The episode of X-Files made to raise awareness of a rare disease.

By Chris Snellgrove | Published 22 seconds ago

If you are a television lover for a long time, you probably remember the strange phenomenon of “very special episodes.” The types of stories that generally stand your favorite programs so that they can hit you in the head with obvious messages such as the dangers of smoking or anorexia. However, from time to time, intelligent writers could raise awareness about the main problems facing society and at the same time tell an incredible story. One of those shows is The X fileswhose episode of season 1 “Young at Heart” was partially made to raise awareness about Progeria.

The X-Files “Young At Heart”

Even if you are a hardcore X-Files Fan, it is possible that he needs a brief primer about what the “young man from heart” was. In this episode, Mulder faces the possibility that a deceased criminal who once helped keep could be alive in some way. This strange case leads him to scully to discover that an incomplete doctor had been doing experiments on those with Progeria) a disease that causes advanced aging) and that he may have found a way to reverse the process of aging completely.

The script required ancient black and white images of the doctor who worked with a child who had progeria. For this to happen, X-Files The producers contacted the Progeria society and, with their help, brought the young Courtney Arciaga to Vancouver to star in “Young at Heart”. Actually he suffered from Progeria, and his presence helped add some genuine authenticity to one of the most fantastic stories of the program.

While Arciaga was only in Set for a short time, apparently it caused a great impression on all who worked. X-Files The executive co-producer RW Goodwin later said: “When we contacted the parents (from Arciaga), we discovered that they were great fans of the program, just like the girl. It was almost like a kind of “desire”: it was wonderful. ”

He X-Files The producer also gave an additional idea of ​​why bringing Arciaga and even why doing “young man in his heart” was first so special for all involved: “We felt it was good because it made the disease visible, so it helped to create more public. In this way, the program was able to achieve something positive for innumerable people who suffer from this disease simply making fans aware of their existence and their devastating effects.

In retrospect, The X files Writers and producers were able to thread the needle with “Young At Heart”, creating a special episode that did not fall to fans or became a phrase on overloaded. Not all fans will agree, of course, but we see this as the best way to raise awareness about the diseases that society could ignore. In addition, this approach is possibly more respectful of those who suffer things like progeria because effectively normalizes their ailment instead of hiding it behind a special episode that the public forgets almost instantly.

When you look back The X files‘First season, it is true that it is a bit unequal. Gor every instant blow such as “squeeze” or “beyond the sea”, there was something ambitious as “space.” Fortunately, “Young At Heart” remains significantly well, showing the incredible program ability to combine reality and fiction with something captivatingly unique. And the fact that it was partially done to raise awareness about a real disease makes it even more moving every time you see it again.