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The X-Files (season 7)
Encyclopedia
The seventh season of The X-Files commenced airing in the United States
on November 7, 1999, concluded on May 21, 2000, and consists of twenty-two episodes. The X-Files
is an American serial
science fiction
-horror-thriller television series
. Season seven took place after the destruction of the Syndicate
, which marked the end of their long-running story arc
. This season marks the end of various story arcs, most notably the Samantha Mulder
arc, which involved finding the truth about what happened to her.
Season seven received mixed views from critics. After the broadcasting for the season ended, David Duchovny
sued Fox
and left the show as a main cast member. He would return in later seasons, but as a recurring character
instead. After this point, many recurring cast members such as William B. Davis
and Laurie Holden
wouldn't make an appearance on the show, until the series finale
, which aired in 2002.
As sister show
Millennium
was cancelled in 1999 without concluding any of the long-running arcs, Chris Carter
felt he needed to create "closure" for his cancelled show. This season would be the last to feature the old opening sequence for the series. The two later seasons changed the opening sequence in an attempt to renew the series.
" was created to give a sort of "closure" for the series Millennium
, which was cancelled in 1999. The episode would also mark the first time any of the original crew had done any work on the show, since Millennium was filmed in Vancouver, Canada, as The X-Files
had been before it. The episode was later included in the Millennium season three
box set and The Complete Series, even though it wasn't officially a Millennium episode.
The decision to end the long-running story arc
about Fox Mulder
looking for the truth about what happened to his sister (in the episode "Closure
") was decided when the production crew was unsure if the show would be renewed for another season. Kim Manners
, director for the show, even called this one of his "favorite" episodes. "My Weakness", a song by Moby from his album Play
, is used several times throughout the episode, most notably during the first scene and near the end. Carter never told the series' resident composer Mark Snow
about the decision to use someone else's music, although Snow has since said that his reaction to the use of the song was more positive than negative and that the song was a "perfect" fit for the scenes in which it can be heard.
Duchovny contributed to two scripts for the show, the first being "The Sixth Extinction II: Amor Fati
" with Carter, and the second being "Hollywood A.D." which he both wrote and directed. Co-star Gillian Anderson
also contributed to her first and only script for The X-Files. The episode was entitled "all things
" and focused solely on her character, Dana Scully
. The original script for "all things" was intended to be 10–15 minutes longer, the most notable cut off was the scene featuring conversation between Scully and Daniel Waterson (Nicolas Survoy).
became ill after the filming of "all things
", and production was pushed back a week. Extras were hired to fill the spots of people unable to adjust to the changed schedule.
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United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on November 7, 1999, concluded on May 21, 2000, and consists of twenty-two episodes. The X-Files
The X-Files
The X-Files is an American science fiction television series and a part of The X-Files franchise, created by screenwriter Chris Carter. The program originally aired from to . The show was a hit for the Fox network, and its characters and slogans became popular culture touchstones in the 1990s...
is an American serial
Serial (radio and television)
Serials are series of television programs and radio programs that rely on a continuing plot that unfolds in a sequential episode by episode fashion. Serials typically follow main story arcs that span entire television seasons or even the full run of the series, which distinguishes them from...
science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
-horror-thriller television series
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
. Season seven took place after the destruction of the Syndicate
Syndicate (The X-Files)
The Syndicate is a fictional "shadow government" group featured in The X-Files television show and feature film created by Chris Carter. They were also known as The Elders, The Consortium, and The Group...
, which marked the end of their long-running story arc
Story arc
A story arc is an extended or continuing storyline in episodic storytelling media such as television, comic books, comic strips, boardgames, video games, and in some cases, films. On a television program, for example, the story would unfold over many episodes. In television, the use of the story...
. This season marks the end of various story arcs, most notably the Samantha Mulder
Samantha Mulder
Samantha Ann Mulder is a fictional character in the television series The X-Files. She is the sister of FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder and the daughter of Teena and Bill Mulder. As a child, Samantha was abducted, ostensibly by aliens, and was never recovered...
arc, which involved finding the truth about what happened to her.
