The X-Files (TV Series) Deep Throat (1993) User Reviews

Ahead of its time.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 12 September 2020]

A military test Pilot disappears, the pair investigate strange goings on, and of course have their path blocked at every opportunity.

The first time that iconic music was played, people must have been blown away by it, in 2020 it's still awesome.

An episode where we see the frustrations Mulder and Scully would come to get used to, secrets, lies, paranoia on a grand scale.

It is so incredibly fresh and vibrant, compare this to other shows made in 1993, it was so far ahead of the game.

Twenty seven years later, and it's still excellent, 9/10.

Introduction To An Informant

[Muldernscully · 9/10 · 6 April 2006]

Deep Throat introduces us to a beloved character referred to as Deep Throat. We never learn the name of this mysterious informant, who continues to assist or not assist (as the case may be) Mulder in subsequent episodes. He advises Mulder to stay away from a case Mulder has begun and Mulder does the opposite. This episode helps to add to the audience's mistrust of the government as UFOs are supposedly being flown on a United States Air Force Base in Idaho. The action becomes tense and suspenseful when Mulder is captured on the top-secret base and Scully must find a way to rescue him. This show also marks the beginning of famous guest stars who either were famous at the time of their appearance or soon came to be well-known. The guest star to look for in this episode is a young Seth Green before his roles in Buffy and Austin Powers. This episode is a fun, exciting ride.

Conspiracy and paranoia

[yannmerour · 8/10 · 22 May 2007]

The first episode was a presentation of the characters, "Deep Throat" is the real beginning of the series'main plot. Everything is there. The government conspiracy, the aliens' technology , some people want to help Mulder in his quest, others betray him... This a great episode and it will be the base for the rest of the show. Chris Carter has found the right tone for the show after a first episode where they were looking for the best way to tell their stories. This one has it all. I strongly recommend it to anyone who starts watching The X Files because it's necessary to understand the rest of the show and, also it's very a good episode even more than ten years later.

"Mr. Mulder, they've been here for a long, long time"

[MaxBorg89 · 10/10 · 4 November 2008]

Deep Throat is the first proper episode of The X-Files, in that it features the now legendary title sequence and theme music, the catchphrase "The truth is out there" and, most importantly, the introduction of the show's famous "mythology" storyline, an arc which, unlike Twin Peaks' murder mystery, was allowed to stay partially unresolved until the definitive end of the series.

The complex ongoing plot line, which revolves around the possibility that the US government and military know about the existence of aliens and do everything in their power to hide the truth, begins when a mysterious man (Jerry Hardin), subsequently referred to as Deep Throat, approaches Mulder and advises him to suspend his most recent investigation. Mulder, being who he is, ignores the advice and follows a set of clues that lead him to an air base which supposedly contains the bodies of extraterrestrials. Once he gets there, though, he gets in more trouble than expected, and while Scully tries to save him they both realize there's a bigger secret being hidden, one that could cost them their jobs and possibly even their lives.

Unusually for a science-fiction show, The X-Files never really featured any overly heavy effects work (barring the 1998 movie), primarily because Chris Carter was more interested in the human aspect. This is especially clear in the mythology episodes, which look more like political thrillers than full-blown sci-fi blockbusters. Carter explicitly drew inspiration from the film All the President's Men, a fact that is confirmed by the informant being named Deep Throat (although the name is never actually used in this episode). The character in question is played with the right shade of mystery by Hardin, while a still-not-famous-at-the-time Seth Green provides some comic relief as a stoned teenager.

More than anything, though, this episode shows how The X-Files, like Twin Peaks before it and other serials after it, never gave any reassuring answers. Evidence of this can be found in the unsettling conversation between Mulder and Deep Throat: "They're here, aren't they?" "Mr. Mulder, they've been here for a long, long time". The rest, as they say, is television history.

It was a success

[SleepTight666 · 9/10 · 20 July 2008]

Yup, watta nice episode. It's probably one of my favorites of Season 1.

It introduced Deep Throat, always loved that guy. The special effects were really good for TV in 1993, love the scene with that space craft flying on top of Mulder.

the mood is right. Mulder keeps kicking ass. Seth Green guest stared. It was a success. Best scene was when Mulder saw the space craft for the first time. Really impressive special effects for 1993. also loved the final scene with Deep Throat telling Mulder that the aliens are already here.

I give it FOUR stars.

"You've seen things that weren't to be seen."

