The End of The X-Files 352
fonixmunkee writes "CNN is running this story that says the cult TV classic, "The X-Files," shall be no longer after this season. I have been a huge fan of this show since it started in '93, so I'm quite saddened by it's projected departure." The story originally showed up in Daily Variety, saying that Chris Carter wants to move on to other projects.
'Bout time..... (Score:5, Insightful)
Pity Fox didn't give Lone Gunmen a better chance. The 1st episode was.... eh (and HOW "eh" after Spet 11th), but some of the later ones were just brilliant. Guess John C. Potato doesn't wanna watch middle-aged geeks. Who knew?
And about time too. (Score:3, Insightful)
out of touch with the trends. Government conspiracies were all the rage back in the early
ninties (Oliver Stone's J.F.K. for example),
but it doesn't feel very fresh today.
I think in 20 years people will look back on 'X-files' as a typical ninties show,
like "Cheers" for the 80's, "M*A*S*H" for the 70s,
etc..
I actually like the new season.... (Score:2, Insightful)
Bring Back The Lone Gunmen! (Score:2, Insightful)
Season 1 (Score:2, Insightful)
I mean, subsequent series were quite good, but what a cool way to end it.
Re:Now a movie (Score:2, Insightful)
The show relied too much on Mulder... (Score:4, Insightful)
BTW, I always thought the way they designed the Mulder character was chosen to perfectly suit us geeks. It was Mulder's charism that made the show enjoyable (and later on, "watchable") instead of what it has now become : absolute crap
Until Carter has another good idea ("good idea" != "Millenium"), I will live on my memories of the first 3 seasons of X-Files
Still one of the best shows (Score:3, Insightful)
Course while the reality of Anderson and Duchovney's 'antipathy' towards one another doesn't help the overall vibe one gets from the show, there's no denying the onscreen chemistry is one of the best ever. Reyes and Dogget do hold some hope, although there was one scene where Reyes and Anderson appeared simpatico.
Overall, perhaps it's better to do movies, where the plot lines could have the continuity of writing and cinematography and feel more of a piece than a 44min tv show.
Re:About Time!!! (Score:2, Insightful)
Robert Patrick (Score:5, Insightful)
But...let me just say that Robert Patrick is one damn fine actor. While Mulder's character was far more likeable and what not, Patrick's portrayal of Doggett is superior IMHO. If they could have severed ties to the Scully/Mulder X-Files and just call the Doggett/Reyes X-Files The Next Generation or something - I'd be happy.
The restrictions imposed by continuity and actors disinterested in continuing their roles hamstrung the entire show. Unfortunately, what could have been a more than viable alternative (Doggett/Reyes) is weighed down by the legacy of the show.
This really sucks... sorta... (Score:4, Insightful)
I have to confess that I was not sorry to see Mulder go. Once the whole Samantha thing was resolved (well done, I might add), he bored me. As much as I like Scully, I think she probably should have left along with Mulder. The two are too closely intertwined in the series to survive without the other. Especially with the revelation a few shows ago that Scully and Mulder had a thing going (I thought they just did a turkey baster number and moved on from there). Scully and Mulder in love? Good grief... Remember when Mork married Mindy, or when David got together with Maddy (that was on Moonlighting, for those who don't remember)? Talk about a death knell for a TV show. Now we have the whole Scully & Mulder fling to bore us into changing the channel.
This has me worried about a sequel to the X-Files movie. If both Mulder and Scully are in it, I can guarantee it's going to be a love story. I don't mind love stories, but I don't think they fit with the whole X-Files thing. If it's a love story, I'm going to skip it fer sher.
All that said, I am very sorry that Reyes and Doggett won't be able to develop more. I sincerely think that those two characters could have easily taken over for Mulder and Scully. I find them immensely more likeable at this point anyway. They have all the sexual tension that Mulder and Scully had, and they still offer that "I believe" vs. "I'm skeptical" professional tension that M & S had. Plus these two actually have lives. This makes them much more interesting.
Anyway, I'll shut up now. RIP X-Files... You gave me something to watch after Twin Peaks was cancelled...
E.
Re:And about time too. (Score:3, Insightful)
I disagree. Conspiracy-based stories are difficult to televise for the average viewer that tends to wave off the idea that there is much going on behind the scenes of government. Chris Carter managed to do what every successful TV series has done. He combined
1) Great stories. The mytharc never dominated a season but was always there,
2) The right actors for the roles. Can you imagine a better Mulder, or a better Skinner? Hell, the "lone gunmen" were cast perfectly,
3) Terrific directing, which made the show visually appealing. This is what drew in a lot of the new audience in season two and helped spread the word that this was something to see.
I think this show jumped the shark when they axed the Cigarette-Smoking Man and then brought him back...
- DDT
Frankly... (Score:3, Insightful)
When they announced that Duchovny was leaving, they had a chance to bring some fresh air to the show. Unfortunately, they blew the opportunity by letting Duchovny hang around with Mulder casting a shadow on the last two seasons. Patrick, unfortunately, never really had a chance to do much with his role.
I guess this was a pretty good deal for Duchovny who mistakenly thought he was good enough for movies just because his wooden delivery worked on the small screen. Now without X Files, the frightening thought is that we'll get more Duchovny movies. So long as he sticks with roles like that which he had in Zoolander (the wacky conspiracy nut), he'll be OK.
Re:X-Files has gone down hill (Score:3, Insightful)
The lie the hard-core X-Files fans all sucked up was that there was some overarching story line that was being revealed over time, a la Lord Of The Rings. It became clear to most of us after a couple of rounds that the writers were completely winging it, stringing the conspiracy plot out for yet another season. It looks like Chris Carter has now gone to the well a few times too many and even the core fanboys have realized that the next upcoming "revelation" is just going to be the latest application of smoke and mirrors.
Call me a heretic, but the episodes I enjoyed the most were the freestanding ones.
Re:They didn't give it a chance. (Score:2, Insightful)
Back in its early days, they weren't pulling a lot of money, sure, but they didn't have a big audience to begin with. They were much more willing to give a show (like the X-Files, or the Simpsons) a chance - even if it was considered by some to be offbeat or weird. They had nothing to lose at the time.
However, now they're nationwide, and they want marketshare. Big time. They don't seem to think they can give a show a chance to get the bugs worked out, to refine its "sense of self", so to speak - "for all my selfless devotion, I except some really big returns". And if they don't see the returns fast - that being in terms of BIG ratings - they're tripping over themselves to cut it loose ASAP.
Which is, of course, why they're milking the everliving fuck out of the series that they've got that did catch on - because they don't know where they'll find the next "big thing" - the next X-Files, or the next Simpsons, to keep them in the ratings.