David Duchovny is back in the spotlight, and this time it’s not just about his iconic role as FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder on The X-Files. In a recent episode of his podcast Fail Better, the actor opened up about something that’s been nagging him for years: character inconsistencies in the show.
During his candid conversation with Emily Deschanel from the show Bones, Duchovny revealed his “pet peeve” when it came to the spooky procedural that captivated audiences for 11 seasons. He specifically mentioned how he often found himself perplexed by shifts in his character’s behavior, particularly in script directions that seemed to contradict his established persona.
“It was a bit of a pet peeve of mine when I was doing X-Files,” Duchovny noted. “Sometimes the directors would come on, excited about the script, and I’d think, ‘We’ve never seen Mulder like this before,’ and I’d have to remind them, ‘Yeah, but we’ve seen Mulder like this a bunch of times before!’”
One standout moment he noted was from Season 1, Episode 12, titled “Fire.” Duchovny pointed out a major character inconsistency: why would Mulder, who coolly observed a burning building in the pilot, suddenly develop a fear of fire? His frustration was palpable as he recalled approaching writer Chris Carter to discuss the discrepancy: “Didn’t Mulder and Scully watch a building burn down in the pilot? I think Mulder was fairly cool with it, you know, it didn’t bother him.”
This isn’t just a tale of artistic integrity—it’s a peek into the complexities of being a lead in a show with such extensive lore. Duchovny’s experiences shed light on the sometimes turbulent relationship between actors and writers. He and Carter shared a rocky dynamic, especially after Duchovny departed the series following its seventh season. On a previous episode of Fail Better, he reflected, “I always felt like a bit of an abandonment… not by you but of you, in that sense.”
Carter acknowledged their differences during that time but emphasized that they ultimately managed to resolve their issues. “I don’t want to say we were mortal enemies, but it was a difficult time,” he said. The ensuing conversation resonated with fans, reminding them of the human side of entertainment that often goes unseen.
The conversation around The X-Files is always lively, and Duchovny’s recent revelations only add to the legacy of the series. We’ve seen the show weather various phases of fandom, all while leaving an indelible mark on pop culture. As fans, we’re left to reminisce about those twists and turns that defined Mulder and Scully’s journey, while also eagerly anticipating what new insights Duchovny will share in future episodes like this.