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'The X-Files' returns to FOX Wednesday. Here are 5 facts about the upcoming season
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In addition to giving fans of FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully a season 11 which premieres Wednesday, Jan. 3 the year 2018 also marks the 25th anniversary of the sci-fi dramas premiere. - photo by Lottie Peterson Johnson
"THE X-FILES" FOX, Jan. 3, 7 p.m. MST, TV-14

Its an exciting year for fans of "The X-Files."

In addition to giving fans of FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully a season 11 which premieres Wednesday, Jan. 3 the year 2018 also marks the 25th anniversary of the sci-fi dramas premiere.

And after all these years, the truth is still out there. Before joining Mulder and Scully on their quest for truth, here are five things about the upcoming season to get you prepared.

1. The season 10 cliffhanger is resolved. For this upcoming 11th season, creator Chris Carter has produced 10 episodes four more than the previous season, which premiered January 2016. The finale of that season left fans on a cliffhanger as a deadly contagion threatened humankind and put Mulder (David Duchovny) on the brink of death. Fortunately, this seasons premiere episode picks up where the story left off with some narration from the villainous Cigarette Smoking Man.

2. 'X-Files' fans get 10 new episodes two that are mythology-related and eight that are stand-alone episodes. Of the 10 episodes, both the premiere and finale are mythology episodes, tied to the series overarching story that follows and uncovers glimpses of extraterrestrial life and government conspiracies. For this season, much of the storyline also centers on the search for Mulder and Scullys son, William, who Scully (Gillian Anderson) gave up for adoption 15 years earlier in season nine. The remaining eight episodes in season 11 are stand-alone episodes that show Mulder and Scully navigating a range of paranormal circumstances including deadly doppelgangers although hints of the overarching story do slip in every now and then.

3. The 11th season includes at least one episode of political satire. In addition to giving "X-Files" enthusiasts thrilling interactions with supernatural creatures, at least one of the stand-alone episodes offers a satire of todays political climate, modeling the rare, farcical humor of earlier classic episodes such as Jose Chungs From Outer Space and Bad Blood.

4. Many of the show's main characters even some presumed dead have returned for season 11. Other characters returning to season 11 include the traitorous agent Monica Reyes (Annabeth Gish), Mulders half-brother/former agent Jeffrey Spender (Chris Owens), who plays a significant role in the William storyline, according to TV Insider, and Mulder and Scullys FBI director Walter Skinner (Mitch Pileggi), who appears to have been compromised and will be the primary focus of episode six, TV Insider reported.

5. Season 11 marks the end of Anderson's role as agent Scully. While fans certainly have much to look forward to with the upcoming season, the premiere is also bittersweet as Anderson has confirmed this is her final appearance as Scully.

Ive said from the beginning this is it for me, she told TV Insider. I was a bit surprised by peoples reaction to my announcement because my understanding was that this was a single season.

Lets just hope this means season 11 will offer a tone of finality and bring "X-Files" fans some much-needed closure.
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Have You Seen This? Street musician slays with clarinet
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Better than almost every face-melting guitar or drum solo. - photo by Facebook video screenshot

THE BIG EASY — Yeah, yeah, we all know that New Orleans is stuffed to the gills will incredible musicians.

But knowing that fact and then hearing that fact are two different things. You can step into any number of jazz clubs on any given night on Bourbon Street, and you’ll probably be impressed with virtually every act. Or you can sit at home on your comfy couch and watch this featured video.

In the video, you’ll see a woman who is in the groove. She is swinging hard, and wailing on her clarinet with a practiced expertise that makes it sounds so easy.

From note one you’ll be drawn in; your appreciation will grow with every second, and then your face will melt off when you realize how incredible she really is.

If you’ve never played a woodwind or a brass, you may not know everything that comes with a performance like this. Lung capacity and breath control are huge factors in keeping your notes clear and loud, and hitting those high notes is especially difficult.

So when this woman hits that high note and holds it for several seconds, you know you’re dealing with an exceptional musician. It means she has worked hard for years to develop skill on top of her natural talent, and we get to benefit.

It kinda makes you wonder how we let people get away with mumble rap and autotune when talent like this exists in the world.

I wish this video were longer, and I wish I had more information about this woman, but as it is, we’ll just have to appreciate the little flavor of New Orleans jazz posted by the Facebook group Clarinet Life.

Martha Ostergar is a writer who delights in the ridiculous that internet serves up, which means she's more than grateful that she gets to cruise the web for amazing videos to highlight for your viewing pleasure.
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