The X-Files made its triumphant return at New York Comic Con on Saturday, October 10th. FOX screened the first episode in the much anticipated revival series before a Q&A session moderated by comedian and The X-Files Files podcaster Kumail Nanjiani and attended by David Duchovny, Mitch Pileggi and showrunner Chris Carter. (Gillian Anderson recorded a video message apologizing for not being able to attend.)
IGN will have a full breakdown of the episode coming soon, but there were plenty of talking points to come out of the Q&A as well. Carter explained how the six-episode season will be structured, saying, “We start with a [two-part] mythology episode and then we’re going to do standalone episodes for the next four. And then we bookend it with mythology episodes at the end of the season too.”
Expect the premiere episode to make an impact, which was always Carter's goal. "Before we started, David said I think we have to come out and punch them in the mouth," the showrunner recalled. "I think we knew we needed to make a statement.”
Speaking about how he knew returning to the show was the right move, Duchovny said it seemed right because of "the fact that Gillian and Chris and Mitch were there. We all kind of have a group memory. And we can all check in with one another once we get there, and we can all kind of feel when Mulder’s right and when’s Scully’s right and when Skinner’s right." The first look at filming the new season came back in June.
One of the biggest changes in the premiere is that Mulder and Scully have now broken up (meaning their relationship is as complicated as ever, as proven by the footage screened at summer TCA press tour).
"This is where the sniper gets me," Carter said. "They’re not living under the same roof and that was a conscious thing, and we wanted to play it real. Mulder and Scully have had their differences and that’s where we’re at.”
He further explained, "I saw a bumper sticker that said life has many bumps in the road. I think Mulder and Scully have found one of those.” When a fan asked Carter if he thinks the former couple is stronger than that, he muttered, “That’s like a network note."
Something that remained the same from the original series is the opening sequence, which got a great response from the NYCC audience but which Carter admitted he "didn't know if it would work, so I'm glad to see you guys liked it."
The X-Files is returning with its TV version of Season 10, but there also is a comic series called The X-Files Season 10, which Joe Harris wrote and Carter executive produced. It's been unclear how the two new properties will tie together, and Carter offered some clarifications on the panel.
"We talked to the comics guys and told them what we’re doing, but that’s obviously separate from us," he said. "I have to say, Joe Harris and his team are doing great with the comics. So we know what each other are doing, but it’s separate."
Asked whether The X-Files would get future seasons beyond this revival, Duchovny was vague, saying, "Chris has the lion’s share of the work. We work hard, but Chris really, it’s a bigger time commitment [for him]. I’m just grateful to all you guys to let us come back and play these characters again. If there’s an appetite for more, then as we say in the show, you have my number."
The six-episode The X-Files revival is set to return with a two-night premiere event kicking off on Sunday, January 24 with the next episode following on Monday, January 25.
ign.com
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