"X-Files - Beginning of the End" 
  04/01/2002

Patrick J. Gillease has a some very insightful thoughts on things. His answers are lengthy, but you’ll agree with me it’s well worth the reading. Especially what he talks about toward the end. #1: "A friend of mine was a fan from very early on in the show's existence, and somewhere in the middle of the second season, he kept bugging me to try it out, so I watched an episode and was pleasantly surprised. My first viewing dealt with Mulder at the world's largest satellite receiving dish in South America. He was there to pursue and X File that aliens had made contact with Earth. By the end of the episode, Mulder was flashed by the aliens right there at the site and knocked unconscious. We, the viewers, were left knowing that aliens were real and were right in front of us, even though we couldn't see them. Alas, the ‘big tease’ that is the core of the ‘X Files’ had titillated me enough to watch another episode, then another, until I was hooked."

#2: “Well, this is a no-brainer. All the episodes dealing with the underlying alien conspiracy are my favorites. Not that the self-contained non-conspiracy episodes are bad; they are just different. ‘The X Files’ is really two separate shows in one. But, the alien conspiracy episodes are my favorites because they presents a picture that we are NOT alone in this universe, are naive to think we are, and as such, we should be awakened to the ‘bigger picture’ and come together as a race instead of bickering and killing each other over mostly petty things. If aliens truly WERE plotting to take over our planet, you can bet we'd come together to fight as one, united people of Planet Earth. No more Israeli/Palestinian conflict, no more fighting with Al Qaeda, no more internal strife - PERIOD. We'd be too busy trying to save our global asses. So, for that grander vision, I love the alien storyline and wish, somehow, we could truly come together as a planet before we destroy ourselves."

#3: “I think their integration was well-plotted. We had a whole season to get to like Doggett on his own as he interacted with Scully. So, by the time we had accepted him, it was easy to then move on to bringing Reyes aboard, especially since Scully was and still is there for us to retain our link to the original. Well, while I think the tremendous erosion in the ratings is grossly unfair to Robert Patrick and Annabeth Gish as Doggett and Reyes, respectively, since they are a nice pair in and of themselves and should be judged on their own merits, I of course still gravitate to the original pair of Scully and Mulder. They were the originals. There was a playful flirtation going on for years between them, and the stark difference between Mulder believing and Scully disbelieving gave the show a whole new angle on the old ‘sexual tension’ motif. That's what had us all so hooked. Not only did we want Scully and Mulder to fall for each other romantically, we wanted Scully to ‘believe’ like us and Mulder. But, like real sexual gratification, once the climax is achieved, many people lose interest. Mulder and Scully DID fall for each other, and now Scully DOES ‘believe.’ So, the fans gave up. It's a pity, since Doggett and Reyes are intriguing in their own right, even if their infatuation for each other and the believe / disbelieve scenario is one we've already seen."