Season seven received mixed views from critics. After the broadcasting for the season ended, David Duchovny
David Duchovny
David William Duchovny is an American actor, writer and director. He has won Golden Globe awards for his work as FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder on The X-Files and as Hank Moody on Californication.-Early life:...
sued Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
and left the show as a main cast member. He would return in later seasons, but as a recurring character
Recurring character
A recurring character is a fictional character, usually in a prime time TV series, who appears from time to time during the series' run. Recurring characters often play major roles in an episode, sometimes being the main focus...
instead. After this point, many recurring cast members such as William B. Davis
William B. Davis
William Bruce Davis is a Canadian actor, known for his role as The Smoking Man on The X-Files. He has also appeared in Stargate SG-1 as Damaris, a Prior of the Ori and as Mayor Tate on Smallville...
and Laurie Holden
Laurie Holden
Heather Laurie Holden is an American-Canadian actress and human rights activist. She is perhaps best known for her roles as Marita Covarrubias in The X-Files, Adele Stanton on The Majestic, Cybil Bennett in Silent Hill, Amanda Dumfries in The Mist, Olivia Murray in The Shield, and Andrea in The...
wouldn't make an appearance on the show, until the series finale
The Truth (The X-Files)
"The Truth" is the collective name for the 201st and 202nd, and final, episodes of the science fiction television series The X-Files. They first aired in the United States on May 19, 2002 on Fox in the United States and Canada. "The Truth" subsequently aired in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It...
, which aired in 2002.
As sister show
Sister show
Sister shows are two or more television shows which exist in the same fictional universe and which may have crossovers. They differ to a degree from spin-offs in that shows may air simultaneously, rather than being derived from, and replacing, another. The popularity of most shows is limited to a...
Millennium
Millennium (TV series)
Millennium is an American television series created by Chris Carter, creator of The X-Files. Millennium aired on the Fox Network from 1996 to 1999. The series was filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, though most episodes were ostensibly set in or around Seattle, Washington...
was cancelled in 1999 without concluding any of the long-running arcs, Chris Carter
Chris Carter (screenwriter)
Christopher Carl Carter is an American screenwriter, film director and producer. He is the creator of The X-Files and Millennium.- Ten Thirteen Productions :...
felt he needed to create "closure" for his cancelled show. This season would be the last to feature the old opening sequence for the series. The two later seasons changed the opening sequence in an attempt to renew the series.
Development
The episode "MillenniumMillennium (The X-Files)
"Millennium" is the fourth episode of the seventh season of The X-Files. It is a crossover with the show Millennium. It is also the episode in which Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully share their first kiss of the series after developing a relationship throughout the previous six seasons.- Plot :In...
" was created to give a sort of "closure" for the series Millennium
Millennium (TV series)
Millennium is an American television series created by Chris Carter, creator of The X-Files. Millennium aired on the Fox Network from 1996 to 1999. The series was filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, though most episodes were ostensibly set in or around Seattle, Washington...
, which was cancelled in 1999. The episode would also mark the first time any of the original crew had done any work on the show, since Millennium was filmed in Vancouver, Canada, as The X-Files
The X-Files
The X-Files is an American science fiction television series and a part of The X-Files franchise, created by screenwriter Chris Carter. The program originally aired from to . The show was a hit for the Fox network, and its characters and slogans became popular culture touchstones in the 1990s...
had been before it. The episode was later included in the Millennium season three
Millennium (season 3)
The third season of the American supernatural thriller series, Millennium aired between 1998-1999, the Fox network decided not to renew the series after the third season because of a declining viewership level.-Recurring:*Terry O'Quinn as Peter Watts...
box set and The Complete Series, even though it wasn't officially a Millennium episode.
The decision to end the long-running story arc
Story arc
A story arc is an extended or continuing storyline in episodic storytelling media such as television, comic books, comic strips, boardgames, video games, and in some cases, films. On a television program, for example, the story would unfold over many episodes. In television, the use of the story...
about Fox Mulder
Fox Mulder
FBI Special Agent Fox William Mulder is a fictional character and protagonist in the American Fox television shows The X-Files and The Lone Gunmen, two science fiction shows about a government conspiracy to hide or deny the truth of Alien existence. Mulder's peers consider his theories on...
looking for the truth about what happened to his sister (in the episode "Closure
Closure (The X-Files)
"Closure" is the 150th episode and the eleventh episode of the seventh season of the science fiction television series The X-Files. The episode first aired in the United States and Canada on February 3, 2000 on the Fox Network, and subsequently aired in the United Kingdom. It was written by...
") was decided when the production crew was unsure if the show would be renewed for another season. Kim Manners
Kim Manners
Kim Manners was an American television producer, director and child actor best known for his work on The X-Files and Supernatural.-Early life:...
