The X-Files, or 24?
Ohio
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Not trying to be controversial here, or start an argument. I'm trying to decide which of these series to watch. Both have all their seasons on Netfilx streaming.
I've never seen an episode of either show. I understand both are loved, and the only other thing I've really heard is that 24 got weaker as it went on.
I know one is about aliens, and the other is about secret-agent-type stuff that happens over a period of 24 hours. That's literally all I know.
I'm honestly a little more drawn to The X-Files, simply because it seems a little more interesting to me personally.
So, which (and why)?
I've never seen an episode of either show. I understand both are loved, and the only other thing I've really heard is that 24 got weaker as it went on.
I know one is about aliens, and the other is about secret-agent-type stuff that happens over a period of 24 hours. That's literally all I know.
I'm honestly a little more drawn to The X-Files, simply because it seems a little more interesting to me personally.
So, which (and why)?
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Seriously, though, I'm 20 and I just watched the X-files this yeah. I'm watching an episode on Netflix as I make this post. I watched the first five seasons in a ravenous burst because they are some of the best television the crime/supernatural/science fiction genre has ever produced.
In fact, there is absolutely no excuse to watch 24 instead. None.
That said, if you're flat out going to watch one and only one, then go X-Files. It takes longer before it gets not so good (and may never get not so good, but I haven't seen after a major change occurs late in the series). 24 is really good for the first season, pretty good for the next 2, maybe 3 seasons, and then quickly goes downhill. imo. It never really gets truly bad, but it becomes predictable and just more of the same. I was also not a fan of many of the character changes.
Though it's not for everyone... it's got a bit of thriller, a bit of Film Noir, a bit of camp, and a bit of sci-fi. It can be a bit out there at times, but if you're into that it's pretty awesome.
24 is more like an action-movie-as-TV-show. It's got some dramatic elements, but also explosions... which is cool, too... but if I had to choose I'd go X-Files.
I can't tell you the plot of a single episode of 24 from memory, and I've seen the first 3 seasons.
1st season of 24 was pretty good. 2nd season was tepid to me. After that I lost interest.
X-Files got better, except (spoilers follow) ...
I understand 24 is just shit blowing up and dudes getting shot.
And Disney World is nowhere in sight.
The last few seasons weren't as good as the first ones (as to be expected in a 9-season long show), but I still enjoyed them tremendously. Besides if you get bored with it, you can always just stop watching.
Nintendo Network ID: PhysiMarc
If you must choose one, then yeah I agree X-Files. It doesn't really turn to shit until towards the end, which means many, many seasons of awesome.
24, on the other hand, fell off logarithmically. The first season was (IMO) pretty awesome, then it went to okay then to garbage. And when you thought it couldn't get any more stupid, it would. I stopped watching during the second-to-last season, four episodes from the finale. No, it was not even worth the time out of my life to finish the season, that's how bad it got.
I will, however, give a hybrid recommendation: watch the first season of 24 and the X-Files. Because the first season of 24 is totally worth it.
as much as you want of x-files.
both at the same time.
If you end up liking the X-Files, Millenium is great.
I hadn't seen it either and ended up watching a whole season in 2 days.
Hey now, all seasons of Californication are good.
Especially coming from X-Files.
"Oh, David D. can act!"
That first season of X-Files was clearly a learning curve for him. However, there be some classics in the first season.
"Because... all the evidence to the contrary is not entirely dissuasive."
"Precisely."
"They're here, aren't they?"
"Mr. Mulder they've been here for a long, long time."
Goosebumps. Every time.
I'm currently on Season 7 of X-Files.
My choice is clear.
24 is the same plot line over and over and over again, and it falls into a dangerous trap of trying to outdo the last episode and/or season, and it ends up just being bigger explosions and more betrayals.
X-files, as silly as some of the episodes may be, at least doesn't endlessly repeat what it asks you to accept. There are switches in tone, style, humor, etc. There is variety in the episodes, which is key. Heck, some of the best/most memorable episodes were monster of the week ones.
Watch the first 24 episodes of 24. Then stop. There's no need to go any further IMO. The first season was great, but they didn't really do anything to keep it fresh after that. (I was, obviously, not a fan of anything past the first season.)
X-Files was decent most of the way through. There are a few places where they kind of kick you in the pants between episodes, but other than that, it's not bad.
So, if you were to graph these out, 24 would have this massive spike at the beginning, and gradually get smaller.
X-Files would have this plateau in about the middle of the chart that would generally rise ( sometimes fall ) and occasionally spike one way or the other until about season 7, where it would start steadily falling in much the same way that 24 does.
-Current W.I.P.
And I probably will watch the first season of 24 eventually.
You can't base the awesomeness of X Files on the first few episodes. It took them a bit to find their niche and explore it in interesting ways. Don't worry, it is DEFINITELY worth it, and it's one of my all time favorite shows.
Edit: Also, what The Cat said.
Also ...
My favorite line... it's even on my MP3 playlist.
Keep in mind that X-Files gets better every season. Stick with it.
As I recall, the first movie falls between EDIT: SEASON FIVE AND SEASON SIX. I was wrong when I suggested it was three and four.
So hey, this is for all the X-Files fans out there who had nightmares after watching "Home."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH0_XfxnXWI
Holy crow there are a lot of guest spots. A few months back I started going through all the seasons, and it is extremely entertaining to see all these actors and actresses doing weird sci-fi. Seeing Josh from the West Wing as some crazed scientist driven mad by volcanic life always amuses me.
but yeah, good choice on the x-files.
Nah, the X-Files is way better than Fringe.
They both have creative, off the wall, cases; but, Fringe has Walter "explain" it all with things that are just blatantly not true.
Whereas X-Files understands how much needs to be explained for the story and does a really good job of leaving it up to your imagination. I also love how X-Files has a good mix of cases which have logical normal explanations and then some just end with, "wow, wtf?" It makes your world feel just a little more supernatural without Walter getting information out of a dead guy by running massive amounts of electricity into his head and electrocuting his son. (this happened)
That whole multi-episode arc was brilliant.
Minor suggestion: if you want a show that's more recent, I'd go with Fringe. I love Walter, he's the most adorable and quirky insane genius, old man I know.