Following the supernatural investigations of Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson), The X-Files, by its very nature, is ripe for theories. One that's been floating around the Internet since the '90s is the immortal Scully theory. The theory has become so popular that even The X-Files creators and cast have offered their thoughts on the idea. While its legitimacy is pretty divisive, it gives one of Season 6's best episodes a dark spin.
Season 6, Episode 14, "Monday," is best remembered as The X-Files' version of Groundhog's Day. The fan-favorite Monster of the Week episode sees Scully and Mulder reliving the same day over and over; however, it always ends with the agents blowing up in a bank robbery gone wrong. At the center of it all is Pam, the girlfriend of the bank robber and the only person aware of the time loop. While Pam decides that it's Mulder who can save them, Scully's involvement shouldn't be discredited. In fact, a theory suggests she may have been causing the time loop in the first place.
The Immortal Scully Theory, Explained
While there is no denying The X-Files mythology got overly complicated in later seasons, the origins of the immortal Scully theory are pretty simple. The notion began after Mulder and Scully seek the help of psychic Clyde Bruckman in the Season 3 episode "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose." When Scully asks Bruckman how she will die, he responds matter-of-factly, "You don't."
While Bruckman's insight is intriguing, many believe it's not until Season 6, Episode 10, "Tithonus," that Scully actually becomes immortal. In this episode, Scully encounters photographer Fellig who claims he looked away from Death and achieved eternal life. Later, when she and Fellig are both shot, Fellig encourages her to close her eyes on Death. When Fellig dies and Scully lives, it's hinted that his power passed to her. "Monday" occurs just four episodes later, and Scully's newfound immortality may explain the time loop triggered by the bank explosion.
Scully's Immorality May Have Caused the Time Loop in 'Monday'
"Monday" is primarily told through Mulder's perspective, with each repeating day beginning with Mulder's leaky waterbed and complaints from the not-so-happy neighbor downstairs. He -- just like Scully, Skinner and everyone else -- has no recollection of re-living the titular Monday. Despite this, Pam decides Mulder plays a role in the time loop, but what she doesn't realize is Scully may have been the cause of it in the first place.
Scully is always killed with Mulder in the bank. However, if Scully is immortal, this can't happen; thus, the day is doomed to repeat until she doesn't. This puts an even darker spin on Pam's self-described "hell," as she must re-live the day at the expense of a woman she'd never met prior and become the ultimate sacrifice for Scully to live. Pam's death in the episode's conclusion is similar to Scully's interaction with Fellig in "Tithonus." In order for Scully to have eternal life, Death has to take someone else.
The creatives behind The X-Files haven't been able to agree on the theory any more than fans. While X-Files creator Chris Carter (via Reddit AMA) maintains Scully's immorality status, writer Darin Morgan (via Entertainment Weekly) declares it a simple joke. As such, the immortal Scully theory remains exactly that -- a theory. Still, those who subscribe to the idea can put a new spin on a classic X-Files episode.