Following Pluto TV’s announcement as the new streaming destination for The X-Files, the service launched an exhaustive quest to find the ultimate devotee of the iconic series. The challenge was fittingly cinematic: the winner would be whisked away to a secluded bunker in the Mojave Desert, near Joshua Tree, California. There, for nine grueling, continuous days, they—along with a companion—would immerse themselves in a non-stop marathon of every single episode. While basic necessities like sleep and brief respites were allowed, the series played in a perpetual loop, mirroring the exact programming schedule of Pluto TV’s dedicated X-Files channel.
I don’t want to leave. I don’t want to go out. I don’t want to take breaks. I am like, No, we’ve got to watch the next one.
The chosen superfan, Molly Hottle of Seattle, entered the desert bunker over a week ago. We caught up with her via Zoom to see how she was faring amid the isolation. Surprisingly, despite being eight days into the “The Fan is Out There” challenge—and navigating the notoriously divisive eighth and ninth seasons—Hottle remained remarkably vibrant. She shared how this high-intensity, binge-focused environment has unlocked entirely new perspectives on the show.
Polygon: How exactly did you convince them you were the biggest fan for this marathon?
Molly Hottle: When the contest surfaced, friends and family bombarded me with links, insisting I apply. I knew I needed a creative angle. When I was 12, I had this absurd fantasy that if I ever met Gillian Anderson, I’d recite one of Scully’s monologues from “Memento Mori” and she’d instantly adore me. I thought, what if I leaned into the absurdity of that, presenting it with deadpan sincerity as if it were my entire personality? I filmed it, went all-in on the commitment, and somehow, they called me.
What has this endurance test been like for you?
It’s been an incredible experience. I expected physical and mental exhaustion, but I’ve been completely locked in. I find myself unwilling to step away—even during sleep, I’m listening to the audio. My friend Nicole and I have been tag-teaming episodes to ensure we catch everything, though sleep has certainly been a luxury rather than a priority.
Did you have a point where the emotional weight of the show started to take a toll?
I warned my therapist before coming here that I might need some professional help decompressing afterward. The mythology episodes—and those focusing on the Mulder and Scully dynamic—used to leave me emotionally wrecked for days when I watched them during the original run. Binging them back-to-back is like putting my brain through a blender.
Everyone loves the kiss. It’s the kiss that didn’t count, but I loved it.
Do you have a favorite episode, and how did you prepare for it?
My absolute favorite is “Triangle.” The long-take cinematography is groundbreaking, and of course, there’s that iconic kiss between Mulder and Scully. I’m such a nerd about it that I actually stood next to the screen with a pointer, explaining the technical wizardry to Nicole as it happened.
Even the little details like the canon of Scully being immortal.
Has this marathon provided any new revelations?
Absolutely. Watching the mythology arcs condensed makes the narrative flow much more logically than when they were fragmented by weekly or seasonal gaps. It feels much more cohesive now. I even picked up on deeper details, such as the subtle hints regarding Scully’s immortality, starting from “Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose” all the way to her confirmation in the revival.
Any final controversial takes?
Well, to me, it’s canon that Mulder is the father of Scully’s child. Also, Alex Krycek is my favorite secondary character—the man just has unmatched charisma. Beyond that, I’m just grateful for this experience. It was exactly what my soul needed, though my ultimate goal remains to finally perform that monologue for Gillian Anderson.
Source: Polygon
