Click here to download the 15-second promo of season 8 that aired during the "Closure" rerun! Was I surprised to see that pop up on screen...and gone before I knew it. Very helpful is this page, the latest to post stills from the TV spot, and this page has one for every scene, and since they went by so fast it's interesting to see what you missed when watching the video. All I can say is: Alien embryo goo?! Also check the official site for the first picture seen from season 8, one of Scully and Doggett, from TV Guide. In other OS news, there is a neat new season 8 Flash intro, a new interview with Nick Lea on the "Patient X" kiss, another fan site feature, and news that "Redrum" and "Patience" will air in reverse order. Also info on 8X05 was posted: "Scully's stuck in a Utah one-horse town with a cult and a slug. Confused?" Yes. And check out this CC quote: "We will explore a lot of what I would consider textbook alien-abduction material." Also he said that the father of Scully's baby will "quite probably" be revealed early on in the season.

Season 2 DVD set news: "...The set includes a new documentary, The Truth About Season Two, as well as bonus interviews with series creator Chris Carter, deleted scenes and two special-effects clips. More marketing efforts will be focused on this boxed set than were on [the season 1 set]...including Internet marketing. Fox will create a special site promoting the DVDs [in addition to the season 1 DVD site?]; links to the official X-Files page will also be featured [in the DVD-ROM content?]." Check this out: I stumbled upon 7 new banner ads advertising the X-Files ISP and OS. Here are the three for the ISP: 1, 2, and 3. And for the OS: 1, 2, 3, and 4.

I just wanted to close with my opinion on "Closure," which has stirred up yet more controversy and anger due to its rerun. And that makes me angry. Now I am a mythology freak; I love it and pore over the most minor details (which usually end up to be consistencies no one else seems to notice). Anyway, it looks like the opinion of a lot of people is that "Sein Und Zeit" is a lot better than its conclusion, something which I don't think is right at all. SUZ is a good episode, but it did have some flaws--the writing could have been better, Scully was written as just plain annoying, and Michael Watkins (except for the fantastic ending) seems to have made the whole episode choppy and detached. That is just my feeling. No contest though, the acting was superb. "Closure" seems to be what CC & FS considered their priority because the writing is very good, and the emotional impact is more than possibly any other episode in the show. Certainly "One Breath" and "Memento Mori" share that aspect, but "Closure" is unparalleled in its raw emotional power. Which is perfect for the end to a 7-year-long quest that has driven the show since the pilot. Yes, the Moby song was no small part of that, but even more was Kim Manners' fantastic work and the great acting--and Mark Snow's disturbing ambient score. What was missing, people say, is the element of logic and continuity in all this emotional stuff. To that I say: it is there, you just have to know where to look! What no one has pointed out is Jeffrey Spender's videotape of his hypnotic regression in "Patient X," something that goes a long way to explain the surprising twist in "Closure." And remember that Cassandra was first abducted on the same day as Samantha, and that Samantha (and apparently everyone else) had her memories taken away like Mulder in "Deep Throat." That explains for the mythology freak in me how it's possible that the aliens returned them both to the base, for any number of reasons. And why did CSM (and even the Bounty Hunter, who did collaborate with the Syndicate) lie to Mulder all along? Stop to think what Mulder's importance to the Project was ("Herrenvolk"). Watch "Gethsemane." Mulder's importance was that he was the smokescreen covering up the Project and making believers look ridiculous! That is why he's been kept alive (to even more potential benefit in "Biogenesis" etc.) and given bait to pursue his interests endlessly. Remember, Fowley (who was with CSM) introduced Mulder to the X-files and even recommended his hypnosis--possible planned steps to "create" Mulder as CSM said in "Redux II." And the Samantha in that episode we all know was debunked as a hybrid by Cassandra in "Two Fathers," and Samantha's experiments at April Air Base are what resulted in both the young and adult hybrids. There is the logic, already implied in earlier episodes. And to debunk another major misunderstanding, that CC & FS wrote "Closure" poorly because of neglecting the point of why some children were saved and others weren't: That is the point of the episode! Those who bash the episode based on that forgot the teaser, in which the spirits of the dead children walk out of the victims' graves! I.e. even those who suffer find eternal bliss in the end. Even Harold Piller asks why some must suffer and others are saved. This goes right back to plane crashes, etc. where there is only one survivor. Why?? All right, so why go the spiritual route? There is one certainty in coming up with the Samantha resolution: Samantha CANNOT show up in subsequent episodes after Mulder "finds" her. Otherwise we'd have "The Mulder, Scully and Samantha Hour," something I'm sure everyone agrees is ridiculous. So what? Mulder finds Samantha and she dies right afterward? She is abducted again? It seems to me that fans would be even more outraged with those outcomes. CC & FS expertly ended Mulder's quest in preparation for a possible new quest in season 8 (finding Mulder) by allowing fans not versed in the mythology and new viewers to understand what is going on, and providing closure. After all, the search has been so confusing, and on the surface, logic-defying, that any other route than a spiritual resolution would be pointless. Other quick notes: Children too happy? There have been comments that the episode is sappy or corny because of all the happy children playing around. Frankly I think a little innocent happiness in the world doesn't hurt, and there are times when cynics go too far. There is enough cynicism on TXF already to allow one truly innocent message.