[classicsoncall · 8/10 · 9 May 2017]

The second episode of the series introduces the familiar opening sequence leading up to the show's tag line - 'The Truth is Out There'. It builds on the UFO and extraterrestrial conspiracy theme from the first episode, while moving the story's location to Southwest Idaho, home of Ellens Air Base, and apparently a mecca for UFO buffs as evidenced by the town's popular diner - 'The Flying Saucer'. Over the course of the story, Agent Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) becomes convinced that the military is using UFO technology to build experimental aircraft, a number of which have resulted in missing or dysfunctional test pilots. Mulder's own encounter with the alien technology leads to his capture and having his memory tampered with, though that thread is somewhat tenuous because in the end, he does remember what happened to him while in the clutches of airbase security.

The series wasted no time in introducing the recurring character of Deep Throat (Jerry Hardin), though that name wasn't used in this episode. The mysterious figure warns Mulder not to pursue the case at Ellens Air Base, and adding to the conspiratorial nature of the story, Mulder's phone is tapped and a reporter seemingly assigned to do a story on the FBI's investigation turns out to be a security agent for the government.

With Mulder doing most of the heavy lifting in this story, his partner Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) once again prefers to offer up countering rational points of view, but even she can't deny the existence of dancing balls of light in the night time sky at Ellens. Consequently, Mulder must heed another warning from Deep Throat before the show ends, for in continuing his X-Files mission, their lives would surely face danger in upcoming episodes.

Mr. Mulder they've been here for a long long time.

[Sanpaco13 · 10/10 · 19 October 2007]

Deep Throat the Limerick:

Test pilots going insane

Implies they aren't flying a plane.

When Mulder then spies

UFOs that fly by

The memory is erased from his brain.

Deep Throat is another great episode in which we get more government cover up and conspiracies. This time it has to do with UFO technology being used in US aircraft taken from the craft which crashed at Roswell. The pilots of these craft however are unable to handle the pressures and stress of flying them and end up going crazy. When this happens the base takes them to their hospital and erases all they know about what has happened from their memories. After the pilot who's disappearance Mulder and Scully was investigating is returned and after being stopped by two cars full of Men in Black and their evidence destroyed, Scully is adamant about leaving and ditching the case. Mulder then takes off without her to the military base where they had seen UFOs flying around the night before. He arrives at the base where one of the UFOs stops right above him. I'm not sure what his plan was at this point but it wasn't a very good one because he immediately apprehended and put through procedures to take away the memory of what he has seen. Scully bargains for his release and they go back to DC. The title of the episode has to do with the introduction of Mulder's source who they call Deep Throat. Deep Throat warned them to stay away from the case early on and frankly they probably should have followed his advice. Then we get the famous meeting of Deep Throat and Mulder at the track and Deep Throat's classic response to Mulder's accusation that there are aliens working with the government, "Mr. Mulder they've been here for a long long time." While it is well known that the mythology didn't really take shape until later in the series this to me says that Chris Carter always had the idea of aliens returning to a planet that they had once inhabited. Deep throat is another 10 out of 10 for me.

Deep Throat Debut

[thebigeasy555 · 7/10 · 18 September 2006]

This episode is marked by the debut of the legendary deep throat character.A big favourite for many x-files fans.No concrete explanation is given as to why he decides to help Mulder or inadvertently help him in following cases nor is his real name revealed.In this episode Deep Throat advises Mulder to cool his interest in a case he's involved in.Mulder being the free spirit he is disregards his advice.

Jerry Hardin plays Deep Throat well and endears himself to the viewer as a mysterious,slightly dubious individual.Having seen him star in an episode of Star Trek The Next Generation i believe it was the right idea to cast him in the role of Deep Throat

UFO technology

[koalablue_1993 · 10/10 · 14 July 2008]

This is one of my favorite episodes, it introduces the character of Deep Throat(He was much better than Mr.X) to the series. This episode also features a guest appearance by Seth Green before he became famous.

There are some great Mulder and Scully moments that could bring a smile to your face, these two characters are the best pair ever. The last 10 minutes of the episode are a must-see. Mulder was so close to seeing the truth, but was prevented from doing so. Then Deep throat warns Mulder that "they" have been with us for millions of years. To sum it all up, its good.

Mulder: Scully tell me i am crazy!

Scully: Mulder... your crazy...

