Season 1: Fallen Angel (1X09)

Written by: Alex Gansa and Howard Gordon

Directed by: Larry Shaw

Mulder receives a tip off from his contact Deep Throat about a government quarantine in Townsend, Wisconsin due to a toxic chemical spill in the area. Deep Throat however claims it is really a UFO crash site and that Mulder has roughly 24 hours before the airforce's reclamation group removes all the evidence. Mulder rushes to the area and manages to photograph the crash site but is apprehended and put in a cell where he meets a ufologist, Max Fenig who mistakes Mulder for a fellow UFO enthusiast. Scully arrives to take Mulder back to Washington, Section Chief McGrath aware of Mulder's conduct has scheduled a hearing, he wants to fire Mulder and close down the X-files. Mulder persuade Scully to help him investigate the government cover-up in hope of finding evidence of the UFO crash to save himself and the X-files. At the hotel they find Max ransacking Mulder's room, it turns out Max recognised Mulder from his photograph in a trade magazine and has been following their work on the X-files. Max a member of the National Investigative Committee of Aerial Phenomena (NICAP) travels the country investigating UFO sightings, but there maybe another reason for his UFO fascination.

Mulder witnesses Max having a seizure and while helping him notices marks on his neck that are text book abduction scarring. Mulder believes that Max is a multiple abductee and that his presence in the area at the time of the UFO crash is no coincidence.

Notes:
Scott Bellis will reprise his role as Max Fenig in the season four episodes "Tempus Fugit" and "Max".

This episode gives the first impressions of Mulder's enemies within the FBI, and those who would prefer him being kicked out of the Bureau rather than risk the embarrassment of his actions. It also redefines the border between Mulder and Scully; him as the out of control believer, and her as the scientist who must keep him in line.

Quotes:
Mulder: You really believe that story?
Scully: That story happens to be highly classified.
Mulder: It's a highly classified lie.

Episode Number: 10
Season Number: 1
First Aired: Friday November 19, 1993
Production Code: 1X09