Look, I have no shame – I was what one would call an “X-Phile” (though I never, ever referred to myself or anyone else as such). I’ve watched the entire series of The X-Files two or three times over (minus season nine, because hello, that shit sucked), I even – God help me – wrote Mulder/Scully fanfic in my younger years. In more recent years, I’ve actually been paid to write about the importance of Dana Scully as a female pop culture icon. I’m telling you this because I want to provide some context for my disapproval of the recent news that Fox wants to reboot The X-Files, complete with David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, for a whole new series. PLEASE NO.
From Deadline:
Fox TV Group chairman Dana Walden said that the conversations so far have been only logistical, looking at windows when the key X-Files players, creator Carter and stars Duchovny and Anderson, are available. She confirmed that a potential X-Files followup will star the original leading duo of Duchovny and Anderson. There have been no creative discussions yet about what that new series might be.
From Entertainment Weekly:
On The X-Files front, Fox chairman and CEOs Dana Walden and Gary Newman say they have been in talks with series creator Chris Carter about reviving the supernatural procedural, which was a major hit for the network from 1993 to 2002. The executives also revealed they hope to have original series stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson reprise their roles on the show.
“It’s true that we’ve had some conversations on X-Files,” Newman said. “We’re hopeful of being able to bring that back at some point.”
Walden added: “Gary and I both worked [at 20th Century Fox Television] through the entire run of The X Files. It was a great experience. We’ve maintained good relationships with Chris, David and Gillian. We’re very hopeful, but it’s hard. The actors are very busy. They have a lot going on. Chris has a lot on his plate, so it’s just trying to carve out the time.
I mean, look – The X-Files was a wonderful show for its time, one that was underappreciated and absolutely brilliant, even for those who weren’t typical sci-fi fans. That being said, some things just need to be left the hell alone. Both stars have moved on, that chapter has closed and to bring the show back now would be basically to shit on its legacy. Nope, not a fan, no thanks.
That being said, I don’t think it’ll ever happen, anyway. David’s busy writing weird books about supernatural cows or some shit and Gillian is on every amazing TV drama going, so… thankfully, I think there’s nothing behind this.
What do you think? Did you watch The X-Files during its original run? Would you watch a reboot?
I remember the Internet was new…and the X Files was the show (with Friends–different nights, different channels, but you get what I mean) to watch. I watched from the first episode until they added Annabeth Gish (is that her name? do I remember right?) At that point the X Files (to me) was done. Make another (better!!!) movie or two. But leave the show alone. If you care to watch, Chiller runs a bunch of episodes on Sundays. I have been catching up and it is even more amazing (especially how quaint some of the technology is). Favorite episode? The one with the “Nessie” who eats Scully’s dog (did not like that part…but still…). Also rumor has it that the two of them are now a very quiet item–just like Scully and Mulder should be!!!!
Annabeth Gish and Robert Patrick were the worst things to ever happen to that show. Once Duchovny left, they should have bowed out gracefully and let it die with dignity. Also, for the record, the entire series is now on Netflix, which makes binge re-watching a lot of fun.
As for Gillian/David being a real-life couple, they totally are, unless Gillian is trolling everyone really hard by posting videos online in which she calls for David’s opinion in the other room before saying that he must be in the shower (seriously, this happened).
Ya know, to this day I still cannot stand Robert Patrick. Just cannot. And thanks for the mental image of Scully (Anderson) and Mulder (Duchovny)….I am hung up on the one in the shower myself (lo these many years later!!!). Just leave it be please FOX Fox would hate it!!!
Loved the show back then. A few years ago the first season of Fringe was a good X-Files for the new century, but that show changed it’s tone in later seasons. So a reboot? No, not really interested, but something similar? I would like that.
And I’m reading David Duchovnys new book about talking cows at the moment. Might be good (I’m only 20 pages in).