The title sequence of The X-Files remains, in conjunction with its eerily catchy theme song, one of the show's most immediately recognizable elements. This opening sets the tone for the show, placing it within a context of conspiracy, unexplained events, and mysterious activity of a secretive and scientific nature. The opening is marked by vaguely recognizable, grainy images evoking a sense of uncertainty while assuring its viewers that the images arise from the world of science fiction. The text that accompanies the images-- "Paranormal Activity," "Government Denies Knowledge," and "The Truth Is Out There"--further cements this association. The graininess recalls both homemade videos and security cameras, already creating the juxtaposition between the unverifiable determination of fanaticism and a real fear that the government's true agenda is more terrifying than the fanatic imagines. Especially since the title sequence usually comes on the heel of grotesque, often inexplicable murder, the images, themselves without any specific context, unnerve and pique the curiosity of the audience even further. The title sequence, particularly the image of mirrored shifting and growing masses (actually purported to be bean sprouts) creates a sense of unease, establishing and enforcing the show's creepy tone.
Of all the visual components in the opening credits those thingies are the only parts that I have yet to figure out. I suppose the explanation that they are beansprouts is plausible.
ReplyDeleteI've always thought that the unidentified credit-ma-bobs were actually part of some sort of laboratory creature.
I think that it is also very important that the credits did not substantially change throughout the entirety of the show.
it is true though that starting season 8 the opening titles are rather changed; in part they are accommodate the shifting of the show's principle actors: the addition of Robert Patrick and occasional addition of Annabeth Gish and even Mitch Pileggi necessitates a change in credits. However, what is especially striking is the alteration from unclear, general allusions to a conspiracy culture to much more specific references to Mulder and Scully: especially the addition of the fetus and the replacement of the generic eye with Scully's eye, into which a falling Mulder disappears. At this point in the series, the image of the show's characters is so entwined with the public conception of the show that the shift in the credits signals a greater interest in the mulder and scully's specific story line.
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