, director for the show, even called this one of his "favorite" episodes. "My Weakness", a song by Moby from his album Play
Play (Moby album)
Play is the fifth studio album by American electronica musician Moby, released on May 17, 1999 on V2 Records. While some of Moby's earlier work garnered critical and commercial success within the electronic dance music scene, Play was both a critical success and a commercial phenomenon...
, is used several times throughout the episode, most notably during the first scene and near the end. Carter never told the series' resident composer Mark Snow
Mark Snow
Mark Snow is an American composer for film and television.Born in New York, he grew up in Brooklyn, graduating from the High School of Music and Art and, afterwards, the Juilliard School of Music...
about the decision to use someone else's music, although Snow has since said that his reaction to the use of the song was more positive than negative and that the song was a "perfect" fit for the scenes in which it can be heard.
Duchovny contributed to two scripts for the show, the first being "The Sixth Extinction II: Amor Fati
The Sixth Extinction II: Amor Fati
"The Sixth Extinction II: Amor Fati" is the second episode of the seventh season of the science fiction television series The X-Files. "The Sixth Extinction II: Amor Fati" concludes a trilogy of episodes featuring Mulder's severe reaction to the appearance of an alien artifact...
" with Carter, and the second being "Hollywood A.D." which he both wrote and directed. Co-star Gillian Anderson
Gillian Anderson
Gillian Leigh Anderson is an American actress.After beginning her career in theatre, Anderson achieved international recognition for her role as Special Agent Dana Scully on the American television series The X-Files. During the show's nine seasons, Anderson won Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen...
also contributed to her first and only script for The X-Files. The episode was entitled "all things
All things
"all things" is the 17th episode of the seventh season of American science fiction television series The X-Files and the 156th episode of the series overall. It was written and directed by lead actress Gillian Anderson...
" and focused solely on her character, Dana Scully
Dana Scully
FBI Special Agent Dana Katherine Scully, M.D. is a fictional character and protagonist on the Fox television series The X-Files , played by Gillian Anderson. She also appeared in two theatrical films based on the series...
. The original script for "all things" was intended to be 10–15 minutes longer, the most notable cut off was the scene featuring conversation between Scully and Daniel Waterson (Nicolas Survoy).
Casting
The theater audience in the episode "Hollywood A.D." largely consisted of crew members and their families as a "thank you" for their involvement with the show. Originally the entire audience was to have been made up of this group, but main co-star Gillian AndersonGillian Anderson
Gillian Leigh Anderson is an American actress.After beginning her career in theatre, Anderson achieved international recognition for her role as Special Agent Dana Scully on the American television series The X-Files. During the show's nine seasons, Anderson won Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen...
became ill after the filming of "all things
All things
"all things" is the 17th episode of the seventh season of American science fiction television series The X-Files and the 156th episode of the series overall. It was written and directed by lead actress Gillian Anderson...
", and production was pushed back a week. Extras were hired to fill the spots of people unable to adjust to the changed schedule.
Main cast
- David DuchovnyDavid DuchovnyDavid William Duchovny is an American actor, writer and director. He has won Golden Globe awards for his work as FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder on The X-Files and as Hank Moody on Californication.-Early life:...
as Special Agent Fox MulderFox MulderFBI Special Agent Fox William Mulder is a fictional character and protagonist in the American Fox television shows The X-Files and The Lone Gunmen, two science fiction shows about a government conspiracy to hide or deny the truth of Alien existence. Mulder's peers consider his theories on... - Gillian AndersonGillian AndersonGillian Leigh Anderson is an American actress.After beginning her career in theatre, Anderson achieved international recognition for her role as Special Agent Dana Scully on the American television series The X-Files. During the show's nine seasons, Anderson won Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen...
as Special Agent Dana ScullyDana ScullyFBI Special Agent Dana Katherine Scully, M.D. is a fictional character and protagonist on the Fox television series The X-Files , played by Gillian Anderson. She also appeared in two theatrical films based on the series...
Also Starring
- Mitch PileggiMitch PileggiMitchell Craig "Mitch" Pileggi is an American actor. Pileggi is known for playing FBI assistant director Walter Skinner on the long-running popular series The X-Files. He also had a recurring role on Stargate Atlantis as Col. Steven Caldwell...
as Walter SkinnerWalter SkinnerFBI Assistant Director Walter Sergei Skinner is a fictional character in the American FOX television shows The X-Files and The Lone Gunmen, two science fiction shows about a government conspiracy to hide or deny the truth of Alien existence...
