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HERC Reviews The X-FILES Finale!!

Published at:  May 20, 2001 1:43:35 PM CDT

SPOILER ALERT !!

X-FILES 8.21 FAQ



What’s it called?


“Existence.”

Will the “X-Files” be back for a ninth season?


Yes. Fox confirmed this on Thursday.

Will David Duchovny be back next season?


After tonight, there are no plans to bring back Spooky until the next movie.

Who’s responsible for the finale?


Teleplay is credited to series creator Chris Carter.

What does TV Guide say?


“The eighth-season finale concludes with Scully giving birth. If only it were that simple. For starters, Doggett is the only one who knows where Scully, with the help of Reyes (Annabeth Gish), has gone to deliver her baby: an abandoned Georgia town with no heat or running water. Back at the FBI, Krycek (Nicholas Lea) tells one story, while Doggett hears another about the entity named Billy Miles. So Doggett, Skinner and Mulder try to figure out who's who - and who's aligned with whom. Meanwhile, Reyes manages to clean up Scully's temporary ghost-town home, where the absence of boiled water is the least of their problems.”

Is Billy Miles dead?


Maybe, but he’s definitely not out of the picture. At the beginning of the teaser, he’s delivered to the morgue as a cube of compacted flesh, fresh off that garbage truck from last episode. By the first act, the terminator-like alien killing machine is striding off the FBI elevator in perfect condition, looking for clues as to Scully’s whereabouts.

Miles is still terminator-like?


He is. And by the way Miles runs, jumps and deals with elevators, one gets the decided impression that Chris Carter really liked “Terminator 2.” A lot.

The big news?


David Duchovny does something fans have been waiting for for a long, long time. (But does it come too late for fans to care?)

We see Scully give birth?


We do.

Is Little Scully human?


There’s definitely a sense that the sound editors twisted the newborn’s first screams into sinister, slightly inhuman wails.

Does she name it “Larek” or “Bleem?”


She names it “William.” One wonders how many X-fans will be able to guess why before 9:55 p.m. ET.

Do Mulder & Scully both survive the episode?


They do.

Is that CIAlien played by Adam “Animal Mother” Baldwin back?


He is, but then, this episode is perfectly teeming with fleshy, bumpy-necked puppets.

Is Monica Reyes one of them?


How dare you?

Do the Lone Gunmen have much to do?


They just help out with a bit of exposition toward the end.

Are they in the company of Jimmy and/or Yves?

Of course not.

Does something big happen you’re not talking about?


There’s some long-in-coming payback.

What’s good?


The teaser features some very elegant prop design and special effects as Miles begins rebuilding himself from a single chromium vertebra. The Miles stuff remains suspenseful. There’s a pretty blue light in the woods. And even an “X-Files” dilettante like myself can recognize the closure long-time fans might derive from a few of this episode’s events.

What’s not so good?


A few scenes felt a tad repetitive. The borrowings from “Terminator” really were a bit much this week. And, honestly, the episode’s very final bit of business did, to me, have an obligatory and inorganic feel to it.

How does it end?


With this dialogue:

SCULLY: From the moment I became pregnant, I feared the truth – about how – and why. And I know you feared it too.

MULDER: I think we feared the possibilities. The truth we both know.

SCULLY: Which is what?

Herc’s rating for “The X-Files” 8.21?


***1/2



The Hercules T. Strong Rating System 2.0:


***** better than we deserve

**** better than most motion pictures

*** actually worth your valuable time

** as horrible as most stuff on TV

* makes you quietly pray for bulletins

Puny Receptacle!



I am – Hercules!










    + Expand All

    Readers Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 1:49:01 PM CDT

    Good season...

    by gravyakira

    Way better than that peice of crap you call last season. Robert patrick has been a great addition.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 2:05:01 PM CDT

    Season notes

    by saintx99

    I agree, Patrick has given the show new life, and I can't wait until he comes into his own limelight next season.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 2:36:27 PM CDT

    the really skinny on what happens.... ***SPOILERS***

    by superkev

    The aliens leave the baby alone after it turns out to be "different to what they expected" (e.g. a normal, human baby boy).

    At the very end, Mulder comes to see Scully at her apartment. The Lone Gunmen are there bearing gifts, but leave. Mulder then holds the baby, he asks what it's going to be called. "William, after your father" Scully tells him. He then jokes about little Will jr. has Scully's coloring and eyes, but it looks suspiciously like AD Skinner. Both laugh. Then comes the dialog that Herc said. But then comes the real clincher: They KISS. Not a normal kiss a la Trangle or Millennium, but a proper, romantic kiss. Camera focused on M, S and baby, slowly zooms out from bedroom door. Credits roll.

    The impression the ep gives is that the baby is human and is Mulders, judging from the interaction of M, S and baby

    Reply to Talkback

  • That episode last week was really the best I've seen since like season 4. Last season was just bad. Glad they seem to be cleaning up some of the loose threads. If they do have a genuine romantic kiss, how exactly will they phase Mulder out next season. I'd assumed something would happen where Mulder would have to take the baby to raise in South America or something. Guess with the cancellation of The Lone Gunmen he could join them.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 3:34:27 PM CDT

    Peanut: You are da vinnah!

    by hercules

  • May 20, 2001 3:37:03 PM CDT

    Two Williams

    by ophelia 's twin

    I'm going to reveal my geeky fanaticism of early season "X-Files" and point out that both Mulder's dad AND Scully's dad were named William. (However, I've been losing track of the mythology in recent years. At one point, wasn't it implied that Bill Mulder wasn't Fox's biological father? Was that ever confirmed? Or just another of the innumerable loose ends that have never been tied up.) *** Without having seen the episode, I'd like to go on record as being repulsed by it if it concludes with the "romantic kiss" as described above--repulsed on several different levels that I don't have time to get into right now.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 4:54:17 PM CDT

    Sanctimonious BS as usual **SPOILERS***

    by raingirl

    - Lots of Jesus imagery.

    - The kids not an alien, nor is he abducted. There is no good explanation of why not.

    - The last scene has M&S kissing while holding the baby between them.

    - There is no explanation of why/how Mulder will be gone next year.

    - There are strong hints that Mulder is the father, but there is no explanation of how.


    And the pro romance fans are already bragging. One kiss and they'll digest anything. No point, no resolution, no clarification of the
    past eight years, just much running around and shouting, but a kiss, so all is right with their world.

    Every sweeps period for the last four years, we're given a "climax" that wasn't
    really, because it didn't actually tie up any story threads, followed by a false "resolution" that didn't work because the
    "climax" wasn't real.

    And most of you people are so trapped in your fandom, you don't even know when you're being conned.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 5:00:32 PM CDT

    The Truth

    by bongjuice

    First we have Jay Avocone, now we have the real crossover, Scully gives birth to the REAL Harssess child.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 6:09:56 PM CDT

    message to skinner

    by mimirogers3rdnip

    when you get in an elevator which contains only one other person dont stand a foot from the doors. people will think you odd. oh, and if youre driving a car with an alien hanging onto the outside while choking your passenger, dont shout advice like "get him off!"

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 6:10:59 PM CDT

    Okay, huh?

    by goody2shoes

  • May 20, 2001 6:18:01 PM CDT

    They Did It!!! What a great way to end the season...

    by booyotchtheonly

    On the Mulder/Scully front, no more BS stalling, no more what-if's... they gave everyone what they always wanted, and thought should happen....
    They could have done the "artistic" tragic or sad ending, but that would have been the dumbest move...

