One of the Greatest Romances -- MSR

[maurisap]

Over and over we read that Mulder and Scully are one of the great romances on television. And I agree, but what made it that way?

[GillyDreamer78]

MSR was one of the greatest romances of all time and it always will be even if they didn't have any romantic scenes together wich I don't agree but I won't go into that. So yes, MSR is one of the greatest romances of all time!

[SpecialAgent88]

The Mulder and Scully romance may not have been typical, but was first and foremost a romance of the mind. Mulder and Scully started as partners, then friends and finally lovers, their physical union came after their mental connection was firmly established.

[maurisap]

I think for me, it comes down to their deep friendship, their dedication to each other, and extreme loyalty.

The writers made characters that are utterly human...they bicker, they feel jealousy, they do the wrong thing, they show selfishness. But then, these same characters display a deep abiding love for each other that is amazing. In the face of paranoia, conspiracy, and all the hurtful acts in the episodes, they were loyal to each other.

I think that is maybe what fans loved the most...that M&S relied on each other and KNEW that they could depend on each other. Not many people have that in these times. And with a romantic society, it was natural for people to want them together in a romantic way.

But I submit that the romance came because of the friendship. Towards the end of season four, I began to ship M&S. Why? It didn't make sense for them to be apart any more.Despite their humanness, they were a unit, inseparable.

Sure, Mulder shows some self-centered qualities and is driven to find "The Truth."

And Scully has a bit of a wild side and is skeptical to the ridiculous extreme.

But along the way, Scully became Mulder's light in the darkness and Mulder became Scully's rock. Even if they didn't start off perfect for each other, each is now the other's perfect half.

[Lish31]

I think it is a great romance only if we use the word "romance" in more of a medieval sense and not in a Danielle Steel kind of way.

Modern usage of term "romance" usually refer to the romance novel, which is a subgenre that focuses on the relationship and romantic love between two people; these novels must have an "emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending."[27] Despite the popularity of this popular meaning of Romance, other works are still, occasionally, referred to as romances because of their uses of other elements descended from the medieval romance, or from the Romantic movement: larger-than-life heroes and heroines, drama and adventure, marvels that may become fantastic, themes of honor and loyalty, or fairy-tale-like stories and story settings.

I never wanted to see Mulder and Scully in a lovey-dovey kind of way because, for me, it cheapened things. I think that modern labels of romance seem shallow or trivial compared to the kind of relationship that Mulder and Scully really share.

@ SA88,

[SpecialAgent88]

I see their romantic side of their relationship as the end result of their close mental connection they share with each other. I don't see Mulder and Scully reducing their romance to just a sexual relationship, but a whole lot more, they are each other’s best friend before lovers. They disagree and have heated arguments and banter with each other, which strengthens any relationship, but they are each other’s constant and perfect other and I don’t see anything coming between their special connections they have for each other.

[GillyDreamer78]

I agree with maurisap, completely!!

[SpecialAgent88]

For me, the X Files has always been a romance. Mulder and Scully had an intellectual romance that’s very rare and restrained compared to so many relationships on T V. I think that’s what appealed to most Fans. Chris Carter

[SpecialAgent88]

Mulder and Scully are the heart and soul of the X Files; they are the characters that Chris Carter created, but it was the characters themselves that created the romance, not the creator. And we as fans continued to be fascinated and continued to follow their journey.

The chemistry between David and Gillian is what brought the characters to life and fans loved them, faults and all, which helped solidify just how intense of a bond Mulder and Scully have because both characters are not perfect. No matter how many other characters came into their lives or their lives changed or disagreements they encounter, their relationship endured. Mulder and Scully are deeply connected both spiritually and mentally and are together because their relationship is like no other; it’s exciting and magical and challenging all rolled into one; and Mulder and Scully would not have it any other way.

And to be very honest, neither would I………….

[scully_hair]

I shake my head in disappointment that he did end up ruining it/threatening it when he chose to put them together in a boyfriend/girlfriend type relationship. Mulder and Scully deserved better treatment than that, they deserved so much more than what Carter created for them.

Now I'm depressed.

I'm actually glad they hooked up at the end because frankly, the cerebral nature of their relationship had lost its novelty by the end of season 5. Their intellectual bond and the UST was a lot of fun in the beginning, but it got really old during the later years, so having them become a couple felt new and fresh and exciting.

[maurisap]

the cerebral nature of their relationship

Lol scully_hair -- is that the same thing as "forehead sex"?

[scully_hair]

LOL

[SpecialAgent88]

I enjoy the Mulder and Scully Relationship because I found it to be a very caring, respectful, and intelligent relationship. Mulder and Scully have grown together and their relationship is very deep. I tend to see Mulder as a loner and focused on his obsessions. I thought very early in their partnership, Mulder’s respect and love for Scully really started to take priority over his quest for the truth. Mulder would sacrifice anything for Scully; and would give up the X Files for her. Mulder was a loner, but Scully was becoming the most important person in his life. Now I saw the same reaction from Scully, because Scully saw Mulder as a brilliant FBI Agent that was charming, charismatic and had the mind of a genius and Scully being a scientist wanted to find out what made Mulder tick, which eventually lead them to become best friends and lovers.

I’ve always felt that Mulder and Scully have such an intense devotion to each other; they balance and complement each others strengths and weaknesses. Their determination to stay together in spite of the odds, when Mulder gets abducted and then leaves to protect Scully and William spoke volumes of their strong bond and love and the sacrifices they made to stay together. The odds were stacked against them, but they managed to work through all these obstacles and still be together, they forged such a strong bond; that it would be impossible to tear them apart. These are some the reasons that I love the Mulder and Scully relationship and the reason I’m a shipper.

