Chris Carter’s popular science-fiction drama series The X-Files is known for featuring an array of cryptids, paranormal entities, and the existence of alien life forms. The original series lasted for nine years and nine seasons between 1993 until 2002 and was revived for an additional two between 2016 and 2019. In season 2, episode 2, “The Host,” the series introduced one a one-off character that went on to become one of their most important writers.
The main plot of the original series is based on FBI special agent Fox Mulder’s (David Duchovny) search for his sister who is a suspected victim of alien abduction. Alongside fellow agent Dana Katherine Scully (Gillian Anderson), they are assigned the “X Files” which are unsolved cases tied to paranormal phenomena and unidentifiable sources. “The Host” introduced a parasitic humanoid that is a product of the radioactive aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster. The creature is known as the “Flukeman”, as it is the mutated form of the fluke parasite. He is played by Darin Morgan, the brother of the show’s executive producer Glen Morgan.
As the creature maneuvers through Newark, New Jersey’s sewer system, it embeds its larva into unsuspecting sanitation workers to use them as a host in order to multiply. Despite successfully ridding the city of the original Flukeman, the ending is rather ambiguous as its eyes remain open and made a reappearance in the comic series in 2013. Due to Darin Morgan’s praise worthy portrayal as the Flukeman, he went on to develop the following episode “Blood” alongside his brother. When he became involved as a writer and developer, it was a pivotal moment in the series that reinvigorated it for years to come.
How Darin Morgan Became The X-Files’ Most Important Writer
Following the success of Morgan’s collaborative episode for season two, he became a full-time writer and contributor to the series. The first episode he wrote by himself, season 2, episode 20, “Humbug”, introduced a new humor that the show is now known and praised for. Fans and critics have regarded the episode as a landmark in the series that broadened the dark and twisted undertones with humor and lessened its predictability. His most successful episode, season 3, episode 4, “Clyde Bruckman’s Final Response”, went on to win an Emmy Award for its teleplay for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series.
The episode retained Morgan’s signature humor and unique writing style that keeps the viewer engaged and the ending unpredictable. This notable successful merger of humor and the horrifying prompted the series to take influence from Morgan in subsequent episodes. Today, The X-Files is known as a sci-fi series that blends comedic elements into serious aspects of paranormal phenomena flawlessly. It is one of the many reasons as to how the show was able to survive for so long on television and in popular culture. Morgan’s ability to reinvigorate The X-Files through his humorous storytelling skyrocketed ratings and led to his highly celebrated return to writing for the revival.
The Flukeman’s transformation into a full-time staff writer for the series seems nothing short of a fluke in itself. Darin Morgan happened to be in the right place, playing the right character, at the right time with his brother as executive producer to the series. Undoubtedly, The X-Files would not be what it is today without the humorous nature of the ex-Flukeman Darin Morgan’s writing.