    Hope they end the series with another movie....

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 6:22:13 PM CDT

    "The Truth We Both Know."

    by pr_gmr

    And so was the final line of dialogue of Fox Mulder Duchovny on tonight's X-Files season finale:"The Truth We Both Know."

    For those who are extremely dense that means Scully's baby is indeed Mulder's.The kiss at the end was the seal of closure and perhaps the kiss all us fans had been expecting through all the X-files season...whether we had liked it or not.

    This was an excellent episode..and I agree with Herck--finally,Closure!!

    And that 'long coming payback' Herc mentioned...that was double-crossing,father-killing,one-armed,Skinner-torturing,all-around-scum Krychek finally taking it between the eyes. Ohhh yeah--THAT was closure.

    From that opening with Billy Miles regeneration (very obvious T2 overtones all through--kudos for the 'arm thru the elevator' scene) to Scully and Mulder's final kiss...I got my closure.

    This is probably it for me.I might not be watching next season..even if Scully's back.If Carter ever makes another X-files movie with Scully and Mulder I'll be there.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 6:26:59 PM CDT

    I almost felt sorry about...

    by dingo

    ...not watching the show since season four, untill I read this. Sorry. I used to love this show.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 6:30:14 PM CDT

    Random rants

    by gasgano

    Good news: Mulder and Scully are officially together. Bad news: now both Krycek and CSM are gone. Exactly who are the bad guys now? Kersh? Various personality-free human replicants? (Somebody call a blade runner!) Worse news: no Mulder next season. Suggestion: bring back Yves!

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 6:34:39 PM CDT

    First, let me address the naysayers...

    by denise/dennis

    For those of you who feel the show should have been cancelled two seasons ago, what the heck are you thinking?? This is Hollywood, and 20th Century Fox!! The X-Files made money; no way in hell Hollywood can just ignore that for art's sake. If you don't like Hollywood or the show, cool, don't watch. But for me, this season has totally been worth it for several reasons: (1) The episode where Scully gets the slug in her body in that freaky weird ass hick town in the hills; scary as any episode (2) the episode where that guy gets into Doggett's dreams; also scary and kick ass (3) Doggett in general, who has more than enough ability to carry the show for a couple more years (4) resolution. I didn't think Carter could pull it off, as the mythology just got more and more dense and convoluted, but he pulled it all together in those last few minutes. I didn't find it silly or inorganic at all. It just made sense, and it didn't come out of left field. We already established Mulder was donating his sperm earlier in the season. And let's not forget the episode last year where Scully was dressing and leaving Mulder's apartment. The show gradually built up to that moment and it was worth it for me. Naysayers be damned. I had fun tonight. More than I can say for you...

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 6:35:05 PM CDT

    Okay, huh?

    by goody2shoes

    Sorry for the double post. But again I say, huh? First you've got the T-1000 wannabe that's slapping off heads everywhere he goes, then enough to fill a town and they're peaceful. You've got WAY too much terminator stuff going on in the FBI bldg which, can I just say, is the FBI BUILDING!!! Don't they have cameras, security, people who just plain work late? And that garage scene, the world's biggest garage BTW, an explosion and no one comes running? Now, T2 is my absolute favorite movie in the world and I find it hysterical to see Robert Patrick get a taste of his own medicine, but enough. Between Billy trying to kill Scully's unborn son and the elevator thing. As if that metaphor wasn't enough, we've got the blue-light special hanging in the middle of the sky over where Scully is, and the 3 wise guys bearing gifts in the end. All which culminates into I still don't know what the heck it all meant and I'm even more confused now than I was with Full Disclosure (false advertising). And that thing with Krycek, dude's been on since season 2 and they couldn't think of a better death than that? I know he has control of those nanites in Skinner, but he killed Mulder's father and Scully's sister (BTW, is he still going out with that actress?). One of them should've killed him, not to mention the fact that that should have been some huge emotional closure for them. Nope. It's like, "He's dead. So anyway..." I personally would've kept him on. I love that episode when he was taken over by the ooze where everybody and their mother beat him up. Mulder, Skinner, that woman in the bathroom. I'm kinda glad Mulder's leaving. Nothing against Duchovny, but when we thought he was dead, I was at a "who cares?" point. Oh well. I rag on the show because I care, and of course I'll watch till the end. No matter how little sense it makes.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 6:35:59 PM CDT

    WOW

    by mr ts cereal

    Now THAT is how you end a show!!! Screw that 3 and a half star bullshit, that was 10 stars all the way! It gave the REAL fans everything they wanted! All we need now is for the show to not come back next year and just go straight to movies where all you people who love to bash the show because its the cool thing to do can bash the movie series instead. BEST SHOW ON TV STILL! But how do they explain Mulder's absence next season, and if no one watches next year, FOX is killing a potential movie franchise. Dumb fucking suits, ruin for the couple million people that actually care abotu the show. You greedy fucks...-The Mad Shitter

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 6:38:19 PM CDT

    CSM is coming back

    by denise/dennis

    I read this on Dark Horizon's, which is usually pretty reliable. Apparently he is coming back next season. We never actually had his death confirmed now did we??

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 6:42:00 PM CDT

    The real satisfaction for me...

    by f.f. woodycook

    ...was finally seeing Kersh squirm. The man suffers from chronic assaholism I knew there would be a payoff for developing such a cranky dickhead of a character, and that look on his face as the agents left the office was it for me.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 6:58:01 PM CDT

    Reyes is kinda...gay?

    by artdog

    Okay, I'm not really one to project homosexuality in TV characters (but I called Willow on BTVS long before Tara came along) however, didn't Reyes seem kind of weird with Scully, and what was the whole "you look beautiful" thing about? Seemed like she was kind of coming on to her. My theory: make Reyes a lesbian, then the whole "will they or won't they" thang won't be an issue when she and Doggett take over the show...which will be cool...Doggett rocks WAY more than Mulder has for about the last two years,Reyes seems pretty cool, Skinner is still the man, and Kersh is pretty evil. I will miss Ratboy and his plastic hand though. Just my humble opinion....

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 6:59:01 PM CDT

    at long last...

    by peachboy2k

    WOW. Things will never be the same. Thanks for the memories and heres hoping there'll be many more.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 7:10:06 PM CDT

    Why David Why

    by swingerjtc

    You know, I supported Duchovny LAST YEAR when he bailed out for half the season over disputes over royalties or whatever...but now...now, I can't support him at all... the season finale was AWESOME, but next year will blow without him... i mean hasnt he ever heard of David Caruso? what is he THINKING? This season finale would have been a PERFECT series finale that could have EASILY have led into a 2nd and FINAL movie... stupid ass greedy producers (and duchovny)...