(11 episodes) - William B. DavisWilliam B. DavisWilliam Bruce Davis is a Canadian actor, known for his role as The Smoking Man on The X-Files. He has also appeared in Stargate SG-1 as Damaris, a Prior of the Ori and as Mayor Tate on Smallville...
as The Smoking Man (4 episodes) - Nicholas LeaNicholas LeaNicholas Lea is a Canadian actor best known for his portrayal of Alex Krycek on The X-Files and on Kyle XY playing Tom Foss.-Biography:...
as Alex KrycekAlex KrycekAlex Krycek is a fictional character in the long-running American science fiction show, The X-Files portrayed by Nicholas Lea. Initially introduced in the second season as a partner for main character Fox Mulder in the absence of his previous partner, Dana Scully, Krycek grew to become one of the...
(2 episodes)
Guest Starring
- Tom BraidwoodTom BraidwoodFor the Scottish teacher, see Thomas Braidwood. For the Canadian judge, see Braidwood Inquiry.Tom Braidwood is a Canadian actor and director known for the role of Melvin Frohike, one of the conspiracy theorists known as the Lone Gunmen on the American television series The X-Files...
as Melvin FrohikeMelvin FrohikeMelvin Frohike is a fictional character in the television shows The X-Files and The Lone Gunmen, played by Tom Braidwood.Frohike was born circa 1953 in Pontiac, Michigan. Prior to joining The Lone Gunmen, he was an acclaimed tango dancer in Miami...
(3 episodes) - Bruce HarwoodBruce HarwoodBruce Harwood is a Canadian actor best known for his role of John Fitzgerald Byers, one of the Lone Gunmen on the television series The X-Files. Harwood also trained for several years to be a professional figure skater before he started his acting career. His ice skating skills are on display in a...
as John Fitzgerald ByersJohn Fitzgerald ByersJohn Fitzgerald Byers is a fictional character in the television shows The X-Files and The Lone Gunmen, played by Bruce Harwood.John Fitzgerald Byers was born on November 22, 1963, the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated, in Sterling, Virginia, and was named after the fallen president – his...
(3 episodes) - Dean HaglundDean HaglundDean Haglund is a Canadian actor known for the role of Richard "Ringo" Langly, one of the Lone Gunmen on The X-Files. Haglund is also a stand-up comedian, specializing in improvisational comedy In addition to The X-Files, he played the voice of Sid in Tom Sawyer, Haglund also portrayed Langly in...
as Richard LanglyRichard LanglyRichard “Ringo” Langly is a fictional character in the television shows The X-Files and The Lone Gunmen. He was played by Dean Haglund. Langly was born circa 1968/1969 and grew up on a farm in Saltville, Nebraska...
(3 episodes) - Mimi RogersMimi RogersMimi Rogers is an American movie actress and competitive poker player.-Early life:Rogers was born Miriam Spickler in Coral Gables, Florida, the daughter of Philip C...
as Diana Fowley (2 episodes) - Brian ThompsonBrian Thompson (actor)Brian Thompson is an American actor. His distinctive square-jaw profile, powerful voice, and imposing stature has led him to be typecast as a villain in many action films and TV series, and a some comedies: Joe Dirt, The Three Amigos, Weird Science, Key West, and Life Stinks.-Career:Thompson has...
as Alien Bounty Hunter (1 episode) - Laurie HoldenLaurie HoldenHeather Laurie Holden is an American-Canadian actress and human rights activist. She is perhaps best known for her roles as Marita Covarrubias in The X-Files, Adele Stanton on The Majestic, Cybil Bennett in Silent Hill, Amanda Dumfries in The Mist, Olivia Murray in The Shield, and Andrea in The...
as Marita Covarrubias (1 episode) - Floyd WestermanFloyd Red Crow WestermanFloyd "Red Crow" Westerman, also known as Kanghi Duta was a Sioux musician, political activist and actor. After establishing a career as a country music singer, later in his life, he became a leading actor depicting Native Americans in American films and television. He is sometimes credited simply...
as Albert Hosteen (1 episode)
Episodes
The list is ordered by the episodes' original air dates. Episodes marked with an asterisk (*) are part of the series' mytharc. Episodes with a double asterisk (**) are part of the series' Alien Mythology.|-
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