The X-Files Episodes That Showcased The Talent of Breaking Bad’s Vince Gilligan

It’s obvious how much fun Gilligan had writing this episode (and later an entire spinoff for these characters), tastefully blending nostalgia, wit, and the trademark theme of government conspiracies. Keeping things light for the most part, “Unusual Suspects” is a delicacy that showcases how he acquired a balance of comedy and drama, shaping it to his own style over the years.

Bad Blood

Season 5 Episode 12 – Feb. 22, 1998

Arguably the funniest episode in the series. Told through a silly vampire narrative, “Bad Blood” is all about the “work marriage” between Scully and Mulder. After years of working together, we finally learn how they see each other. Recalling the events of a “vampire case,” the story is told from their vastly differing perspective, which brings about a campy and humorous tone that’s a rarity in The X-Files.

Gilligan’s dedication to the characters shines bright as he amplifies and ridicules their traits to great effect. Just because we don’t normally see this, Mulder and Scully often get on each other’s nerves with their typical behavior and choice of words. That’s exactly what Gilligan aims for. The actual case — involving fake fangs, gleaming green eyes, and a delightful guest performance by Luke Wilson — barely matters as we see the two bicker like an old married couple about trivial things.

Drive 

Season 6 Episode 2 – Nov. 15, 1998

If you’re a devoted fan of Gilligan’s creations, there are plenty of “aha” moments in his X-Files episodes that help you backtrack how some essential elements of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul came together. The most obvious is Season 6’s “Drive,” which was the first time Gilligan and Bryan Cranston worked together. It’s a fast-paced and breathless episode that finds Mulder (David Duchovny) taken hostage by an unhinged lunatic named Crump (Cranston), who’s driving west as fast as he can under an excruciating pain that’s caused by some secret government experiment.