The X-Files creator Chris Carter on Scully, science and the truth that’s still out there
Chris Carter on The X-Files , a new Frankenstein and the science behind the paranormal
The creator of The X-Files discusses the Frankenstein elements in the newly released director’s cut of "The X-Files: I Want to Believe," and how Mary Shelley’s classic influenced the story.
Brianne Kane: Mulder believes that the truth is still out there, and I wanted to know, do you, Chris Carter, think the truth is still out there?
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing . By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
Kane: I have to admit, I'm a huge X-Files fan. So this is a bit of a big deal for me.
Kane: With this new director's cut coming out, was there any particular scene that you're glad is making this new cut and can be seen with audiences?
Carter: The Frankenstein elements I felt were not appreciated as Frankenstein elements.
[ CLIP: The X-Files: I Want to Believe : Woman: Cheryl Cunningham, 34, never made it to work last night.
Carter: That's why we've added, uh, "Vrash Frankenshteyn,' Dr. Frankenstein to the title. Very early on, uh, it's somewhat ambiguous, but there is a search party searching the snow following this guy, Father Joe, to a place where he drops to his knees and they go digging in the snow and they find an arm with a hand that has been wounded.
Knowing this is a Frankenstein story going in, it'll draw the viewer in, in a way that, uh, it might not have otherwise.
[ CLIP: The X-Files : I Want to Believe : Scully: Someone's come forward with some promising evidence, a psychic Father Joe: I see a face. I see eyes staring at us. ]
Kane: I mean, we owe all a huge, uh, debt of gratitude to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, the original science-fiction story that has...
Kane: ...that has inspired hundreds and thousands of science-fiction stories since then. I can definitely see the inspiration in your work- Yeah ... which I always appreciate as a huge- Thank you ... Mary Shelley fan myself.
[ CLIP: The X-Files: Scully: Am I to understand that you want me to debunk the X-Files project, sir?]
5News aggregated this summary from the outlet’s public feed. The full article, with all the context, is on www.scientificamerican.com — the content belongs to Scientific American.