Fan writers have already written a thousand movies, with more on the
         way.
         If Fans Wrote the X-Files ...
         X-Philes Write Their Own Stories:

         Those who watched "The X-Files Movie Special" on Fox this week got to see
         what famous fans like Cher and Melissa Etheridge think of the series, and to
         hear how
         famous writers like Stephen King and William Gibson turned their enthusiasm
         into episodes for the series. Most viewers, of course, aren't offered cameo
         appearances or the chance to write an episode, but even the big names are
         in the dark about what's going to happen in the much-anticipated feature film.
 

         We know what the pros are expecting: how about the X-Philes?

         Well, some fans don't wait around to find out. In a bygone era, fans might
         have suffered alone in anticipation, or at most managed to find a letterzine
         with commentary
         on the season finale of "The X-Files" and predictions for the movie. Since the
         advent of the Internet, however, nobody has to sit around waiting for more
         than a
         month to explore the ramifications of a cliffhanger like "The End." Fan fiction
         writers have already offered solutions to the mysteries of Mulder's origins,
         Scully's
         implant, the apparent presence of competing alien invaders, Cigarette
         Smoking Man's plan for world domination...and, of course, how Mulder and
         Scully really feel
         about each other. Outside of network regulations and genre expectations,
         amateur "X-Files" writers have been telling different, yet parallel, stories all
         along.

         "The New York Times" described fan fiction as "a new testament to TV's role
         as a common language in a society becoming both more global and more
         fragmented"
         - a particularly interesting description in light of "The X-Files"' paranoia about
         the latter development. Professor Henry Jenkins of M.I.T. has written two
         books on
         the phenomenon, which has burgeoned since "Star Trek" was cancelled in
         1969, emphasizing the participatory nature of the storytelling and the
         rebellious,
         anti-corporate stance of the writers...another theme which jibes nicely with
         the prevalent suspicion of the series of government and private institutions
         which attempt
         to direct or channel people's thoughts.

         More "X-Files" stories exist online than will ever be filmed, written in Harper
         Prism official novels, or sketched in comic books; there are more than ten
         thousand
         stories spread over three major archives on the web. (The largest, The
         Gossamer Project, has three mirror sites: for most U.S. readers,
         http://gossamer.interspeed.net will probably be easiest to access.) Many of
         these stories contradict the events of the series and one another, but that's
         part of the
         point: sometimes no definitive answer to a question, or a plethora of them, is
         more fun than conclusive closure.

         Sheryl Martin, one of the most recognizable names in X-fic, who has won fan
         awards and been cited in numerous articles, would like to get some answers in
         the
         film to the issues posed by the series. "Even the best mystery novels have to
         eventually put some of the cards on the table... and I do want to see the end
         of
         Samantha," she admits. "I think that the question of Samantha should be
         answered and the case closed once and for all - we've had two or so
         appearances and twists
         on the lost sister over five years, and it's about time that we had the definite
         word on what happened to her. Which of course then leads to Mulder dealing
         with the
         truth, whatever it is."

         Martin doesn't mind the ongoing twists in the alien invasion mythology, "as
         long as there's some consistency - over the past few years there's been some
         glaring errors
         in continuity, and it's both jarring and disconcerting when you get the idea
         that no one at 1013 or Fox is keeping track. A good storyteller weaves new
         threads in with
         the old and finishes some off; I'm looking forward to some new scares and
         conspiracies, as long as eventually it all comes together." She wants to leave
         the film "with
         a good taste in [my] mouth, but wanting a lot more...like potato chips."

         Rhoni Lake, who manages the massive X-Files Romantics Archive at
         http://geocities.datacellar.net/Area51/4261/, agrees that Samantha's
         whereabouts should be
         revealed once and for all. "It's the most important mystery. It's been the
         focus of Mulder's search for so long I think it would be interesting to see him
         shift his focus."
         However, Lydia Bower, an award-winning fan writer who even has her own fan
         club among X-Philes, feels that that issue has already become secondary, and
         it
         doesn't matter whether the film addresses it or not.

