1994 12 00 OMNI - Behind the X-Files

Magazine Overview

This document is an article from OMNI magazine, dated Early June 1994, focusing on the popular television show "The X-Files." The article, written by David Bischoff, explores the show's creation, its characters, its influences, and its place within the broader cultural landscape of paranormal interest.

The X-Files: Behind the Scenes

The article begins by placing the reader at a UFO conference in Los Angeles during the UFO Expo West. It describes the atmosphere, filled with alien imagery, sculptures, and discussions about government cover-ups and alien structures on Mars. The author notes the presence of various individuals interested in the paranormal, from serious investigators to casual enthusiasts.

Chris Carter, the creator and executive producer of "The X-Files," is interviewed. He reveals that he attended the UFO Expo West incognito and spent a day there. Carter, then 37 years old, is described as relaxed and friendly. He confesses to having no personal paranormal experiences, having never seen a UFO or been contacted by anyone. His personal stance is one of natural skepticism.

Carter explains the origin of the show's main characters, Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, as a "dichotomy" representing his own internal conflict between the desire to believe and the inability to do so, embodying both skepticism and faith. He states that the characters and their voices came easily to him, reflecting a desire to witness paranormal phenomena while simultaneously questioning it.

He clarifies that the character names are not significantly metaphorical, but rather chosen for their sound and his childhood association with Vince Scully as a "voice of God" in Los Angeles. Carter admits he was not initially an avid science fiction fan but found that labeling the show as SF helped attract a broader audience.

The Show's Premise and Characters

The article highlights the show's premise: Fox Mulder (David Duchovny), a brilliant psychologist with excellent criminal work at the FBI, is given license to investigate unusual cases. His motivation stems from the childhood disappearance of his sister, whom he believes was abducted by aliens. He is contrasted with Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), a medical doctor specializing in forensics, who is assigned to provide a rational, scientific counterpoint to Mulder's beliefs. The dynamic between them is characterized by bickering, wise-cracking, and debate, though ultimately they develop trust in each other.

Each episode is described as serious, often ending in ambiguity, and featuring themes such as alien threats, genetically warped serial killers, evil clone children, and alien abductions. Specific episodes mentioned include "Ice" (based on John W. Campbell's "Who Goes There"), "Ghost in the Machine" (dealing with an evil AI computer), and "Deep Throat" (revealing a secret government Air Force base).

The show's direction is noted as atmospheric, with tight scripts, crisp dialogue, and an uneasy, grim tone. The article suggests that "The X-Files" captures the flavor and tone of paranormal literature.

Influences and Research

Chris Carter states that the show does not use consultants and that their research is done from diverse materials. He mentions consulting a virologist for accuracy in a genetic science storyline. He has read works by Whitley Strieber and Howard Blum, and is familiar with John Keel's work. The article points to "The Fringes of Reason," a book published by Harmony Press, as a significant resource that captures the essence of paranormal and UFO literature, covering topics like channeling, psychic powers, Bigfoot, and conspiracies.

Ted Schultz, an editor associated with "The Fringes of Reason," discusses his childhood fascination with the paranormal and how his interest evolved into a more rational, anthropological, and sociological outlook. He suggests that the cultural interest in the paranormal might stem from a need for spiritual exploration in a society disconnected from traditional aboriginal traditions.

Jay Kinney, publisher of Gnosis magazine, offers a perspective on UFOs as a potential opening for spiritual urges in a materialist society, though he is skeptical if they offer more than traditional religious paths. He references Carl Jung's view of UFOs as eruptions of archetypes from the collective unconscious and mentions Patrick Harpur's theory of paranormal phenomena existing in an "in-between zone" between the physical and spiritual.

Cultural Context and Paranoia

The article notes that "The X-Files" is a product of a "paranoid age." Carter explains that the show's theme of distrust of authority, exemplified by the character Deep Throat, stems from his personal feelings about institutions and authority. Jay Kinney agrees, stating that revelations about covert operations foster a healthy paranoia and that a significant portion of the population is primed to distrust official narratives from newspapers and television.

Popularity and Future of The X-Files

After a slow start, "The X-Files" has gained growing popularity. The article mentions that HarperPrizm Books will publish a series of original books based on the series, written by Charles L. Grant, promising more background material. Comic-book versions and lunch boxes are also deemed inevitable. The show's fanbase is active online, with discussions taking place in newsgroups like alt.tv.x-files and alt.paranet.ufo.

The article concludes by emphasizing the show's strength in exploring the unusual and bizarre through a fictional medium, taking viewers on a ride through the human psyche with no definitive conclusions, only questions about the nature of reality.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this article are the nature of belief versus skepticism, the cultural fascination with the paranormal and UFOs, the role of media in shaping perceptions, and the underlying sense of paranoia in contemporary society. The article adopts an exploratory and analytical stance, presenting various perspectives from the show's creator, researchers, and cultural commentators, while highlighting the show's success in tapping into these contemporary anxieties and interests.