Trust No One

[Dresden_Doll_101 · 7/10 · 25 August 2007]

Deep Throat is an interesting episode, where they introduce a great character (Deep Throat) and introduce the government conspiracy. I don't believe Deep Throat ever mentions he is called Deep Throat in this episode...? Anyway, here is some some good and bad points about this episode,

The Good: I loved the whole Test-Airaplane UFO things. If only. x]

Deep Throat. Great character. Highlight of Season 1.

Never been a fan of Seth Green, but his character was interesting. =]

"Ooh, if you were that stoned, what?" i demand an episode when Scully is 'That stoned'. =D

The 60's are back!

The Bad: Was that an earthquake that smashed Scully's car window!?

Is it me, or is Scully a little bítchy in the earlier episodes?

Why did Mulder take so long to tell Scully about the lights?

Conclusion: A good, solid episode and introduction to The X Files, yet there is something missing... 7/10

The Beginning of the Conspiracy Thread

[loudprincess · 8/10 · 30 March 2007]

"Deep Throat" is where it all begins in the Conspiracy Lore of The X-Files. To understand Mulder and Scully's journey throughout the series, one must start with this episode.

The title refers to Mulder's first government insider informant, a man who leaves newspapers at Mulder's door, and can only meet under the cover of darkness or whenever Mulder least expects him.

The tantalizing thing about this episode, and many of the Conspiracy-related stories to follow, is that the show's creators decided against outright "Look! Here's an alien!" shots, and always left the viewers craving more.

Now, in the years since the show's debut, it may seem a little corny watch. (Note the 90's tech in cell phones, or lack thereof, and computer programs) But, it introduces a lot of the recurring themes and characters that Scully and Mulder encounter throughout the series.

Definitely worth the watch, and one of the most important shows of the series.

UFOs!

[tenshi_ippikiookami · 7/10 · 10 May 2017]

Mulder and Scully decide to poke their noses into the disappearance of a military test pilot. Pretty soon their investigations make lots of people very irritated and angry.

Episode 2 of "The X-Files" has the same problems as the first: some plot developments are kind of head-scratching (why letting Mulder and Scully just go around if their investigations may be dangerous, for example) and the story is a little bit silly. However, now that we have got to know our two heroes, the plot can center on the 'mysterious' world we live in and on those who may be here with us. And "The X-Files" does a great job in making things quite interesting. The acting is a little bit shaky and, as said, the plot has some weird decisions (like Mulder's abduction and posterior release), but it has a good pace and keeps things interesting all through its running time. And with so deep a well from where to create a mystery of the episode (on top of the overall arc), the show can keep everyone happy.

Deep Throat; one of my favorite fictional characters of all time

[Analog_Devotee · 10/10 · 4 January 2021]

I always loved the dynamic of Mulder and Deep Throat. Something about the two of them together always felt so right. While the pilot episode does a lot to help us understand our two main characters, this episode really dives into the worldbuilding and lore of the show (and what's to come). While I doubt there are people out there who would dare watch this show out of order, I must insist that, if you are one of these people, you MUST watch this episode. This is one of the most important episodes in the series, and undoubtedly the most important episode of the first season.

Mulder's first Ally

[saxon-7 · 8/10 · 13 December 2006]

This episode introduces Mulder's first informant, Deep Throat, who advises Mulder against taking a case involving a missing army test pilot.

The main concern with this episode is to introduce Deep Throat, but the sub-concern of the experimental aircraft, which is based on the presumed/rumored downed UFO of Roswell is good and well executed, and the UFO crazy townspeople of the town are funny enough.

The effects are great (for a TV show) and the acting good, Jerry Hardin is cool as Deep Throat, very aloft character, and Seth Green in a small role Emil, the kid who shows Mulder the way into the airbase, is always a hoot.

This episode gets a 8 out of 10.

Choose your fights

[peter_nilsson88 · 10/10 · 12 April 2020]

This episode is the introduction of "Deep Throat" and a clear government denying secrets episode. It's inconclusive and we never really learn that much other than the importance of choosing your fights carefully since the military and the government can do what they want.

You get a first glimpse into secret UFO/Alien projects and the governments involvement and also so little that you just have to know more.

Great classic episode! Deep Throat is perfect and all actors are great! Nice with a small role by Seth Green as well!

"Deep Throat" builds on the pilot, further establishes the show's themes and tone, and is gripping from opening to closing moments

[SLionsCricketreviews · 9/10 · 11 September 2017]

After the exceptional pilot that beautifully introduced the world and characters, the second episode "Deep Throat" really embodies the themes and tone of the series, at least as far as the mythology arc is concerned.

