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"I despise Chris Carter with the white hot passion of a thousand burning suns." Pretty strong words, eh? How about: "I regret every SECOND I have spent on this show over the past 7 years." Or "I have not heard one single farging thing to make me look forward to any part of this season." The preceding statements were the recent reactions of just two of the online Philes who participated in and/or read the transcript of Chris Carter’s chat on The X-Files Official Site, following the premiere. Is the negativity (to put it lightly!) of these statements a great surprise? No. At least not to those who have been keeping both eyes open. Anyone tuned into online Phile reaction has read comments for *and* against the myriad of changes being offered this season: New format, new actors, the ad campaign. But while the online group is well aware of both sides, much of the print media seem to be going out of their way to ignore negative responses. That is their right, I suppose, even if it does paint a false picture. But there *is* a negative voice out there, and it needs to be heard if the complete picture is to be seen. The positive spin is perhaps most obvious in the Kansas City Star's review of the first episode of the new season. Attempting to get an idea of Phile reaction to 'Within', the paper detailed the reactions of 4 X-Files fans. The outcome? A "marvellous" thumbs up; the comments from the 4 representatives ranged from "classic X-Files" to "seemed to regain its focus". And that’s all well and good, for these people are entitled to their opinions. But that’s all they are *their* opinions. The views of a mere 4 X-Files fans are hardly representative of the whole X-Files community, and it is more than misleading for the paper in question to present their reactions as *the* reaction without tempering it with the appropriate disclaimer. No one or two positive comments should ever be taken as the whole truth, because for every positive reaction - on any aspect - there *has* been a negative one. While a lot of the print media have given the 'thumbs up' to the new series, others have not. And whether intended or not, these reviews have voiced some of the concerns Philes have about the new season. For example, the Orlando Sentinel Tribune's headline stated: "… THE X-FILES ISN'T THE SAME WITHOUT THE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN MULDER AND SCULLY" Chemistry. One of the many words CC et al. have spouted exists between Robert and Gillian, which, as we've previously said, is good to hear. It is nice to know that both actors are enjoying their work. But after seven years, do you think *that* many Philes are interested in *their* chemistry. It's the Mulder and Scully chemistry which David and Gillian brought to the show which captured - and retained - the hearts and minds of so many. So, what about that post-ep chat with Chris Carter, the one that inspired the reactions which opened this ramble? We'll overlook the fact that Chris was wrong from the get-go about the chat providing fan reaction. It would be pedantic of us to point out that such a chat, where the questions are moderated and only a select number are answered, could never be a complete representation of Phile response. So what did he say? Well, his perspective on truth was never so more apparent than his response to the question about Mulder's apparent lie to Scully regarding his health through last season: "He hadn't lied to her. The only thing that he did was withhold information last year...that he had been undergoing treatment." Aside from the fact that there was *no* indication in Mulder's behaviour, or in David's acting (and the man is the king of delivering more than just the words on the page) that Mulder was sick, an omission of truth is still a lie. And if there were one thing sure about Mulder and Scully's relationship, Mulder would not lie to her. And let us not overlook the fact that had he been ill, his recovery time in Brand X would have been that much longer, if not impossible. Commenting on the humorous tones of the episodes in recent years, Chris then told us: "This year, we're gonna go back to what we did so well in seasons one and two, and just tell good, scary stories." Aside from the fact that this comment speaks of turning one’s back on a natural evolution, we can't help feel that it would be difficult to recapture something you had when the circumstances are so different. The show was new, the concept ground-breaking at the time, and the audience… the audience were simply stunned and riveted to their seats by what was presented on the small screen. But we're an older and wiser audience, now, and we're pretty much immune to those dark corners. It's one reason why so many copycat shows have failed… they didn't have the magic of Mulder and Scully, and they weren't showing us anything we hadn't already seen. Does Chris really think you can go home again? Beyond that, what about the implication that the eps from seasons beyond 1 and 2 were more humorous? Well, perhaps some of them were. And a helluva lot weren't. Paper Hearts brought us serial killers. Grotesque brought the same, with the fear of one man's pursuit leading him into the darkness. With Momento Mori we faced death with Scully, and the desperate need for Mulder to fight against it for her and himself. Home. Sanguinarium. The list goes on. Season 6 *was* perhaps a lighter tone given to serious subjects, but hardly purely