Babies and Magic realism
ABauer7333
X-Files Spoiler Alert--We mean it this time!
So, who is the father of Agent Scully's child?
Actor David Duchovny may have let the cat of the bag during a recent interview
on an Italian radio program. (An online X-Files group translated and posted the
interview).
"I don't want to give too much away too soon, otherwise I would spoil you all,"
Duchovny reportedly said. "Then again, I didn't write this episode, so I really
don't know. Anyway, they told me that, yes, it should be Mulder's baby, a
little Mulder, and the baby is not alien — that is, if you don't believe that
Mulder is alien himself!"
Referring to a sequence from the classic science fiction program V in which an
alien/human baby rapidly grew from baby to adult, Duchovny joked: "Maybe they
were hoping to have my child growing up really fast to take my place in the
show."
Second, these recent comments from CC in an LA Daily News article:
"We'll bring in some new characters." he says. "We have some chances here to
expand the show yet again. We're still going to tell great stories. I want to
focus more on the character of Scully and tell stories that deal with a more
mythological magic realism approach than we have done before."
Considering that these echo some of the more interesting and speculative
discussion on the ng lately, I was wondering if anyone is afraid of 1013 trying
to tackle a new baby and magic realism in one fell swoop? This from the man
who once only wanted to tell "really scary stories"?
Dr. B
http://members.aol.com/abauer7333/personal.html
The MulderGirls: We put the virtue in virtual reality.
It's not just a nickname, it's a website. http://www.muldergirls.com/
OpheliaMac
> "We'll bring in some new characters." he says. "We have some chances here to
>expand the show yet again.
Overall, I've seen 1013's genius in casting/directing rather than in character
generation per se. (Yes, there were notable exceptions, mostly from Darin
Morgan's teeming brain, IMO) Think about it -- Skinner's a cool character, but
all he ever really says are 1., I'm trying to help you, and 2., You're off this
case. You could almost give him red and blue signal flags and cut his dialogue
altogether. (It's really an interesting episode when he waves both flags at
once).
As to new characters, I'm more interested in who's going to play them. There's
so much smoke-and-mirrors to your average XF character that interpretation is
everything. ("Mulder -- you're off this case!" "Mulder . . . you're off this
case." "Mulder . . . oh, Mulder . . . Yes! Mulder . . ." ;)
>I want to focus more on the character of Scully and tell stories that deal
with a more
>mythological magic realism approach than we have done before."
>
/CC Quote
I was wondering if anyone is afraid of 1013
>trying to tackle a new baby and magic realism in one fell swoop? This from
the man who once only wanted to tell "really scary stories"?
I guess it depends on the definition of magic realism. If I had to come up
with one, it would probably be something like, "finding extraordinary
significance in ordinary things."
1013 has gone in that direction, but rarely. There was the lingering over
everyday objects in "all things," the dissolve from Scully & Emily in the
hospital to the Madonna and Child stained-glass window in "Emily."
I think I remember those scenes because the tone was so different from most of
TXF. CC's vision is usually so expansive, often literally explosive. When he
turns everything around and focuses on the small it's a bit of a shock.
It's true that 1013's directors can have a beautifully delicate touch behind
the camera. I guess if I was going to see a major conflict it would be with
the fact that the show basically dwells on weird stuff -- making the
extraordinary seem at least possible, if hopefully not mundane. To me that's
the opposite of magic realism.
When Carter can do what Toni Morrison did in "Beloved" and make a set of
white-painted stairs one of the scariest images in a story, he will be ready.
(Those stairs led to the grave -- maybe straight through it to the Other Side.
Morrison never said they did, but she didn't have to. You KNEW).
Magic realism is probably the best way to go if CC's going to be focusing on
mother/baby stuff. There aren't too many exploding, unmarked black limos in
the nursery. (Well, it *is* a Mulder baby . . .)
One thing's for sure, a magic-realism season 8 would look a whole lot different
than the old "This informant will self-destruct in 10 seconds" episodes.
What the heck -- I'll watch. I've had my Sunday night social schedule set for
years now, anyway. I'd miss my X-Files friends if I quit watching the show.
:)
--Ophelia
>
>http://members.aol.com/abauer7333/personal.html
>The MulderGirls: We put the virtue in virtual reality.
