X was portrayed by Steven Williams, who is a very distinguished-looking actor, with a fantastic voice. He made his debut in the second season episode "The Host" (the 26th episode), although he was off-screen. He first appeared on-screen in the 28th episode (XXVIII), "Sleepless."
And to think that X was almost a woman! The narration and deleted scenes on the DVD for the show indicated that the actress Natalija Nogulich was originally cast for the role. The sad part is that she was not replaced until after shooting her first scenes. She simply didn't have the chemistry with the other characters needed to pull off the role.
On a side note, it's too bad, because I would have liked to see how a woman could have done that role. I don't have to wonder about it too much, however, since X was later replaced by the female character Marita Covarrubias. Unfortunately, the character came off as a bad parody of her predecessors. I'm not sure whether that was the fault of the actress or directors, but I would have loved to have seen a woman who could pull off that role really well.
X was killed in the Season 4 premiere, "Herrenvolk," which was the 74th episode (LXXIV) of the series. Thankfully, he appeared two more times after his death. One of those appearances was very special because it was in the 100th episode (C) of the series: "Unusual Suspects." This episode was all about the origin of The Lone Gunmen, and was set before his death.
The second time X appeared after his death could be considered the most special episode of the series, because it was in the series finale, "The Truth." This time, he appeared as a ghost. It would have been cool if the episode could have been the 200th episode, but it was actually a two-parter, which served as the 201st and 202nd episodes (CCI and CCII, respectively).
I wasn't a fan of the final episode of the series, but it was nice to see X again. Unfortunately, he was only a ghost in the episode. He couldn't really be anything else. He was dead after all.
I saw only a few of the programs. It didn't really get my attention.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
There aren't a lot of sci-fi fans out there, which is why my favorite shows always get canceled before their time. You're lucky! :)
DeleteI loved the first four seasons of this series. And what a clever X entry. I've been doing the challenge backwards (thanks to the meddling of the ghost of Mark Twain) so this is my C entry!
ReplyDeleteThe only genre which has fewer fans it seems is the Western genre, so you can imagine how the odds are stacked up against my Western Sci Fi! Have a healing weekend, Roland
Ah, yes! Would you be a Firefly fan by any chance? :) I hate Westerns, but LOVE Space Westerns! :)
DeleteHi, Kristen,
ReplyDeleteThanks for playing Catch up at my blog. You are so sweet to read on comment on all the intros you had missed. I REALLY appreciate it.
like you, I fell behind to. These intro take a while to write. Thankfully I have them all written now and I can visit all my new blogger friends.
I watched a few X files episodes, but I never really got into them ... BUt I do appreciate good characters and it seems that the MALE X pulled it off. Too bad it hadn't worked with female lead. Sometime it's hard to gel things..
Have a great weekend.
You're very welcome. I really enjoy your blog. I've actually been playing full catch-up for people who comment, and for my favorites. You're both a favorite AND a commenter, so thank you as well. :)
DeleteI used to regularly watch X files when I was in school. Now lost touch. I now feel I should watch again :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for revival
It would be easy now that the show is over. You know that if you wind up compulsively watching all of them, there will be an end to it all. :) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteHi Kristen, somehow I never got into the X-files though I do know they had a cult following, so it was interesting to read your post thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! Sci-fi is not for most people. That's why it always gets canceled before it should. :) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteGood analysis and summary of the show and "X". New follower here. I'm stopping by from the "A to Z" challenge and I look forward to visiting again.
ReplyDeleteSylvia
http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/
I haven't watched it, but this is probably the best show summary I've ever read. It definetely made me curious. I'm with you ... think a woman could have done it and done it well.
ReplyDeleteSilvia @ Silvia Writes
Hi Kristen, I never really watched the X files either, maybe the odd show. We are looking for a series to watch on netflix so maybe we will try X files. Hope your enjoying your weekend!
ReplyDeleteStarted watching the X Files on Netflix a while back and your post reminded me to resume. I really liked it!
ReplyDeleteI know they've had a big following, but I've never watched the show, err, movie?
ReplyDeletehttp://joycelansky.blogspot.com
I've never watched the X-Files, but back in the old AOL days (mid-1990s) I have friends with Mulder and Scully screen names. :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post. Have a great week!
I haven't watched the X-files either. I'm a sucker for shows that go 'episode-wise'. I prefer books, those I can finish at my own pace (which is a day or two if I really like the plot).
ReplyDeleteI could never watch the X-Files :( All the paranormal stuff interested me but I would have had nightmares. I'm a bit of a paradox. I love it, but it terrifies me!
ReplyDeleteTV shows were not really my thing, until I was introduced to Sherlock on BBC. It doesn't air in India - or at least, I think so - and I watched all 6 episodes online. It was amazing.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course, you are never too old for good animated moves/series. I'm one season into Avatar: The Last Airbender and I can't help but scream, WHY DON'T THE GOOD SHOWS GET AIRED HERE?!
Rant over.
Awesome X post. I was on the verge of banging my head against the wall, but I finally got around to writing a poem on X - the algebraic variable, I mean. God, can't believe there's only two more days/letters left!
Gosh you really were into X-Files, big time, weren't you?! I can't even remember any of this. I hope my Cable TV provider shows the series again soon. I'd love to watch all those episodes again. It certainly would be a blast from the past :D
ReplyDeleteSuzy Turner, YA Author
I've never watched X Files -- your post makes me feel I've missed something.
ReplyDeleteI loved the X Files. I watched every single episode. I was sad to see it go.
ReplyDeleteDark Thoughts Blog
Thanks for reading so many of posts and commenting on them. I finally got to replying this morning, much appreciated :)
ReplyDeleteI almost forgot about this show. I watched it off and on mostly in reruns I think but I remember liking it.
I absolutely loved the X files. Some of the episodes were really creepy, but I enjoyed them all.
ReplyDeleteWow, Kristen. I didn't even pick that up. I was so engrossed in the more patently obvious conspiracies within conspiracies and the characterizations of Smoker, and his eminence grise presence. I just re-watched "Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man" where his character ruminates, while waiting to take out Frohike of the Lone Gunmen, over a career of assassinations; assignments given him by higher ups. At times, played for dark humor, there is true dark night of the soul here, as when he tells his higher-ups that he himself will take care of MLK, jr, as he respects the man, and then later recites Aeschylus, along with RFK, who himself is dead 2 months later. Maybe having lived through all of that, brings that resonance and tragedy home to me. When he flatly refuses to kill the alien, even as he knows he is violating a multi-country treaty, there is at last, some honor left to him. Even as he stands there, knowing that he is in some way culpable by omission, but not commission, he is still lying to himself, he flatly rejects the notion that he has ever murdered. At the end, he chooses not to kill Frohike. That's one of the things I love about the X-Files. I must go back and watch it from your point of view, Kristen. The greatest art works from so many levels. I love things like this. Thank you so much for this fine post!
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