comedic. (Although I will admit the view of Scully as Mulder's saviour in Agua Mala sure made me laugh... unless the cat's name was Dana, too!) Season 7 was littered with villains that, in earlier seasons, would probably have made us blink. But brain-eaters, voodoo-practicing killers and death-fetishists are hardly scary when you've seen fat-sucking vampires, voodoo-practicing killers and the same death-fetishist in prior seasons. And really, Chris, it wasn't that these elements were *that* scary in the first place… it was looking at these through the eyes of Mulder and Scully that made the journey enthralling. Another Phile asked about the move from myth-arc to MOTW when Mulder is still missing. Very, very good point. Chris's answer? "We try to tell many different stories, and not lean too heavily on the alien mythology. It's been a winning approach and we'll probably stick to it." Let's see. According to you and Frank, Season 8 is using Mulder as the absent centre. Beyond 'Without' we get a load of MOTW eps, with likely a shot or two of Scully dreaming or reminiscing about Mulder. That makes Mulder the absent centre? Sure. Fine. Whatever. But Chris, while that winning approach may have seemed to work in the past, don't believe for one second that none of us ever questioned the formula. How you could go from "it’s all gone to hell" (to quote the sadly-missing Krycek) and the fratricide of Jeffrey Spender in One Son, to 'Mulder and Scully play house' in Arcadia and no further mention – ever – of the lamented Jeffrey, we just haven’t been able to figure out. Aliens and oiliens and mighty morphin’ bounty hunters we can find rationale for, but this leap from myth-arc to MOTW still stumps most of us, and leaves us questioning the logic… or lack thereof. On a more positive note, Chris did say that, should he have any say in the matter, we would never see the death of Mulder if David does eventually leave the show. Chris, apparently, has plans for more movies and wants to have David in them. Bloody good news, eh? Indeed! But pardon us if we adopt a 'believe it when we see it' attitude, Chris. You have such a penchant for saying one thing and delivering another, as if the constant teasing of us is oh so amusing. And let us not to forget your innate ability to be weirdly technical - ‘Mulder and Scully kissed in the movie’. Yeah, right. Scary that you thought a bee-interrupted attempt and mouth-to-mouth equated to a kiss. Your ‘we won’t see Mulder’s death’ statement leaves a whole scope of possibilities of not seeing it, but it still happening. (Told you we learned your lessons of paranoia well!). But what is it, particularly, which has some Philes so enraged at Chris? Which gives rise to him being despised? Well, frankly, it is comments like those Chris made in response to the Mulder and Scully relationship, and Scully's pregnancy. Chris stated that the pregnancy angle was a way to: "… keep the show interesting between two characters who are romantically involved but have never had any physical contact. It's sex, The X-Files way!" I guess Chris never heard of 'the boy who cried wolf', eh? Shipper or not - and some of us definitely are not - this constant tease of a more than platonic relationship between Mulder and Scully is exceedingly tiresome, Chris. Let it happen, or don't let it happen, but this walking the line between the two is losing your audience, and your fans, fast. Even your response to the plead from one Phile for the paternity of the baby to be Mulder: "The person asking that question has a great year in store." Too many teases, too many outright lies, and we just don't trust as easily, Chris. Your perspective of a 'great year' is highly suspect, and not helped by your response to the question concerning a possible romantic interest between Scully and Doggett. "It would be a very strange year if Scully, being pregnant and longing for Mulder, became romantically involved with Doggett...with everyone knowing that Mulder is ultimately going to return! But that sounds exactly like something I would do! (laugh)" Yeah, we know you would, Chris. But don't think for a second that's an endearing quality. And while still on the subject of the relationship, a question was asked 'why' about the Millenium kiss. Chris responded that: "… its still amazing to me that so much importance and anticipation could be locked up in an innocent smooch... when we see or almost see pretty racy sex on almost every other TV show." Well, for one thing, Chris, all that importance and anticipation was a result of the hype. A very good MOTW story, with a potential for some really good interaction between the former and current geniuses of the FBI, was down-played by the FOX Inc media-machine in their promotion of the kiss as the be all and end all of the episode. It wasn't. Secondly, and more importantly, perhaps, is the fact that your comment makes it clear that you truly do not realise where so much Phile focus lays. Mulder and Scully, Chris. The partnership. The friendship. The relationship, on whatever level you want it/see it. That UST that the media and fans have spoken of for so many years has been so *there* Chris, so much the subtext of the show, that one kiss between the characters is the equivalent of racy sex on any other show. Don't you get it, Chris? A final thought on the Mulder and Scully relationship issue. One Phile offered that a lot of fans want a happy ending for the two characters, and asked if Chris is influenced in