"Nobody down here but the FBI's most unwanted."

He may have been the FBI's most unwanted, but since those words were first uttered back in 1993, Fox Mulder has become one of the most written about, spoken about and beloved fictional characters in television history. From the very beginning, X-Philes were drawn into Mulder's world. We sat on the bed with Scully that night during the first episode when Mulder's quest was revealed, and like his skeptical partner, we took up the banner and followed him on his quest; like Scully, we believed in him and what he was trying to achieve. A rebel with a cause who against all naysayers followed his beliefs and his truths, Mulder inspired. His intelligence, his wit, his humanity all combined to present a truly unique character. He was the Pied Piper, and we followed him and Scully through 7 years of X-Files.

We followed Mulder and Scully from Friday nights to Sunday nights. We followed them to the movies. We followed them from Vancouver to Los Angeles. And we followed them, despite our doubts, when The Powers That Be kept renewing the show for new seasons beyond the perceived life expectancy.

Perhaps the email signature line of one particular X-Phile summed it up best for many, if not all.

"I'll quit watching the X-Files when they pull the remote out of my cold, dead hand."

Such was the dedication of the fans. It seemed, no matter what the changes, X-Philes were determined to stay as long as Mulder and Scully were still gracing their screens.

That attitude has changed dramatically for many. A great many. And the many want to be heard.

Season 8 was announced earlier this year, and Philes received the news with a great mix of emotions towards each of the elements that a season 8 proposed.

The circumstances which led to David Duchovny appearing in half of the episodes (or fewer, depending on which news brief you read/believed) was greeted with sadness, understanding and joy. Sadness in knowing that the character of Mulder would not be present in the majority of episodes and would likely be written out of the series by season's end, particularly if a season 9 (a possibility in Gillian's contract) went ahead. Understanding from knowing that David wanted to pursue other ventures and that, ultimately, an end had to come at some time anyway. (With both lead actors having expressed a desire to leave the show for a couple of years, the news of his imminent departure was hardly earth- or soul-shattering. It has been expected.) And joy? Simply that David would be back for at least enough episodes to bring some sort of closure to his character. For those focused on this factor, season 8 became season 7 1/2.

The decision to change the lineup of the characters on the show was received with virtually the same mix of emotions. Sadness to see the change, and for many who would tune out with the departure of Mulder -and/or the Mulder/Scully dynamic - sadness to reach the end of an era. Understanding, knowing that with David's reduced involvement, the workload would require the introduction of a new character. Joy, on hearing that some of the supporting characters for the show would finally get a chance to play a greater role in the series.

Those who were skeptical of the changes season 8 was bringing took comfort in the first murmurings to come from 1013 and Fox. Philes were assured that the new character, to be played by Robert Patrick, would not be a 'replacement' for Mulder. Those statements seemed to be an acknowledgment that Mulder was truly a unique character, and that no other actor could possibly bring to a similar role what David had brought to Mulder.

Nor was the character to be partnered with Scully, we were told. Again, this news was received well, because it appeared that The Powers That Be were attuned to the fact that Mulder and Scully were a unique partnership -that to put another partner with Scully would be like saying Ginger could dance with someone other than Fred. Not just inconceivable, it seemed downright sacrilegious.

Despite misgivings, those who had not already declared they would only tune in for the season 7 1/2 Mulder-episodes (although there are many who fell into this category of Philedom) were willing to give the Mulder-*less* episodes a chance.

But as time went on, further murmurings were heard. And these were not as pleasant or reassuring for Philes. There were declarations from Chris Carter that he could have used David more - or less. There was the realization that despite his protestations otherwise, Chris had indeed been willing to pursue season 8 without David had the latter not re-signed. (The fact that Chris Carter signed up well before an agreement was reached with David, and his later admission that he did so proves his earlier un-truth)

And then came the September 22 issue of Entertainment Weekly.

That the issue sported a cover featuring Gillian Anderson with Robert Patrick instead of David Duchovny was no real surprise. Net-savvy Philes were made aware of the David-less cover weeks before its issue. While it signaled the end of an era where The X-Files and magazine covers were concerned (bookshelves around the world runneth over with the literally hundreds of magazines which have featured the two actors), and while it looked strange to those used to seeing Mulder with Scully, there was acceptance. It was almost 'right' in a way. After 7 years of Mulder and Scully, 1013, et al. had some damage control to do, and promoting the new season and its apparent focus on the search for the now-missing Mulder seemed the way to go.

But if the photo was merely disconcerting, what lay within the pages of this issue was downright abominable - and this is where Chris Carter and 20th Century Fox have made a grave tactical error. In an attempt to promote the new season, and to re-assure X-Philes that The X-Files will go on, that it can survive the change, The Powers That Be have done nothing short of almost ensuring otherwise. For Philes are enraged.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Chris Carter believes [Robert Patrick] communicated Doggett's blue-collar essence and imbues his FBI agent with a Dirty Harry-esque sense of righteous menace. As stand-up as Mulder is flaky, this G-man is not likely to be seen thumbing through Adult Video News or traipsing off to Graceland for a kitschy holiday.

Does not Chris Carter realize that one of the many facets of Mulder's appeal to Philes was his individuality and his atypical strength of character and presence? Apparently not. Flaky? A lovely way to describe a character who has stood his own ground, who has battled against all who would undermine his search for the truth, and who has borne the losses such a search has cost. Why it was necessary to denigrate one character in the process of promoting another is unknown, but it has been a costly mistake.

And it went further: "There's heat," says Carter. "Robert's got a very masculine quality."

