[tv] The X-files

[inulro]

On account of feeling too lousy to do anything these last couple of days, I got out the box set of The X-Files I was given some time ago. I've got through the first two discs of season one.

Due to the separation in time, I had failed to notice just how directly Supernatural has ripped off the X-Files. Only the X-files has a woman as protagonist and women and people of colour doing important high levels jobs throughout. Much as I love Supernatural, the lack of women Doing Important Stuff bugs me a lot.

Otherwise, it's aged pretty well.

The X-Files is the reason I started watching TV as an adult. I hated TV when I was a kid, mainly because of the lack of continuity - something would happen in one episode that you'd expect to change things and then the next week everything was set back to "start" again.

I didn't have a TV throughout university and when I lived in Leeds. I occasionally had housemates who owned one but didn't watch it. Then everyone, including people who didn't watch TV, started talking about the X-Files, and I thought I'd see what it was all about. And then it started having a story arc, and references to past episodes and how that affected the characters.

It's commonplace now, but it was groundbreaking at the time.

Comments

[ivory-goddess.livejournal.com]

It never occurred to me that Supernatural ripped off The X-Files. Which is odd, as it ripped off practically everything else - in the early seasons at least :)

[mimmimmim.livejournal.com]

I loved, loved, loved the X-Files. I've got the first two series on Tivo and the box should record any other episodes I don't have whenever they're broadcast. (I just hope it's in order!) Rewatching them made me realise just how good it was.

With that, various Start Treks (especially DS9), Bab 5, Ultraviolet et al, the 1990s really were a golden age for SF/fantasy telly. There's little of that calibre around now...

[inulro.livejournal.com]

In my case, I blame the fact that I haven't seen the X-Files since it was on, and that was a long time ago! Because it's really obvious when you go back. A lot of programmes owe a lot to the X-Files, but Supernatural is a really blatant rip-off.

[inulro.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen any of them since it was on, and I'm astounded at how good it still is (we're now on disc 4, season 1).

I gave up before the end - after Mulder left and it was all about Scully wanting a baby. I wonder if I'll get through them all now?

When I finish I think a box set and binge-watch of Millennium will be in order.

[kest]

I am having trouble wrapping my brain around supernatural ripping off the x-files. Maybe in the first season.... I agree that Supernatural is pretty bro-tastic and at the same time I'm conscious of the fact that one of the things I like about it is they're so *pretty*. Are you all up to date on it? They do get increasingly better women characters. Felicia Day is brilliant.

Did you ever watch Quantum Leap? It's the first show I can remember watching that had an arc, even though it didn't really come up much.

We're watching Community right now, which seems like classic sitcom and you kind of expect that reset, but I'm loving the way they pay attention to little details. Characters that have a big role in an episode or two will have been seen as extras in the background several episodes previous. If something gets broke, it stays broke until someone fixes it. The characters grow over time. Etc.

[inulro.livejournal.com]

I've only seen a couple of random episodes of Quantum Leap. It didn't offend me, but I never really saw the appeal either.