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 7:18:10 PM CDT

    Crazy question

    by 2gold


    What the hell is the point of next season? We now know aliens are real, Mulder and Scully have knocked boots, Reyes and Doggett are the new team (and how either of them can be spectical is unknown), and Scully is back...but for what? I guess that means Mulder has went from the X-Files guy going crazy for the truth...to a babysitter/housewife? Wow, talk about a long fall down the coolness stairs. Maybe next year Carter can have him cameo in an apron complaining to Scully about her never calling when she's coming home late for dinner. Like he cares, he got his paycheck

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 7:19:21 PM CDT

    There is still one conspirator left...

    by alex rogan

    You all seem to be forgetting about the uniblonder, Martia (or whater the heck her name was)

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 7:20:17 PM CDT

    MULDER IS THE FATHER

    by lil_timmy

    Mulder's the baby's father. That's the whole thing they were talkin about before they kissed. That's why the aliens left. They were there to see if it was gonna be an alien superbaby...it wasn't. It was just another love child. doubt me if you. i leave this message never to see your replies. for i am off....goodbye...the truth is out (about the baby at least). Now how in the fuck their gonna write Duchovney out of next season is still a fuckin mystery. Mabye he leaves to "find himself". hahaha

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 7:20:39 PM CDT

    Let it end here

    by sprocket-bot

    I have to say, even though it did bring up more un-answered questions, I definately felt a sense of closure amongst the characters, Skinners revenge, FANTASTIC! But the Mulder/Scully kiss was the right way to end it (yeah, whatever...I'm a romantic freak!)...unfortunately, I couldn't help thinking that the kiss means nothing if Scully is the only of the two returning next season...I think this should have been the finale for both Mulder and Scully, their story is over, let them be...Mulder's no longer in the FBI and he has a family now, more or less. I really don't think I can watch the next season (yeah, I say now...in 5 months I'll eat those words!). Either way, I think the torch needs to be passed, anything beyond this ep (involving Scully, Mulder or even Skinner) will be anti-climactic, and just desperately written dribble to drag the show farther down. Now I think I'll go purchase season 1-3 on DVD! : )

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 7:22:17 PM CDT

    one more thing

    by lil_timmy

    I'm not saying what I said in the event the majority of you guys didn't already pick it up. I'm saying it for all the fools who doubt it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 7:23:53 PM CDT

    THREE WISE GUYS BEARING GIFTS?? LOL!

    by lt weezie

    VERY GOOD episode. Just loved the bright light in the sky guiding Mulder to the spot. "Third star to the left..and straight on to Georgia!" Also was very touched by THE KISS we have all waited for since season one. Had a real laff when our favorite three wise men showed up wih their presents...HYSTERICAL! I am very glad that Mulder survived the episode and only wish that he would be back for the next year...it just will NOT be the same...well miracles DO happen...they even said so themselves tonight!! We can only hope!

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 7:36:47 PM CDT

    Soooo ... what happens next?

    by lifto71

    I see a teaching job in Quantico's behavioral sciences division in Mulder's not too distant future. The question is, will Scully be relegated to in-house doctor for all things X-filish as she mentors a Doggett/Reyes team? Or will Doggett and Scully continue as partners, with Reyes joining in as-needed (like whenever the case involves the occult? Maybe Skinner takes over for corrupt Kersh, and Scully moves into Skinner's position

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 8:17:03 PM CDT

    Terminator wasn't the only film they ripped off. . .

    by hardyboy

    If you saw the ad in TV Guide (and probably elsewhere) and read the tagline--"Scully's Baby is Coming. Pray for It"--then you know that both of these elements were lifted DIRECTLY from one of the greatest horror films of all time, Rosemary's Baby. ***All in all, I was disappointed. A lot of chases, a lot of fighting, and very little in terms of adding some new kinks to the series. And would someone explain why there is apparently NO security at the J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building? Oh, well, it was a decent season and I'll be on board for the next--even if it will feature Doggett and Reyes rather than Mulder and Scully.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 8:17:52 PM CDT

    That episode was very good.

    by lobanhaki

    I got a real kick out of the metal vertebrae regeneration trick. I think this was always going to be something of an issue: at what time do they stop hinting, and start placing their bets on the table? I think they're doing so relatively well. I'm a real fan of hard science fiction and of fantasy, and I found the blend here, if not seemless, then nearly so. Krycek spoke of Scully's baby being more human than human, the one threat that these creatures could be threatened by. That is what stopped them at the town. They thought they could kill it, but in the end, William's power overwhelms the biological power in the Alien replicants. Additionally, I would like to add for the benefit of those who don't remember what happened to CSM during the seventh season, that he willfully took in the disease that was killing Mulder, and that we know would have turned him into one of the replicants had events not intervened. Soooo, CSM comes back as a replicant. Get it?
    As for the kiss... Well, I'm a eight season veteran of the show, and I have to say it was quite satisfying to see them finally kiss romantically. I mean, most shows I've seen with that kind of tension between the two stars have the characters get it on within the season. Well, Mulder and Scully took eight fricking years, and I've enjoyed THE RELATIONSHIP as much as the tension between the two. I'll be curious how Mulder and Scully fare in the next season, but I trust them not to be totally out of the picture.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 8:24:47 PM CDT

    Additionally:

    by lobanhaki

    One of the gospels is something of a typological echo of the story of Moses. Typological? A story that intentionally alludes to a previous figure to shed light on the character of a current story.

    The destruction of alien children could be seen as an echo of the slaughter of the innocents in The gospel of Matthew (I think), which in turn was a typological echo of Moses' escape from the slaughter of the sons of Isreal in Exodus.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 8:36:48 PM CDT

    Well, all this is great, but . . .

    by pale and tired

    THERE'S GOING TO BE AN ALIEN INVASION. THEY'RE COMING TO COLONIZE THE F'N PLANET. Doesn't that bear discussion? Maybe a little dialogue about it over a cold, dead Krycek? How can they sleep at night? How can you even sit behind a desk? THE ALIENS ARE COMING TO COLONIZE THE WORLD AND YOU'VE SEEN THE FIRST OF THEM! YOU KNOW THEY REALLY EXIST (though now we're going to have to deal with TWO skeptic main characters next season.) GROAN! F'N GROAN!
    There should be a clean break. Maybe they'll let Gillian Anderson out of her contract in order to cinch her for an upcoming X-File movie. Both she and Duchovney have worked hard on building their credentials with series and deserve the film opportunities open to them. Let the fans believe they've gone into hiding and are preparing for the upcoming invasion with resistance in mind - Earth's ace in the hole.
    The Patrick and Gish performances have been outstanding this season and I look forward to them taking over, it just seems unfair to saddle them with so many loose ends. Though I do not see how they could come out of these two last episodes not believing in an alien presence on Earth, their dual inexperience in the paranormal should prove refreshing in the stand alone episodes.
    Anyway, last thoughts:
    1. ALIEN COLONIZATION - NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE.
    2. ALIENS AREN'T SMART. If so, they would have killed Scully's baby anyway just to be safe.
    3. I really don't think Chris Carter knew where he was going with the whole seri - WAIT! EPIPHANY! ALIENS AREN'T SMART, THAT'S WHY NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE ABOUT AN ALIEN COLONIZATION! They'll probably just land in the water and drown . . .