This is the beginning of the mythology arc and this episode concerns everything: government conspiracies, existence of extraterrestrials, hard science vs optimistic beliefs, external obstruction in the search for the truth. Chris Carter pens an excellent screenplay that masterfully puts it all together without ever feeling overwhelming and/or exhausting given that this is only the second episode. The characters are already beautifully defined and both Duchovny and Anderson have an astonishing chemistry that is nothing short of a pure ecstasy to watch unfold.

The episode opens in an incredibly lively manner with government agents storming into the house of a military test pilot only to be met with a slightly grotesque and disturbing sight. Then the episode cuts to the credits and more importantly, we hear for the first time the show's iconic and frankly perfect main theme. Whatever little areas the pilot did not satisfy as far as pure X-Files was concerned, this episode, combined with its predecessor, adequately compensate.

There's also the introduction of the wonderful Deep Throat character, played brilliantly and with effort suave by Jerry Hardin. Mulder and Scully are fantastic in their (or should I say Mulder's) investigation into a UFO spotted near a military airbase. There's plenty of tension watching two wholly contrasting beliefs clash and the result is captivating drama to watch.

For "Buffy" fans such as myself, or simply Seth Green fans in itself, he makes a wonderful early appearance here as one of the teenagers who claims to often see UFOs in the sky during the night. He adds plenty of humour in his short role, which he plays wonderfully, and his interactions with both Scully and Mulder are hilarious. There might be nothing funnier to date than Mulder attempting the stoner, hippie talk to Green's character!

"Deep Throat" goes through the stages of its drama beautifully. The first two episodes have done an excellent job in introducing the series's mythology aspect and have beautifully introduced the world and characters. The episode is high intensity, even in its slower moments, features plenty of great character beats and is a sharply written screenplay, full of wonderful little twists and turns as well as great dialogue. Very early X-Files but a classic.

Memorable

[ametaphysicalshark · 7 August 2008]

Many images from "Deep Throat" have stayed with me for a long time. The whole episode feels very familiar every time I watch it, I guess because it's so utterly iconic? Deep Throat's first appearance, the full-on introduction of a government conspiracy, of aliens, of UFO's, practically everything that happens to Mulder and Scully at the military base. It's a beautifully-realized tale which has the series already looking far more sophisticated than most television looked at the time, thanks in no small part to John Bartley's excellent cinematography, a marked improvement over the hack job in the pilot episode by some random cinematographer. Daniel Sackheim does a good job of directing the episode, one of the five he directed between 1993 and 1999.

Oddly enough, however, despite being so iconic and memorable, "Deep Throat" feels routine and disappointing to me now. The story itself is less interesting if you know what's going to happen, and the script isn't strong enough to stand on its own as a memorable piece of fiction. The acting is consistently excellent, with Duchovny and Anderson both improving on their performances in the pilot episode, and Jerry Hardin is excellent in his role.

All in all "Deep Throat" is an improvement over "Pilot", but not a great X-File. It is filled with iconic and memorable imagery, and is particularly notable for being the debut of Mark Snow's legendary theme, but might come as a bit of a disappointment if scrutinized to those of us who have sugar-coated memories of it.

7/10

Building a universe

[Fluke_Skywalker · 7/10 · 28 March 2017]

Plot; Mulder and Scully investigate the disappearance of a test pilot who may have been involved in a project that reverse engineered alien technology.

In a manor that is simple but effective, this second episode both tells a standalone story and begins to build its universe. We're introduced early on to a shadowy character (Deep Throat, though never named so on screen) without a specific connection to the story at hand. He warns Mulder about the danger of investigating the rash of elite test pilots who have gone missing or suffered severe trauma at an Air Force base in South Dakota and then falls out of the story until the very end. In a wraparound, he meets with Mulder in a bit of an "I told ya so" moment and tells him that "they" (aliens) have been on Earth for a long time. This Deep Throat, whose motivations and background are never revealed, would seem to be the first of many such characters to populate this paranoia soaked world.

The episode itself is reasonably solid, with the Mulder/Scully dynamic firmly in place and both actors already having a pretty good handle on their characters. We once again see Mulder and Scully separated at the "See! See! Alien stuff!" moment, but honestly it's far too early for there to be fissures in Scully's world view, so I give it a pass.

