The X-Files - Season 8

Season 8 of The X-Files premiered on November 5, 2000, and concluded the following May with 21 episodes. Season 8, like the previous two seasons of the show, was filmed in Los Angeles, CA. S8 was a time of considerable change for the series - Following the departure of David Duchovny, who contracted only to return partially for the eighth season following a lawsuit and desire to leave the series during the previous season, the show now found itself needing to fill that void.
Robert Patrick, best known for his role as the T-1000 in the blockbuster film Terminator 2: Judgment Day, beat out more than 100 other actors to land the role of Special Agent John Doggett, a supplemental main character meant to fill the gap made by Duchovny's absence. Duchovny would be contracted to appear in only 12 episodes for Season 8; most of these would be in the latter portion of the season, with only Patrick and Gillian Anderson appearing in other episodes. Doggett, an ex-Marine and former New York cop, was a hard-nosed and no-nonsense presence that would be immensely critical of the paranormal. As such, Doggett would take the role of the 'skeptic' in the show, as Anderson's character Scully had, by this point, shifted (if somewhat reluctantly) more into Mulder's previous role of the 'believer'. The loss of Duchovny was a point of contention for many long-time fans of the series, however the season would receive decent overall reviews from critics, with many praising Patrick's performance.
Story-wise, as Mulder had been abducted in the previous season's finale, this was used in Season 8's opener to explain that character's absence and the appearance of John Doggett (who would be called to investigate Mulder's disappearance and, to this end, would be ordered to work with Scully in the X-Files). Most of the first half of the season would focus on 'Monster of the Week' stories, exhibiting only Doggett and Scully, while the latter half would focus mostly on the overarching mythology, with Mulder's return from his abduction, the revelation of a new type of alien beings, and increased focus on Scully's pregnancy (also revealed in Season 7's finale). The episode "This Is Not Happening" would mark Duchovny's proper return to the season since the two-part opener (his appearances in the two episodes in-between were all in flashback sequences). The episode would also introduce Monica Reyes (Annabeth Gish), who would be a recurring character for the remainder of the season and become a main character in the next season of the series, as well as a returning character for the rebooted final two seasons.
Of additional note would be the debut of the show's first (and only) direct spin-off series, The Lone Gunmen, which featured exploits of the the eponymous trio. The spin-off would premiere in March 2001, prior to the conclusion of the eighth season of The X-Files, but would would be cancelled in June after only one 13-episode season.
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=Handguns=
==SIG-Sauer P226==
FBI Special Agent John Doggett (Robert Patrick), lead agent conducting the search for the abducted Special Agent Fox Mulder (David Duchovny), and Scully's new partner and colleague in the X-Files unit, carries a SIG-Sauer P226 as his sidearm. FBI Assistant Director Walter Skinner (Mitch Pileggi) is also seen with a SIG P226. Other FBI agents and government personnel are seen with P226s.
===SIG-Sauer P226 (Nickel)===
A nickel-plated SIG-Sauer P226 is carried and accidentally discharged by Howard Salt (Gary Bristow), a US Census worker attempting to enter the White House at the beginning of "Three Words" (S8E16).
==SIG-Sauer P228==
FBI Special Agent Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) carries a SIG-Sauer P228 as her sidearm. FBI Special Agent Monica Reyes (Annabeth Gish) also carries a SIG P228. Other FBI and government agents on the show are also seen using P228s. 
==ISS SIG-Sauer 'Non Gun'==
During a single sequence near the conclusion of "Roadrunners" (S8E04), instead of the SIG-Sauer P226 he normally carries, John Doggett wields and fires what at first glance appears to be a SIG-Sauer P225. Upon closer inspection, the weapon appears to actually be an Independent Studio Services SIG-Sauer 'Non Gun'. This might have occurred because the show's armorer was unable to bring or use a live P226 on-set for this particular sequence.
==Beretta 92FS==
Beretta 92FS pistols are seen numerous times throughout the series, carried and used by police officers and government agents, as well as soldiers and military personnel as a Beretta M9 substitute. FBI Special Agent Layla Harrison (Jolie Jenkins), Doggett's temporary partner in "Alone" (S8E19), carries a Beretta 92FS as her sidearm.
==Walther PPK / PPK/S==
In "The Gift" (S8E11), flashbacks are shown of FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) using his Walther PPK (which he carried in an ankle holster as a 'spare rod' backup weapon, as seen previously in the third and fourth seasons) to shoot and attempt to kill a 'soul eater' who cured him of a terminal disease, to relieve it of its suffering. In the same episode, during the present, Special Agent John Doggett (Robert Patrick) discovers a holstered Walther taped under Mulder's bathroom sink and has the gun analyzed. Doggett specifically refers to the weapon in the episode as a "Walther PPK". The gun used in this episode is actually an Interarms/Walther PPK/S, not the regular PPK model that Mulder previously used (the PPK/S has a larger frame than the PPK).
==Beretta 84FS 'Cheetah' (Nickel)==
Alex Krycek (Nicholas Lea) wields a nickel-plated Beretta 84FS in the second part of the two-part season finale "Existence" (S8E21).
thumb|none|300px|Beretta 84FS, Nickel finish - .380 ACP (9x17mm)
==Glock 17==
Glock 17 pistols are seen used by police and government officers throughout the series. The few seen in Season 8 are generally holstered, and not seen wielded or fired.
==M1911A1==
Standard M1911A1 pistols are seen occasionally throughout the series. 