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 8:43:26 PM CDT

    I thought I would have alot to say, ......but...........

    by dallas1701d

    I sit here with my hands on the keyboard and nothing comes to mind. I've been a fan of the series for all 8 seasons, and it seems like after the movie came out, nothing makes sense. I keep watching this crap like an idiot thinking "well......this week they are gonna give us the answers", and it never comes. The writers have no clue what they are doing anymore. That wasn't a parking garage they were driving thru tonight, it was the hole in the plot that has been growing for the last 3 seasons. They finally decided to film IN it instead of AROUND it. For me and everyone of my friends, who all happen to be rather intelligent long time fans, are about ready to give up. Did we get a payoff tonight? No. Did we all say we were done with the X-files? Yes. Will we watch next season? Yes. Will we like it? No. I just cant wait until they have an episode that doesn't end with thousands of fans from around the country screaming "WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT????" as they scratch their heads. Advice for Chris Carter and whoever else writes the show: Start watching the series from the beginning right up till tonights episode before you write anything else. See if it still makes sense after that. Enough ranting about the X-files for now. I have to get all hyped up to and excited about the ST:Voyager finale so I can come back and trash talk Berman and another great-sci-fi-series-turned-into-crap.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 8:57:47 PM CDT

    If you want Duchovny back next season.....

    by wifiguy

    ...Then you should all hope his movie "Evolution" bombs. If it flops he might be willing to come back part time next season. He gave a interview where he said he would consider coming back if he could schedule it like this past season. If the movie is a big hit, he'll be in demand and he'll kiss TV goodbye.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 9:23:21 PM CDT

    Man this series is dead and tonight was the final proof.

    by senor askew

    Whatever. Man I used to be one of the biggest X-Philes around, but not any more. The last three years have hardly been watchable. And tonights finale was the final proof, what utter shit. Yeah, Mulder and Scully have been getting cheeky behind the scenes for years now, we all knew that, but did they really have to do the lovey dovey rubbish at the end? I think not. And then they kill of Krajcek! Fucks sake man, one of the last cool things about the show is killed off. It's very sad to see a once great show going down so hard, so fast and in such flaming mediocrity. David Duchovny should have left for good.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 9:27:34 PM CDT

    I Don't Think Mulder Was The Biological Father

    by r_nathan

    I don't agree with those posters who say Mulder was the father - at least not the biological father. I think the final dialogue meant that spritually Mulder is the baby's father -not biologically. Last week, didn't Mulder tell Skinner he wasn't the father? With Scully's life at stake, and the life of her baby at stake, it didn't seem like a time for Mulder to be bs'ing Skinner. And why would Sculy say she feared the truth, about how and why she became pregnant, and why would Mulder fear it. And when Mulder says, "The truth we both know," - why would Scully say, "Which is what?" if Mulder is the father. I think what Mulder meant the truth was is that it doesn't matter how the baby was conceived, spiritually and in every way that really matters, other than biologically, Mulder is the father.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 9:28:30 PM CDT

    How they'll explain Dave's absence....

    by omni-nerd

    He'll be the stay at home Dad, while Scully goes to work. And whenever they have to film a scene in their apartment, he'll conveniantly be off visiting the Lone Gunmen or something.
    Alternatly, if he agrees to do a cameo every few episodes, they can just have Dana send him to the store for milk at the begginning of the Season Premeire. That should keep him abcent for 8 or 9 eps. :)

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 9:28:53 PM CDT

    Will Scully be back?

    by bullwinklejmoose

    All the reports I've seen are about Duchovny not being back next season, but none seem to confirm or deny Anderson's return. Now that Reyes has filled the Mirror Universe Scully slot (for which she'd so clearly been crafted), what's the use for Scully to even be around? She'd be in the way, methinks.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 9:29:23 PM CDT

    Dallas1701D, you took the words right outta my mouth.

    by goody2shoes

    BTW, I get the 1701D, but I kinda think the E model looks better.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 9:33:30 PM CDT

    I LOVED THAT ENDING!!!!!

    by psyclops

    I've been watching this show since 1993 and I couldn't believe my eyes when I finally witnessed Agents Mulder and Scully lip locking for the FIRST time! I was so shocked... and very, very satisfied. The season ended on a high note for me (except for the usual questions raised and plotlines going unresolved that we've come to expect from Chris Carter). I kind of had a feeling that Mulder was the father of Scully's child... I was just so happy to actually be proven right this time. I can't wipe the grin off my face!!!--:)

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 9:35:41 PM CDT

    Perfect Post Dallas1701D

    by senor askew

    A perfect summation of my feelings about this show. It has all been down hill since the summer of '98. I'm really just speachless about this episode. I just can't put into words what utter crap this is Carter is putting out there now.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 9:48:38 PM CDT

    I liked it

    by fishmael

    Along with the religious imagery, did anyone notice the lone gunmen were the three wisemen bearing gifts? Anyway, I enjoyed the episode, the ratfink finally died, its all good.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 9:48:53 PM CDT

    decadentdave, you are not alone

    by raingirl

    Theres alot of disgruntled fans who know cheap gimmicks and bad writing when we see it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 9:58:29 PM CDT

    WHAT DOES HARRY THINK OF THE ENDING?

    by xphile69

    Hey Harry, Mr. Canne film festival, what do you think of this most shocking of a relationship and ending?

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 10:16:40 PM CDT

    GOD is the father...NOT Mulder...

    by atomoprime

    Seems a lot of people missed stuff I thought was reallllly heavy handed. 1. In previous episode Krycek states that the aliens want to destroy the baby because it may prove that they are not the greatest beings in the universe. 2. When Scully is taken to the deserted town, she stays in a old hotel by the name of Exodus. 3. Reyes is transfixed on a bright new star in the night sky. 4. Star leads Mulder to Scully and child. 5. Three Wise Men bearing gifts (The Lone Gunmen) are visiting Scully when Mulder arrives at her apartment. Hence, Mulder did not have anything to do with conceiving the child. BUT THIS EPISODE ANSWERED NEXT TO NOTHING!!!! Worth watching, but is not worthy of the hype. This should have been a mid-season episode so they could have another several episodes to follow up.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 10:18:20 PM CDT

    Bring on Season Nine!

    by shep

    You hypocrites! Maybe the Jesus symbolism was appropriate after all. Here you are casting stones on the show, yet you still watch!? My opinion, this show just keeping getting better from each season to the next. There is no other television show like it. The writing, the action sequence, the music

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 10:24:43 PM CDT

    R.I.P. Krycek

    by thalya

    Well, this is my first Talk Back post in these hallowed halls of AICN. I've been a fan since S1, but especially when Krycek jumped on board. I must say, I will miss him dearly, bad lines and all.

    Also, has anyone else noticed how abnormal this is for an XF ep as it is? We have NEVER had this much resolution, ever! Sure, things are always implied, but even the agents are usually left unsure, wavering between science and faith. I think we've lost track of some key metaphors, which I think may have been the intent of Carter in the first place, however I do agree that the quality of execution could have been better. We the viewer start out following Scully's journey into the world of X-Files, the skeptic agent and the skeptic viewer that needs resolution and things explained rationally. Going throughout the seasons, things get boring, Scully has a harder time maintaining her skepticism and there are only so many MOTW eps they can do. The deeper they all dig into the conspiracy, the more convoluted and twisted it all gets, the less it can be explained rationally (especially post-movie. I think it's a conspiracy that people say it went to hell because of delusions of grandeur on CC's part :P ). I wouldn't be surprised if the conspiracy's really like the other half of government in that oftentimes one half doesn't know what the other half's doing. This whole theme of believing finally culminates when Mulder accepts Samantha's death in S7 and then tonight's ep culminated it for Scully with that kiss.

    Now it is sentimental to think this would make a great series end, but darn it life goes on and there's an invasion to consider. The X-Files doesn't just end with Mulder, Scully, and William going off into the sunset and Doggett and Reyes happily taking over and overriding Kirsch (though it's a lovely idea trying to wrap up as many loose ends as possible in case this WAS the last ep. This was in the can, mind you, before the series's fate was decided). Doggett and Reyes do need some guidance (preferably from an old hand) and it would be nice to see them getting off on the right foot and knowing that the X-Files will go on solidly and fight the continuing mystery of conspiracies (like they were going to drop off the face of the earth because Scully gave birth).

