X-Files, A trope I'm getting tired of..

I recently started rewatching these again and...I'm getting a little weary of our heroes having about the same authority as..oh...a Chicago newspaper reporter.

 

I'm not sure what you mean. Unless it's a federal crime, the FBI is usually invited to assist with cases. It's not like they can barge in and take over an investigation. I don't ever even really remember thinking that they didn't have any authority.

Unless you're talking about the conspiracy angle... then that was the whole point.

 

The most enjoyable aspect of the show to me is the producers' and writers' thorough and rather defiant ignorance about the geography of DC and the surrounding states.

 

I think the OP is complaining about it being the same monster-of-the-week format as Kolchak: The Night Stalker. Which Chris Carter always acknowledged as an inspiration

 

Oh, I'm not really familiar with Kolchak...but there's a really healthy mix of alien episodes and monster ones.

 

Well...I just got done watching "Jersey Devil". Mulder (with Scully mostly along for the ride) investigates a murder on his own voiliton. And yes, he has no authority, he's not even there to take over. Hard-headed local cops, that's fine. But throwing an FBI agent in jail for three days on trumped up drunk and disorderly charges? C'mon.

It's understandable when Kolchak is the bottom of the authority food chain. (Hence my comment about them 'having as much authority as a Chicago newspaperman'.) but you're FBI SPECIAL AGENTS. Throw a little weight around. No you can't take over without authority. But, you are not Barney Fife either.

Disclaimer:I distinctly remember this happening a lot in the series. But hopefully I'm conflating this happening with 'mythology episodes', where it's perfectly natural for them to be tossed around.

 

If an FBI agent was told to leave and didn't they have every right to throw them in jail. I don't see the issue.

 

Not on a trumped up charge.