Unmasking The Mystery: Revealing The True Identity Of The Smoking Man In The X-Files
Discover the enigmatic Cigarette Smoking Man, Mulder's arch-nemesis in The X-Files This article delves into the character's mysterious origins, his motives, and the impact he had on the show's overarching plot
The X-Files, a groundbreaking show, drew inspiration from suspenseful, speculative series like The Twilight Zone and Twin Peaks. It centered on the FBI's unsolved cases, often involving paranormal phenomena, which intrigued Special Agent Fox Mulder, a skilled profiler and passionate conspiracy theorist. However, Special Agent Dana Scully, a medical doctor and ardent skeptic, was tasked with applying a scientific lens to Mulder's findings, making their partnership initially rocky. As the series progresses, viewers learn about the root of Mulder's belief in extraterrestrials and watch as Scully's skepticism is both reaffirmed and challenged. The dynamic between Mulder and Scully is further heightened by the presence of recurring side characters like the mysterious Cigarette Smoking Man, leaving audiences wondering about his true intentions and his impact on Mulder and Scully's investigations.
Who Is The Cigarette Smoking Man?
Chris Carter, the creator of The X-Files, introduced two iconic characters in Dana Scully and Fox Mulder. He challenged traditional gender roles by casting Scully as the rational skeptic and Mulder as the intuitive believer. While Carter may have anticipated their impact on pop culture and storytelling, he likely didn't expect another character to become as significant. Despite being defined by his smoking habit, the Cigarette Smoking Man has hundreds of aliases, including Cancer Man and the Smoking Man. Though his true name, Carl Gerhard Busch, is only revealed in Season 11, he appears in the pilot with only four words of dialogue in the entire first season. The question remains: why?
Is The Smoking Man Good Or Bad?
was initially not intended to be the primary antagonist in the series. The character, portrayed by William B. Davis, was actually given the name "Smoking Man" as a means of easily identifying the minor character in the show's pilot episode.
The Smoking Man's character became increasingly appealing, influential, and meaningful as he made more appearances in Season 1. Initially, he loomed in the background, often chain-smoking in Scully and Mulder's FBI supervisors' offices. In the first episode, he supervised Special Agent Scully's briefings and disposed of evidence retrieved by Mulder and Scully from the site of a supposed alien abduction. This small act elevated the character beyond being just an extra.
The Cigarette Smoking Man initially posed a formidable obstacle for Mulder, thwarting his attempts and even intimidating Assistant Director Walter Skinner. However, as the story progressed, the Cigarette Smoking Man found himself at odds with a secretive government group called the Syndicate, who aimed to conceal evidence of extraterrestrial life from the public. This placed him in direct opposition to Mulder's goals, making him an ideal antagonist. Despite not being initially planned as a major character, the Cigarette Smoking Man's involvement in the ongoing plot of The X-Files ultimately contributed to its themes.
What Does The Smoking Man Represent?
The Cigarette Smoking Man has been a constant hindrance to Mulder and Scully's quest for the truth, leading many fans to label him as the primary antagonist of the show. Chris Carter, the creator of the series, appears to share this sentiment, having once referred to the Smoking Man as the devil himself. It is not just the existence of alien life that the Syndicate is concealing, however; they are also covering up the extraterrestrial's ultimate objective: the colonization of Earth.
The Cigarette Smoking Man's ultimate goal is to protect humanity, but he believes that revealing certain information would cause everything to fall apart. He has even worked on developing a vaccine to protect people from an alien parasite, despite it furthering the extraterrestrials' efforts to colonize Earth. However, he is ruthless in his pursuit of the truth and believes that secrets are necessary for maintaining order. On the other hand, Mulder sees the truth as liberating and believes that it is owed to him and those impacted by extraterrestrial events. In essence, The Cigarette Smoking Man is a puppeteer who controls what information is revealed and hidden, creating the very conspiracies that Mulder becomes entangled in. He wields the power to decide who lives and dies, and whether society stands or crumbles, as he himself acknowledges.
The enigmatic character of the Cigarette Smoking Man is further explored in Season 4, Episode 7, titled “Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man.” The episode provides additional insights into his alleged backstory and his possible influence on significant events in American history. While the veracity of the episode's claims is uncertain, the Cigarette Smoking Man's unwavering dedication to his cause lends credibility to the storyline.
The portrayal of the Smoking Man as a young agent who abstains from smoking is merely a facade, as revealed when he first lights up a cigarette after assassinating President John F. Kennedy. Throughout the series, his smoking habit becomes a symbol of regret and self-punishment for his actions in service of a supposed "greater good." As a central figure in numerous conspiracies, it's no surprise that the habit sticks. The episode delves into a number of these conspiracies, all orchestrated by a handful of powerful and deluded individuals, with the Smoking Man at the forefront. He sees himself as a hero, shouldering the responsibility of carrying out the necessary but unsavory actions to hold the world together.
What Happens To The Smoking Man In The X-Files?
The Syndicate ultimately falls apart due to their own greed during a pivotal moment in the series. As they prioritize their own survival over the fate of humanity, many of these powerful individuals meet their untimely demise. However, the Cigarette Smoking Man, who has been involved in secret meetings with the alien colonizers since the beginning, manages to survive. Despite this, his journey only becomes more complicated from that point forward. It is eventually revealed that FBI Special Agent Jeffrey Spender, one of the agents who took over the X-Files cases after Mulder and Scully’s departure, is actually the Cigarette Smoking Man's son. The Cancer Man even stoops to attempting to kill his own flesh and blood, showcasing his true nature. Despite numerous near-death experiences, including being hit by a rocket in the series' initial finale, the Cigarette Smoking Man perseveres.
In the 2016 reboot of The X-Files, the presumed dead Cigarette Smoking Man makes his return as a more defined villain in the final season. Revealed to have been working on a sinister plan for decades, he aims to release chemtrails that will cause immune system failures and depopulate the United States. However, his success requires him to locate Scully's son, William, whom he believes has unique abilities due to his alien origins. The Season 11 finale sees the X-Files team coming together to stop the Smoking Man, resulting in a dramatic waterfront standoff and the presumed death of the villain. As the series comes to a close, fans can only hope that this notorious character is truly gone for good.