    That's my hope at least, in spite of the evidence of decline over the last few seasons, even since I barely watched this season (the awful Lisa Gerrard Insider/Gladiator ripoff "pregnancy theme" music drove me away quickly!). Like my heroes, I too am giving in to faith. I want to believe.

    One last thing: anyone here missing the different phrases from "The Truth is Out There" in the opening credits? That's what made mythology eps so much fun. The Navajo before Anasazi was my fave.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 10:35:22 PM CDT

    DECADENTDAVE... I think Reyes...

    by atomoprime

    ...Will probably start to take over Scully's place on the show as season nine leads to ten. So, by season ten when Gillian leaves, they can continue the show with a Dogget/Reyes team with no silly 'romantic' strings. I really admired the idea that two proffesional co-workers of the oppisite sex could work together when the series first came on the air. But it seemed that everyone expects people to nail their co-workers. Now, if I'm right, they can drop the romance crap and get back to telling stories the way they were told in the first few seasons.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 10:48:47 PM CDT

    Shep, once you stop kneeling before your X-Files Shrine

    by raingirl

    I suggest you rewatch some of the early seasons, and especially the mytharc-and then maybe you will be able to see the difference between good and bad writing.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 11:11:56 PM CDT

    Trust no one!

    by rinse

    Seriously. Didn't it seem like towards the end that everybody and his dog are secretly human replacements?

    And obviously some of them are better at it than others, because the guy clinging onto the car was trying to choke Doggett to death when he should have just chopped Doggett's head clean off.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 11:13:17 PM CDT

    decadentdave, I know what you mean

    by raingirl

    But down the road, we'll be getting the last laugh.

    Especially when the ***real*** truth comes out. ;-)

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 11:43:24 PM CDT

    Poor Mulder...

    by abiggs

    He has wanted to sleep with Scully for 8 years. Now they are kissing and stuff. But he cant nail her for at least 30 days cause she just had the kid...

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2001 11:43:39 PM CDT

    Food for thought

    by honestabe

    The X-Files as we know it is over. It will probably be continued in movie form at some point in the not-too-distant future with Dave and Gillian. Try to think of next season, and any subsequent seasons as a spin-off of the original show. Think Star Trek:TNG vs. the original. New cast, occasional cameos, same adventures. Lots of old-school fans are bitching about "The Kiss", but to me it just felt...right. The right time and place and the right way to end the series (for all intensive purposes).
    P.S. yes, I am looking forward to the Doggett and Reyes Show.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 2001 12:03:41 AM CDT

    Decandentdave and raingirl, you are so right on!

    by shep

    Decandentdave and Raingirl, you guys are true fans. Really, to watch the show and offer your insights and expertise, it amazes me how dumbfounded I was not to see the truth. I am but a humble X-Files watcher, and I have been a fan since season one. You two are the pinnacle of what fans can truly become. You are the experts. Gawd, how could I be so dumb!? I

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 2001 12:08:18 AM CDT

    HonestAbe, theres something called integrity

    by raingirl

    If they wanted to do a next generation type show, they should have ended this show on a high note instead of dragging it on to the point of no return.

    And now they want to drag it on
    with revolving characters.

    I hope fans realize the longer the
    show is on the less chance there will be for another film and the shows place in history will be diminished.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 2001 12:37:52 AM CDT

    Many points to be raised.

    by swithin

    First, I find it odd no-one here has mentioned the perfect nativity lawn ornament Scully-Mulder-Baby made framed by the doorway in the last shot. Second, I find it odd that no-one is trying to explain how Scully might have gotten pregnant with Mulder's baby in the first place, being infertile, when the answer wraps up all the loose ends. The aliens and their cronies were *trying* to impregnate Scully with an alien child. The first step was to make her fertile again. So they did. And before they could juice her up with alien goo, she had already conceived Mulder's child. Explains why everyone left at the end, it just was somebody else's kid, so what. Explains Krycek's remark about 'more human than human', if you remember that in the movie it's explained that the aliens (in their feral form) were *an indigenous and the prior dominant species* during the time of the cave-men, perhaps ultra-evolved humans who left their 'ape-like' cousins to go on their own merry path for thousands of years. Krycek didn't know that the baby was Mulder's, he genuinely thought that it was this breed of alien's DNA-kid. Now, am I a ranter or a raver? I loved it. I lapped it up and squealed 'Mulder'sthedaddyMulder'sthedaddyMulder'sthedaddy' for five minutes afterwards. DAMN STRAIGHT! Just because we don't peer into their bedroom doesn't mean that Mulder and Scully haven't been having sex every now and then. Their human. They've been working next to each other for eight years (mostly). They're in love. They're stereotypically afraid of commitment. So the show hasn't shown their one-night sexual escapades, it has shown their *romance* evolve and grow, their 'true' relationship as lovers which doesn't have to do with the sex they've had so much as all the other things they've been through. AND THIS IS JUST FINE AND DANDY! I think that if Mulder doesn't come back to the show next year, they won't try to write him away. He'll have a supporting role, and Scully will be spending her non-working hours being a mother and with Mulder. She's still in the FBI technically, although she won't be doing field assignments. I can smell mythology stories coming up! And Krycek's death wasn't bad, and Skinner continues to be the resident badass of the show. I just wish they'd show him and Dogget going out for a beer sometime, they're going to be best friends next season if all goes well. Do you think Krycek's offer wasn't grave and serious? "I can offer you a thousand lives" can mean so many things, and Skinner knew he was passing up a bargain really... but he passed the test. Skinner continues to amaze me, he's the most loyal ally of the X-Files department, and Mulder and Scully, and yet he gets so little to do. Killing the greenhorn was the least compensation they could give Pileggi, Krycek's time and usefulness to the show had come and gone. To keep bringing him back would be ludicrous, and although he ends in shades of grey were he started of black, we really won't miss him or hope for second chances. He made his choices, and now he pays for them. CSM will be back, and I assume Mulder will have to be in those eps to elucidate Dogget about the guy who may-or-may-not-be Mulder's daddy. He was Mrs. Mulder's lover, but that has never been cleared up -- I expect that it will be. Clearly, there *is* a lot of life and creativity left in this show. It's just time to stop creating new mysteries, deepen and eventually solve the old ones through a season or two, and give the fans a god-damned climax already. The time has come for this show to seriously kick ass and then end, but the ass-kicking part is still ahead of us. Look up, people, these last few eps haven't only been good in themselves -- they've brightened the future of the show. Don't fight it. (pardon the joke)

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 2001 2:35:04 AM CDT

    Chris Carter has been DEAD since Season Three...

    by bono

    ...and Brandon "Vacuum Head" Braga has been ghost writing the show. It's obvious.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 2001 3:45:37 AM CDT

