# X-Files' 3-Part Thriller: Real History Meets Alien Conspiracy

> 31 years ago, The X-Files' near-perfect 3-part thriller wove real WWII code talkers into an alien conspiracy.
- Title: X-Files' 3-Part Thriller: Real History Meets Alien Conspiracy
- Summary: 31 years ago, The X-Files' near-perfect 3-part thriller wove real WWII code talkers into an alien conspiracy. The X-Files' 1995 three-part story 'Anasazi'…
- Keywords: x-files, navajo, code talkers, wwii, the blessing way, paper clip, operation paper clip, anatomy, aliens, fbi, mulder, scully
- Source: Polygon — https://polygon.com/the-x-files-anasazi-the-blessing-way-paper-clip
- Author: Brian VanHooker
- Published: 2026-10-04T01:00:16+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: x-files, navajo, code talkers, wwii, the blessing way, paper clip, operation paper clip, anatomy, aliens, fbi, mulder, scully
## WWII Code Talkers
In 1942, Los Angeles civil engineer Philip Johnston proposed using Navajo language for military communications after spending time on a Navajo reservation.
## WWII Code Talkers' Impact
U.S. Major Howard Connor stated, 'Were it not for the Navajos, the Marines would never have taken Iwo Jima.'

> Were it not for the Navajos, the Marines would never have taken Iwo Jima.
## X-Files Season 2 Cliffhanger
On May 19, 1995, The X-Files season 2 ended with 'Anasazi' and began season 3 with 'The Blessing Way' and 'Paper Clip' 31 years ago this week.
## Alien UFO Discovery
A teenage boy found a UFO on a Navajo reservation containing a dead alien body, while a hacker gave a tape of UFO files to Agent Mulder.
## Scully's Investigation
Agent Scully suggested the tape might be Navajo and connected it to Albert Hosteen, a WWII code talker.
## Cigarette Smoking Man's Threat
The Cigarette Smoking Man tried to retrieve the tape by convincing Mulder’s father to turn it over, but Mulder’s father was killed.
## Mulder's Near-Death
Mulder saw dozens of dead alien bodies inside a railroad car before soldiers blew it up, seemingly killing him.
## Season 3 Begins
Season 3 started with Mulder alive and being nursed by Hosteen, while Scully faced threats to her life.
## Scully's Sister Murdered
Scully’s sister was murdered at her apartment, as she was mistaken for Scully.
## Skinner Holds the Tape
FBI Assistant Director Walter Skinner revealed he had the tape for safekeeping after Mulder and Scully were fired.
## Paper Clip Episode
In 'Paper Clip', Mulder and Scully found paper files, saw a UFO up close, and encountered dozens of aliens in a tunnel.
## Skinner's Betrayal
Skinner gave the tape to the Cigarette Smoking Man but warned Hosteen would share the files with 20 Navajo if Mulder and Scully were harmed.
## Key takeaway

The X-Files' 1995 three-part story 'Anasazi', 'The Blessing Way', and 'Paper Clip' used real Navajo code talkers from WWII to create a deeply satisfying alien conspiracy narrative.