The core premise revolves around FBI agents Mulder and Scully investigating unexplained phenomena, with themes centered on belief versus skepticism, UFO abductions, mutants, and institutional cover-ups—traditional genre tropes free from identity politics, DEI mandates, or social justice messaging. Casting features original characters played by David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson in roles true to the source material, with no race-swapping, gender changes, or forced diversity; Scully's strong, intelligent female scientist is organically justified by her assignment to debunk Mulder, not as a vehicle for feminist activism.

Even episodes like 'Gender Bender,' involving a gender-shifting killer in a cult, treat the concept as eerie horror rather than normalization of fluidity, and 'Shapes' draws on Native American folklore without lectures on oppression. Creator Chris Carter emphasized suspense, platonic dynamics, and UFO lore influences like Kolchak, explicitly rejecting studio pushes for romance or glamour to prioritize story integrity. Reception was overwhelmingly positive for its groundbreaking entertainment value, with zero backlash over 'wokeness'—a refreshing absence of modern activist intrusions that allows the show's timeless appeal to shine uncompromised.