    Nice summary Swithin

    by rogerothornhill

    Nice summary, Swithin--I had a feeling more pieces fit together than some TBers were claiming and you've successfully jogged my memory. Is the show as good as it was early on? No. Is it total shite scraped up off the floor of the same lower lavatory stall that gave us Manimal? No. Carter is clearly more interested in spinning mysteries than resolving them, but within his apparent limitations this was pretty good work. Mulder's character arc is over. From the beginning, Duchovny (and some of the writers, if not Carter) thought Mulder was screwed up and immature--one of the reasons why "Small Potatoes" was such a brilliant episode, and one of the reasons why I hated Armin Mueller-Stahl's last lines in the movie. ("There is *one* man"?!! Give me a break!) Somebody commented at the time of the "starlight" episode that Mulder's relief at the end of that episode was Duchovny's relief as an actor that he had finally gotten that albatross of a backstory out of his character's life. I don't know if it's the regeneration or what, but the Mulder of the last several episodes is quieter, less of a smartass, more responsible. For fans, of course, this is bad news--they want the obsessed smartass who subscribes to Celebrity Sleuth. But as somebody pointed out earlier in this TB, the conspiracy will always be there--he can fight it and still have room for other people in his life. That wonderful dialogue in the car between Mulder and Doggett addressed this, and was probably my favorite snippet in the episode. When the movies roll around, will FM be a good soldier against the colonization? Absolutely. But will he continue to need to pursue the conspiracy 24-7 to the exclusion of everything else in his life? No, and very clearly not because the kid is some kind of savior. He's just a normal kid, and that (as the dialogue suggested) is miracle enough. Will I watch the show next season? Oh, I'll probably do what I did the last couple of seasons: check in every once in a while during sweeps. I do think D & R make a nice team.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 2001 4:18:57 AM CDT

    Was I the only one who figured out it was Mulder's baby...

    by lily drop

    ...way back in the flashback show about Scully trying to get pregnant? At the end, she's crying about how it didn't take, and Mulder holds her, and the scene goes black... I was screaming at that point: "she did it the natural way with Mulder!" I thought it was pretty clear...

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 2001 4:39:44 AM CDT

    Three Wise Men bearing gifts?

    by zabbadoo

    And a miraculous pregnancy/birth to boot.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 2001 4:54:35 AM CDT

    Reyes Big Secret? CSM returns? The baby?

    by cundunstyle

    Has anyone noticed that Reyes smokes? And (correct me if I'm wrong) she smokes MORLEY cigarettes? Isn't that the same brand CSM smoked? I remember the first episode she was in she was driving and her pack dropped on her seat...Maybe a sister to Agent Spender...plus arent there rumors that CSM may return next year?(Which would truly rock ass!What about when Krychek said about the baby having "No human frailties" and stuff...I think CSM had something to do with it...Remember the when He and Scully went on a Roadtrip and she fell asleep? I think the baby holds some kind of cure or preventative to what the aliens are planning...I think these aliens are different from the invaders...they seek to stop the "bad" aliens and Scully's baby is their and the humans "savior"...

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 2001 5:39:13 AM CDT

    Requiem, or Epitaph?

    by teapot

    Not "just another love child", but one that is immune (through genetics) to the black oil & other alien manipulation, perhaps? Still don't get why aliens didn't kill the baby. Don't really get why most of this stuff happened so clumsily, it seems that the writers have completely lost their minds... This show used to make stuff that didn't make sense make sense! Now, it just doesn't make sense. I wish this show was better. I think I will go on pretending that it is. Funny how important it has become to me. I will remain a faithful fan long after it turns into a monster. Maybe I am just watching out of pity. Poor Mulder and Scully and all of the other imaginary people who make up your world. I am so sorry for all of this. You guys were much too cool to deserve this fate. You should have gone out with a bang, not a hiccup followed by a long belch and undignified death rattle....

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 2001 5:51:31 AM CDT

    hey decadentdave...

    by :-o

    The only thing you are mourning is the childlike sense of fun and wonder you had before the evil Pop culture stole your precious little secrets away. Beaten to a pulp by Columbine, Tom Green, and Michael Bay your 'tastes' and your street smarts have glommed together into a single indecipherable mass.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 2001 6:30:00 AM CDT

    CSM, Marita, and Tunisian cornfields

    by gasgano

    Here's hoping 'Dark Horizons' has it right and CSM does return. Kirsch is more bluster than threat. Marita's loyalties are still suspect, (since at least in the beginning she did provide useful intel to Mulder, plus she likely hasn't forgotten about her unfortunate encounter with the black oil). Meanwhile, what's been going on with those Tunisian cornfields all this time?). Beats me how they're going to explain Mulder's absence at this point, (please, not another abduction!).

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 2001 6:36:40 AM CDT

    Tying up loose ends of my own.

    by dingo

    My last post on this talkback was not intended to trash TXF. I read every word of the review, I still care about the characters, hell, I haven't watched the show in years, and I'm mad they kissed (I was on the anti-relationship side when the show was in it's glory days). I'm not trashing any of you who still watch, either. If you defend TXF to the death, I'll agree with every damn thing you say. I'm not the bad guy here.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 2001 6:44:24 AM CDT

    GREAT EPISODE!!!

    by orange bat

    I will wait to here official word on if Duchovny will be back or not. I can still see him doing a couple camios, at least to explain why he's chilling from the alien conspiracy. I think this show has reached a turning point. The mythology episodes may start being more and more exciting. The story was thrust forward so fast after this last episode. Aliens in the FBI? Kersh working with them? Super aliens? Maybe they are part of the alien resistance? Who knows. I love Doggett and Reyes is growing on me like a disease bearing fungus. See ya next season!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 2001 7:13:46 AM CDT

    Fight the Future

    by jack burton

    Well, another X season finale has come and gone. The breathless promotions of "The X-Files greatest secrets will be revealed!" has again proved to be a bald faced lie. I have ceased to believe that Carter and company have any idea what is going on anymore. Why would the aliens need replacements anyway? That makes no sense since they can just infect with the black oil, and gestate an alien that comes bursting out. I don't know, I've stuck with the show through thick and thin and I've just about had it. Last night's episode had some good tie-ups as far as characters go, but otherwise its no closer to the "truth" then 5 years ago. This season it has been fairly obvious that Mulder and Scully are in love so the kiss didn't surprise me. I'm guessing the baby is Mulder's. Not that it matters because there will be a lame ass explanation at the beginning of next season explaning how Mulder has suddenly gone to find himself in Borneo or something equally ridiculous. If Carter was smart, he should have quietly released Gillian Anderson from her contract, and had Scully and Mulder take the messiah baby to raise somewhere, turning the show over perfectly to Reyes and Doggett until they are needed again. Tell me that the last shot of Reyes and Doggett leaving Kirsh's office didn't look like a passing of the baton. Especially when Doggett made reference to the involvement of the FBI being the X-File. It was a great ending that sucked because we know Anderson is stuck and Duchovny is gone. Cancel season 9, and start the second and final movie. End it with a shred of dignity Carter.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 2001 8:01:09 AM CDT

    Rudderless

    by pkd

    THis is the only term I can think of to describe the X-Files now. There is no more focus, no more continuity, just the continual slow bleeding of a story that the writers should have wrapped up COHESIVELY last season or the season before. Yes, there is closure, but it has come too late and the story has lost all meaning.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 2001 8:23:54 AM CDT

    the show

    by zippy-zip

    What I hate most about agent Dogget is his name. "Dog-gone it, I'm going to dog it until I find the answer." I have watched this show from the beginning and I hate that they killed ratboy. The other two bad guys disappeared in the end but they didn't mention Lea. I know they had to do all that in case the show got cancelled, but it didn't so bring back my favorite bad guy.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 2001 9:31:34 AM CDT

    Yea, why IS no one talking about...

    by pwrvideo.com

    ...the freakin' impending alien invasion? I hope to hell that's what Fox is gonna concentrate on during next season. (Oh, he'll be back. In what manner is unknown, but neverfear he'll BE BACK.) Now, he needs to enlist the aid of a super-wealthy backer and stop letting the bad guys steal his EVIDENCE evertime. "Oh, this video would blow the lid off of EVERYTHING if revealed to the public, but DARNIT, evil-doodes broke into my office last night and TOOK IT!".