his writing by this wish, Chris said: "I understand their need and I also understand about satisfying audience expectation, but I also know that people are prone to want things that aren't necessarily good for them. Or the characters. Or The X-Files, for that matter." Okay, we *may* give that you know what is good for the characters. We may even concede you know what is good for the show. (We say 'may' because we have some doubts… we do not, however, suffer any delusions about the fact that you own both the characters and the show.) What we will not concede to, Chris, is that you know what is good for us. It upsets us, Chris. Just look to those first few lines of this little essay to see how much. Other topics covered? There were many, so a quick look at a couple: Skinner and the nanocytes? Chris thinks we aren't sure the little blighters are still in the stud-muffin AD. Unless they are relegating *that* item to 'missing eps from season 7' status like the whole 'Scully going through in vitro' thing, we do know Krycek still controls the man. If nothing else, we know what ended up on the cutting room floor, sadly, in Sixth Extinction. Talk of the ratings, and Chris' excitement at the performance of the episode. Yeah, the ratings weren't bad, but they were a slide from the previous season's opener. The reason, Chris believes, is the: "… very good counter-programming on cable and on the other networks, natural attrition for a show in its later years, and general consumer appetites which are always looking for something new." Okay, we aren't advocating the demise of The X-Files by any means. Contrary to surface appearances, we do love this show. But let's be realistic and fair about this. Counter-programming? Yet *another* take on the story of the late (and much admired) Jackie O? Natural attrition for a show in its later years? The Simpsons can boast the same thing, yet its ratings were comparable to previous seasons. Consumer appetites looking for something new? No doubt, Chris. And you should remember some of those consumers were tuned into Malcolm in the Middle, a new show with a big audience. Is it such a stretch to admit the ratings may have had something to do with hangover of viewers watching that? (Afterall, advertising rates for some shows are based on the show preceding it in the timeslot) More talk of Doggett, and what about him would appeal to us. Chris responded by stating: "He's a very determined, capable, intelligent man and a person who is respectful of Scully and will ultimately be very protective of her during her pregnancy." Sounds great, Chris. And your ad-on to that about Mulder being on Scully's mind was nice to hear. But would it have killed ya to say "Like Mulder, he's a very determined.. yadda yadda yadda." Afterall, they share the same qualities, and lets face it, when so many of us focus on Mulder, a comparison to the man couldn't but help endear Doggett to wary Philes. Still, I suppose we did get a few crumbs in your comments that Mulder and Doggett share: "… their relentlessness, but also in their uncompromising quality, their protective natures and in their integrity...and that's pretty much it." It is nice to hear. But why oh why, we ask, weren't these words used when you were pushing Doggett down our throats in the pre-season PR which painted Mulder - *when* he was mentioned - as a porn-watching flake against Doggett's manly-manliness? Then we had a few Philes offering comments. One claimed Within as the best show in 7 seasons. One perspective. Sorry, Chris, not everyone thought so. Most reviews we read gave it everything from an F to a cautious B-, with the latter largely attributable to the fact that the show did revolve around Mulder, despite his absence. (And no, they weren't all anti-Doggett… in fact he was liked by many. Some of us are actually looking forward to seeing David and Robert acting together. But regardless, Doggett just isn't, and never will be, Mulder.) Another comment tried to convince Chris that the ATXF newsgroup response to the ep was "overwhelmingly positive". Well, I guess we read different ATXFs, because that statement is an exaggeration. Sure, there are positive posts there, but neither positive nor negative are "overwhelming" in their numbers. (In fact a lot of posts are focused on the U.S. elections, truth be told.) In any case, when asked about his reaction to this 'news', Chris responded: "I think what appealed to people most is that the same elements that have made the show a success are still intact. There are just additions and new loyalties, but I'd say in this case it's just about good storytelling...and an interesting approach from the actors and the director." Same elements. Yep. Mulder. Scully. Perhaps the best way to sum up the response of many to Chris Carter’s latest words about The X-Files is to quote another Phile… and one whom we have known to have been in the Phile community longer than some of *us* have been. "Thus endeth my relationship with this show, one which I regret beyond measure ever starting." Makes you wonder just who is going to be tuning into that other Carter effort when it is launched later in the season, eh? We're sorry, Chris, but a lot of us are just going to be too focused on what you will or won't be doing to Mulder, as well as the future of the Mulder and Scully relationship, to focus our attention on anything else.
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Fox
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