Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Vince Gilligan Reflects on Career, Impact of 'Lone Gunmen'

11/9/2025

26 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Vince Gilligan began his career with The X-Files, writing 30 episodes and directing two.
Gilligan contributed fan-favorite episodes such as "Bad Blood" and "Pusher."
He shifted from aiming for film to television and created Breaking Bad.
Gilligan co-created the spin-off The Lone Gunmen, which aired 13 episodes in 2001.
Gilligan recalls the Lone Gunmen pilot fondly, noting it unintentionally mirrored the September 11 attacks.

History

Historical Context

The Lone Gunmen, a spin-off of The X-Files, premiered on March 4, 2001, just months before the September 11 attacks. Created by Vince Gilligan and others, the series featured a plot about a conspiracy to hijack a plane and crash it into the World Trade Center, reflecting growing societal anxieties about government distrust and conspiracy theories in post-9/11 America.

1 of 2

Story summary

Vince Gilligan began his career with The X-Files, writing 30 episodes and directing two.
Gilligan contributed fan-favorite episodes such as "Bad Blood" and "Pusher."
He shifted from aiming for film to television and created Breaking Bad.
Gilligan co-created the spin-off The Lone Gunmen, which aired 13 episodes in 2001.
Gilligan recalls the Lone Gunmen pilot fondly, noting it unintentionally mirrored the September 11 attacks.

1 / 2