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

By Chris Snellgrove | Published 22 seconds ago

If you have been a television lover for a long time, you probably remember the strange phenomenon of “very special episodes”. The types of tales that generally hide your favorite emissions to stop so they can hit you over your head with obvious messages such as the dangers of smoking or anorexia. From time to time, however, wise writers have been able to raise awareness of the main problems with which society is confronted while telling an incredible story. Such a show is X-FilesIncluding the episode of season 1 “Young at Heart” was partially made to raise awareness of progeria.

The X-Files “Young in the soul”

Even if you are a hardcore X-Files Fan, you may need a brief introduction to what the “young of heart” was. In this episode, Mulder faces the perspective that a deceased criminal he once helped to put away could be still alive. This strange case brings him as well as scully to discover that a summary doctor had experienced on those who have progeria) a disease that causes advanced aging) and that he may have found a way to reverse completely the aging process.

The script provided for old black and white images of the doctor working with a child who had progeria. To make it happen, X-Files The producers contacted Progeria Society and, with their help, brought the young Courtney Arciaga to Vancouver to play in “Young at Sored”. She actually suffered from Progeria, and her presence helped add authentic authenticity to one of the most fantastic stories in the series.

While Cartiaga was only on the set for a brief moment, she apparently made a major impression on all those with whom she worked. X-Files The executive co-producer, RW Goodwin, said later: “When we contacted the parents (from Arciaga), we discovered that they were big fans of the series, just like the little girl. It was almost like a kind of “making a wish”: it was wonderful. »»

THE X-Files The producer also gave an overview of the reasons why bringing him Arciaga and even why making “young at heart” in the first place was so special for all the people involved: “We thought it was because that made the disease visible, so it helped create more public awareness of it. In this way, the show was able to accomplish something positive for countless people suffering from this disease simply by making fans of its existence and its devastating effects known.

Retrospectively, X-Files Writers and producers were able to put on the needle with “Young at Sored”, creating a special episode that did not drop the fans or transform into a overworked punchline. All fans will not agree, of course, but we consider this as the best way to raise awareness that society could otherwise neglect. In addition, this approach is undoubtedly more respectful for those who suffer from things like progeria because it effectively normalizes their illness rather than hiding it behind a special episode that the public almost forgets.

When you look back X-Files“First season is certainly a bit uneven. Gor every instant banger like “Squeeze” or “Beyond the Sea”, there was something that is both ambitious and half -cooked as “space”. Fortunately, “Young at Heart” is remarkably well resistant, presenting the incredible capacity of the show to mix reality and fiction in something captivating only unique. And the fact that it was done in part to raise awareness of a real disease makes it all the more poignant each time as you rewatch it.