Special Tributes to a Crew Member

For Tony Morelli, stunt coordinator

From Kim W.

My best friend is a combat choreographer for stage and film, and so I know how important the role of stunt coordinator is to a show with a lot of action.

But along with that, it was the combat in TALITHA CUMI that got my friend hooked on THE X-FILES in the first place. ... Previously, not only did he not watch THE X-FILES, he didn't watch TELEVISION. (He was a *purist.*) A few other friends and I decided he had to be converted, so I threw this 3rd-season finale party at my place that night and invited him. We had to go through the whole explanation of "Okay, that guy's named Mulder, and he thinks his sister's been abducted..." He asked a couple questions during the first five minutes ("What's the woman's name again?...And she does or doesn't believe in aliens?..."), then fell silent.

A half-hour into the show, X and Mulder got into that big fight in the parking garage. Halfway through it, Ian finally spoke again. "They have *gooood* combat in this," was all he said. My other friends and I exchanged knowing glances, but said nothing.

THREE DAYS later, Ian called me to ask, "...So when's the season premiere for THE X-FILES?" I told him, then called all my other friends to squeal, "We got him!"

It bespeaks the quality of a show when it's the *stunts* that win someone over. (To this day, Ian still curses me out for having got him hooked on a television show - he watches religiously now, as do I.)

*****

For Graeme Murray - Production Designer

From Laura Capozzola

Tunguska is my favorite episode. It had everything in it I loved. A wild ride for a plot with more questions than answers, great acting by every single person who was in it including the bit parts like the customs guy, the whiny strip searched courier, the gulag guy who gives Mulder the shot (now that I have the 4th season ep guide I can look up their names). And I think Nick Lea outdid himself in this one...and that ain't bad. ;-D I noticed the music in this ep, too, and it was so wonderful. It just added so much to the suspense.

But most of all, it was the visual imagery in this episode that really got to me. The opening teaser of Scully testifying, the night milita scene when the truck drives up, Krycek and Mulder digging under the fence in those muddy wet clothes with the foreboding sky and the steam on their breath, Russians on horses with whips, and chickenwire oiliened Mulder going into the closing credits - God I love this ep. Anyway, I wrote to Graeme Murray after Tunguska aired in 1996 to tell him how much I liked this ep, especially the visual imagery...and guess what? He wrote back.

Anyway, since that time I pay more attention to the technical stuff, not just the plot and the characters, and since The X-Files Magazine has been doing some stories with photos on the crew, I can put the faces with the work...and I know a lot more about that work. These people are very special. Their successors are going to have a hard time trying to live up to their dedication and the quality of their work.

I don't know if Graeme is going to stay in Vancouver, but if he is, here's wishing him the best of luck.

Laura

********

Bob Goodwin

From Laura Capozzola

Before I hit the sack, I just want to make one last post, a toast to Bob Goodwin, who isn't just an Executive Producer of The X-Files but he's a character in two of my fan fic parodies. Who knew I'd lose a recurring character to LA? (And, such a handsome one, at that.) ;-D

Anyway, every team needs a manager and I think everyone realizes what a wonderful job you did in pulling it all together for us. Here's to the guy who led the most smokin' crew in television! We love you and we wish you the very best!

*******

For Wrangers of "The creepy crawlies and critters"

From Monkey5s

I would like to pay tribute to the various people who have handled the real life creatures that made the X-Files so special over these first five years!

I only know the name of Debra Coe, but she is the one who had charge of the roaches in "War of the Coprophages," she had to account for every one of them after every take.

She also dealt with the kitties in "Teso dos Bichos." AND she is the one who devised the little ladders in the toilets for the rats to run up, so they wouldn't have to run over each other! This is a truly caring individual!

From the TOADS that fell from the sky to the frog popping out of the corpse, from the BEEEEEZZZZZ to the cows in the field to the hogs in the pens, there is someone trying to work with these critters, and their work makes the show more enjoyable for us!

THANK YOU, everyone! We have LOVED THE pests, and the pets. The fish in the aquariums, the horses being ridden! We know you have given us the kind of details that make the show so special, and we appreciate your efforts!

******

ODE TO ANJI BERBEN (KEY HAIRSTYLIST)

By Osu

Well here's my contribution. I know it's early but it's 2 am here, it's as close as I can get. Vancouver, I'll miss you.

(PLEASE NOTE: I realise Anji may not have been around in the early days in the episodes I've mentioned, but it's just poetic license, no offence intended)

A poem this, and here's the reason,
In this the fifth Vancouver season,
Of X-Files eps with two big stars.
No, not the guns or the rental cars,
Or those agents from the FBI,
With the lucious lips and twinkling eyes.
The stars I see are miles ahead,
One is brown, the other red.
The epitome of perfect hair
By hairstylsit extraordinairre,
Anji Bemben, the one to thank,
For hair that's neither dry nor lank.

Anji is the one whose job,
Is looking after Scully's bob,
With blowdryer and curling tong,
To stop it all from going wrong.
So Gillian can never say,
"I'm having one real bad hair day!"
And all teh fans can stop and stare,
At Scully's "just too red" hair.
Then working hard on Mulder's crown,
To highlight every boyish frown,
With hair that flops into his face,
At the climax of every X-Files case.

The hair's the star, you know it's true,
And the thanks for that goes straight to you.
You do so well in a mighty mission,
Keeping hair in top condition,
And making sure it's free of gunk,
Especially with that X-files hunk,
Fox Mulder, with the chestnut mane,
That drives the female fans insane,
You make it bounce, you make it wshine,
You make these actors look devine,
And even in Vancouver air,
You combat nightmare frizzy hair.

You give old Skinner's head a buff,
And even deal with freaky stuff,
Who else can say that they have groomed,
The hair of mutant Eugene Tooms,
Or back combed teenage psycho sluts,
Or given Cancerman haircuts.
Your talent shows in every deed,
Though I'm sure sometimes you feel the need,
> To break free from your little box,
And do wild hair, like giving Fox,
An Elvis quiff in PMP,
Or Beehive!Scully in Beyond The Sea.

The hair is always cool and slick,
And even in X-Files fanfic,
Scully's hair is silk and soft,
And Mulder's "do" perfectly coiffed.
In this praise I hope you bask,
But there's one thing I have to ask,
Is strawberry shampoo Scully's thing?
And what's the deal with Mulder's ring?
Forget I asked! You need to know,
Before you have to wash and go,
At hair you're great, you're number one.
Thanks for all the hirsute fun!

******

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