X-Cops (20 Feb. 2000)
"The X Files" X-Cops (original title)

The investigation of a neighborhood monster isn't too weird for the crew of Cops to follow around Mulder and Scully.

Director:

Michael W. Watkins

Writers:

Chris Carter (creator), Vince Gilligan

Stars:

David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Kevin L. Beggs

Cast

Episode credited cast:
David Duchovny	...	Fox Mulder
Gillian Anderson	...	Dana Scully
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Kevin L. Beggs	...	Sheriff #6 (as Kevin Beggs)
Lombardo Boyar	...	Spanish Speaking Deputy
Curtis C.	...	Edy
María Celedonio	...	Chantara Gomez
Daniel Emmett	...	Cameraman
Dee Freeman	...	Sgt. Paula Duthie
Curtis Jackson	...	X-Cops / Edy
Tara Karsian	...	Coroner's Assistant
Judson Mills	...	Deputy Keith Wetzel
Frankie Ray	...	Crackhead
J.W. Smith	...	Steve
John Michael Vaughn	...	Soundman
Perla Walter	...	Mexican Lady

Storyline

An investigation into possible Werewolf sightings brings Mulder and Scully to Los Angeles. There they run into a crew filming a 'COPS' episode. While being followed around by the 'COPS' camera crew, Mulder and Scully trail a monster that appears to be able to change into each victim's own worst nightmare.

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Plot Keywords:

werewolf | camera crew | crossover episode | ambulance | los angeles california | 

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

20 February 2000 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Long Beach, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

20th Century Fox Television, Ten Thirteen Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Fox Mulder: [examining the Deputy's wound] Unfortunately though, Deputy, you've been bitten. The skin is broken. Werewolf law pretty much universally holds, that someone who's been bitten by such a creature is gonna become such a creature himself, so...
Deputy Keith Wetzel: Now, wait a minute! I mean... that's not what really happened, though.
Fox Mulder: I'm sorry, but you gonna have to be isolated and kept under guard.
Sgt. Paula Duthie: [glaring at Mulder] With all due respect, what the *bleep* are you talking about?
Fox Mulder: I'm talking about preventing this man ...
[...]

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Crazy Credits

This episode has two opening credits sequences. The first is the standard opening of the Fox reality series "Cops" (1989), with which this is a crossover (except with images of Mulder and Scully from the episode among the standard police scenes). The regular series credits appear following the teaser.

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Connections

References A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

User Reviews

A great episode

The main complaint critics of this episode have about "X-Cops" is that it ridicules The X-Files. I don't know if 'ridicule' is the right word. It makes fun of itself in a loving way. The idea for the crossover here was certainly very creative and different, to combine a popular scripted series with well... COPS. What I like is that Vince Gilligan manages to include some of the more entertaining aspects of COPS in this episode of The X-Files. His script is one of his best, clever, witty, fun. The production work on this episode is also excellent.

This is a creative and great episode that is unfairly criticized because some people have a preconceived notion of what The X-Files 'should be'. Personally, one of the things I admire most about the show is its diversity and creativity, and both are present in "X-Cops".

10/10