>It's not just a nickname, it's a website. http://www.muldergirls.com/
>
>
"Where are we going? Why am I in this handbasket?"
Cassandra
abaue...@aol.com (ABauer7333) wrote:
> Considering that these echo some of the more interesting and speculative
> discussion on the ng lately, I was wondering if anyone is afraid of 1013
trying
> to tackle a new baby and magic realism in one fell swoop?
I am afraid. As wonderful as Requiem was, I still can't trust CC
implicitly, not after all the grief and teasing. And I don't know what
*he* means by magic realism. If his version of magic realism is having
Scully's pregnancy be the result of some divine transcendence rather than
actual Mulder nookie, my head might explode. (During or after I destroy my
TV, I'm not sure!). If it's something more along the line of Scully
getting visions of the baby, I think I'll be fine.
But I hope CC doesn't get *too* out-there with the handling of this
pregnancy. I think he needs to play it straight, as Konrad says, since the
plot is inherently shocking and fantastic.
--
Cassandra
Cults of Vince, Ramses, Ioan and Xander
"Gratuitous effects take up the space and the energy and the emotion that could be used for really important moments." -- Harrison Ford
mox.f...@fib.gob.invalid
[...]
> I am afraid. As wonderful as Requiem was, I still can't trust CC
Why should you?
[...]
> TV, I'm not sure!). If it's something more along the line of Scully
> getting visions of the baby, I think I'll be fine.
oh...I think I figured it out. It's the dancing baby! Yes, the one that
became famous online and then on Ally McBeal.
> But I hope CC doesn't get *too* out-there with the handling of this
> pregnancy. I think he needs to play it straight, as Konrad says, since the
> plot is inherently shocking and fantastic.
I find it strange that some people are making plans for this child, when
it's highly likely he/she will not survive. Don't worry, he/she will be
taken away by the good spirits from Closure.
> Cassandra
I don't believe you.
That's lame, but I had to say it.
--------------------------------------------------------
Al Ruffinelli <alv...@accesscom.com>
http://www.turning-pages.com/xf/ X-Files
http://www.turning-pages.com/xf101/ X-Files 101
--------------------------------------------------------
mox.f...@fib.gob.invalid
[...]
> Second, these recent comments from CC in an LA Daily News article:
> "We'll bring in some new characters." he says. "We have some chances here to
> expand the show yet again. We're still going to tell great stories. I want to
> focus more on the character of Scully and tell stories that deal with a more
> mythological magic realism approach than we have done before."
[...]
Translation: "Dave is leaving, so we're screwed. I'm going to pretend I
can sell that BS story about expanding the show with new characters,
because the bosses at Fox are shoving it up my..."
Sara McEnhill
I found this definition for Magic Realism at the University of Victoria
web site
(http://195.209.208.11/WritersGuide/literary/ltmagicrealism.html):
"Fiction that maintains a discourse appropriate to an objective and
realistic narrative, while recounting fantastic or supernatural events
alongside commonplace happenings.
"Magic realism provides much of the power in a number of South American
writers, notably Gabriel Garcia Marquez (One Hundred Years of Solitude,
1967), but the technique has been used by Milan Kundera, Salman Rushdie,
Robert Kroetsch, Jack Hodgins and Peter Carey, among others. Swift's
Gulliver's Travels might be seen as an early example."
So, a "Mythological magic realism approach"?. Hmmm. Possibly the idea that
extraordinary things usually have purpose or meaning (a message from the
gods)? Or maybe just accepting extraordinary events as part of the world.
I think this would fit with the changes that have taken place in Scully's
views. I think she is going to move from subjective to objective
investigation of extraordinary things.
After reading that definition, I keep thinking of "All Things". Scully has
the vision in the Buddhist temple of Daniel, and her diagnosis turns out
to be right. She doesn't question where it came from. It works, so she
just accepts it.
Sara
Deborah
Cassandra <cass...@sprynet.com> wrote in message
>If his version of magic realism is having Scully's pregnancy be the result
of some divine transcendence rather than
> actual Mulder nookie, my head might explode. (During or after I destroy my
TV, I'm not sure!).
You won't be the only one. I can see it now. All over the country the sounds
of first the TV being smashed and then the head exploding. Hmmm, sounds like
an X-File. Oh wait, they already did that in Drive. Maybe Carter could do
something with that phenomenon where certain flashing lights on TV send some
folks into a fit. The Simpsons did a wonderful send up of that when they
went to Japan.
