The X-Files - 9x16 "William" Full Reaction

I watched this episode and the previous one when they first aired and NEVER AGAIN. Just frustrating and annoying. Only for you two would I watch them again. But my reaction to everything I don't like in this show is just to go "blerrrrgh!" and promptly erase it from my memory. No no no no no. Scully would NOT just give her baby away, ffs.

zammmerjammer

David didn't make the decision. He didn't agree with the adoption storyline.

David and Gillian objected. It absolutely was a CC decision.

Absolutely agree, especially the Paley video. It's outstanding!

Can't remember an episode that received so many replies like this one.

Demijan Omeragic

Shelley, I'm so grateful that you replied to my question! Thank you! And yes, I can imagine how exhausting it must be to make these videos and not just be able to enjoy each other's company, having it feel like an obligation. Personally, as a fan, I would love it if you did reactions to bloopers, interviews, and panels. After all, no one has done—or is doing—what you are, creating reactions to The X-Files with such high quality, despite it being such a classic series with a huge fandom. But I'd be happy even if you just made a compilation video or picked one event to react to. If I may suggest, I would recommend The X-Files 20th Paley Event from 2013. They speak quite freely there, without too many interruptions or overly directed questions, and some really fun memories come up. ;)

Fernanda Monteiro

I know💛From wiki: ” Reportedly, the idea for Scully to give William up for adoption was mandated by Carter and Spotnitz. Duchovny, Anderson, and executive producer John Shiban were not happy with this turn of events, due to them being parents and feeling that the action was not realistic. In the end, they "grudgingly consented"

Baconbob23

David wrote the script with Carter and Spotnitz

Daniela Keller

Fans hated that episode, because they felt that Scully would never make such a decision. I don't really think it was a Duchovny decision. It was more likely Chris Carters. Yes, they knew the show wouldn't be renewed at this point. That's why they are doing all these wrap ups, with the Gunmen, now with William. However, not in the way fans want it to go. 🙈

Wolfgang Engel

I’ve heard that both David and Gillian really fought against the decision to make Scully leave William up for adoption. They both had kids by this point, I believe, and felt that Scully nor Mulder would ever do that. I don’t think that Mulder would ever leave Scully and William in the first place. If you don’t think it is too much or too ”weird”..there are some interesting photos from the wrap up-party of the X-files season 3🫣you could really see how much David and Gillian didn’t get along…or what?😉 https://www.tumblr.com/fuckyeahdavidgillian/tagged/s3%20wrap%20party

Baconbob23

This episode and the one before make me ANG-RY. No like. 0/10 stars.

zammmerjammer

Duchovny did in fact make a "cameo appearance" if we can call it that, as a reflection in the eye, so it was not old footage. But yeah... here we are. One of the most disliked episodes, to put it mildly. Total character assassination of Scully, and a terrible "solution" to the William storyline. Although there has been a minority of fans defending the adoption, the general consensus is that it's atrocious and makes no sense. Think about it, Scully knows that these human replacements ("supersoldiers") are everywhere, but she sends her son to an anonymous couple she knows nothing about. Point number two, Spender injects him with something (magnetite) that supposedly removes his powers... making William even MORE vulnerable, being unable to defend himself using his powers if he grows older. And point three, the whole excuse that is given here by Spender in favor of the adoption - that they will always remember what he was (special), and will never accept what he is now (normal) - makes the adoption even more ridiculous. If "they" will never accept that he is just a normal child now, then how does sending him off to a random couple (who doesn't even know the child's complex history) make any sense, both for Scully, and for William, and also for the new parents as well? If "they" will always be looking for him, how is such a decision wise? How is he safer with this couple than with Scully, especially after supposedly having lost his powers now? Lol. So yeah, one could write an essay, but to me the adoption is inexcusable. I can't speak for all fans, but I think I speak in this case for most of them. I'd say about 80% for sure. The great things about this episode are IMO the return of Jeffrey Spender (it was done quite well I think), the references to Mulder, and of course Scully's acting. Well, the music score too. Doggett, during the heated exchange, doesn't actually say "I know who you are" but instead "whoever the hell you are". Also yes, the person you are referring to who shed his skin and turned alien was Billy Miles (who was also in the pilot episode), and you're referring to "Deadalive", season eight. As I've said in a previous comment, the supersoldiers term is deception that the aliens use to make people (like Doggett) believe that they are military and not aliens. In terms of how exactly they are created, and whether there are different methods of creating a "supersoldier", we don't know, but one of the methods we have seen, which was Billy Miles' case, and what would've happened to Mulder if Scully hadn't used "antivirals". Your reaction and analysis of the episode were great as usual, very enjoyable. I have said in a previous comment that I wish you would do the original series finale just like it was aired back then, in one piece like a movie, but, of course you are free to do as is best / easiest for you. I'll end this post with a short (non-spoilery) copy-paste from Wikipedia about this episode, which summarizes the adoption disaster in a short but effective way... Robert Shearman and Lars Pearson, in their book Wanting to Believe: A Critical Guide to The X-Files, Millennium & The Lone Gunmen, rated the episode three stars out of five. The two criticized the idea that Scully would give her child up for adoption solely based on the word of Jeffrey Spender, noting "if she wasn't going to give it away for the sake of its own protection after a UFO cult abducted it [in 'Provenance'/'Providence'], then why should she because Jeffrey Spender of all people comes along and informs her that it's under threat?"

Demijan Omeragic

I totally agree with you.

Daniela Keller

Another episode where the authors insult Scully's character. She would never have given away this child, she wanted so much for many years. Apparently no one knew how to write about an FBI agent with a child, so the authors Duchovny, Spotnitz and Carter came up with this horrible story with the adoption. The only good thing about this episode is once again Gillan Anderson's acting, it's heartbreaking good. Oh and If you just want to watch one video, it should be this one, certainly the best thing Gillian and David have done together😁 NYCC 2013 XF-Panel with Gillian Anderson & David Duchovny https://youtu.be/tojlsX9DZck?si=uyXYD1PG7Kx3jvTw

Daniela Keller

Put the prosthetics on…DAVID 😂 Loved your reaction! The way you were questioning him being Mulder the whole time he was interacting with Scully but as soon as he had that moment with Doggett “Maybe it is Mulder.” And I’m so glad you were able to listen to the podcast! It really was so enlightening to hear about their relationship outside of the show. If you ever need me to look over anything else, I’d be happy to do so!

PeachyKeen

I just noticed the sexy pat down and eye contact combo lmfao 😭 I didn't notice it at first because I was too busy stressing out and trying not to cry throughout the whole episode because putting a scene of William getting adopted (or rehomed as Emily said lmao) at the very beginning was just crazy work 😭 It was a good episode but I don't think I'll ever understand how they thought Scully would just willingly give William away and have that much faith that the aliens, the cult, or the government wouldn't find him. Idk I'm not a mom but I don't think giving the baby away is the best option in this situation 😭 This was such a heartbreaking episode omg

Anikka

I hated this episode and still do to this day. All the shit they made Scully go through to this point and then make her give up her baby.

Tre