• A very young Seth Green has a small role as a stoner who regularly sneaks onto the base with his girlfriend and has seen the strange goings on.

"There here aren't they?.."

[and_mikkelsen · 9/10 · 11 October 2023]

This was a great episode to continue off from the pilot as it further build upon the sense of mystery and a sense of conspirancy as it seems some have acces to knowledge that others don't!

This episode had an intense thrilling vibe as mulder and Scully investigate the disaperence of a military pilot! The first episode introduces the possibility of extraterestial life, this one introduces how the military is possibly hidding secrets about extraterestial offentlige!

Mulder and Scully is once again amazing as Mulder is willing to do anything to expose the secrets! The introduction of Deep Throat is great as well as he serves as an important role in Mulders journey to discover the truth!

The Mythology Created

[scorfield-51711 · 6/10 · 6 September 2016]

'They're here aren't they?' 'Mr Mulder, they've been here for a long, long time.'

Filmed a year after its pilot, this instalment was the first of five episodes of the series to be directed by Daniel Sackheim, who would go on to become executive producer of 'House' and 'Lie to Me'. In addition, this episode represented the first outing for the opening credit sequence accompanied by the evocative title track as composed by Mark Snow, and by the tagline: 'The Truth is Out There'. Written by series creator, Chris Carter, this episode was also the first to feature the character, 'Deep Throat', among several other plot elements which were also present within the pilot episode, and which constructed the mythology of a government conspiracy to conceal knowledge of UFOs. With his background as a freelance journalist, Carter reveals that the character of 'Deep Throat' was largely inspired by the true-life informant of the same name who helped disclose the 'Watergate Scandal' to Woodward and Bernstein. A further influence was that of the shadowy 'Mr X' played by Donald Sutherland in Stone's 'JFK', released two years previously. Just as Carter made full use of the literature on alien abduction to weave together the plot of his pilot, so he does here with that on rumoured US Air Force projects to test UFO technology within stealth aircraft development. Mulder is convinced that the case of a pilot suffering what appears to be a psychotic episode at an Idaho airbase is linked to a spate of disappearances of fliers stationed at the base since the 60s. Intriguingly, having uncharacteristically stolen a military vehicle, this individual was discovered curled in a ball in his own bathroom, shivering, and covered in a mysterious skin rash. Even on his return home, in the midst of their investigation, his wife is adamant that he is no longer the husband she knew, and upon questioning, appears to have lost recognition of basic flight manouevres. Sculley, now transformed from mousey brown into a natural redhead, maintains her steadfast determination to ascribe every apparently inexplicable event to rational causes. Thus, what Mulder interprets as physical evidence of side-effects of having to operate UFO technology in tests for a new aircraft, and deliberate rewiring of the pilot's brain as part of a government cover-up, she attributes to mere stress and exhaustion, together with resultant amnesia. It is difficult to envisage anyone else embody the mix of boyish enthusiasm for unveiling the presence of the supernatural, and the superior intellect of Fox Mulder than Duchovny - certainly not Lou Diamond Philips or Dean Cain who auditioned for the part. It is this wide- eyed exuberance that allows him to identify with the stoner teen couple they encounter running away from the base, having watched transfixed the unearthly manouevres of the night-time lights above. It is also such unqualified zeal which leads Mulder to sneak alone onto the base to delve deeper into the covert operations occurring there. The appearance of the triangular UFO Mulder observes still embarrasses the show's creator, with Carter keen to point out the difficulties of 'doing very elaborate special effects on a television budget'. The culmination of the action arrives with Mulder's capture and subjection to some sort of medical test. With his male lead incapacitated, Carter wished to show that Sculley had the wherewithal to defend herself and negotiate the retrieval of her partner unscathed. The creator and writer would be the first to admit that the plot for this episode lacks depth, and the studio executives certainly found the sense of confusion sufficient to demand the inclusion of the Sculley voice-over to round off the episode - which would thereby become a standard feature of the series. The fact remains that the significance of this instalment lies in the setting up of the show's mythology in terms of Mulder's constant battle to uncover government knowledge of extraterrestrial visitations, and, in the wake of the Roswell incident, its access to UFO technology. The episode is soaked in paranoia and peopled with 'men in dark suits' to deter the FBI agents from pursuing their investigation, including the fake journalist who Sculley apprehends at gunpoint and exchanges for Mulder. The sense of intimidation is heightened by the warnings issued by Deep Throat at the episode's commencement and end. Carter has revealed that for him the casting of Jerry Harding for this crucial role was an easy choice, having attracted attention via his wonderful performance as one of the manipulative partners in Pollack's 'The Firm'. As Carter himself has acknowledged, this character, whose genesis came while the pilot was being written, added a degree of believability to Mulder's claims which greatly added to the show's appeal.

