Did fans have to develop high tolerances for ambiguous dialogue, unanswered questions, and an epic love story mostly expressed via forehead touches and poorly-lit embraces?
Some of the original nine seasons were better than others, and some episodes are definitely best forgotten, but The X-Files overall was always a show that was just really, really good when it was good.
The X-Files was one of the most impactful TV series of the 1990s, and shows ranging from Fringe to Supernatural to even Bones likely never would have happened if not for The X-Files bringing the paranormal into pop culture.