Let’s just put it out there….there is going to be a lot to take in during this first episode back of our favorite alien-hunters show The X-Files. With 9 seasons and two movies worth’s of back-log to go through, Mulder (David Duchovny) of Mulder and Scully (Gillian Anderson) gives viewers a 3 minute history lesson in the world of The X-Files.

In an attempt to catch up viewers not yet inducted into this world of aliens and conspiracy theories and to offer those who are, a nice slice of remembrance pie, Mulder pulls out the old case files and explains just what he and former partner Scully had been through. From the story of his missing sister to case photos showing very familiar villains of days gone by, it’s enough to bring even the greenest of fans up-to today’s case in point.

And that point? Conspiracy theory cover-ups of course! While the existence of such a thing within the X-Files world is nothing new, this specific conspiracy theory brought to our attention by a scaremongering Tad O’Malley (Community’s Joel McHale) which begs Mulder to question everything he and Scully had done during their time with the X-Files and justifiably, bringing the two back together once again.

So does this new installment of the X-Files feel like The X-Files? Well it helps to have Mulder and Scully back on board and AD Skinner (Mitch Pileggi) is back too plus everyone is still looking flawless (especially Anderson who is aging like fine wine) and – fans are going to love this – the original title credits have been left….untouched! So yes, for the most part this does feel like the X-Files. Mulder is now a recluse hermit still crazed and wanting answers, Scully is sort-of along for the ride even if at first she’d rather be back in the ER attaching ears to children who were born with none and there are UFO’s and aliens.

That said, there is so much jam packed into this first episode.  Some scenes of dialogue can be a bit much to take in, even for weathered X-files fans like myself. A certain scene involving Mulder linking Uber, Facebook, Snowden and the NSA (among a myriad of other things) all to a massive alien cover-up had me reaching for the remote to rewind and grasp some sanity of what lines he just spewed out. Throw that in with some flashbacks to Roswell and things seem a little less exciting once the rose tinted glasses come down.

It’s not until the last 10 minutes of this episode where everything falls into place and we begin to make sense of what Mulder had been banging on about this entire episode and just like Scully, we’re dragged right back into the X-Files.

The second episode which airs the following night flows much more like a proper episode as by this stage, the set-up has already taken place and we’re into full X-Files mode.

Considering the love of re-boots of late (Girl Meets World and Fuller House to name a few) The X-Files falls into the ‘on a winner’ box. 2009’s Melrose Place reboot went to hell because it refused to acknowledge any link to its original backing and last years Heroes reboot failed due to…well…pretty much the same reason. Thankfully, The X-Files welcomes its history with open arms and we welcome it with even wider arms. Fingers crossed this miniseries opens a door to brining back Mulder and Scully for a longer stay.

Episode one of this six episode reboot begins Jan 31st (6 days after it’s US release mind you) on Network 10.

P.S: Keep an eye out for former Melrose Place alum Doug Savant (Matt Fielding) playing a doctor you wouldn’t really want your children to see in episode two!