X-pectation

Since the announcement of the return of The X-Files, I’ve seen various entertainment outlets and blogs posting their lists of top 10 or 20 or 7 or 103 things that they expect to see in the show’s revival.  Skinner, a new Flukeman-like monster, Vince Gilligan, no Samantha, more alien conspiracy stuff, Mulder and Scully having sex, Mulder and Scully not having sex.  These were amusing, and it crossed my mind to come up with my own list.  But I then realized that my list is very short…  There’s actually only one thing on it.

What I want and all that I expect from the return of my favorite show is exceptional storytelling.

Or to be more precise, exceptional storytelling, told by a group of remarkably talented people, revolving around two fascinating characters.  When it comes down to it, that’s what The X-Files was and is, and is why it is considered one of the greatest TV shows of all time.

The X-Files stands as one of those occurrences that are few and far between in the entertainment industry… when every aspect of a production comes together and just clicks, creating all around great stories.  Because after all, that is the general goal of any TV, film, or theatrical production.  But not all are lucky enough to achieve that.  There is so much that goes into any production that if any one aspect is a little off, it can take it from being great, to just okay… or as my father would say, “It had the potential to be good.”

The X-Files managed to hit the mark in every aspect that a production can.  It has great writing, directing, and acting… the special effects were top-notch, the cinematography show defining and medium changing,

The plotlines are interesting, complex and thought provoking.  The end of an episode always left you wondering, curious and questioning the world around you.  They always treated their audience as intelligent beings, never talking down to us or blatantly throwing things in our faces.

They could take themselves seriously, just as well as they could completely make fun of themselves.  Each week you never knew what to expect.  You could get the crap scared out of you, you could have a mind-boggling conspiracy to unravel, you could be crying your eyes out, or you could be laughing your ass off.  You never knew.

Yes, that’s a smoking alien.

Their writing and producing staff has gone on to create some of the best TV in the past decade as well.  Breaking Bad, anyone?  Most people know Vince Gilligan’s name now, did you also know he was key player on The X-Files? How about Howard Gordon of 24 and Homeland?  Also, an X-Files alum.  Frank Spotnitz, Glen Morgan, Darin Morgan, John Shiban, James Wong… follow anything they’ve done and you’re bound to come across some great writing/producing.  Not to mention J.J. Abrams is a huge fan and attributes a lot of the inspiration for his work to The X-Files.

You know that cinematic look that television has today?  The X-Files started that trend by setting out to make a movie quality television episode every week.  Before that, there was a vast difference between the way TV was shot and the way movies were shot. Filming in Vancouver for the first five years allowed them to put more of their budget towards making their effects and the show look film worthy.  In doing so, they raised the bar for everyone else.

The show also had a look all it’s own.  Dark and shadowy, the lighting left a lot up to our imaginations, which made it even more terrifying.  Using only flashlights to light entire scenes, beams bouncing off reflective surfaces, is an X-Files staple. It’s one that I see shows today use every now and again, and whenever I do it makes me smile.

They constantly pushed the envelope of what you could do on TV, from controversial stories of murderous incestuous families, to different methods of shooting a television episode.

Everyone this year was amazed by the continuous shot filming method of Birdman.  Well, did you know that Alfred Hitchcock filmed Rope in that style?  And The X-Files, inspired by that, made the episode Triangle using that same method. It wasn’t that they were just telling cookie cutter stories they were constantly trying new things in their design, directing and writing.  They weren’t just making a TV show, they were pushing their industry, challenging themselves, and making art.

The 6th season episode Triangle, used  the continuous shot method in a tribute to Hitchcock, as well as making various nods to The Wizard of Oz.

But then let’s not forget one of the most important aspects of storytelling.  You then add that the whole thing revolved around two characters that we cared for immensely.  David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson brought to life these intelligent and interesting characters who represent battling sides of us all, the side that wants to believe and the side that knows to think rationally.

But not only that, this was one of the best casting choices ever made, as one of the hardest things to do is to cast great actors who can not only bring a character to life, but also connect to the other characters.  Lacking that, the characters will seem less real, making it hard for the audience to become attached to them and want to come back to watch them every week.  Yes, I am referring to what is generally known as ‘chemistry’ and these two had it in abundance.

Because of the undeniable connection between these two characters, it didn’t matter how many times their lives were threatened, it didn’t matter we were fairly sure that they weren’t going to be killed off, we were still whole heartedly in for the ride because we were pining for the one who didn’t know their partner was going to be ok.  We would follow Mulder and Scully to the ends of the earth and back, and we did on various occasions.

Even when an episode was not one of the best (when you’re dealing with a twenty four episode season, there’s going to be a few that aren’t great), they brought such skill and intelligence to these characters, that even when the premise was weird or the story was just a bit off, you would still be completely enthralled just listening to the two of them talk about goat suckers for an hour.

They had us at “Nobody down here but the FBI’s most unwanted”.

There are many shows that I try to watch because I like the premise, or there are actors that I like in the cast, but I eventually stop watching because the writing is horrific or the directing is not great, the way it is edited makes no sense, or I have zero interest in the characters.  Call me a snob or too picky all you want but if I’m going to dedicate time to watching a show, I want it to be worth it.

Chris Carter instilled in me a high standard for my television viewing and I thank him for that.  He brought together a large group of extremely talented people and created some truly phenomenal medium changing storytelling.

I once had the amazing experience to find myself sitting in a restaurant, across a table from Chris Carter and David Duchovny.  Everything I could ever have said, left my brain… but I did manage to get out a few things, including this subject.  To which they unanimously responded that they were brand new to this whole thing, and really had no idea what they were doing when they started out.  Which makes this feat even more impressive.

Some people go to great schools for this, some spend years working in the industry learning how to tell stories, but not all figure it out.  And then there are those who just have the knack for it, and the knack for finding others who are just as good at it, they all lend to each others’ strengths and weaknesses and create something that people are still interested in seeing more of 22 years later.

So all that I expect and am looking forward to with the return of The X-Files, is this group of people coming together again and doing what they do best. Telling great stories.

It’s gonna be so good!!