"all things" is the seventeenth episode of the seventh season of the American science fiction television series The X-Files. It was written and directed by series co-star and lead actress Gillian Anderson. The installment is a "Monster-of-the-Week" episode, a stand-alone plot which is unconnected to the overarching mythology of The X-Files. Originally aired by the Fox network on April 9, 2000, "all things" received a Nielsen rating of 7.5 and was seen by 12.18 million viewers. The episode received mixed reviews from television critics, with many deriding the episode's pretentious dialogue and the characterization of Scully. However, the entry was generally well received by fans of the show.
The X-Files centers on Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special agents Mulder and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), who work on cases linked to the paranormal, called X-Files. Mulder is a believer in the paranormal, and the skeptical Scully was initially assigned to debunk his work, but the two have developed a deep friendship. In this episode, Scully is led by coincidences to Dr. Daniel Waterston (Nicolas Surovy), a married man with whom she had an affair during medical school, and a look at the life she did not choose, forcing her to make choices about her future. After Waterston slips into a coma, Scully decides to put aside her rational skepticism and find a medical alternative to save the man she once loved.
"all things" marked the first time series star Anderson had written an episode of The X-Files. Originally, Anderson's draft was fifteen pages too long and did not feature a fourth act, but after working with series creator Chris Carter and executive producer Frank Spotnitz, the script was finalized. The installment also marked the directing debut for Anderson as well as the first time a woman directed an episode of The X-Files. The cast and crew helped Anderson adjust to directing and were happy with the finished product. Anderson's directing style was later positively critiqued by crew members of the show. Furthermore, the episode has been analyzed for its themes of pragmatism and feminist philosophy.
Read more about All Things: Plot, Themes, Broadcast and Reception
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