Last night I finished watching all nine season and two movies in the X-Files library. When the show was first on I never saw it. I was in high school and only watched a small handful of shows. When I saw the preview for the movie ‘I Want To Believe’ last year I wanted to see it, but forgot about it while it was in theaters. The movie caught my eye because the phrase ‘I Want To Believe’ has always been something I was drawn to — in fact the word believe is my “life word” (if there is such a cheesy thing). When the movie came out on video I rented it from the redbox and brought it home, oh so little did I know that would be the point where my thoughts on tv and media would completely change.
From the first time I saw “I Want To Believe’ I was hooked and did not even know it. I posted on twitter how much I loved the movie and wondered if the show was as good. Many people spoke up and told me to get the show on netflix that I would love it. So I added season 1 to my cue and from the first episode I knew I loved this show.
It is weird to start watching something years after everyone already knows the story, knows the jokes, knows the meaning. I did not want to stop watching the show I just kept watching until the very last episode of season nine and then watched “I Want To Believe’ again. My next step is to purchase the ultimate collection box set. I do not want this story to end (hopefully one more movie in 2012 if what I am reading on the www is correct).
For those of you who know the show you understand the chemistry that these two characters had. For those of you who don’t it is unlike anything I have seen before. Forget Rachel and Ross — really who cared in the end with all their whiney ass shit. Who cares if Clark and Lois get together — all these relationships fall so short of what was presented in the X-Files. Mulder and Scully were the first couple that I wanted to get together in a show and I had no doubt that it would not ruin it. When a relationship is built on that kind of friendship and trust it can not go wrong. When they lost each other my heart broke and I felt broken for Scully as she searched for Mulder. I have never been taken on an emotional roller coaster like this from a tv show.
The relationship was just one aspect of this show. The dry humor from Mulder was the most amazing dialogue on tv. The story lines of paranormal were top notch (okay a few really cheesy stories, but they were well played cheese). Even with more money and better technology the storyline of X-Files is far superior to it’s modern day counterpart ‘Fringe’.
I do know that I am stating the obvious to so many people but for those of you who have not watched the X-Files do yourself a favor and start. One of my favorite episodes was in season nine called “Trust No 1”. In this episode Scully is writing a letter to her and Mulder’s son William and this letter should be read to everyone. It is now part of my mantra. Here is my interpretation of that letter.
There is a sacred imperishable truth, but one I may never hope to find alone. Chance meeting my perfect other, my perfect opposite – my protector and endanger. Chance embarking with this other on the greatest of journeys–a search for truths fugitive and imponderable. If one day this chance befall me, do not fail or falter to seize it. The truths are out there. And if one day I should behold a miracle – I will learn the truth is not found in science, or on some unseen plane, but by looking into my own heart. And in that moment I will be blessed – and stricken. For the truest truths are what hold people together, or keep them painfully, desperately apart.
In the last episode is one of my other favorite take-aways from the show. To give a bit of setup Scully has asked Mulder what there is left to believe in since he knows the truth and knows what high cost the truth came with.
Mulder: I want to believe that… the dead are not lost to us. That they speak to us… as part of something greater than us – greater than any alien force. And if you and I are powerless now, I want to believe that if we listen, to what’s speaking, it can give us the power to save ourselves.
Scully: Then we believe the same thing.
Mulder: Maybe there’s hope.
I walk away from The X-Files with this: maybe there’s hope…we just need to believe.
Technorati Tags: The X-Files, X Files, Mulder, Scully, Believe, Gillian Anderson, David Duchovny
Michael
December 15, 2009
So, you'd probably fall into the shipper category of X-Philes then…:)
I watched the series as it unfolded on TV–got hooked when it got an Emmy nod in season two and after many recommendations from fellow SF TV fans.
I will admit I didn't like seasons eight and nine as much, simply because by removing Duchonvy, you removed much of the dynamic in the partnership that built up between the two. I also got critical in later years when the mythology fell apart because it's apparent Chris Carter had no clue where it was all headed. The man had no idea this show would be the phenomenon it was. I think he wrote the mythology into late season one and early season two figuring the show would get canned at any time and he just wanted to have fun with it.
Years later, I've got it all on DVD and have gone back to the early years and love it. Seasons two and three may be some of the best in television history.
Michael
December 15, 2009
Oh and I will admit I despised the last episode at the time….if only because it didn't give us any answers and was a rehash of all we'd seen for the past nine years.
The last movie gave us a far better sense of closure than the actual series finale….
Reba
December 15, 2009
Michael – Yes
I do have to admit I missed Mulder when he took his leave in season 8, but also found myself liking Doggett and Reyes…mostly the Reyes character. She brought back some of the Mulder feelings. But was so happy to see Mulder return for the last episode even though it was more of a lets condense 9 years.
I loved watching the latest movie after seeing all the years of the episodes. It made it so much more clear why she "could not go into the darkness with him".
I absolutely love the show and regret not watching it when it was on but so glad I found it.
Is that a Dr. Who icon? I just started watching Dr. Who on netflix instant and love it!