#4. “I'm a little upset. Some of the independent stories exclusive of the alien conspiracy storyline were truly astounding the past two years. They had an edge and freshness not seen since the original couple of seasons. I had hoped that when Gillian Anderson left the show after this year, that Mulder would return (as we now know he will indeed do for the final episode in May) and carry on the alien conspiracy storyline in future ‘X Files’ movies while we were left with independent adventures of a non-alien nature with Doggett and Reyes. It would have been nice to see how the two of them would have evolved as characters COMPLETELY without Scully and Mulder. Alas, we'll never know, now, even though I STILL believe the movies will still happen with Scully and Mulder and the alien conspiracy, as much as I'd like to see the alien conspiracy answered, once and for all, and put to bed at last. One last thing. Even though you didn't ask what I thought should be THE quintessential question regarding ‘The X Files,’ I will ask and answer the question myself. ‘What is the entire meaning of the alien conspiracy.’ David Duchovny once said that the whole alien conspiracy was so simple that if we really stopped to think about it, everyone should be able to see it. It really blows one's socks off if you think about it. The truth is NOT out there; the truth is right here. The aliens are us!! Several of the episodes featuring little Lucas and a few other hybrid ‘humans’ showed an evolution of humanity into the alien beings. One very prominent episode actually had an ordinary Earth man in his living room with his body shedded by the alien that emerged from it (albeit an ‘Alien’ movie rip-off). And, in ‘The X Files Movie,’ there was made mention of a recessive gene in humans that has been ‘turned off’ in the populace. Put it all together, and VOILA!!! At one time in the past, human beings were a mid-stage of development for beings that ultimately morph into the aliens that are ‘out there’ on the show. But, somehow, over eons of time, this gene was shut off, and instead of finally reaching our true, alien selves, human beings just ‘stopped,’ midway between the stages of what our true existence is supposed to be. Lucas is one of the few ‘humans’ who is evolving into his true alien self. So, the aliens within the conspiracy wanting to ‘take over the Earth’ are really just our ancestors trying to reclaim the cycle of life that was somehow lost in all of us. Given how we are destroying ourselves as simple human beings, perhaps embracing the next step in our alien evolution would be a very good thing indeed!!" Thank you Patrick! Please note Patrick sells sci-fi items on his website at http://www.thegreendog.com .

Late2Xfiles answers the questions in Doggett style – direct and to the point. #1: “Dec 2000 - saw a marathon day on FX and was hooked. Never saw the show previously. Have now seen them all and own the DVDs." #2: “Mulder/Mytharc/Krycek/Skinner/X/Deep Throat episodes - when Mulder's moral center is challenged - after all his sources are murderers(X), perpetrators of the conspiracy (Deep Throat), and power/father figures(Skinner) - the conflict with Krycek is the most compelling because it is personal." #3: “No - they were sort of tossed into the mix without enough back-story. I could buy into Doggett as the investigator into Mulder's disappearance - if only that search and the relationship with Scully and Skinner had developed more." #4: “Without Mulder's search for the truth and its attendant sense of wonder - there is no X-Files. I am upset on behalf of the lack of resolution that I just know will happen even in the finale. I never needed exact answers - just more depth to the personal response (Character response) to what occurs. Not having Mulder come to any sort of terms at all about his abduction - was the worst!"

Continental Red’s website can be found at http://www.geocities.com/grabell33. A fan from the very start! #1: “I've been a fan of the X-Files since the very beginning. My uncle is Tom Sullivan of ‘Evil Dead’ fame, so a love for spooky sci-fi type stuff just runs in my veins. At the time though, my mother was intensely religious and wouldn't let me go see horror or sci-fi movies because of the ratings, but figured that a TV series would be alright. It really was a great way for me to get the sleep with the light on feeling I desired without pissing off my mom." #2: “I like the mythology storylines. The stand-alones are really great (Triangle is one of my faves), but I think it’s within the conspiracy that you get to see the development that is the mark of a great series." #3: “I think it was a little rough, and unfortunately because I didn't own a TV for two years, I missed the main part of the transition. I think if I would have caught it all, I would have been more pleased with the way it went. Now that I am catching re-runs, though, I think it was a good way to help the series grow and develop. M&S or R&D? That is the question of the ages. I used to totally hate Reyes because I didn't see that she really played a part in the series. Now that I see how she and Doggett are truly an important part of the direction the series is moving in, I like it. Of course, I've always like Doggett's dry wit and one-liners. Overall though, my heart is still with Mulder and Scully." #4: “No, I don't think so. I wish there could be more exploration with Reyes and Doggett but I don't think they should carry on the series for that. The X-Files has had an amazing run and it will be great to have it finally tied up. I can finally get un-confused, I hope." Don’t we all hope that, Red!