==ISS Smith & Wesson Snub-Nose Revolver 'Non Gun'==
In the opening sequence of "Redrum" (S8E06), Martin Wells (Joe Morton), an incarcerated prosecutor, is gunned down by his father-in-law Al Cawdry (Lee Duncan) as he is being transferred. The weapon Al uses appears best to be an Independent Studio Services Smith & Wesson Snub Nose 'Non Gun', likely used due to the fact the weapon is fired in close proximity to a group of people.
==Springfield Armory Tactical Response Pistol (TRP)==
What appears to be a Springfield Armory Tactical Response Pistol (TRP) 1911 variant is wielded by FBI Special Agent Angus Stedman (Lawrence LeJohn) near the beginning of "Via Negativa" (S8E07). A version of this model is actually used by the FBI's HRT.
==Ruger KP94DC==
Brothers Randall Cooper (Patrick Kilpatrick) and Dwight Cooper (Michael Bowen) are both seen wielding a 9mm Ruger KP94DC in "Surekill" (S8E08). Randall is primarily seen using the gun throughout the episode, loaded with armor-piercing bullets, to take out targets though walls and obstructions (able to do so from to his ability to perceive other, generally non-visible waveforms of light, allowing him to essentially look through walls). Dwight wields the gun near the end of the episode.
==Jericho 941R==
The lead gangbanger/drug dealer (Noel Gugliemi) in "Surekill" (S8E08) wields a Jericho 941R, but is killed before he can use it.
==Norinco Type 54==
One of the drug dealers in "Surekill" (S8E08) wields a Norinco Type 54 (Chinese-made copy of the Tokarev TT-33), but is killed before he can use it.
thumb|none|325px|Norinco Model 54 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev
==Glock 26==
A Glock 26 is seen drawn by an undercover Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority police officer near the beginning of "Medusa" (S8E12)
==Browning Hi-Power==
A Browning Hi-Power is used by Jeb Larold Dukes (Jay Underwood) in "Empedocles" (S8E17).
=Submachine Guns=
==Heckler & Koch MP5A3==
Numerous Heckler & Koch MP5A3s are seen throughout the series. These are wielded by police tactical officers and government agents, as well as military and black-ops personnel, including SWAT officers in "Salvage" (S8E09) as well as US Secret Service ERT agents and black-ops guards in "Three Words" (S8E16). Almost all of the MP5A3s are fitted with Surefire 628 weaponlight forearms and feature Navy lower receivers/trigger packs. The MP5A3s seen wielded in "Three Words" also feature mounted C-More Red Dot sights. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Police Lieutenant Bianco (Vyto Ruginis) notably wields a standard H&K MP5A3 throughout "Medusa" (S8E12).
==Heckler & Koch MP5A2==
Several fixed-stock Heckler & Koch MP5A2 submachine guns are seen wielded by FBI tactical agents in "This Is Not Happening" (S8E14). These, like the MP5A3s, are also fitted with Surefire weaponlight forearms.
=Rifles / Carbines=
==Olympic Arms K3B CAR==
XM177-style carbines are seen used by military personnel and SWAT officers, notably SWAT officers in "Salvage" (S8E09) and FBI tactical agents in "This Is Not Happening" (S8E14). These appear to be the same Olympic Arms K3B CARs from Season 6, as evidenced by the fact that they have 11.5" barrels fitted with long, thin 4.5" mock XM177-style flash hiders. The carbines all also feature mounted weaponlights.
=Shotguns=
==Mossberg 500 (Numerous Variants)==
Several types of Mossberg 500 shotguns are seen throughout the season - Due to the number of different variants, they will be sub-divided within this section. 
===Mossberg 500 'Persuader'===
Several standard riot-model Mossberg 500s, known as 'Persuader' models, are seen throughout the season. The shotguns are used by numerous police and government agents. One Mossberg 500 with synthetic pump grip and wood buttstock is notably seen in the second part of the two-part season finale "Existence" (S8E21).
===Mossberg 500 Field===
A 'field' variant of the Mossberg 500 is seen wielded by one of the townspeople in "The Gift" (S8E11).
thumb|none|500px|Mossberg 500A Field Gun with 28" Barrel - 12 Gauge
===Mossberg 500AT===
What appear to be Mossberg 500AT variants, noted by the wooden furniture, are wielded by corrections officers guarding a work detail in "Three Words" (S8E16).
==Remington 870==
Remington 870s are wielded by police officers and and government agents throughout the series. Sheriff Kurt Frey (Michael McGrady) notably uses an 870 with synthetic furniture to gun down Agent Doggett in "The Gift" (S8E11).
==Side-by-Side Double Barreled Shotgun==
Several 12 Gauge Side-by-Side Double Barreled Shotguns are seen in Season 8. One is wielded by a self-exiled Ernie Stefaniuk (Gene Dynarski) when he and Scully are attacked by the 'man-bat' in "Patience" (S8E03). Several townspeople in "The Gift" (S8E11) are also seen wielding Side-by-Side shotguns.
==Sawed-Off Side-by-Side Double Barreled Shotgun==
A Sawed-off Side-by-Side Shotgun is used by Harry Odell (Dan Desmond), a salvage yard owner, in "Salvage" (S8E09).
==Over/Under Double Barrel Shotgun==
An Over & Under 12-Gauge Double Barrel Shotgun is wielded by one of the townsfolk in "The Gift" (S8E11).
=Trivia - Gun Cleaning Sequence=
In the first part of the two-part season finale, "Essence" (S8E20), Doggett is seen cleaning his SIG-Sauer P226. A rarity in most films and TV shows, this is the second and last of only two times in the series such an action is performed on-screen by one of the main actors (The previous instance occurred in Season 3).
=See Also=
Category:Television
Category:Science-Fiction
Category:Mystery
Category:Detective