         "I'm a huge fan of the mytharc [as the complex scientific and political
         mythology of the series is called - not to be confused with "MOTW," or
         "Monster of the Week"
         stories]. I've always been content to let Chris Carter tell me what he wants
         me to know, when he wants me to know it, and I'm quite happy being left
         with
         unanswerable questions. Unlike some 'philes, I do think he had long-range
         plans when the series began, and I'm still captivated by his ability to keep me
         coming back
         for more - I honestly think I'd be disappointed and begin to lose some of my
         fascination with the series if he answered too many questions in the film,"
         Bower admits.
         "I understand that one scene explaining the fate of Samantha was filmed for
         the movie but later cut because it was found to be too confusing for
         non-fans. I have to
         agree with that decision - I think it would be a mistake to try to tackle too
         much in the film. I'm also of the opinion that Mulder's quest has moved far
         beyond the
         question of what happened to his sister, and it's almost a non-issue at this
         point - at least for me."

         Shannon O'Connor, who has written a long and much-praised story offering
         insights into the mytharc, also doesn't necessarily want to know what
         happened to
         Samantha, or Mulder's exact relationship with Cancer Man. "Just for the
         record, I don't think CSM is or should be Mulder's father, although I think it'd
         be great if he
         is Samantha's father...and Agent Spender's, since he's already said that.
         [But] the movie doesn't have to give "any" definitive answers," stresses
         O'Connor. "I don't
         really want any of the big questions solved; they provide the show's main
         foundations. Give me bits and pieces, but not the whole picture. The show's
         success has
         been built on its ability to raise as many questions as it answers, if not more.
         I think the movie should follow the same form - a balance of political
         maneuverings,
         scientific investigation, action/adventure, a certain 'paranormal bouquet,' and
         all types of character interaction...or, as a fanfic writer would put it - XTAH
         UST!"

         UST is shorthand for unresolved sexual tension, of which this series has
         plenty. The overwhelming majority of "X Files" stories concern the partnership
         between
         Mulder and Scully - be it platonic, collegial, romantic, fraternal, passionate,
         conflicted, or symbolic of different ways of viewing the world as represented
         by their
         characters. The stories range from explorations of the intense friendship
         between the two agents to sizzling erotica about the duo. Some 'shippers
         specifically do "not"
         want to see the couple become intimate, fearing that would diminish the
         relationship in other ways...but many disagree. Lake - a graphic artist by day,
         fan writer by
         night - believes that "it's way past time." "They trust no one but each other,
         right? I think at this point the only person who understands what drives them,
         what goes
         on in their lives, is each other. I'd like to see more openness between Mulder
         and Scully - they tend to shut each other out when they most need support,"
         Lake says.
         "I'd also like to see Mulder lose his 'ditch the partner' syndrome, and I'd like to
         see Scully actually accept the existence of extraterrestrials. Her 'skeptic'
         routine has
         been pushed beyond believability - I don't want her to lose her need for
         science, or her press for concrete evidence, but so far she's seen too much
         just in the way of
         humanoid mutants and undeniable psychic ability for her to keep denying such
         possibilities. At this point she's gone from skeptic to being in a state of
         absolute denial.
         She's starting to look foolish."

         "You have to eventually put your cards down on the table," agrees Martin,
         author of the famed "Dragon" stories - her character Jackie St. George has
         actually been
         used by other fan writers, one of the highest compliments to a fanfic author.
         Martin notes that fans "have picked up on signals sent by the actors and the
         writers over
         five seasons of a platonic relationship between Mulder and Scully and have
         interpreted it to be a long 'courtship,' as David Duchovny commented in one
         interview -
         heck, that interpretation didn't come out of the blue, it was intentionally put
         in the show for a reason and not just to frustrate fans until they quit. Chris
         Carter must
         continue through with it, or risk losing a lot of fans who have stuck with him
         through the five years and the continual teasing."

         Martin calls herself a "hopeful romantic," who would like to see a realistic
         relationship developing between Mulder and Scully. "Over the past five years,
         the two of
         them have been drawn to each other in the longest courtship on [television]
         record - and that's frankly part of the appeal of the series, the courtship
         dance that we see
         from week to week in contrast to the prevailing view on television that sex
         scenes have to be part of a successful series. The X-Files" proves that you
         can have a
         meaningful loving relationship without even a kiss. The relationship between
         Mulder and Scully appeals to all of us in the purest form of love that you'll
         ever see - a
         true match of minds and souls, if not of bodies...yet."

