One of longest running science fiction/drama series in existence, The X-Files has definitely stood the test of time. The show, premiering in 1993, follows the adventures of FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully as they investigate paranormal phenomena across the country (and occasionally even outside of it). Mulder, a conspiracy theorist and believer in aliens, is forever searching for who (or what) took his sister when he was twelve, and Scully, a scientist and skeptic, is pretty much there to disprove his theories. But as the series progresses she slowly becomes a believer. I’m a huge fan of the show, and have been watching it for about a year now. I recently reached episode one of season eight, or Within. Now, I’m on the third episode of the eighth season. From what I’ve seen so far, this appears to be about the point where the show ran out of good material. Just to be clear, throughout the post all of my complaints are aimed towards season eight of the show (I can’t speak for the following seasons).
Mulder Is Gone
The X-Files is Mulder’s story. That’s what it’s always been. The entire show revolves around him, around his quest to find the truth. So to take him away for nearly an entire season pretty much defeats the purpose of the show. In season seven, Fox Mulder is abducted by aliens, leaving Scully, Skinner, and a new ally to find him. If you ask me, this would have been a suitable place to end the show. After all, Mulder would have finally gotten what he wanted: the truth. Maybe Scully could have had a normal life, the ordinary, scientifically reasonable one she’d hoped for. I mean, I admit it’s not the best way to end a series, but to let the show continue on, even after its protagonist has disappeared? That’s just painful to watch.
The New Mulder Is Annoying
Introduced immediately after Mulder is abducted, special agent John Doggett is assigned to the X-Files and becomes Scully’s new partner. In my opinion, Doggett is nowhere near as interesting of a character as Mulder. For one thing, he obviously isn’t as committed to the X-Files as Mulder or Scully. He also doesn’t get along well with Scully. Oh, and did I mention he works for Kersh, who seems to want the X-Files to fail? I understand that the audience is supposed to root for him, but I just don’t find him that likeable of a character.
Almost Everything We Need To Know Has Already Been Explained
By the end of the seventh season of the series, we know enough to be satisfied with the show and not too much for it to have lost its sense of mystery. As confusing and disappointing as it may have been, the fate of Samantha Mulder has already been revealed (Abducted by the Syndicate, raised by the Smoking Man, and then taken by starlight? Really? Because that happens to people all the time…). We’ve got the Cigarette Smoking Man (aka CGB Spender) pretty much figured out (we already had in Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man). The existence of the Syndicate has been revealed, and the group has been destroyed. Scully has achieved her dream of having a child (or at least becoming pregnant). And Mulder, well, if he had to choose a way to exit the show, would it not be alien abduction?
I still want to believe that the truth is out there, but I think it may be that The X-Files has run its course.
Thoughts of a Middle School Nerd 