>If it's something more along the line of Scully getting visions of the
baby, I think I'll be fine.
That would be a form of continuity. I can envision Scully dreaming of the
child or being visited by Albert Hosteen or some other guide. As long as CC
doesn't get too carried away. The child actor who played Emily is too old
now so maybe we're safe from any more visitations from her, but Scully's
going to have to be thinking of Emily during all this.
Deborah
Deborah
<mox.f...@fib.gob.invalid> wrote in message
news:sk3jm8...@corp.supernews.com...snip
'> I find it strange that some people are making plans for this child, when
> it's highly likely he/she will not survive
Why? That's a lot of what we do here is speculate from the wildly improbable
to the occasional spot on. We speculate and analyze. You speculate that the
baby will disappear or not survive, a distinct possibility, but not the only
one. Maybe Gibson Praise will show up.
Deborah
Deborah
Sara McEnhill <mcenh...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:mcenhill42-10...@120.birmingham-11-12rs.al.dial-access.att.n
et...
>
> I found this definition for Magic Realism at the University of Victoria
> web site
> (http://195.209.208.11/WritersGuide/literary/ltmagicrealism.html):
>
> "Fiction that maintains a discourse appropriate to an objective and
> realistic narrative, while recounting fantastic or supernatural events
> alongside commonplace happenings.
>
> "Magic realism provides much of the power in a number of South American
> writers, notably Gabriel Garcia Marquez (One Hundred Years of Solitude,
> 1967), but the technique has been used by Milan Kundera, Salman Rushdie,
> Robert Kroetsch, Jack Hodgins and Peter Carey, among others. Swift's
> Gulliver's Travels might be seen as an early example."
Borges is the only writer I've read extensively, and a little Cortazar
(sp?). What's interesting about magical realism in relation to the X-Files
is that it gives CC license to take anything back, to present certain images
for symbolism only, not in service to the plot or character development but
to speak to the ambiguous nature of reality--the many doors of perception.
If he goes that way, it will be interesting to see how he holds it together.
> So, a "Mythological magic realism approach"?. Hmmm. Possibly the idea that
> extraordinary things usually have purpose or meaning (a message from the
> gods)? Or maybe just accepting extraordinary events as part of the world.
Extraordinary events that are never explained but just add to the
atmosphere, the nature of reality in the TXF universe. The aliens would
never have to be explained or the ship. Just that they exist and the way
they are presented to us. In part this appeals to me, but I also long for a
more traditional linear narrative. Maybe Season 8 will be really
experimental. That will have a lot of fans howling and I may be one of them,
but it could also be fascinating. Hmmmm, I'll have to oil the rusty hinges a
nd see if I can open my mind to it.
Those of you more familiar with Magical Realism, I would really enjoy
reading your thoughts about possibilities. I just am not familiar enough
with the genre to contribute much at this point.
Deborah
trajan
Trajan
ABauer7333 wrote:
>
> First, this sound-bite from Mr. Showbiz:
>
> X-Files Spoiler Alert--We mean it this time!
> So, who is the father of Agent Scully's child?
> Actor David Duchovny may have let the cat of the bag during a recent interview
> on an Italian radio program. (An online X-Files group translated and posted the
> interview).
> "I don't want to give too much away too soon, otherwise I would spoil you all,"
> Duchovny reportedly said. "Then again, I didn't write this episode, so I really
> don't know. Anyway, they told me that, yes, it should be Mulder's baby, a
> little Mulder, and the baby is not alien — that is, if you don't believe that
> Mulder is alien himself!"
> Referring to a sequence from the classic science fiction program V in which an
> alien/human baby rapidly grew from baby to adult, Duchovny joked: "Maybe they
> were hoping to have my child growing up really fast to take my place in the
> show."
>
> Second, these recent comments from CC in an LA Daily News article:
>
> "We'll bring in some new characters." he says. "We have some chances here to
> expand the show yet again. We're still going to tell great stories. I want to
> focus more on the character of Scully and tell stories that deal with a more
> mythological magic realism approach than we have done before."