If silence is accepted as acquiescence, then a statement of a new actor's masculinity is tantamount to claiming a lack of such of the former incumbent. Mulder not masculine? David not masculine? What show has Chris been watching? Or has he fallen prey to that myth that physical dominance equals masculinity? Mulder as portrayed by David may not have beaten up every bad guy he was confronted with but, in the words of one X-Phile, he was the "heart, spirit and soul of the X-Files." David's character rarely needed to act so aggressively - Mulder achieved much more with subtle yet effective means of communication.

And what of the Mulder and Scully dynamic? Gillian Anderson was quoted as saying "David's and my chemistry has been a topic of conversation for a long period of time, and it's valid and tangible, and so is the chemistry between Robert and me, thank God." The actress added: "I hope that people can open their minds enough to allow a natural progression to take place."

That's a big hope. A huge hope. When the last season ended with Mulder missing in action, and Scully carrying his child (because let's face it, few Philes would accept any other conclusion, regardless of their take on the Mulder/Scully relationship), a hope for Philes to accept a new chemistry is less than humble. Shipper or noromo, it doesn't matter. How is any Phile supposed to move from 7 years of perhaps the most unique and talked-about partnership in television history to immediate acceptance of this new joining, especially if it smacks of 'progressing' to something more? Hardly a natural progression. Small wonder that minds may be 'closed' when the alternative is unthinkable.

There were other comments made which caused a reaction amongst some Philes, but some of those are best responded to by the person they affected the most - though one suspects that he will show a greater restraint and circumspection than others have to date. Suffice to say that if any of the actors have found new motivation because of the change, more power to them; *we* won't assume to speak for them and claim otherwise.

And it's heartening to read in EW that the series' creator "is taking a decidedly hands-on approach to season 8". Do we dare suggest it is a lack of being hands-on that has made him ignorant of just what it is that made this show the success it was?

That everyone involved needed to put a positive spin on the new format of the show is not disputed. It was expected. But that it had to be done at the cost of undermining and devaluing what came before is greatly in question.

But what of the new face to the X-Files? If the online reaction by Philes has been anything to go by, Robert Patrick was going to be given a good, fair chance to prove himself. After all, credit must be given to any actor who joins such a successful show 7 years in, especially one which is not a truly ensemble show but which ran on the strength of the lead characters and the brilliant performances of the actors who portrayed them.

If online reaction *is* anything to go by, however, the EW article has tainted the chances for success. And you can't but help think that Robert's response to the question of romance between Doggett and Scully in a recent People magazine - and what an offensive question it was, considering the pregnancy angle the show has taken and the importance of the Mulder and Scully relationship (on whatever level) to Philes - could have been phrased a little better: "I think sparks are already flying! I don't know if they will write anything like that, but Gillian and I have great chemistry so far. I enjoy working with her."

We're happy for you, Robert, truly. But considering the Mulder and Scully partnership is so key to Phile focus on the show, please don't take it personally if many are not excited by the sparks you are lighting.

The final straw came from Entertainment Weekly on E! News Daily. Interviewing Robert Patrick as part of the Fox promotion for the new season, the EW commentator was quoted as saying of X-Files fans that "... by the end of the season, they may be wishing Mulder gone." For an entertainment magazine and show which has followed The X-Files and the fandom it sparked from the beginning, this statement showed an incredible ignorance of the reason for its success and a total disregard for the commitment and focus those fans have shown for the past 7 years. Were it not for statements already issued by 1013, et al. themselves, the fact that this comment made it to air would have been surprising.

It was, however, the final statement in a long line of them which led us to our own truths:

Fox Mulder has now become 1013 and 20th Century Fox's most unwanted. Moreover, he seems to have been forgotten, as has the fact that this character's quest was the cornerstone of The X-Files for seven years. Barely had Skinner's tears fallen for him in 'Requiem' than Mulder's office was all but renovated, the cherished 'I Want To Believe' poster pulled down, and the sunflower seeds swept off the desk and into the nearest trash can.

Sure. Fine. Whatever. If that's the way it is to be, then let it be. But in the face of The X-Files: The Next Generation gearing up for the next 7 years, Philes are uniting to make one request:

Give us closure, and give Mulder a just, graceful and dignified exit. He deserves it, and so do we. No ratings grab attempts with NYPD Blue-death exits, no tacky 'gone crazy' lockups, no cliched mysterious 'never-to-be-resolved' cliff-hanger disappearances which will leave Philes wondering and debating for years. And most importantly, no revisionist history and blatant disregard for character and plot continuity (not to mention a complete ruination of the re-runs and cancellation of DVD orders) in a sudden betrayal by the few who Mulder came to trust. Treat him with the respect he deserves. Mulder has traveled a long and hard course to get where he is, and after so much hard work, after so much endured, he deserves to walk away intact. And so do the Philes who followed him.

It should be stressed that we are *not* trying to tell 1013, et al. what to do. We are just attempting to remind them that we haven't forgotten Mulder, that we still care for him, and we want what anybody would want for a good friend - simply to be treated with respect and dignity.

Gillian Anderson was quoted once as saying of the show's expected life: "It would be a big mistake to try and draw it out. It would be great to go out with a modicum of respect." If the show can't go out with that respect, at least one of the two main characters can. Can't he?

As for the man who gave life and soul to Fox Mulder: David, thank you for giving us *your* Fox Mulder, for your contribution to something which has brought so many of us together, and for returning for season 7 1/2. Our best wishes for a long and successful career and happy life.

Monica Duff
X-Philes for Mulder.

 

Fox forgets Mulder.
Philes forget the X-Files.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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