The necklace? The one that Scully was seen wearing in the season 8 premiere photo? Well, she never gave it to Mulder, we never got proof of it, and frankly it would be out-of-character for her to lend it to him. Even more out-of-character for Mulder to accept it. Think about it. If it really did happen, the episode will somehow have Scully get it again. Otherwise she's had it all along (even GA said she just forgot to wear it in the end scene of "Requiem"; I hope Kim Manners or somebody will say for sure whether they filmed the abduction scene with Mulder wearing the necklace or not). But you are vastly underestimating CC if you think he'd forget that Scully did such a thing in the previous episode! Especially with the continuity of the necklace being lost and found numerous times. Some will be quick to point out that "Christmas Carol" established that Scully got the necklace for Christmas instead of her birthday as we learned in "Ascension"; but before bashing CC remember that he didn't write either episode or "Emily," and that VG even admits that they knew they were breaking continuity but that it was too good an opportunity to pass up. Thank you.

The OS updated today. "Requiem" will be rerun on Oct. 29 if there isn't a game 7 of the World Series. Interestingly, the link to the LG promo site (the chip/spider) has disappeared from the OS's front page, but the site is still there. And also, the news page now has a button to send it to a friend. Finally, click here for a preview of the next XF yearbook (coming out Nov. or Dec.). The description on that page is of the next yearbook, but the accompanying picture is actually a mock-up of what official magazine #16 (the one after the next issue!) might look like, and of what stories it might cover. So because of a little mix-up we get info on both. That's all for today....

"Hi there. I'm Tigrane, otherwise known on the official site's message boards as 'Tig.' I caught your news update pertaining to the possible appearance at Kings Island. I sent an e-mail to David Mandt, at Kings Island's publicity department. He responded with this: 'Ms. Tigrane--There are no plans to add an X-Files attraction or host the stars of the show at the park at this time. I'm sorry to disappoint you...but am afraid the rumor mill is spreading incorrect information. Thanks for your inquiry though. -David Mandt, Paramount's Kings Island Public Relations'"

Finally today I have some merchandise news. The movie Thermoses have finally been released; I have a better picture here. As little as 300 were made, and that's it. Also, season 7 comes out on video in the U.K. on October 16. And I've heard of some possible differences between the season 1 DVD set being released internationally and the one released in the States, but I don't know what they are. That is all for now.

In DD news, he is "possibly joining Ivan Reitman's Evolution movie project...[he is] currently only in preliminary negotiations to join the cast of the ensemble science-fiction comedy [written by David Diamond and David Weissman]. The eventual film's story is about a meteor striking the earth and releasing one-celled organisms that quickly morph through evolutionary states, threatening our planet in the process." Finally for today, the season 1 DVDs will be out November 6 in the U.K.

A few spoilers and misc. info bits today. First off, the official site clarified that "Redrum" is a teleplay written by Steven Maeda from a story by Maeda and Daniel Arkin. Here's a quote from Frank Spotnitz: "For seven years Chris had an end to the story in mind and he just couldn't tell that story as it turned out. We played it out differently than he ever imagined we would." Very interesting. It makes me wonder (1) if the Mulder abduction/return to Oregon wasn't what he repeatedly said he had planned for all these years (which until now is what I thought), what was his plan? And (2) will he use his original ideas for the season 8/series finale? Also Roda93 (and her local Fox source) has provided me with some great inside information: First of all, it looks like we'll get no more reruns between "Closure" and the premiere, except probably "Requiem" a week or 2 before. Also Gillian's contract extension did come as a result of asking for more pay and less appearances (CC mentioned GA needing time with her daughter so not too many Scully-centric eps); if there would be a season 9, she'd probably be in it as much as DD will be in this season. Also, local Fox TV station managers have been asked to "informally" poll viewers calling in about whether Scully's baby should be alien or not. (!) The results: overwhelming support for a completely normal baby, around 90%. Finally, and this is news I've been wanting to hear for a long time, Fox is set to "promote the hell out of" the show this season, including TV and magazine/newspaper ads, more merchandise, etc. And going hand-in-hand with this, sources inside the fan club say that we'll get more scripts and photos than before too.

Spoilers for the premiere eps ahead.... 8X02 will have a Gibson opening monologue; Skinner and Scully point their guns at each other just like in "The Blessing Way" at the end (this is #4 out of 4 3-parters in which Mulder and Scully are suspicious/paranoid of Skinner for some reason or another); Kersh "sees [Doggett] as possible future competition and wants to discredit him by placing him in an untenable position: in charge of the search for the missing Fox Mulder--with all parties warned that if the words 'alien abduction' are mentioned in anyone's reports, their jobs are in jeopardy." Finally, Doggett is assigned to the X-files in 8X02, not his or Scully's choice, and he seems to like Scully!