Mr. Mulder, they've been here for a long, long time.

[alexandercappelli · 8/10 · 3 March 2015]

"Mr. Mulder, they've been here for a long, long time." – Deep Throat.

Episode 2, 'Deep Throat', original air date September 17th 1993. Written by Chris Carter and directed by Daniel Sackheim. Mythology episode count, 1 (not including the pilot). Unlike the pilot, this episode employs the cold open technique before the title sequence, this is common for many television series and is a regular feature of the X-Files from this point on. A cold open refers to the technique of launching directly in to the action of the episode before the opening credits and is often used as a teaser for the show's plot line. 'Deep Throat' begins with a military raid at the home of a test pilot who is suffering from what appears to be a nervous breakdown, accompanied by an unexplained rash which has appeared over his entire body. Following the discovery of this man, who appears dazed and in a weakened state, huddled on the floor in his home, the series opening title sequence makes it's debut, followed by the famous tag-line, "the truth is out there", which so perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the series. This sequence will remain unchanged for the next 7 seasons. This episode deals with the idea of test pilots flying UFOs or military aircraft possibly built with UFO technology. Throughout the series the theme of military equipment employing alien technology is explored many times, along with the effect that these top secret, dangerous experiments have on military personnel directly involved in the application of this technology. Seth Green guest stars in this episode as the first of many celebrities who will make an appearance in the series during the early days of their careers. The guess actors for this episode all do a fine job at conveying credibility in the face of extreme situations and throughout the series we see many more fine examples of this from the supporting cast, with the odd exception here and there.

The episodes title is in reference to the introduction of Mulder's first government informant, played by Jerry Hardin, although the character is subsequently referred to as Deep Throat, the name is not actually spoken by anyone at this point in series. Deep Throat warns Mulder that pursuing this case could be detrimental to his career, which of course only fuels Mulder's desire. Both government conspiracies, and their subsequent cover ups, and military connection with alien technology will play a central role to the mythology of the series and this episode not only introduces the audience to this theme but Mulder gets his first glimpse behind the curtain in the first of many near misses at discovering the truth. Throughout the series Mulder often finds himself on the verge of exposing governmental secrets only to be thwarted at the last moment. We saw this plot device in the pilot where the lab containing the evidence of the exhumed corpse is burned to the ground. Once again Mulder is willing to go out on a limb, trusting his instincts and displaying a complete disregard to FBI protocol while Scully is left on the sidelines, frustrated by what she sees as his misguided doggedness. Scully and Mulder are still on starkly opposing sides at this point. Scully is wholly unwilling to even entertain the notion of alien life forms or UFO encounters. Despite witnessing the dancing lights in the sky which Mulder heavily implies are UFOs, she remains undeterred in her regularly held belief that the simplest explanation is most often the correct one. While she remains skeptical throughout the series she does eventually warm to Mulder's viewpoint over time and their relationship develops in to not so much a converging of mindsets but of a mutual respect for one another's perspective. We see Mulder and Scully meet in a bar to discuss the case, this neutral meeting place implies that the two are still on somewhat opposing sides. The basement office is still officially Mulder's territory at this point and Scully has not yet accepted her position in the X-Files unit. She is still treating these cases as a temporary assignment and affording them little respect.

Having had his memory wiped of any crucial information he may have discovered throughout the course of the episode, Mulder is back at square one. He is confronted once more by Deep Throat at the conclusion of this episode. We see him running along a race track which gives us our first glimpse at Mulder's restlessness, here is a man who cannot stand still, always moving forwards towards a goal. The final lines between the pair has Mulder remark, "They're here aren't they?", to which Deep Throat replies, "Mr. Mulder, they've been here a long time." Is he referring to Alien life on earth? Or does 'they' refer to the nameless men in black we see accosting the agents earlier in the episode, confiscating and destroying their evidence. This cryptic information will become clearer much later in the series. At this point though, Deep Throat's messages are vague but offer just enough to spur Mulder on, as the audience we are equally intrigued by the implication of these words.