Nick Jason is an English viewer! #1: “Since it first began in 1993, here in England (which is where I live). Since the Pilot Episode, I was completely addicted to it." #2: “The mythology episodes i.e ones that deal with aliens, and what is supposedly the true core of the show. I also love stand-alone episodes, although mythology episodes are so unique and exciting, as they address the center of the X-Files and what has primarily driven the main characters." #3: “I personally love the characters of Doggett and Reyes, and feel they are a great pairing and a great addition to the show. I feel they are very compelling characters, like Mulder and Scully are/were, and that their integration to the show was an excellent move by Carter, considering the loss of David Duchovny. Arguably they will never have the same spark as Mulder/Scully pairing, however, in my mind they come damn close. However, this is just my opinion. For many fans, I believe they had trouble accepting this new influx and this new generation of the X-Files, probably because Mulder/Scully is all they have known for seven years, and some probably feel Mulder is the center of the show, and they cannot accept the integration of new characters such as Doggett and Reyes. What I say, however, is that as long as the characters are searching for the 'truth' and paranormal cases, then that is what X-Files good, and as long as the characters are interesting, which Doggett and Reyes, are, I am only too happy with the characters. Considering I have had seven years of experience of Mulder/Scully, and only one year of Reyes and Doggett, I am forced to say Mulder and Scully. We have been following them and their adventures for years. However, I can honestly say that if the show had continued, there may have been a stage when I would actually have preferred Doggett and Reyes, as they are just as interesting and compelling as Scully and Mulder." #4: “When I read online about the X-Files ending, I cried for at least three hours non-stop. I was much more than upset. I still am having difficulty accepting that the show which has been and will always be my favorite show, is actually ending, as a part of my life, a very important part, will be gone forever. The X-Files is much more than a show, it is a phenomena, that has captured the minds of an entire generation, and will undoubtedly earn its place in the history books. Unfortunately, while the phenomena may live on, I will never be able to look forward to a new season starting, nor any new, interesting and captivating episodes that the series has always produced. The X-Files played/plays such an important role in my life, and words cannot truly describe how sad I am to see it go." Nick? I know the feeling!

Pam Timmons can be considered an expert on the X-Files. Having been caught up since the middle of the first season, her favorite storyline is the one “about when Mulder was abducted and Scully spent every moment of her life searching for him." Regarding the integration of Doggett and Reyes: “Yes, it was an easy integration of Agents Reyes and Dogget I prefer Scully and Mulder. One of the main reasons I watched the show was because of the interaction between Scully and Mulder." Pam is not upset that the X-Files is going off the air. She states, “It's been on long enough. Better to go out while they're still somewhat popular. Besides, it's been pretty boring this season. Not enough Scully and Mulder."

David Porter (who edits the music of Charles Ives) definitely wants some questions answered! #1: “October 1994 is when I started watching (I used to have a radio gig (Pacifica) that had me in LA Friday nights, so I couldn't watch until I was cancelled)." #2: “Just about all of them. The ones I didn't like were the ending of the one where Mulder reunited with his sister's ‘spirit’ -- way to pat! And I think the whole ‘Soopah Soldjah’ thing (in Doggett-ese) is a tad contrived. I liked the mytharc episodes (including the movie) but CC & Co. sure like to leave a lot of loose ends! For instance -- where's that spacecraft that Scully found!!?? And Mulder being buried for three months was wacky -- three weeks would have been better, but we had the complication of Scully's mystery pregnancy..." #3: “Yes -- and I really liked the one episode where Doggett and Mulder worked together. Oh, probably the former ‘just because’ they were the first and were on so long, but R&D are good too. (Robert Patrick is great 'cause he always looks pissed off!) I miss Mulder's goofiness (like his jogging hat and his porn collection)." #4: “Well, yes, of course, but I also miss Beavis and Butt-head and MST3K. And Kenny dying on South Park. Nothing lasts forever. Hopefully we'll have movies to look forward too."

So, X-Philers, what do you think? Looks like Mulder and Scully’s team outweighs the Doggett and Reyes' team…so far. Visit back next article to see more opinions. Oh, definitely leave me and the others some feedback on the newsgroup newsguy.writers.scificapsule ! I want to hear more!

 - by Ilana Rapp