It’s not paranormal activity, but something odd is happening with the X-Files revival — the series’ six episodes are debuting out of order. Episode 2 is now Episode 4, Episode 4 is now Episode 5, and Episode 5 is now Episode 2. As for the others, Episode 3 remains in its original slot, while 1 and 6 are still what they were intended to be, mythology-builders. So, what’s going on behind the scenes that we don’t know about?

Series creator Chris Carter spoke with TV Insider to clear up the matter.

Because we have a story arc that runs through the middle of the series…we were concerned that, coming right off a mythology episode [and] going right into a standalone episode, people would say, “What’s happened?” So, it actually worked out. It served Episode 2 better to replace it with 5. It created a better continuity…We’ve come and done what we’ve always done: we give you an amazing mix of episodes—we’ve given you thriller episodes, we’ve given you scary episodes, emotional episodes, comedy episodes.

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Image via Fox

This episode shuffle inevitably caused some minor continuity issues. To remedy the situation as best he could, Carter said he had to cut “a sliver” from what is now Episode 4, titled “Home Again.” He clarified, though, that “It’s not even a deleted scene, it was lines of dialogue.” Did you notice the swap, X-Files watchers?

Next week, Fox will air the third episode, “Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-monster,” which the network describes as follows:

When a dead body is found in the woods, Mulder and Scully are called in to investigate whether it was an animal attack, a serial killer or just maybe a strange creature as described by eyewitnesses. Meanwhile, Mulder is able to confront some of his own demons about feeling disillusioned with his life's work.

The X-Files airs Mondays at 8 p.m. EST on Fox. And if you haven't already, be sure to check out our X-Files recaps here.

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