Editing The X-Files (section)

=== Mythology ===
{{Main|Mythology of The X-Files|X-files unit|Syndicate (The X-Files)|Colonist (The X-Files)}}
Key episodes called parts of the "[[Mythology of The X-Files|Mytharc]]", were recognized as the "mythology" of the series canon; these episodes carried the extraterrestrial/conspiracy storyline that evolved throughout the series. "[[Villain of the week|Monster of the week]]"—often abbreviated as "MOTW" or "MoW"—came to denote the remainder of ''The X-Files'' episodes. These episodes, forming the majority of the series, dealt with [[paranormal]] (and in certain cases, merely criminal) phenomena, including: [[serial killers]] (with or without supernatural powers), [[cryptid]]s, [[ghosts]], mutants, science fiction technology, [[Horror fiction|horror]] monsters and religious phenomena. Some of the Monster-of-the-Week episodes featured satiric elements and comedic story lines.{{sfn|Lavery|1995|p=339{{en dash}}40}} The main story arc involves the agents' efforts to uncover a government conspiracy that covers up the existence of extraterrestrials and their sinister collaboration with said government. Mysterious men constituting a [[shadow government (conspiracy)|shadow]] element within the [[U.S. government]], known as "[[Syndicate (The X-Files)|The Syndicate]]", are the major villains in the series; late in the series it is revealed that The Syndicate acts as the only liaison between mankind and a group of extraterrestrials that intends to destroy humanity. They are usually represented by [[Cigarette Smoking Man]] ([[William B. Davis]]), a ruthless killer, masterful politician, negotiator, failed novelist, and the series' principal antagonist.{{sfn|Kowalski|2007|pp=243{{en dash}}46}}

As the series goes along, Mulder and Scully learn about evidence of the alien invasion piece by piece. It is revealed that the extraterrestrials plan on using a sentient virus, known as the [[Black oil (The X-Files)|black oil]] (also known as "Purity"), to infect mankind and turn the population of the world into a slave race. The Syndicate—having made a deal to be spared by the aliens—have been working to develop an alien-human hybrid that will be able to withstand the effects of the black oil. The group has also been secretly working on a vaccine to overcome the black oil; this vaccine is revealed in the latter parts of [[The X-Files season 5|season five]], as well as the [[The X-Files (film)|1998 film]]. Counter to the alien colonization effort, another faction of aliens, the faceless rebels, are working to stop alien colonization. Eventually, in the [[The X-Files season 6|season six]] episodes "[[Two Fathers (The X-Files)|Two Fathers]]"/"[[One Son]]", the rebels manage to destroy the Syndicate. The colonists, now without human liaisons, dispatch the "[[Super Soldiers (The X-Files)|Super Soldiers]]": beings that resemble humans, but are biologically alien. In the latter parts of [[The X-Files season 8|season eight]], and the whole of [[The X-Files season 9|season nine]], the Super Soldiers manage to replace key individuals in the government, forcing Mulder and Scully to go into hiding.{{sfn|Kowalski|2007|pp=243{{en dash}}46}}