The HBO Max series Lanterns has concluded, and for those seeking a change of pace after the finale, a beloved 218-episode sci-fi hit from the 1990s offers a significantly different experience. The X-Files, while also featuring supernatural elements and an odd-couple pairing of investigators, stands in stark contrast to the more grounded, operatic space adventures of Lanterns.
Lanterns presented a grittier, more grounded take on the Green Lantern mythos, focusing on veteran superhero Hal Jordan and his eventual partnership with the more serious ex-Marine John Stewart. Their investigations into a deadly incident served as the central plot for the show's eight-episode run.
In contrast, The X-Files introduced FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, tasked with investigating unexplained phenomena. Mulder, a believer in the paranormal and extraterrestrial, was partnered with Scully, a skeptical medical doctor grounded in hard science. This dynamic was intended by the FBI higher-ups to debunk Mulder's theories, mirroring the dynamic in Lanterns where Stewart was initially assigned to replace Jordan. Over time, however, both duos developed a grudging respect, with Mulder and Scully eventually forming a romantic relationship after several seasons.
While both series feature mismatched partners and elements of the extraordinary, their approaches diverge significantly. Lanterns is a tightly plotted, single-case narrative, whereas The X-Files spanned 11 seasons and 218 episodes. The latter series masterfully blended a central mythology with a procedural format, exploring a wide array of subjects including aliens, ghosts, urban legends, and occult elements. The tone of The X-Files also varied greatly, shifting from serious drama to action-thriller, and even incorporating moments of dark humor, all anchored by the compelling chemistry between David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson.
Structurally, The X-Files can be seen as an inversion of Lanterns. In The X-Files, the human agents provided the grounding element against outlandish cases, while Lanterns featured fantastic characters and abilities dealing with a more grounded central mystery. Crucially, The X-Files lacks the iconic power rings that are central to Lanterns.
The X-Files is available to stream on Pluto TV, Hulu, and Disney Plus.