In May 1995, the season 2 finale of The X-Files, titled "Anasazi," ended with a dramatic cliffhanger. This episode, along with its successors "The Blessing Way" and "Paper Clip," which premiered in early September 1995, formed a three-part narrative that many fans consider the zenith of the series' overarching mythology. "Paper Clip" itself aired 31 years ago this week, solidifying this arc as a high point for the show.
The story drew inspiration from real-world events, notably the Navajo code talkers of World War II. Philip Johnston, a civil engineer who had grown up on a Navajo reservation, proposed using the Navajo language as an unbreakable code for American military communications. This strategy proved invaluable, with U.S. Major Howard Connor stating that "Were it not for the Navajos, the Marines would never have taken Iwo Jima." This historical element was woven into the fictional narrative of The X-Files.
"Anasazi" introduced two intertwined plotlines: a UFO discovery on a Navajo reservation and a hacker revealing classified government UFO files to Agent Mulder. The investigation led Mulder and Scully to Albert Hosteen, an elderly Navajo code talker. Simultaneously, the Cigarette Smoking Man sought to retrieve the sensitive data, leading to a confrontation that seemingly resulted in Mulder's death.
The season 3 premiere, "The Blessing Way," revealed Mulder's survival, with Hosteen nursing him back to health. Meanwhile, Scully faced threats as the Cigarette Smoking Man pursued the data. Assistant Director Skinner ultimately came into possession of the tape, holding it for safekeeping.
The trilogy concluded with "Paper Clip." Mulder and Scully investigated a mining facility in West Virginia, uncovering thousands of paper files and a UFO. A tense encounter with what appeared to be aliens occurred in a dark tunnel. In a pivotal move, Skinner handed the digital tape over to the Cigarette Smoking Man to secure Mulder and Scully's reinstatement into the FBI. However, Skinner ensured that the information on the tape was preserved, as Hosteen had memorized its contents and shared them with others, who would go public if Mulder or Scully were harmed.
These episodes are lauded for their masterful integration of historical events, such as the Navajo code talkers and the post-WWII "Operation Paper Clip," into the show's alien conspiracy lore. The introduction of Albert Hosteen provided a compelling character distinct from the usual antagonists, and the narrative successfully positioned Assistant Director Skinner as a reliable ally for Mulder and Scully.
This three-part story is frequently cited as the most satisfying arc in The X-Files' exploration of government secrets and alien existence. Unlike many subsequent mythology episodes that became convoluted with little resolution, this trilogy provided a sense of narrative progression and build-up towards answers, even if not everything was fully resolved. The high stakes and direct ties to series lore made it a standout, often considered superior to the franchise's feature films due to its more focused storytelling and intimate connection to the established universe.