Blog 6
This series is an examination of how disability is portrayed in the world of The X-Files. In the first four episodes there was a repeated use of the word crazy (sometimes insane) and a fear of being seen as crazy if you believed in the existence of aliens. We saw a progression in Fox Mulder first telling Scully he wasn’t crazy to asking if she believed he was crazy to asking if he was Spooky. In Conduit you have the mother of two children impacted by close encounters with aliens preferring her daughter be thought of as running off with a biker’s gang than admitting to abduction. Meanwhile the audience, knowing already by this point in the series that aliens do exist, are left with the strong impression that Mulder’s willingness to be seen as crazy because of his belief is noble and heroic. That is a lot for a new show to accomplish in four very strong first episodes.
The next three episodes of the series (Jersey Devil, Shadows and Ghosts in the Machine) are not as strong in terms of quality of plot lines. For the purposes of this blog, the remarkable thing is the abrupt shift from the use or terminology of words to symbolize “crazy” when Mulder or characters believe in paranormal or extraterrestrial phenomena. These episodes reference psychosis or psych hospitals only in passing. Instead of saying “it sounds crazy” they might say “it sounds ridiculous.” In The Jersey Devil one person does not come forward because he has a pension he wants to protect. However the terminology associated with mental illness is largely missing. There is no discussion of Mulder being perceived as crazy or characters being thought of as crazy or insane in any of the episodes.
Why the sudden shift? I have searched for research or articles about this topic of which I am blogging for reference and have found scant discussion or research.
The only specific information I have is from a mailbag question to Frank Spotnitz who was nice enough to reply, but he did not join the series until season two. This reason for this brief shift remains a mystery. While there will be criticisms in this blog, there will be praise as well If the X Files had not shifted back, the praise and this blog might not exist. It is worth considering Frank Spotnitz reply to me at this time .
“You're right that we had a great number of characters with disabilities in the series, Pamela, but I don't recall that we ever had an explicit discussion about it or that anyone commented upon it at the time. I do think we as writers were naturally and intuitively drawn to characters who for one reason or another were perceived as "others." Mulder and Scully were outsiders themselves, so it just made sense that they were drawn to characters who were in some way marginalized or saw the world differently. Mulder and Scully looked where others wouldn't, and saw strength where others imagined weakness. It's one of the qualities that moved me most about their characters.”