The X-Files debuted in 1993 and soon became must-watch TV. The premise was simple: the FBI had a series of unexplained cases known as X-Files. Many of these were pursued by Agent Fox Mulder. Fellow Agent Dana Scully was sent to keep an eye on the bureau’s oddball agent. The X-Files covered all sorts of phenomena, including weaponised bees, shape-shifting killers, water monsters and, of course, Alien Abductions. Those visitors from another world would become a recurring theme throughout the show and its two films. Alien visitors are also a key component of the upcoming LEGO® Ideas set. But is this another costly set with limited appeal or something unique from LEGO Ideas? The Truth Is Out There…
Product Details
Set Name: The X-Files | Set Number: 21369 | Pieces: 1478 | Theme: Ideas
Instructions: Paper booklet + Builder App | Sticker: sheet x 1 | Minifigures: Fox Mulder, Dana Scully, Walter Skinner, Mr. X, Alex Krycek, Carl Busch, The Flukeman & a grey alien
RRP: £179.99/199.99€/$199.99/329.99AUD/269.99CAD
Availability: LEGO Stores, LEGO Online & LEGO retailers from August 1st (Insiders), August 4th (General)
The Fan Design
As with all LEGO Ideas sets, they are inspired by designs created by the Fan Community. The X-Files project by Brent Waller was chosen to become a set after winning the 90s Throwback Challenge. As the name suggests, this sought to create sets inspired by iconic 90s films, TV or moments. Brent is no stranger to LEGO Ideas. He previously helped to create the Ghostbusters Ecto-1 car and the Seinfeld set. He also has a set in the BrickLink Designer program on the way. You’ll notice a few tweaks in the design between the original submission and final set. But overall, the final set largely similar to Brent’s original model.
The Build
As you can see from the original fan design, the set follows a similar configuration, which includes Mulder’s office, topped by a wooded area which is overseen by an ominous alien craft. But the most detailed of these distinct sections is Fox’s basement office.
As Mulder has been used to working alone, his chaotic personality is reflected in his workspace. It may look like a mess, but everything has its place. Mulder’s untidy office is recreated expertly in the set. It’s filled with some genuinely clever build techniques. I really like the partly opened filing cabinets and the shelf units on the wall filled with little trinkets in them. It’s these many little details which provide fun nods to various X-Files episodes. One of my favourites is the ‘Lone Brickman’ newsletter, a fun recognition of the Lone Gunman group. Other Easter Eggs included a pool of Black Oil, killer bees and a map of Antarctica, to name just a couple. There’s even a collection of pencils stuck in the ceiling of the office, which is an extremely deep cut reference. There is a mix of printed and stickered pieces used in the set, but at least the iconic ‘I want to believe’ poster is a printed piece as is the plaque found on the front of the set. If you are a fan of the show, you’ll instantly find these nods reawaken memories of watching the show.
The central section of the office, where the desk and chairs are located, can be removed to better access the surrounding wall. The open-fronted nature of the set means its rear is a little plain. But even so, there’s still a couple more Easter Eggs to find. Plus, the configuration of the set means the back section isn’t seen when the set is displayed. One thing I do like about the surrounding frame of the office is two handles which can be used to display minifigures lurking in the shadows.
Above the office part of the set is a small woodland clearing. This is built as a separate platform which connects to the base section via a couple of jumper plates. So it’s securely connected but easily removed, although you’ll need to use the ceiling pencils to display it without the office section. The platform is decorated with several trees, plants and rocks. These all give the area a dense feel. Although it mostly focuses on the flora and fauna, there are also a few more Easter Eggs to find, including green bugs (these would have looked way better being printed tiles like the bees) and some frogs. There’s also a transparent column sitting dead centre of the woods. This is used to elevate the UFO but I think the way it was done in the Brent’s original design looked better as it seemed more like a beam of light. Either way, this leads neatly on to the final part of the build.
