'Mind's Eye'... Host Paige Schector Guest Andrew Brooker Editor Tony Black With thanks to our Patrons... Adam Chamberlain, Michelle Milbauer, Cathy Glinski, Kurt North, Jenn Ferguson, Adam Silva, Marlene Stemme, Deana Ferreri, Katie Doe, Donna Pirkle, Isabelle Dubois, Andrew Blaker, Cortlan Wa...
5x15 'Travelers' - Episode Analysis Our coverage of Season 5 continues as Russ Hugo takes the hosting chair alongside author and X-Files short story writer, Jim Beard, as they discuss the creepy, 50's set conspiracy horror prequel 'Travelers'... Host / Editor Russ Hugo Guest Jim Beard With thanks to our Patrons... Adam Chamberlain, Michelle Milbauer, Cathy Glinski, Kurt North, Jenn Ferguson, Adam Silva, Marlene Stemme, Deana Ferreri, Katie Doe, Donna Pirkle, Isabelle Dubois, Andrew Blaker, Cortl...
5x14 'The Red and the Black' - Episode Analysis Our coverage of Season 5 continues as Kurt North takes the hosting chair alongside recurring X-Cast guest, Darren Mooney, as they discuss the second part of the epic mythology story, 'The Red and the Black'... Host / Editor Kurt North Guest Darren Mooney With thanks to our Patrons... Adam Chamberlain, Michelle Milbauer, Cathy Glinski, Kurt North, Jenn Ferguson, Naomi Miller, Adam Silva, Marlene Stemme, Deana Ferreri, Katie Doe, Donna Pirkle, Isabel...
This episode of The X-Cast meticulously dissects 'Patient X,' the first part of a pivotal mythology two-parter from Season 5. Hosts discuss the episode's renewed narrative energy, the introduction of Cassandra and Jeffrey Spender, and the intricate connections to 'Fight the Future' and 'Millennium.' Key themes include Mulder's controversial skepticism, the 'War in Heaven' concept, and the sophisticated use of sound design to create a memorable cliffhanger. The analysis highlights how the episode blends philosophical depth with a propulsive story, significantly expanding the X-Files universe while laying groundwork for future arcs.
X-Files Teasers In our latest Patron Roundtable, Marlene Stemme hosts a discussion about teaser sequences in The X-Files. What are the best ones? Which are the most memorable, and why? Marlene is joined by guests Chandru Ravindran, Luke Winch and Adam Silva to find out... Host / Editor Marlene Stemme Guests Chandru Ravindran / Luke Winch / Adam Silva With thanks to our Patrons... Adam Chamberlain, Michelle Milbauer, Cathy Glinski, Kurt North, Jenn Ferguson, Astrid Klosterkoetter, Adam Silva, Mic...
Hosts Sarah Blair and J.J. Lendl offer an in-depth analysis of "Bad Blood," praised for its unique comedic take on The X-Files. They discuss its influences from Rashomon and The Dick Van Dyke Show, the masterful writing by Vince Gilligan, and director Cliff Bole's experience with multi-perspective narratives. The conversation highlights the episode's exploration of Mulder and Scully's contrasting viewpoints, the memorable guest appearance by Luke Wilson, and why it remains a fan favorite for its humor and character insights.
Hosts Tony Black and Andrew Brooker dissect The X-Files episode "Kill Switch," exploring its cyberpunk themes, early internet portrayal, and the challenges of adapting complex sci-fi ideas for television. They debate its "gloriously terrible" nature, the impact of William Gibson's involvement, and the episode's aging, while also praising Rob Bowman's strong direction. The discussion covers everything from characterization flaws, like Scully's unsympathetic skepticism, to humorous critiques of plot logic and the "cringey" portrayal of the Lone Gunmen, all while acknowledging the differing perspectives of 90s television.
Hosts Sarah Blair and Clara Cook delve into "Chinga," Season 5's tenth episode, exploring how Stephen King's original script was adapted for The X-Files. They discuss the episode's mixed reception due to high expectations, the effectiveness of its creepy doll and small-town Maine setting, and the unique character interactions. The conversation also highlights differences from the initial draft and its placement within Season 5.
Host Carl Sweeney and guest Cathy Glinski delve into The X-Files Season 5 episode 'Schizogeny,' colloquially known as the 'Killer Trees' episode. They initially discuss Cathy's X-Files journey, including her favorite episodes, season, character, and a pivotal series moment. The conversation then transitions into a detailed analysis of 'Schizogeny,' exploring its polarizing reputation, strong atmospheric visuals, and narrative shortcomings, particularly its muddled ending involving child abuse, multiple personalities, and homicidal trees. They also touch upon character portrayals, legal inaccuracies, and a memorable, playful exchange between Mulder and Scully, concluding with diverse listener feedback.
Spooky Scenes In our latest Patron Roundtable, Marlene Stemme hosts a discussion about the spooky scenes from The X-Files. Timed initially for Halloween, Marlene is joined by Patrons Michelle Milbauer and in her first ever podcast recording, Annie Flowers, to chew over some of TXF's most terrifying moments... Host / Editor Marlene Stemme Guests Michelle Milbauer / Annie Flowers With thanks to our Patrons... Adam Chamberlain, Michelle Milbauer, Cathy Glinski, Kurt North, Jenn Ferguson, Astrid Klo...
Hosts Tony Black and Darren Mooney delve into "Kitsunegari," the divisive sequel to the acclaimed X-Files episode "Pusher." They explore its self-aware critique of sequels, the challenges in its writing and direction, and the audience's mixed reactions to a diminished Robert Patrick Modell. The discussion covers the episode's meta-themes, plot contrivances, and how it reflects the show's anxieties about its own future, concluding with listener feedback.
This episode delves into 'Emily,' the seventh episode of The X-Files season five, offering a reappraisal and comparing it to other mythology installments. The hosts analyze the mythological allusions in the teaser and discuss Mulder's often-criticized characterization, alongside Scully's profound maternal journey. They also touch upon the episode's production challenges and its lasting impact on the series' overarching narrative, particularly concerning William.
Carl Sweeney and Chris Knowles delve into "Christmas Carol," the sixth episode of The X-Files' fifth season, praised by Knowles as his all-time favorite due to its deep dive into Scully's family and personal journey. They discuss the critical role of the Christmas setting in amplifying themes of loss and connection, analyze Gillian Anderson's nuanced performance, and explore Scully's isolation as she confronts a case with paranormal undertones. The conversation also touches on behind-the-scenes challenges, the episode's subtle storytelling, and the shocking revelation at its climax.
Hosts Marlene Stemmey and Dr. Anne Simon delve into "The Postmodern Prometheus," an X-Files episode inspired by Anne's scientific ideas about homeotic genes. They explore its distinctive black-and-white filming, comedic elements, and the moral complexities of scientific ambition. A key focus is the "Scully Effect," examining how the character of Dana Scully inspired countless individuals, particularly women, to pursue careers in STEM, highlighting the show's transformative cultural impact.
