Icy Kool Scully

In recent interviews, Gillian Anderson described her alter-ego, Dana Scully as  "square", a "12 year-old...".  In truth though, as I have become a fan of the show 20 years after it began and 10 years after it went off the air, I have found Scully an amazing study in reserve. An original that many have attempted to duplicate but none has succeeded in copying.

Dana Scully remains an iconic fictional figure, much beloved by legions of former geeks, current fanboys and girls and a host of men and women of varying ages.   This glorious redhead with the pillowy lips that seemed permanently puckered for a kiss, tormented young boys and made being smart both fashionably interesting and sexy.  She was a badass, a loyal partner, a brilliant woman who did not need to be obvious to be hot.

When you get to be known by one name, "Scully", you know you have attained a certain level of fame that can never be taken away.  Scully was the Mrs. Peel of the 90's generation.

 Peel and Scully could not be more different yet so much a like.  Sound like a contradiction?  Not really.  Both smoldered - were cool, sexy, professional women, proficient at handling themselves in the most dangerous of situations, who could kick some serious.... well you get the point.  They were cutting edge women who shattered the notion that they couldn't be equal partners to their male counterparts in safeguarding the world against threats from evil doers.

Where the two differed was is in the things that made them uniquely distinct.  Emma Peel was considered a fashion icon in her body accentuating "mod" outfits, one piece cat suits, hip-hugger pants and 60's go-go boots.

She was easily the most stylish character on air - a true fashionista - appropriately attired for any occasion.  Scully - not so much.  At least not at the very start of the series.  She seemed to be suffering from a serious case of fashion deprivation.  The pant suits and oversized trenches did nothing to accentuate her sensuality, serving only to enhance her petite stature.

While Emma battled a parade of cartoon villans, Scully's challenges were far more plausible -- made so by the growth spurt in the areas of science and technology during the time the show was on the air, advancing the impossible into the realm of possibility.  Though a skeptic, Dana Scully followed her partner on his quest willingly.  His search for the truth became hers as well.  And while she had first been planted to debunk his findings, she quickly became his most ardent ally.

Over the course of nine seasons audiences saw Scully transform from a slightly unsophisticated young person,  into a highly self assured beauty, unafraid of facing the possibility that science might not hold all of the answers.  The connective thread in every episode of the series was this impossible relationship that had developed between Mulder and Scully, without which the show might easily have been dismissed as just another poorly made scifi - but they gave it credibility.

What is it about these two fictional characters that remains so solidly imprinted in our memories, that even now there is a global hunger to see them on screen together once again?

It might very well be that we, the audience, fell in love with the longing these two people felt for one another. For the audience, they were the perfect representation of the best in a relationship - in a partnership. Their creator Chris Carter once said that what made the series work was a simple truth,  "Mulder loved Scully, and Scully loved Mulder." This was the essence of the series.  More than the fantastical exploits, the question of alliens taking over or the investigation of paranormal activities - the undeniable simple truth was that we all fell in love with their passionate connection and unrequited love.  Their relationship, based on unconditional love, mutual respect and admiration was the linchpin in an otherwise average series.  Whether intentional or accidental Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny possessed a chemistry that ignited the screen and became the stuff of entertainment legend.

This is a rare occurrence and only a few on screen couples have left such a lasting impression.

Though fictional, these two people became each other's better halves and our best friends.  And for the audience, it allowed them to become voyeurs for an hour each week - peering through a window at the idealism of their partnership. 

As I have watched and re-watched the complete series, I must admit, I have watched it with an eye toward understanding the fan attraction.  I've come away crediting the casting of Gillian Anderson as Scully and David Duchovny as Mulder for the success of the series.  I cannot imagine any other pairing that would have worked as well.  You felt it from the start, though it was an awkward beginning to a series that, I am sure, no one thought would end up earning Golden Globes, Emmys and a host of other honors.

In that first episode setting up the basic tenets of the series, you can clearly see Scully's heart lost to Mulder.  That spark would grow into a smoldering fire that would ultimate lead to what the audience wanted from the start.

Chirs Carter has maintained that it would have been wrong for the series to have evolved any other way.  I agree.  The slow burn was much more engaging and appropriate as they would have had to give up their badges had they crossed that line early on.

On the 20th anniversary of the series, Gillian Anderson has exploded onto our consciousness once again.  She seems to be everywhere and she has gotten better, bolder and sexier with age.  For her it seems, time has simply taken a detour.  After a series of amazing roles in British made projects and small indie films, the U.S. is reclaiming the gorgeous former FBI agent Dana Scully.  The twittersphere and blogosphere has been all a-buzz with news of her recently aired television series "The Fall" (catch it on Netflix), her recurring role on Hannibal and her upcoming NBC pilot and series titled "Crisis", in addition to a long list of other projects that should keep her fans truly happy.  But I am still catching up on the exploits of Scully and Mulder and plan to write two more pieces on observations I've made on a series that continues to have life long after its expiration date and that has served as the launchpad for other popular programs including Fringe.


Topping my chart of favorite episodes are "Bad Blood" which made me laugh so hard I cried.  A close second is "How the Ghost Stole Christmas" featuring Ed Asner and Lilly Tomlin as two of the most unlikely ghosts ever. And "The Unatural", a simple ode to America's favorite pass time - baseball.  I also have a much longer list of episodes I would give honorary mentions to.

So now that I am hooked and a fan - I have joined the millions around the globe who look forward to the announcement of a third X-Files movie with much anticipation and to the return of the stunning duo of Scully and Mulder.