X-Cops

"X-Cops" is the twelfth episode of the <a href="/facts/The_X-Files_season_7/MaFcXWnk">seventh season</a> of the American science fiction television series <a href="/facts/The_X-Files/J6SpBK3H">The X-Files</a>. Directed by <a href="/facts/Michael_W._Watkins/dfdNfCRC">Michael Watkins</a> and written by <a href="/facts/Vince_Gilligan/XbxNMQbw">Vince Gilligan</a>, the installment serves as a "<a href="/facts/Villain_of_the_week/WkUxFNM8">Monster-of-the-Week</a>" story—a stand-alone plot unconnected to the <a href="/facts/Mythology_of_The_X-Files/4j83szEW">overarching mythology</a> of The X-Files. Originally aired in the United States by the <a href="/facts/Fox_Broadcasting_Company/yeFeCgGk">Fox</a> network on February 20, 2000, "X-Cops" received a <a href="/facts/Nielsen_rating/PJ1HH4H8">Nielsen rating</a> of 9.7 and was seen by 16.56 million viewers. The episode earned positive reviews from critics, largely due to its unique presentation, as well as its use of humor. Since its airing, the episode has been named among the best episodes of The X-Files by several reviewers.
The X-Files centers on <a href="/facts/Federal_Bureau_of_Investigation/UY93jwX6">Federal Bureau of Investigation</a> (FBI) special agents <a href="/facts/Fox_Mulder/PLgl7am3">Fox Mulder</a> (<a href="/facts/David_Duchovny/YagYdSAf">David Duchovny</a>) and <a href="/facts/Dana_Scully/ILWsD7Kt">Dana Scully</a> (<a href="/facts/Gillian_Anderson/I2ecBsdA">Gillian Anderson</a>), who work on cases linked to the paranormal, called <a href="/facts/X-File/BLKSxIRK">X-Files</a>. Mulder is a believer in the paranormal; the skeptical Scully was initially assigned to debunk his work, but the two have developed a deep friendship. In this episode, Mulder and Scully are investigating an X-File that takes place during an episode of the Fox reality television program <a href="/facts/Cops_(TV_program)/WgmP7357">Cops</a>. Mulder believes he is hunting a werewolf, but discovers that the monster is actually feeding on fear. While Mulder embraces the publicity of Cops, Scully is frustrated by the presence of the film crew.
"X-Cops" is a fictitious crossover with Cops. The episode was inspired by Cops, which Gilligan enjoyed watching. He pitched the idea several times to series creator Chris Carter and the series writing staff. The idea was met with a mixed reception, but Gilligan was eventually given the green light to produce the episode because the series was nearing its end with the conclusion of the seventh season. In keeping with the format of the real-life Cops program, the entire episode was shot on videotape and featured several members of the Cops crew. The episode has been thematically analyzed for its use of postmodernism and its presentation as reality television.

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X-Cops