Editorial
Leading horses to water and trying to make them drink

I shouldn't really expect anything less from a magazine that owes its existence to the success of the show and the co-operation from 1013 and FOX et al. to publish the contents. And I guess I didn’t, really. Still expecting it and seeing it are two different things entirely, as anyone who saw the latest Entertainment Weekly cover will tell you.

The latest issue of The Official Fan Club Magazine is rife with articles and messages designed to convince one and all that The X-Files will be going on without David Duchovny. Considering the changes and the potential for season 9 and other seasons, perhaps understandable. But did they have to do it in such a condescending manner? Did they have to insult our intelligence? Did they have to do it in such a way as to make it so clear that they, like CC et al., have forgotten David’s going to be around for part of season 8? When for many of us David’s appearances are all we’ll be watching, this issue of the magazine was as painful to read – if not more so – as the Entertainment Weekly.

The editorial at the front of the page gives us the first inkling that we are not only being asked to accept the new format, we're being told we will.

In a 'we're all in this together' manner which makes you realize these people really don’t know the intelligence level of their audience, we're told we're anxious about the new season. Well, yes, we are… some of us. Though - no doubt - not for the same reasons. Their concerns appear to be how we're going to accept the new character. My concerns, and those of many others, are more about how they're going to say good-bye to the old character, the one on whom The X-Files was based. And the anxiety on this score seems to be justified, given all the recent press.

So I don't share their anxiety. Nor did I breathe the sigh of relief they apparently did when The Powers That Be announced season 8. Truth be told, as much as I would have preferred a better ending, I, like many others, was quite happy for season 7 to end the series. In fear of what the Powers would do in season 8, and what it would mean for Mulder and The X-Files as a whole, I preferred an ending right there and then. No, my sigh was one more of resignation, knowing that 1013 and Fox et al., wouldn't let The X-Files end on a high note, going for the financial gain at the expense of creativity and history.

And I had no anxiety about the fact that David Duchovny would only appear in half (or less) episodes. While I knew I would miss seeing him in each episode - his unique portrayal of Mulder and the dynamic interaction with Gillian as Scully has made even the worst of episodes bearable - I understood perfectly his reasons for wanting to move on. I reveled in the fact that he was able to settle his lawsuit, and I appreciated the fact that given the way the season ended, he would be back for part of season 8. It meant a chance for a closure to his character.

So far, up to that point in the Official Magazine’s editorial, we merely had a difference of perspective.

But you know, I balk at being told "we're not giving the creative team behind The X-Files enough credit." Don’t tell me what I am or am not doing. You don’t know.

For the record, I *do* acknowledge all the things mentioned in the editorial (well, except for Christmas Carol - personally I've always had trouble getting past the continuity problems in that arc - and Musings of a CSM - this was the point where that character truly lost his menace ). And despite the patronizing tone used – they would be well advized to remember that a good majority of the audience are adults - I also remember that the 1013 team also gave us CSM, Krycek, Skinner, Spender and Fowley. Though for the record I don't need to forgive them for Spender or Fowley -- I thought both were great characters, and I’m sorry they were exited from the show well before their time.

And sidetracking for a moment - I wonder at this need for apology. One suspects they believe Fowley was seen only as a threat to the Mulder and Scully relationship. How sad to believe all reactions are so simple. But if they acknowledge that the Mulder/Scully relationship was sacrosanct, why the need to push the new guy as if the Mulder/Scully relationship no longer matters?

Yes, that was a rhetorical question. It’s obvious, given the tone of the article and the magazine itself, that this mention of forgiveness to be bestowed on 1013 et al. for Fowley is merely a ploy. The folks at MVP Media want to convince readers that they understand how all Philes feel, and therefore are in a position to assure us that all will be well. Do they really believe we can be lead so easily? That we’re that gullible?

They tell us, of the 1013 crew, that:

"Basically they've all come through for us in the past."

Yeah? Anyone remember Fight Club? How about that stereotypical - and inaccurate - look at male behavior and 'women fighting the boys club syndrome - and supposedly winning' First Person Shooter? Humiliating was right, Mulder. "No fair picking on the girl." Ack! And can anyone say El Mundo Gira? I thought we could.

If we can accept The X-Files has been great television, and the guys at 1013 have delivered superior work, why can't we in the same breath acknowledge that sometimes it hasn't worked? And that for each person, what has worked and what hasn't differs. I know many Philes thought FPS was great - and more power to them. But in the face of concerns for season 8, don't try and tell us that everything will be okay because it has always worked. It hasn't.

"So we should just sit back and enjoy the ride."

In other words, 'trust them'. And perhaps an unspoken ‘there’s not much you can do about it?’ Come on, after 7 years of 'trust no one'? After repeated contradiction of statements issued to at first soothe our worried brows, why would sitting back seem like a good option when the ride ahead looks incredibly unsafe?

And if I can't accept that line, don't believe I will accept the "get ready to wave your Special Agent John Doggett Fan Club flag, if I were you."

I'm sorry, but if you were me, you wouldn't be getting ready. And its nothing against the character, the actor, or the new format of the show. Its simply that I am not interested in watching The X-Files without Mulder being in it. He was, and will be, the only reason I watch the show (and thus why I am so concerned about this total disregard for the character and the actor).

But even if I had been inclined to check out The X-Files:The Next Generation, I hope I would not have insulted the 7 year dedication of Philes by suggesting so early in the new season that we should switch our focus to the new guy when the ‘old’ guy hasn’t even left. Not when I know how pivotal Mulder/David have been to their focus, and how important the Mulder and Scully relationship (on whatever level) has been to Philes and to the success of the show as a whole. This attitude was insulting – to us, to Robert Patrick, and, of course, to David Duchovny.

But that's just my perspective.

From the editorial, to:

* the letters which were obviously selected to show only a positive spin (and I know they were sent some of the opposite)

* to a summary of Chris Carter's appearance at the San Diego con (which conveniently overlooked the tacky remark he made about David's lawsuit win)

* to Frank's interview (see link to commentary)

* to an obvious decrease in the number of photos featuring David (bar the multitude of advertisements which seem to increasingly account for the content of the mag – I wonder if they realize all the ads in the world featuring David won’t attract new members if the content lacks same)

For all of the above - and other reasons - I won't be renewing with the Fan Club. And while I have been an avid collector of all things X-Philes since the show’s inception…

Anybody want my copy of the magazine?

Fox forgets Mulder.
Philes forget the X-Files.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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