The X-Files has so far produced eleven TV seasons and two movies, but for the best dramatic payoff, things should've ended with season 7's finale. Producing over 200 episodes, The X-Files is one of the most successful sci-fi/horror shows in history. Mulder, Scully, and all their associated allies and enemies remain treasured figures to millions of fans, as evidenced by the massive lines whenever the cast heads out to a fan convention. As great as The X-Files could be at its best though, it could also get really bad at its worst.
When it comes to the worst of The X-Files, many diehard fans would point to seasons 8 and 9, it which Mulder - and thus the famous Mulder and Scully chemistry - was mostly absent. Robert Patrick amiably attempted to fill in for Mulder as new agent Doggett, but the show just never felt quite right without the Mulder and Scully pair guiding the proceedings. Chris Carter and company tried their best, but seemingly underestimated the show's viability without Mulder in the picture.
Then of course there was seasons 10 and 11, the revival seasons, which proved to be a roller coaster in that the quality level would often shoot upward and then smash back down to Earth. Did fans really need seasons 8-11, or the I Want to Believe movie? We argue not, as season 7 should've been the ending it was intended as.
Why The X-Files' Should've Ended With Season 7
Doubtful as to whether FOX would pick up The X-Files for season 8, creator Chris Carter purposefully wrote the season 7 finale, "Requiem," as a possible series finale. In many ways, it would've served as the perfect bookend and conclusion, calling back to multiple elements from the pilot episode, and ending on a hopeful, if odd note. Mulder actually getting abducted by aliens after years of chasing their existence fit his story like a glove, and the Cigarette-Smoking Man appeared to finally die for good. What's more surprising is that Scully ends up pregnant, after being previously declared infertile.
While seasons 8-11 played host to some very good episodes, none of them are quite great enough to make the rest of the underwhelming episodes those seasons produced worth sitting through. As it stands, both in season 9 and season 11, The X-Files ended with a whimper, not a bang, and left many fans wondering what the point of it all was. It's true that ending after "Requiem" would've left some plot threads open, but the whole series up to that point had been about a never-ending search for the truth, so why would it would be bad to leave unanswered questions? If need be, The X-Files could've resolved season 7's storylines with a one-off movie or a comic book. The longer the show spent as a creative zombie, the worse its reputation was sullied. It should've instead gone out on top.