X-Files films its final X-it
By: Mike Roberts
File it under D for Done-Deal.
The X-Files -- the most successful TV series ever produced in Canada -- said goodbye to Vancouver yesterday after five fine years with the cattle-call to end all cattle-calls.
Thousands and thousands of extras streamed into GM Place to appear in the season finale, an episode of the spooky series called The End.
It was the last episode to be shot in Vancouver, which for a change, played itself.
The X-Files -- worth about $35 million to the B.C. economy last year -- is moving to L.A. next season. (Unless you are one of Agent Mulder's alien abductee buddies, of course you already knew that).
By dinner time yesterday, the Georgia and Dunsmuir street walkways leading to GM Place were backed up into the city. The stadium was ringed two-lines deep with patient "Filers" waiting to be part of television history.
Organizers claim it was the largest volunteer corps ever assembled for a TV series.
Line-ups for the portable Jiffy biffs (very thoughtful) were slightly longer than those for Mr. Tube Steak, parked outside the Stadium SkyTrain Station and doing a swift trade. The C-FOX mascot, dressed in an FBI trench coat, took a lot of abuse from teens killing time in line. Others played hackey-sack and poker.
Seven Vancouver Police Department constable patrolled the perimeter and reported no problems.
"Couldn't estimate for sure," said Sgt. Steve Schnitzer at mid-afternoon. "But they're going to have their 10,000. We're concerned right now that people are going to be turned away."
A two-by-five metre legal waiver met the crowd-scene extras at every entrance. In a rare display of goodwill, 50 assorted media from as far away as London and Germany were granted access to film the proceedings. The extras came from all over the Lower Mainland, even Vancouver Island.
"We came on the last ferry and camped out since midnight," said Dove Cresswell, 18, the first person in line.
"I think it's wonderful for them to invite all these people because it really is a dream for a lot of them," she said.
Like buddy Miles Meadows, Cresswell is a Victoria-area student and actor-in-training.
"It's the last episode to be filmed in Vancouver and I need this for my resume," said Meadows, who borrowed 20-bucks from a friend to make the trip.
"It was Canada's coolest show and now it's going to L.A., which really bites," Meadows added.
Line-up buddy Anthony Schwab, a 19-year-old actor/model from Vancouver, said he wanted to be part of the Files finale.
"I couldn't sleep so a I came down, said Schwab. "And I'm a pretty avid fan."
Just after six, the doors finally opened. As the stadium filled with smoke and bodies, host Howard Blank whipped the crowd up for the big night, promising prizes and star power.
"Yes the show's going down South but we want to show them that Vancouver fans are #1," hollered Blank.
Eerie X-Files theme music drifting through GM Place as the spotlights and monitors came to life.
Then quiet. Then action. The crowd oohed and awed on cue, as the scene involving a murdered chess champ played out centre stadium.
"Great shot Vancouver!," bellowed director Bob Goodwin.
"Just exactly what we need. This is going to be fantastic."
THE FILE ON THE X-FILES: THE FINAL EPISODE
TITLE: The End
DIRECTOR: Executive producer Bob Goodwin, who has been the Vancouver boss since the show began here in 1993. He's directed both the first and last episodes each season since 1994.
ON THE AIR: May 17 (Global and FOX).
THE STORY: In the first scene of the final episode (as witnessed last night), a boy prodigy named Gibson goes pawn to pawn with a Russian chess master at an international tournament held in Vancouver, B.C.
The 12-year-old wups the Russian's butt.
At checkmate, Gibson -- who has Xtra-sensory perception of some sort -- looks to the crowd and suddenly pushes his chair back.
A shot rings out.
The Russian falls dead. The crowd screams. Mounties and special agents rush in to protect the kid.
This final episode leads right up to The X-Files motion picture, in theatres this June.