««Articles Index X Marks The Spot From TV Week (Canada)- May 4-10, 2002 Issue Transcribed by Megan Written by Dave Waldon Calling it quits after nine seasons, THE X-FILES hopes to go out with a bang, not a whimper The truth about The X-Files came out in January, and it wasn't pretty: After nine years of creeping out television audiences with aliens, black oil and David Duchovny's steely stares, the series would wrap productions this season. "We wanted to go out as a strong show," series creator Chris Carter told reporters, but fans had already accepted that the show had long since worn out its welcome, and the magic that had turned it into a cultural landmark had vanished. For hardcore fans, the debate will go on for eons about when exactly the magic disappeared. Many felt that it was a mistake for the show to return for a ninth season without Duchovny, especially when the previous year had ended on such a final note - with crusading FBI agents Fox Mulder (Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Anderson) clutching their newborn son in an atmosphere of joy (or as close as is possible in their dark universe). Others claim the end came a year earlier, when Duchovny became a part-time player by choice and was replaced on the show by square-jawed Robert Patrick (Terminator 2) as John Doggett. Still others point to the fall of 1998, when Carter uprooted the production from Vancouver (which had lent itself rather nicely to the show's gloomy realm) to the sunny climes of Hollywood at the proding of Duchovny and Anderson. Regardless of when the downhill slide began, there's no denying The X-Files has left a permanent mark on pop culture. Even in its final days, as conspiracy theories grind on and the cast roster continually shifts, the show remains compelling more often than not (though lately, it's been Anderson doing the sideline work, while Doggett skulks around with his new primary partner, Monica Reyes, played by Annabeth Gish). With the countdown to the finale, interest is sure to rise once again to orbital heights, as well it should. After all, the show not only established the careers of Duchovny and Anderson, it also revitalized the science-fiction genre, particularly on the small screen. Indeed, before Carter came along, any fantasy that didn't boast the words "Star" and "Trek" in the title was considered a risky venture. The success of The X-Files, however, followed the tack of most hit TV shows - it launched about a million variations on the theme. Although most stuggled to find an audience - including Carter's own Millennium, X spinoff The Lone Gunmen and Harsh Realm - even these shows became cult classics, and a choice few managed to make it. In fact, on of them, Alias (which, to be fair, lacks true sci-fi elements but has everything else), may have helped bury its distant relative by thrashing it in the U.S. ratings week after week. All of which leads us, in typical X-Files style, to the truth - or, more accurately, The Truth, the two-finale (airing Sunday, May 19). Obviously, Carter and the Fox network are keeping the details close to their respective vests, but it is a certainty that Duchovny will be back, along with every other important character from the past and present, including a few assumed to be dead. All of the show's major stars have healthy movie careers, which will likely include a new X-Files flick. Expect more novelizations and unofficial fan fiction that will bring up new conspiracies and villains - and then there's always the blessing of syndication. Yes, the real truth is that while The X-Files may be going away, it really isn't going anywhere at all. It's just doing what any good alien would do - passing on to a different form, minus that disgusting shedding of skin that grosses people out. "The X-Files" TM and © (or copyright) Fox and its related entities. All rights reserved. Any reproduction, duplication or distribution of these materials in any form is expressly prohibited.; This web site, its operators and any content on this site relating to "The X-Files" are not authorized by Fox. Original content and design © xfmegan 2000-2007