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 2001 9:48:49 AM CDT

    The show was horrible

    by cooper2000

    I dont think Gillian had a choice. Last year she had to sign a contract for two years instead of just one. Hope she didnt have to sell her soul like Carter. From what I have read, she didnt want to come back next season but FOX and Carter keep strecthing this once great series out. Its beyond not caring anymore. I wont be back next season.
    Why did soooo many people want the two lead characters to get together? Like Sam and Dianne and Maddy and Dave, it dilutes what the show was once about and you wont be able to really see them together anyway since Duchovney is coming back so it was a Big tease ending and a lame one too. I have to agree with the post above that decadentdave wrote, this show is a mere shadow of what it once was. Last nights episode was a joke and everyone is happy with the Big kiss so who cares about an incoherent plot.
    Carter said years ago that this show would not go beyond five years and the two characters of Scully and Mulder would never get together. He went back on his word yet again on that one.
    Whats with the new conspiracy of Supersoldiers? What was with the glowing light in the sky, Monicas flirting with Scully and then no explanation as to who the father was. Did a few episodes back they say that Mulders sperm didnt take? So we just have to figure that he is the father. Did Carter just past past scripts together ato make this show last night and not finish it?
    I dont think were watching for a fitting conclusion, they were were looking for a Big Kiss. If thats what you were looking for, then you are missing the whole point of what this show "Was" all about.
    Sure I liked Dogget but the show is just a disaster and I wont be watching. I dont even care about a movie anymore.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 2001 9:53:39 AM CDT

    Ohhh Darkseed? Pathetic??

    by cooper2000

    Oh and Darkseed, since when is voicing your opinion about a show make someone Pathetic. This is a message board after all and if we want to say we were dissapointed, we can do so. The show was bad. Nuff said.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 2001 9:59:31 AM CDT

    Goodbye, "X-Files"...

    by princessflavia

    This last episode was great! It ended exactly the way I've always wanted the show to end. I can't believe that some people were disappointed by the ending kiss. This is the natural emotional progression for Mulder and Scully, whose relationship we've watched develop and deepen over the past eight years. I never asked to see the two of them going at it; all I ever wished for was a sincere, beautiful kiss at the end of the series...and my wish was granted! The baby was just icing on the cake (yes, Scully's father was also named William--strange that she didn't mention that). Not to get overly-schmaltzy, but I found it very satisfying to see these two people, who have lost so much in their search for a great "truth", to find happiness and truth in the simplicity of love and family. For me, this is the ending of "The X-Files"; I don't really need to watch next season.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 2001 10:36:22 AM CDT

    KRYCEK'S NOT DEAD!! (He's getting better!)

    by tbrosz

    Anyone who watches this show knows it takes more that a bullet between the eyes to kill off a character. Heck, Absalom took one in the forehead and HE'S coming back! Judson Scott told me this to my face at a comic convention. As for the ending, it was more than a bit stupid..."Hey, we chased Scully around like the Terminator for three episodes, but now that we caught her...oops. Never mind." Maybe Terminator 2 should have ended that way. Robert Patrick: "Oh, sorry, John. Turns out I was chasing the wrong kid. My bad. You can go home now." My personal theory is that Carter has long ago stopped trying for any form of continuity. Feeble attempts to "tie things together" in the movie and season finales fall completely flat. He puts things in because he thinks they are cool, not because they fit in with the mythos. Where are the chameleon aliens now? What happened to the dudes with the stitched-up eyes? Maybe I just missed something. My suggestion for a spinoff: Mulder and Scully are married, living in the suburbs, and the kid is a precocious smartass 12-year-old. Mulder and Scully get abducted by aliens, and the kid has to save them from the Mothership using secret FBI gadgets and his own super powers...it's Men in Black and Spy Kids and Independence Day all rolled into one! Carter can have this idea for free.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 2001 11:31:15 AM CDT

    Good ending--I liked it!

    by under the radar

    This season has been the X-File's best in quite a few years. The new characters have breathed new life into the show. Robert Patrick is simply brilliant as Dogget. Even Reyes (sp) is piquing my interest. As for the secret, out of the blue, Scully and Mulder kiss--if you remember, there were two episodes last season where we see Scully in Mulder's apt. in the wee early morning. (The episode Anderson wrote and directed comes to mind.) As for the death of Krycek... Goddamnit... They just hadda do it. I used to love it when, just when you least expected it, Krycek would show up in the middle of an episode to cause some mayhem and I could go, "Fuckin' Krycek, man" as they faded into commercial. Good episode. Great season. But...it probably shoulda ended this year and went into movies. Still, with all the shit on TV, I'll take a show staring Dogget and Reyes--even if it IS called X-Files.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 2001 12:48:16 PM CDT

    Question...

    by goody2shoes

    I just remembered something. Scully was there when Billy shed his skin at the hospital and was turned into a "new man". She talked with him. Why didn't he slap her head off then? It was obvious she was pregnant. And is it me, or does it seem like there are about 5 different species that wanna take over the world? I know that the black ooze turns into the "Aliens" thing from the movie, which turn into the big-head, bug-eyed grey things, which can morph into Brian Thompson, so I never understood why those rebel guys had their orafices (sp) sealed up. What I also don't get is that if they're so superior, why don't they just go the ID4 route and blast everyone.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 2001 1:18:03 PM CDT

    WOW! (why must we destroy it with season 9??)

    by imscully33

    YES! Finally! THIS is the episode to have ended it on. While there's still unresolved stuff...there's not enough for me to keep watching. It ended the way it should have. I can pretend that this episode took place right after the finale last year and forget about the mindless filler that was season Season 8.

    My only complaints were the heavy Christ child imagery (that was all for nothing, I guess, hurray!)
    and Agent Reyes hitting on Scully. (I wasn't just imagining this--a male friend of mine said "I hope they kiss!")

    Anyway, I don't know what else to say. Thank you Chris Carter, for having the balls to do what you knew everyone wanted. I still hate you, but you redeemed yourself partially in my eyes.

    Now please, let Gillian Anderson out of her contract and continue it with Reyes and Doggett.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 21, 2001 1:32:28 PM CDT

    That was GREAT!

    by cuppa joe

    I loved that episode! The season was decent enoughbut any misgivings I had about it with episodes like that little bastard on board with wheels and the one with the metal man... well, anyways, all was forgiven with the last 2-parter. It was GREAT. The ending didn't feel forced to me, at least concerning Mulder and Scully and I loved Doggett back-talking Kersch. I would be looking forward to the next season if it centered soley around Doggett and Reyes, with some cameos from Mulder and Scully, but with Gillian Anderson signed on for the whole thing... that just sucks. And this was by far the most violent episode I've ever seen. Graphic gunshots in the arm and to the head, scraped off a car onto a wall, han smucked by a speeding car... you can tell you're desensitized when you think this is cool.

