X-Files

Overview

Chris Carter is the creator of the television series The X-Files, which premiered in 1993 and rapidly became a cultural phenomenon. The show explored conspiracies, extraterrestrial life, and secret government programs, themes already resonant within the UFO and alternative research communities. At the time, William Cooper’s 1991 book Behold a Pale Horse was widely circulating, influencing both conspiracy culture and public discussions of hidden government agendas. Cooper’s work, whether believed or rejected, created a strong backdrop for the type of speculative storytelling Carter wove into mainstream television.

Cooper’s Influence and Criticism

The release and popularity of The X-Files coincided with Cooper’s ideas gaining traction. Critics of Carter argued that the series drew heavily—sometimes too heavily—from narratives already being pushed in Cooper’s book, including UFO secrecy, shadow government operations, and hidden technologies. Others countered that Carter’s work helped translate fringe conspiracies into mainstream cultural commentary, allowing them to be explored without requiring full acceptance. This tension between Cooper’s polemical claims and Carter’s dramatized narrative defined much of the debate around the show’s originality and cultural role.

The Lone Gunmen & 9/11

Following the success of The X-Files, Carter co-created the spin-off The Lone Gunmen, which premiered in March 2001. Its pilot episode depicted a covert U.S. government plan to remotely hijack a Boeing aircraft and crash it into the World Trade Center. Airing only six months before the September 11 attacks, the episode became infamous for its eerie similarity to real events, reinforcing perceptions of Carter as someone working at the edge of cultural and political anxieties.

Carter, known for layering speculative writing with cultural anxieties, channeled public fears of hidden government power and false-flag operations. While this predicted hijacking scenario fueled conspiracy discourse, there’s no evidence that Carter had prior knowledge or intent beyond dramatic storytelling rooted in distrust of authority. But despite Carter's denials, it is claimed that Carter had limited insider knowledge and under powerful influences in the realm of mind control, he was fed information for various episodes.

Implications

Cooper’s Behold a Pale Horse and Carter’s X-Files highlighted government conspiracy. Cooper provided source material and warnings that galvanized independent researchers, while Carter translated similar themes into widely consumable entertainment. For critics, this blurred the line between cultural storytelling and agenda-setting. For researchers, it highlighted how media narratives can both amplify and diffuse controversial claims. The overlap of Cooper’s conspiratorial influence with Carter’s television storytelling underscores the role of media in shaping public consciousness about secrecy, UFOs, and government deception.