There is more exciting news in X-Land. The official site has set up a free ISP--FREE Internet access--including your own @thexfiles.com e-mail address!! Click here for the info. BTW the e-mail server is currently not working, and I've heard that it may take a few weeks for it to be fixed. Now it tells you that your login is invalid no matter what. When the e-mail function starts working though, you can get your mail from this address, or from any e-mail program (or even Hotmail's POP Mail option) by setting the mail server to mail.thexfiles.com. Anyway, another X-Files actor is going into directing, and this time it's an actress, Laurie Holden. Not an episode, but she is directing (or already has directed I guess) a TV movie called The Man Who Used to Be Me for the Fox Family Channel, starring Rob Estes and William Devane. It's supposed to air this month. BTW the rumors were right--the season 2 DVD set has been pushed back a week to November 14. And check this out, from Carrie: "Someone told me that when he was at Paramount's Kings Island over the weekend, he saw a ride that had a big picture of Mulder and Scully that said 'Meet the stars of The X-Files, David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson (better known as Mulder and Scully), opening 2001.' He thinks that DD and GA are going to actually be there. I checked the Kings Island Web site but didn't see anything." Finally, the X-Files video site is still not updated to Wave 8, but the address has changed yet again to www.foxhome.com/trustno1/indexmain.html.

"The federal prosecutor on trial is actually an old friend of John Doggett's. He of course denies killing his wife. As for the supernatural element--stop reading now if you don't want to know--Martin Wells is moving backwards in time. Sort of like Merlin from Sword in the Stone. Today is Thursday, tomorrow for him would be Wednesday, etc. He doesn't remember anything that to everyone else happened previously because he hasn't lived it yet. Martin is very interested in discussing this with Scully. I'm pretty sure the episode follows Martin's timeline. Meaning we experience the days backwards like he does. It sounds great and you can just imagine how the inmates feel about having the very prosecutor who put them away in the same prison with them."

8/9/2000

Info on the first standalone episode of season 8! 8X03 is called "Redrum," and anyone who's seen/read The Shining knows where that is from. Steven Maeda, still on staff, and Daniel Arkin (back from the dead?) wrote it, to be directed by someone else we haven't heard about in a while, Peter Markle. The story involves a federal prosecutor in Baltimore charged with the murder (REDRUM!) of his wife. In other news, sorry for even mentioning the World Series yesterday, as Roda93 graciously pointed out that it's in October not November. And if you can't wait for the release of season 2 on DVD, there's a picture of the cover here. The possible delays reported earlier won't happen, so it still comes out on November 7. Another release date to remember is November 29 for the season 1 DVD set in Australia. And finally, if anyone watched Howard Gordon's short-lived series Strange World before it was given the boot, 6 of the 13 episodes made are available on 3 videos in Australia: "Pilot"/"Eliza," "Azrael's Breed"/"Down Came the Rain," and "Rage"/"Aerobe." Only 3 eps originally aired; other than the pilot and "Azrael's Breed," none of the 6 released were ever shown on TV.

Source: Haven for the FBI's Most Unwanted

8/8/2000

A few interesting things today. First off, TLG's first season, since it starts in the spring, will only have 13 episodes including the pilot. The Nov. 5 premiere date for season 8 is the day of the World Series, after which the long-awaited episode will air. This will probably be pretty late at night, so I hope it's promoted well a la "Leonard Betts" after the Super Bowl. What a success that was. Also, Mitch Pileggi is getting "star billing" for the new season. Could this mean that his name will appear alongside Robert Patrick's in the opening sequence? And, yesterday 1013 took out full-page ads in Variety and Hollywood Reporter in remembrance of Jim Engh, the crew member killed in a freak accident.

Source: Haven for the FBI's Most Unwanted

8/6/2000

I'm back now. First off I will mention the horrible accident that happened during the filming of 8X01. The official site has the word direct from Fox, so check it out for details. I hope 1013 puts an "In Memoriam" message at the end of the episode. Anyway, 8X02 is now shooting, also written by Chris Carter with Kim Manners directing. No titles yet. But one thing that I have heard is that CC has decided not to have an "all things" flashback in the premiere eps. Frankly the episodes sound great and I don't think a cut embrace will ruin anything. But there has to be a reason. In spinoff news (thanks Roda93), it's official that it will debut in March in the XF timeslot as I said before. And, there is now an official site of sorts for the show at www.thexfiles.com/thelonegunmen/. If you click on the little computer chip/bug on the XF official site's front page it leads you there. Also, Fox.com has a little page for the spinoff here, found at the fall schedule info page. While on the subject of the OS, it put up the rerun schedule for August and some of September. I updated the Season 7 Spoilers page accordingly. And while on the subject of sites, Dean Haglund's mailing list page now pops up correctly. I noted the error a while ago. The 2001 calendars are also out.

Source: Haven for the FBI's Most Unwanted