         O'Connor is also quick to point out that most 'shippers don't want to see
         Mulder and Scully "going at it like wild weasels." But she thinks "it's time for
         "something"
         more to happen between Mulder and Scully, and by the trailers I've seen,
         something does in the film...I have no idea whether or not they actually kiss,
         but if the scene
         of them moving in for a kiss is actually in the finished film, that in and of itself
         will change the dynamic of their relationship. I don't think Mulder and Scully
         should just
         fall into bed together - I do, however, think it's entirely possible and plausible
         for them to move into a romantic relationship, as long as it remains secondary
         to their
         professional relationship and their search for the truth."

         Bower echoes the same sentiments. "I honestly don't believe that an
         acknowledgement of their love for each other - and I can use that term now
         that Carter has
         himself - would damage the series. Anyone viewing the events of the past
         five years already knows these two will do whatever it takes to protect the
         other from
         harm. The bond is already there, the stance they've taken speaks louder than
         any words, but I still want to hear them and I think Mulder and Scully need to
         hear
         them, too."

         "Having said that, I want to make it clear that I really enjoy the slow, careful
         courtship we've been seeing," Bower continues. "I have enough faith in Carter
         and the
         writing staff to believe they can add the element of a mature, adult romantic
         relationship between the characters without sacrificing plot or tension. Just
         think of how
         much more delicious each small touch or look between them would be if the
         audience were aware that there was an ongoing physical relationship. I think
         it's time to
         move the relationship forward: it's reached the point where many fellow
         'shippers have grown tired of Carter's constant teasing. They want some
         payoff to keep them
         tuning in each week."

         Though there are so-called "casefile fics" which are much like MOTW episodes
         in their focus on a mystery to solve, overwhelmingly "X-Files" fan writers seem
         to
         focus on relationships...and not just Mulder and Scully. There's a large
         Scully/Skinner contingent, and quite a healthy Mulder/Krycek following,
         particularly since
         Krycek kissed Mulder earlier this season. Writers of the latter types of stories,
         known as "slash" because of the / mark which separates the names of the
         involved
         characters (K/S, an early code for Kirk/Spock from an era when such stories
         were far more closeted, seems to be the origin), don't really expect to see
         storylines on
         a network series which parallel their fiction; many of them were surprised by
         the kiss in the first place, since overt acknowledgement of homoerotic
         attraction is still
         pretty rare on television.

         That hasn't stopped them from hoping for an encore in the film, however. "I'd
         love to see Krycek plant another one on Mulder," laughs a net fan who asks
         not to be
         named. "Or to see Mulder plant one on Skinner. I don't think we've gotten any
         conclusive evidence that Fox is straight, so why not?" Well, it might interfere
         with
         Mulder and Skinner's working relationship...but then, all the UST might
         interfere with Mulder's and Scully's working relationship, too. That's part of
         the glory of
         fanfic: it doesn't necessarily matter. Or, if it does, about a million different
         solutions can be worked out.

         "In my view, fan fiction is the ultimate way of merging with the show in a
         deeper way that just can't be done otherwise - you get to read various takes
         on the
         characters, situations and case files that stretch the imagination and yet are
         all familiar to you since you know the people involved," says Martin. "Some
         write within
         the framework of the series, like myself. Some take off into alternative
         universes and enjoy themselves there. Some move Mulder and Scully into gay
         lifestyles and
         create wonderful stories. Everyone writes for their own reason - me, just
         'cause I love mind candy."

         "I don't like to narrow my options when it comes to fanfic. I think we can
         have the best of both worlds: creating canon that's separate from what we
         see each week -
         i.e., slash, Mulder/Scully romance, alternate universe - as well as fics that
         stay within the canon created in the series," adds Bower. "I think it's
         dangerous to hold the
         position that it has to be one or the other. If one begins to think that way, it
         has a tendency to stifle creativity - which is the wellspring of any kind of
         fiction."

         AnotherUniverse.com

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