More like a 7.5/10

[godzillasaveschristmas · 7/10 · 22 April 2021]

Improved from "Pilot", but not there yet. I think both this and "Pilot" are very similar in their general structure and ideas.

The X-Files:Deep Throat

[Scarecrow-88 · 8/10 · 19 March 2011]

"They're here, aren't they?"

"Mr. Mulder—*they* have been here for a long time."

Southwest Idaho. Ellis Air force base is reputed to fly experimental aircraft, but pilots are known to have suffered extreme cases of bizarre behavioral patterns, and one particular officer, Budahas, has red bodily lesions all over, discovered by the military who enter his home after he had a psychotic episode. When Budahas is taken by the military, not returned, his wife is worried that she may never seen him again, complaining to them for his return. When her demands go unanswered, she contacts the FBI who bury it until Mulder finds it through the Boise office, deciding to pursue it. This is where he first meets a mysterious figure possibly within the government who knows things and warns Mulder to not go to Idaho, danger awaits and this episode introduces us to Deep Throat and the cover-up methods of the military. Also, this episode responds to the mythos behind the idea that our military uses alien technology to create superior Stealth jets capable of fantastic feats—but, with a price. This episode also offers the existence of "brain sweeps" where the nefarious military can "erase" knowledge and memories as is the case with pilots and maybe even Mulder himself. We definitely see the animosity which exists between the military and the FBI when certain agents butt into their affairs considered top secret. The episode also presents the military as this powerful force which can conduct its business without a measure of scrutiny because of a stranglehold over certain areas in the United States, silencing certain voices which might attempt to rise against them (the wife of the Budahas man, an example of this as she is visited by the agents and seems resigned to the fact that her husband is "okay" and "getting better", barricading them from reentering her home). Jerry Hardin has probably his most famous role, a veteran of both film and television, as Deep Throat. His reasons for helping Mulder and knowledge in the government and military secrets remain ambiguous in this episode although he does reveal that he also has a desire for the truth. Seth Green has a small part as a stoner who(along with his girlfriend)have visited an area near the airstrip to watch the experimental planes "perform." This episode orchestrates the frustrating blockades often thwarting Mulder's efforts to expose those who are hiding the truth from us.

Probably my favorite episode

[edbergswe · 10/10 · 8 January 2015]

If I had to choose a one and only episode from the series, as I remembered it right now, it would be this one. I guess you'll get on my track, at least if you're looking at the show as a mystery show as it was intended to be to begin with, and not a love story or a sci-fi show for that matter.

Don't get me wrong, but I prefer the latter two rather as additional "spice", rather than the maintrack. For instance the chemistry is great between M&S here also no matter how you look at it. Also, I like the fact that it's almost like the viewer is through the eyes of M&S at the same time; the common sense of Scully but also the curiosity and the desire of Mulder.

At this point the possibilities was endless, and it was a great foundation to plan out the mythology story. There weren't as much effects and sci-fi blockbusters in the early episodes, but I believe that was actually X-Files strength and why the series worked best the less it tried to answer itself. The episode raised questions and it was in time what people knew and actually still know.

I can't spot any plot holes or anything either, everything seems to be in place. And while there were just as good similar episodes episodes in seasons 2-3, there's just something about the early season 1 which brings it above the rest in my opinion; the overall charm & mood plus the music.

Perhaps I'm biased with nostalgia, but I really think at least the music in the early season 1 was awesome and this episode is a great example. Not that I don't think Mark Snow was able to write even better stuff, but I believe he was commanded to tone his work down somehow later on.

Classic early episode

[x-cetera · 10/10 · 16 March 2013]

Another awesome episode to set up the UFO mythology of the show. The plot is great and you start to get to know the characters better. I especially love Scully in the early seasons when she is so incredulous toward Mulder and his far out ideas.

The scene in the diner with Seth Green is hilarious! Moving around his hamburger like it's a flying saucer, and all the 90s slang!

Some other favorite parts: when Mulder buys the UFO photo in the roadside diner, the exchange in the car where Mulder says "Tell me I'm crazy!", and the argument in the motel room about when are the costs of government secrecy too high. One of the most iconic scenes in the series is Mulder standing out on a landing tarp when a UFO flies in and hovers over him.

The episode is entitled "Deep Throat" because it introduces the shady figure who gives Mulder information on the sly (like Woodward & Bernstein's source for Watergate). Now the audience finds out that it's not just aliens, but also a government conspiracy that will play a big role in the series.