>
> Considering that these echo some of the more interesting and speculative
> discussion on the ng lately, I was wondering if anyone is afraid of 1013 trying
> to tackle a new baby and magic realism in one fell swoop? This from the man
> who once only wanted to tell "really scary stories"?
>
> Dr. B
Numue99
atmosphere, the nature of reality in the TXF universe. The aliens would
never have to be explained or the ship. Just that they exist and the way
they are presented to us. In part this appeals to me, but I also long for a
more traditional linear narrative. Maybe Season 8 will be really
experimental. That will have a lot of fans howling and I may be one of them,
but it could also be fascinating. Hmmmm, I'll have to oil the rusty hinges a
nd see if I can open my mind to it.>>>
Just as long as the pregnancy isn't one of the things CC doesn't feel he has to
explain--something Scully just assumes is magical while she gives it an
emotionally realistic response. Ick.
Helena Bowles
Numue99 wrote in message <20000611175936...@ng-cl1.aol.com>...
>
><<< The difference with the Mulder/Scully relationship is that it is
>anything but one dimensional. It is vague, undefined but THERE. It really
>doesn't matter whether you think they've been shagging or not - the issue
is
>irrelevant in relationship terms.>>>
>
>I differ on this one point. It matters more than ever whether they've been
>shagging. For the baby to be a meaningful part of the mytharc, and to make
>Mulder and Scully of equal importance the mytharc, and destined to be so,
it
>has to be their child...and by a union that is their choice. That's why the
MSR
>as subtext never did it for me. Without integrating it into the story
>textually, it was extraneous, ultimately insignficant, and could too easily
be
>dispensed with.
This is a point I was going to post as a separate thread but it fits
well here anyway. Yes, you are right if the baby is to be a major part of
the story then M & S must have done the deed at least once because it
utterly ridiculous to suppose that Scully would be anything other than
horrified if she found herself pregnant without that prosaic explanation -
BUT...
What happens if the baby turns out not to be Mulder's anyway? At a
stage too late for her to consider abortion either on legal/ethical grounds
or because she has already established an emotional bond with the child
inside her. People seem to be arguing a black versus white stance where
EITHER the baby is Mulder's and therefore they will both accept it, love it
and form a semi-traditional family unit OR it is a child of some machination
of CSMs and will therefore be rejected/aborted. What happens if Scully is so
sure this is Mulder's child that she doesn't have any checks done that would
reveal an alternative paternity? What happens if she discovers late in her
pregnancy or even after the child is born that Mulder is *not* the father -
or, more likely in this show, has it hinted to her that she has been again
used and abused. As someone else has posted recently there is a tradition on
the show of children being loved despite somewhat dodgy conceptions. Can we
assume that Scully would reject a child if she found out late on that there
was a question over the paternity?
And what about Mulder? Do we assume that if Scully's child is not his
DNA that he'll head off over the horizon (either actually or emotionally)?
That's assuming of course that the child is biologically Scully's. If she
*has* been further abused then there is nothing to guarantee that the child
is biologically anything to do with either of them. Maybe Scully's being
used as an incubator.
What all this guff boils down to is - how are we defining parenthood and
particularly fatherhood? Mulder could still be a father to this child
regardless of its conception. I think it perfectly possible that the actual
biological origins of the child could well be left ambiguous, but for there
to be an ambiguity there must be the *possibility* that Mulder is the
father, ergo they must have had sex at least once. Whether that will ever
happen again or be a part of their relationship after Mulder's return is a
moot point and from *that* point of view I don't think it really matters.
Oddly enough 1013 have done the one thing that I never thought they would -
created a situation where M & S's relationship is a matter of importance to
the *plot*.
HELENA
>
Numue99
And, although I doubted it too, I have to say Hallelujah! That's where it
belongs--as an integral part of the story. That is *not* to say that it has to
be the focus of everything, but only that their romantic union would be a
necessary development in terms of the master narrative. Otherwise, in my mind,
the NoRomos are right. Why do it if it's gratuitous? Like violence, providing
hints of a romance for no other reason than to titillate a portion of the
audience is pointless and insulting.
As for the rest of it, I really hope they don't go there. As others have said,
to use this pregnancy as just another way to compromise Scully and her body for
the sake of icking out the audience *would* be bad soap opera. Talk about a
tease; it would be cruel and gratuitous beyond anything I could tolerate. That
would be the absolute end for me.