The surprising X-Files storyline that Fox thought would ruin the show
From Chris Snellgrove
| Published
Some of this may seem boring now, but The X-Files was known for pushing the envelope in the ’90s, like when they made “Home” so scary that the Fox network refused to air it in reruns outside of a Halloween event in 1999. Still, the network clearly had a lot of faith in the series and rarely fought against the writers, as Mulder and Scully’s misadventures fit right into the network’s edgy programming. However, Fox was worried about it X-Files The plot would ruin the show and force the writers of “Lazarus” to change a plot point that would involve another man inhabiting Mulder’s body.
The X-Files Lazarus Conspiracy
This may sound like a pretty crazy conspiracy even by The X-Filesbut “Lazarus” is a story about a bank robber with the ability to put his mind into other people’s bodies. Overall, the story plays out like one of the show’s signature tales, with Mulder firmly believing that the body hopping is real and Scully expressing clinically polite skepticism. However, the writers of this episode originally didn’t want Mulder to simply theorize about body hopping. Instead, they wanted him to experience it for himself.
The original Mulder idea
Accordingly The X-Files Writer-producer Howard Gordon wanted the Fox network to change a plot point from “Lazarus” in which the robber inserted his consciousness directly into Mulder’s body. In his words: “The network (…) balked at the idea that Mulder could experience such a supernatural event directly and first-hand.” In addition to explicitly protesting the notion of a “soul change,” Gordon also said that Fox generally object to her main character being used in this way.
As we mentioned, Fox usually didn’t mind The X-Files That’s what the writers wanted to do, and that made their resistance to a central plot point of “Lazarus” very notable. According to Gordon, things got bad: “We were angry and in turmoil.” In the end, it’s almost impossible to win a battle with the network, and the writers and producers were forced to make very reluctant changes to their episode.
Ultimately, however, Gordon gained insight into Fox’s decision on the matter X-Files story as a “smart decision” that ultimately made “Lazarus” a stronger episode. Honestly, as long-time fans of the series, we have to agree… In each episode, it’s very rewarding to witness the tension between Mulder’s beliefs and Scully’s skepticism, and it’s equally rewarding to decide for yourself what’s “real” about them Seemingly supernatural things happen to plots. Honestly, if the show had confirmed such blatant supernatural shenanigans in Season 1, it probably would have blunted the impact of later seasons.
The tension between Mulder and Scully’s beliefs was effectively reflected in the tension between them The X-Files Authors and the network on “Lazarus”. However, it’s hard to deny that the network made the right decision here: maintaining the mystery of the narrative while ensuring that future episodes tread the line between revelation and skepticism. This episode ultimately ruined the soul switch the writers had originally planned, but that might be for the best… like, can you? introduce How weird the fan fiction for this show would have been if Season 1 had canonically featured another man Fox Mulder?
