X-files Season 3: mostly meh with a side of "that's kinda cool"

          I've watched most of Season 3 of the x-files and so far it has really challenged my idea of what I consider to be science fiction. Most of the cases go unsolved as far as how exactly the murders happen. They can usually find out who is guilty, except for the cases that seem like there is a large group conspiracy, but the means usually go unexplained. My idea of pure science fiction is that every thing, no matter how wild, has some sort of explanation or clue. This is my main issue with the show, the endings are so vague that I really have trouble coming up with a unique analysis or hypothesis. I really do like how Scully and Mulder act as each other's foil, they are both very intelligent, but show contrast each other well as one is a skeptic and the other is a believer of all things paranormal. I can also appreciate the originality of the show. It's possible that I find the show a little bland is that I have seen so many newer shows that have a similar, but improved style, but I guess I should owe that to the shows success.

        The one episode that I really did like, because it did leave alot of room for analysis and matched up with on of the over arching themes of the show was episode 20: From Outerspace. The plot is that there are 2 - 3 people that could possibly been abducted by aliens, but there is also an equal amount of evidence that it was government conspiracy or even a delusion aided by drugs or psychosis. The only thing you can say is that something spooky happened to everyone, Mulder and Scully included. The ending remark made by the honorary narrator was that we are all alone in our perception. This made me think of all of the other sci-fi we have read that had the same idea, The Frozen Journey stuck out most in my mind as being a dead ringer for this psychological sci-fi. Mulder, which from my perspective seemed to be a weaker less developed charcter in comparison to Scully, was described as being one step away from insanity. This was maybe why I perceived him as being weaker in comparison to Scully, he is very willing to believe and accept the unexplainable and often for emotional reasons. I wonder if this is due somewhat to his damaged childhood, perhaps the make - believe is easier for him to accept because it's less absolute and damning.

      Unfortunately we only had enough time to watch season 3, I will probably watch some other seasons, both earlier and later to see if the more complete character development will help me appreciate the more "monster of the week" episodes. Perhaps there was a story line in there that I was just totally missing due to lack of background info.

     
       

Why Star Trek didn't totally pigeonhole masculinity, and other thoughts ...

  I really enjoyed Star Trek. Not just because of the flashy costumes and the retro sets. While it's hard to compare to the diversity of characters we expect now a days, I would have to say they did a pretty great job ( plus lets not forget the lack of diversity we have in media today - a topic for another time).  While the show is scewed in favor of Kirk's personality, which can actually be fun because it's nice and familiar to see the classic hero win, they also include other forms of masculinity into their character base.
   First of all, Spock, definitely a winning character for viewers that might identify with a type of masculinity that isn't defined by physical strength and a leading confidence (that can edge on being too much). I like how they present spock as an intellectual bad ass rather than a pathetic nerd who didn;t deserve respect. It's refreshing when you consider an American show created him; America being a country that is well known for it's tendency to be anti-intellectualism. Of course they had to make him Alien, I mean who do you know who could calculate the exact number of tribble spawn in a few seconds? While he may be a hyperbole of the now super trendy nerd guy, I still say he's a very welcome character. Spock can be viewed be pretty distant from human emotion, which could stereotype intellectual people as unfeeling. In my opinion,  Spock isn't exactly without emotion, as he tries to surpress emotions that he find to be extraneous (vulcans are very good at managing their physical and mental processes). He still shows loyalty and companionship to his fellow crew members, it's just in his own way. Instead of throwing blows at the bar, he likes to drop crushing logic and knowledge.
 

Number 1 fav character is definitely Chekov. First of all he's a Russian on a space mission with mostly Americans, which is pretty funny and daring considering the then current space race and Cold War with the russians. But I also like how the show allowed Chekov to be his own individual. He's allowed to be his own person. He doesn't have to be a flag waving, stoic, red blooded American to be accepted by his crew. They make him into a young and quirky, but capable and respected navigator. I think it's very cool of the show to include a masculine figure that younger audiences could appreciate.