Deep Throat (The X-Files episode)

"Deep Throat"
The X-Files episode
Fox Mulder under a UFO. The scenes were later described by Chris Carter as featuring the "worst effects we've ever done" on The X-Files.
Episode no.	Season 1 Episode 2
Directed by	Daniel Sackheim
Written by	Chris Carter
Production code	1X01
Original air date	September 17, 1993
Running time	45 minutes
Guest appearance(s)
Jerry Hardin as Deep Throat Michael Bryan French as Paul Mossinger Seth Green as Emil Gabrielle Rose as Anita Budahas Monica Parker as Ladonna Andrew Johnston as Colonel Robert Budahas
Episode chronology
← Previous "Pilot" Next → "Squeeze"
List of The X-Files episodes

"Deep Throat" is the second episode of the first season of the American science fiction television series The X-Files, which premiered on the Fox network on September 17, 1993. Written by series creator Chris Carter and directed by Daniel Sackheim, the episode introduced several elements which would become staples of the series' mythology.

FBI special agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) investigate cases linked to the paranormal, called X-Files. Mulder believes in paranormal phenomena, while the skeptical Scully attempts to discredit them. In this episode, the pair investigate a possible conspiracy in the US Air Force and Mulder meets a mysterious informant who warns him to stay away from the case. Undeterred, Mulder continues and comes closer to the truth about extraterrestrial life than ever before, only to have his progress taken away from him again.

The episode introduced the Deep Throat character, played by Jerry Hardin, who served as Mulder's informant for the first season. The character was inspired by the historical Deep Throat, and served to bridge the gap between the protagonists and the conspirators they would investigate. The episode itself focused on common elements of ufology, with a setting reminiscent of Area 51 and Nellis Air Force Base. It contained several special effects that Carter later described as "good, given the [series'] restrictions"; although he singled out the scenes featuring blinking lights as being poorly executed. In its initial American broadcast, "Deep Throat" was viewed by approximately 6.9 million households and 11.1 million viewers and attracted positive reviews from critics.