Deep Throat (The X-Files episode)

"**Deep Throat**"
"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 appearances
	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"
	The X-Files season 1
	List of episodes

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

In this television series, FBI 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 United States 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 stalled and findings taken from him, yet again.

The episode introduces the character of Deep Throat, played by Jerry Hardin, who serves as Mulder's informant in the first season. The character was inspired by the historical Deep Throat and serves to bridge the gap between the protagonists and the conspirators they would investigate. The episode itself focuses on common elements of ufology, in a setting reminiscent of Area 51 and Nellis Air Force Base. It contains several special effects that Chris Carter later described as "good, given the [series'] restrictions";^[1] although he singled out the scenes featuring blinking lights as being poorly executed.^[2] In its initial U.S. broadcast, "Deep Throat" was viewed by approximately 6.9 million households and 11.1 million viewers and attracted positive reviews from critics.

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