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  • May 21, 2001 1:45:12 PM CDT

    KUDOS TO CHRIS......

    by lorie

    I was a little afraid to watch this episode. Carter usually has to end a season with a stupid cliffhanger. When we come back to the show 3 or 4 months later, we forget where we left off. I was afraid that he would close with scully still pushing the baby out and/or seeing a gun fire a bullet and not see where it hit or who pulled the trigger. I guess I was expecting so little, that I am overjoyed with how it ended. I have renewed faith in Chris Carter. He proved he can come through for the fans.

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  • May 21, 2001 2:38:31 PM CDT

    Help me!! I'm confused!!!

    by klam bake

    Does anyone know of a web site that puts the mythology of the X-Files in a chronological and simplified terms. Like, what conspiracies have been tied up or are still undone. I've found a few sites that do this but they seem to all stop just before or after the movie came out. Help me Obi Fox Muldobi!

    p.s. how did skinner and krychek(sp?) get away from the T-1000 rip off? One minute they're trapped in an elevator and after the comercial, skinner is in the hospital and krychek is on the loose.

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  • May 21, 2001 3:07:37 PM CDT

    Passing of the torch.

    by obi5kenobi

    Has anyone noticed that everything is changing? It's almost going to be a different show. Check it out: Mulder: Black oil aliens, Krycheck, abducted sister, Alien bounty hunters, all for the most part gone. Dogget: Bump on the back of the neck aliens, Noel(the new Krycheck, and some other stuff I can't think of now. It's like out with the old, in with the new. I hope I'm making sense.

    -Obi5

    PS. I'm a Dogget fan, can't wait for next season. Skinner rules!

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  • May 21, 2001 4:01:12 PM CDT

    The New & Improved X-Files

    by drunkenloudmouth

    Season eight was much needed shot in the arm for the drifting X-Files. The season finale was awsome and I can't wait for number nine. My biggest dissapointment is that Gillian Anderson will be back. I think her time has come and gone. I'd rather watch Doggett & Reyes than that soap opera lovey-dovey Mulder & Scully. Yech!!! At least we won't have to put up with David "I'm A Star" Duchovny anymore. They should just beef up Skinner's role and let Gillian out of her contract. I'm also not crazy about the Scully baby storyline. How will this even fit in next season? Is this baby supposed to be the new messiah or something? Get rid of the baby & Scully and let's see Doggett & Reyes in action!!!

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  • May 21, 2001 4:18:06 PM CDT

    Well done cundunstyle.....

    by wato

    The alien replicants were trying to ensure that the baby was born, not kill it. Remember what the park ranger chick said? "This baby WILL be born." I know that doesn't make sense if you think about what Billy was doing for the past few episodes, but there should be an explanation. Maybe it's some sort of naturally grown vs. made in a test tube thing.
    Also, I thought I was a big fan, but the main problem I had last night was that the sister thing was not resolved. When did Mulder accept Samantha's death? I never knew that was resolved. Anyone want to fill me in? Finally, why did Krychek nudge the gun toward Skinner when he was about to die? Why did he want Mulder dead? What was to be gained by killing Mulder? I agree that ratboy should have been given a more satisfying death. They should have drove him into a pillar.

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  • May 21, 2001 4:23:51 PM CDT

    Did NOBODY Get it?!?

    by jpiccone

    My God, were we not beaten enough over the head with the symbolism? Mulder is not the father, he's David to Scully's Mary. Why would Scully have been afraid of carrying Mulder's baby? Also how do you know Terminator Boy was trying to KILL Scully? Maybe he wanted to protect her and her baby. Why would all the replacements show up at the end like that? They were all there to witness the miraculous birth. Why didn't the she-sheriff terminator kill Scully? She had every chance. I just can't believe nobody got it.

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  • May 21, 2001 6:26:43 PM CDT

    My 2 cents

    by harri310

    Quick note: It's Mary and Joseph, not David, but I see your point. Frankly what I thought that dialogue meant was that they were finally admitting that they loved each other.

    I have to agree with people; either let Gillian go, or keep Scully to an occasional cameo as the mentor to the new team. If they try the Dogget/Scully team again without Mulder, it's going to fall flat.

    As for Mulder, have him make 2 or 3 cameos, have Scully talk to him on the phone a few more episodes and he never really disappears. This will really work if they do keep Scully to a smaller Skinner-like role (i.e. only every other episode or so)...course, knowing Fox, they'll probably force them to put her in every episode...

    As for the aliens with the sewn up eyes, wasn't the black-oil aliens just one race that was out to conquer the universe and the "rebels" another race fighting them? I remember that they sewed up their eyes and mouth to prevent the black-oil from coming in.....

    Finally, the episode where Mulder accepted his sister's death was the one where they found the graveyard of children. At the end, Mulder went off on his own, saw a vision of Samantha in heaven or something, and accepted that she was dead....

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  • May 21, 2001 7:52:52 PM CDT

    David...?

    by snakewater

    Don't you mean Joseph? I'm not up on my Bible mythology. Who's David? The naked guy with the leaf or the talking dog?

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  • May 21, 2001 8:07:31 PM CDT

    Oops!

    by jpiccone

    Yes, I meant Joseph. (Although he is David, too)

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  • May 21, 2001 8:16:08 PM CDT

    If you don't like it, don't watch.

    by orange bat

    Why are there always a ton of people bitching about the X-Files here? The show STILL ROCKS!!! Last night DID tie up loose ends!! Okay, so no conspiracies were resolved, but ALL the HUMAN bad guys are DEAD: CSM, Krycek, that entire group that I can't remember there name from the movie!! There is now NOTHING in between the aliens and the invasion, except Mulder, Skully, Doggit, and the ALIEN RESISTENCE!!! Last night was the cur for the Fit to hit the SHAN!! But don't expect an alien-human war. For that see "Independence Day". THIS will be something NEW!! And the BABY is the key to the end of this show. Don't you see?? The baby is a true alien-human hybrid!!! It has the strengths of the aliens and the humans in ONE BODY!!! Why is this important?? I DON'T FREAKIN' KNOW!!! WATCH THE DAMAN SHOW!!! BUT, don't watch if all your going to do is BITCH!!! After all, it's just a TV show..

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  • May 22, 2001 10:38:15 AM CDT

    Did I hallucinate?

    by confabulat

  • May 22, 2001 10:40:31 AM CDT

    Did I hallucinate?

    by confabulat

    Why does everyone assume Krychek is dead? As I recall, a few weeks ago, when Krychek made his first appearance this season, the episode ended with an ominous glimpse of the back of his neck...he had the weird metal vertebrae thing just like Billy Miles. I've been assuming he was a super T-1000 all this time.

    Did I really see that scene, and how come no one else has mentioned it?

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  • May 22, 2001 1:42:45 PM CDT

    X Files finale

    by jeffsole

    Did anybody catch the biblical reference:

    Spooky following the Star....3 wise men (lone gunmen) bearing gifts ??...cool huh ?? :-)

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  • May 22, 2001 1:49:19 PM CDT

    HELP ME, I'M DESPARATE

    by mjptack

    I really screwed up. My VCR didn't record the season finale and I absolutely cannot wait until the summer reruns get back to it. Does anyone have it on tape? It seems like there are mixed reviews, but I HAVE to see it for myself. PLEASE...

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  • May 22, 2001 4:26:58 PM CDT

    wato...

    by cuppa joe

    wato, the sister thing was completely wrapped up in season 7 in a two-parter. It's over. Has been for over a year.

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