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Despite a reputation for never explaining its overall plot, there is a coherent narrative behind the grand conspiracy spanning The X-Files‘ nine seasons. Aliens and The X-Files are inseparable, and so while most people often list the “Monster of the Week” eps as their favorites, a true aficionado can’t ignore those beautiful, stark spikes within the show’s larger alien conspiracy. Here are the five essential alien conspiracy episodes.
![5. "Nisei" and "731" (Season 3, Episodes 9 & 10)](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/WSL2PX5M5V4HYCRRLPWQF7HKIA.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
![4. "The Erlenmeyer Flask' (Season 1, Episode 24)](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/CDSUDZVOX2BT752G4BO266UTYI.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
![3. "Duane Barry" (Season 2, Episode 5)](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/HMLVXODF4OYH45XAA4YENPAG54.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
![2. “Jose Chung’s From Outer Space” (Season 3, Episode 20)](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/74KTIKU4IKMZIFJFYH6AB6JQQQ.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
![1. "Requiem" (Season 7, Episode 2)](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/JHE7YY2T2IMWHS73O24QO7OEBU.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)