The X-Files: Rm9sbG93ZXJz

"Rm9sbG93ZXJz" is the seventh episode of season eleven of the paranormal mystery series The X-Files and the 215th episode of the series overall. It was directed by Glen Morgan with a script written by Kristen Cloke and Shannon Hamblin. The episode first aired on the FOX Network on Wednesday, February 28th, 2018 at 9:00 pm.

Notes & Trivia

 * "Rm9sbG93ZXJz", "XF: Rm9sbG93ZXJz", and "TXF: Rm9sbG93ZXJz" all redirect to this page.


 * This episode is rated TV-14 (LVD).


 * This episode is production code number 2AYW07.


 * This episode aired two weeks after "Kitten".


 * This episode had a viewership of 3.229 million people upon its initial broadcast, which is 0.511 lower than the previous episode. It has a rating of 0.8% among the 18-49 viewing demographic.


 * Although Mitch Pileggi is a main cast member from this season, he does not make an appearance in this episode, and his name is not included in the opening credit sequence.


 * This episode has the shortest character list of any X-Files episode to date. Aside from Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, the only other "living" character seen in this episode is the diner server, Shirley.


 * Writer Kristen Cloke also provides the voice of Wendy, the telemarketer 'bot voice in this episode.


 * This is the third episode of The X-Files directed by Glen Morgan. It is his second episode from season eleven of the series. He previously directed "This".


 * This is the first episode of The X-Files co-written by Kristen Cloke.


 * This is the first episode of The X-Files co-written by Shannon Hamblin.

Allusions

 * The title of this episode is Base 64 encoding that translates as "Followers". Contextually, this relates to humanity's growing dependence upon automation, as presented in satirical abundance in this episode.


 * The opening credit sequence closes with the alpha-numeric sequence "VGhlIFRydXRoIGlzIE91dCBUaGVyZQ". This translates from Base 64 encoding as "The Truth Is Out There". This is a popular tagline associated with the series. It is also seen on a poster in Fox Mulder's home in this episode.


 * The password on Dana Scully's home security system is "Queequeg". In addition to being a character featured in Herman Melville's Moby Dick, it was also the name of Scully's dog from season two.


 * Dana Scully was born in Annapolis, Maryland. This is revealed as one of her security questions to access her laptop.

Quotes

 * Fox Mulder: Why is your house so much nicer than mine?