On a show which heavily features alien life forms, The X-Files often featured fleeting glimpses of UFOs. The most famous was featured on the ‘I Want To Believe’ poster, but that was never a true representation of an alien ship. Instead, they were a little more grounded in their design and looked a little like a stealth aircraft. The triangular ship is made entirely from black elements, and its sharp angles are achieved by layering different sections. Beneath the ship is a small gap where a gear is placed. This is there to provide a flat surface to sit against the top of the transparent column. There’s no physical connection. This allows the ship to be rotated as if hovering above the forest below. Despite not being clipped in place, the UFO feels secure, but I wouldn’t recommend spinning it too rapidly.
The Minifigures
After running for over 10 seasons and 2 films, The X-Files is filled with iconic characters; some of them are featured via the set’s 8 minifigures. They include the series lead characters, Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. Both are featured in their suit outfits, complete with FBI ID badges. Fox’s minifigure manages to capture both his intense frown and wry smile. Dana uses a new hairpiece which is styled after her earlier short bob. Both characters include an oddly sized touch. A Lightsaber hilt would have been better for these.
FBI Director Walter Skinner ended up being a key ally to Mulder and Scully as the series went on. The no-nonsense director wasn’t known for his sense of humour, which oddly comes through with his minifigure. Following the death of informant Deep Throat, another member of the shady Syndicate steps from the shadows to steer Mulder in the right direction. Mr X or the Man in Black doesn’t stick around for long, but is important enough to be included as a minifigure.
He goes by many names – Cancer Man, The Smoking Man and The Cigarette Smoking Man, but here he is known as Carl Busch (it may be an 18+ set, but promoting smoking is not a good look). The shady figure was only meant to be a background character but soon became integral to The X-Files story. Despite being an iconic character, in essence he’s just an old chap in a nice suit. I’m not sure the hairpiece chosen suits the character’s appearance. One of Cancer Man’s enforcers was disgraced FBI agent Alex Krycek. The character appears in several episodes, including ‘Piper Maru’, where he becomes influenced by ‘black oil’. Krycek is shown in his henchman era and includes a facial expression showing his black oil intoxication.
The X-Files was known for its ‘Monster of the week’ format, which would see Fox and Dana discover the mysteries of a creature or phenomenon each episode. One of the most memorable was introduced in season 2 episode ‘The Host’. The Flukeman was a genetic mutant who thrived in the sewer system. Its minifigure manages to capture the monster’s gruesome form. Along with all the odd cases, the overarching story of The X-Files was the government cover-up related to the existence of alien life forms. So it’s only fitting that a ‘little grey man’ would be featured in the set. The Grey’s appearance has become the typical form related to aliens; in fact, similar characters have featured in minifigure form before now. But instead of rehashing those previous versions, the alien features in this set use a new head piece.
Overall, it’s a great mix of characters. Fox and Dana are obviously the stars of the set, but the other characters are interesting as well, especially the monsters. I like that a new head has been used for the grey alien, as it looks more like they did in the show, and it would have been so easy to reuse past alien heads.
The Verdict
I have fond memories of watching The X-Files when I was younger, and I’m currently rewatching them all on Disney+. It’s one of a few shows I get to watch with my Mum, so this set arrives at the perfect time. It’s a wonderful celebration of the cult TV show, with the set packed full of Easter Eggs inspired by iconic moments from The X-Files. It is another expensive set, and it may have limited appeal if you’re not an avid fan of the show, but Mulder and Scully have become a part of culture and judging by the reaction to the set’s reveal, The X-Files is still beloved by many. Yes, it’s another set based on an IP, but this is where LEGO Ideas excels. Next month alone will see three LEGO Ideas sets released: this one, along with E.T. and La Caterina. Which is a perfect showcase of what Ideas can offer. Overall, it’s a great set, even if you do not know The X-Files; the details in the office area are impressive, despite some of them being stickered pieces. The minifigures might seem a little plain, but they are a good representation of the characters, especially the Grey alien. The LEGO Ideas The X-Files set launches on August 4th with Insiders Early Access from August 1st. If you are tempted by the set, you’ll want to pick it up at launch because you’ll also get the Scully’s Lab GWP. See more of the GWP set here.
The LEGO Group provided this set to BricksFanz.com for review purposes. The thoughts in this review are those of BricksFanz.com and do not reflect those of the LEGO Group or Disney Entertainment. Providing the set for free does not guarantee a favourable opinion of it
