Overview

The Legacy of The X-Files examines the content and production of the show, its reception, its use of legend and folklore, its contemporary resonance in politics and society of the 21st century, and its impact and legacy on film, television, the Internet and beyond. Having converged with the early widespread use of the Internet, The X-Files became a cultural touchstone of the 1990s, transforming from a cult TV show into a pop cultural phenomenon by the end of the decade. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of The X-Files, this collection examines the content and production of the show, its reception, its use of legend and folklore, its contemporary resonance in politics and society of the 21st century, and its impact and legacy on film, television, the Internet and beyond. The series' themes of government mistrust, conspiracy, folklore, UFOlogy, and faith are dissected and applied to how the show spirituality resonated with post-Cold War Western society. Contributors to this collection discuss the wide-ranging impact of the television show in popular culture, from Mulder and Scully 'shippers' to the show's slogan entering the contemporary lexicon. The Legacy of The X-Files serves as an all-encompassing, multi-disciplinary, contemporary account of The X-Files, reflecting upon critical, historical, political, and social contexts, and featuring an in-depth and comprehensive introduction making it a vital work for researchers and students alike.

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9781501387630

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Reviews

Fenwick and Rodgers’ The Legacy of the X-Files offers an insightful, thought-provoking, and revitalising analysis of this landmark series, inviting students, scholars, and fans to look at the show with fresh eyes. This rich selection of essays, published to mark the show’s 30th anniversary, positions the series within its historical zeitgeist while significantly showcasing how and why this iconic franchise continues to speak to contemporary political, technological, and social issues. The truth, it seems, is still out there. The Legacy of the X-Files is a vital contribution to TV studies and a must read for the X-Files fan. * Stacey Abbott, Professor Emerita of Film and Television, University of Roehampton, UK, and author of Undead Apocalypse (2018) *

Fenwick and Rodgers’ The Legacy of the X-Files offers an insightful, thought-provoking, and revitalising analysis of this landmark series, inviting students, scholars, and fans to look at the show with fresh eyes. This rich selection of essays, published to mark the show’s 30th anniversary, positions the series within its historical zeitgeist while significantly showcasing how and why this iconic franchise continues to speak to contemporary political, technological, and social issues. The truth, it seems, is still out there. The Legacy of the X-Files is a vital contribution to TV studies and a must read for the X-Files fan. * Stacey Abbott, Professor Emerita of Film and Television, University of Roehampton, UK, and author of Undead Apocalypse (2018) * Something old, something new: The Legacy of The X-Files is a serious and fresh take on a much written about TV series, one that questions the importance of legacy and nostalgia, while offering fascinating excursions into the nooks and crannies of the show’s narrative, lasting influence and fan activity. A must-read compendium for academics, seasoned fans and newbies alike. * Catriona Miller, Professor in Media, Glasgow Caledonian University, UK *

Author Information

James Fenwick is a senior lecturer in the Department of Media Arts and Communication at Sheffield Hallam University, UK. He is the author of Stanley Kubrick Produces (2020), editor of Understanding Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey: Representation and Interpretation (2018), and co-editor of Shadow Cinema: The Historical and Production Contexts of Unmade Films (2020). Diane A. Rodgers is a senior lecturer in Department of Media Arts and Communication at Sheffield Hallam University, UK and co-founder of the Centre for Contemporary Legend. Her PhD examines the communication of folklore in media and she is the author of chapters on television in Folk Horror Revival: Urban Wyrd (2019) and Nation and Fascination (2021).

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