[MartinaBC]

Mulder and Scully are the heart and soul of the X Files; they are the characters that Chris Carter created, but it was the characters themselves that created the romance, not the creator. And we as fans continued to be fascinated and continued to follow their journey.

The chemistry between David and Gillian is what brought the characters to life and fans loved them, faults and all, which helped solidify just how intense of a bond Mulder and Scully have because both characters are not perfect. No matter how many other characters came into their lives or their lives changed or disagreements they encounter, their relationship endured. Mulder and Scully are deeply connected both spiritually and mentally and are together because their relationship is like no other; it’s exciting and magical and challenging all rolled into one; and Mulder and Scully would not have it any other way.

And to be very honest, neither would I………….

Perfectly described and said! I 100 % agree with you!

[maurisap]

On my gloomiest day, the romance between M&S can put a smile on my face and warm me inside.

[ScullyIsMyHomegirl]

On my gloomiest day, the romance between M&S can put a smile on my face and warm me inside.

also i think there relationship is relateable on so many different levels and plus watching a good shipper vid or reading shipper fic (providing its in charachter puts a smile on my face)!!

[Salome]

Hear hear, Maurisa!

[SpecialAgent88]

Some of those MSR videos are so good that they just put a great big smile on my face and I agree with you Maurisa.

[the host]

I think that what made MSR so special, appart from all you've already said, was it's subtlety (I don't know if it is the correct word). I mean, there weren't compromised or forced scenes between Mulder and Scully like trying to show their attraction or love. There are many shows with a man and a woman as the main characters (like Bones, Castle...) which have the need to create scenes were both characters are found in an embarrassing situation, like when they're too close to each other and there's an uncomfortable silence as if they were going to kiss. Those kind of situations that make it obvious that they attract each other. And they use it from the beginning of the series. In TXF it was not necessary. Yes, we had that almost kiss in FTF, but it was after the 5th season, when it was already obvious that they attracted each other (or if you want in season 4 in small potatoes, with Eddie as Mulder). Most of the shows go to the easy thing, showing from the beginning that the characters are secretly in love, making us believe that they hold it until the end, and creating what I think it's a fake UST. Between Mulder and Scully it just happened, as something natural, it was there. It was all like...magic.

Mmmmm...I don't know if I made myself clear. I'm sorry. It's hard for me to express my thoughts in english. Hope you understood something...

PS: No offense to bones and castle fans. I like and follow those shows. But sometimes I feel like they're trying to recreate the UST between Mulder and Scully and they don't know how to do it! It's not the same. Cute, but not the same.

[JeSouhaite]

"Subtle" is a perfect way to describe their relationship, host.

[maurisap]

I agree. It was like the viewer had 5 years to watch love grow.

[ScullyIsMyHomegirl]

@ the host i think they tried to do the same thing in Torchwood with Gwen and jack but it really did not work. It either felt awkward or completely unsubtle.

Some of the credit should go to Gillian and David's fab acting skills and the fact they played off each other so well.

[GillyDreamer78]

I didn't find the "Memento mori" kiss on the lips, if I had I would have included it here and I didn't add the "Post Modern Prometheus" kiss because we are still not sure if it is a manip or a blooper kiss.

[Gillyinfatuation]

Beautiful pics DG.
I think part of the reason they had such a wonder romance is mainly because of the trust they had between each other. Not to mention everything they have been through and seen together.

[Salome]

I mean, there weren't compromised or forced scenes between Mulder and Scully like trying to show their attraction or love. There are many shows with a man and a woman as the main characters (like Bones, Castle...) which have the need to create scenes were both characters are found in an embarrassing situation, like when they're too close to each other and there's an uncomfortable silence as if they were going to kiss. Those kind of situations that make it obvious that they attract each other. And they use it from the beginning of the series. In TXF it was not necessary.... But sometimes I feel like they're trying to recreate the UST between Mulder and Scully and they don't know how to do it! It's not the same. Cute, but not the same.

Right on!! I feel the exact same way.

[GillyDreamer78]

I found a screencap of the " Memento Mori" kiss on the lips. It's not good but you can still see it. So here are all the kisses Mulder and Scully shared, you can see the rest of them in my last post above!

[SpecialAgent88]

Such a sweet photo of Mulder and Scully, I'm so glad you found it and can share with us,thanks GD78

[CSM_Clone]

the pics GD
I don't know if it's just me. They are only still images but I can feel their love and tenderness radiate.
I once asked a friend (non-Phile friend) if she could feel it too. She said she didn't feel a thing.

[Agent Skulder]

CSM - Maybe part of the reason your non-Phile friend can't feel what we do is even thou we're looking at an image, we know the back story and may subconsciously remember how we felt when watching the actual video.... Just a thought. I see the screen grab like the rest of us, but I can remember the context, which helps me conjure up the original emotions I felt...

[Quest]

OHHH GillyDreamer..do you actually have a picture of the Post Modern kiss? I would love to see it, even though we aren't sure if it's real or not. I've never actually seen it before.

[GillyDreamer78]

For you Quest! But I'm sure you've seen these. Some people say it's a manip and some say it's not. The rumor is that there was a video on YouTube some time ago and Frank said that the kiss was not scripted but David and Gilly wanted to do a take with a kiss. Well, here is what he said, I'm sure you remember we discussed this.

The kiss was not scripted, but David and Gillian wanted to do a take with a kiss, so it was filmed. I honestly don’t know whether 20th Television has saved all the unused footage from the television series.

Later I read that Frank was talking about "Memento Mori" kiss and not PMP kiss, that he got confuesed. So we still don't know if PMP kiss really exists. Some people swear they had seen it on YouTube years ago. OK, here are the pics:



And from a different perspective:

[SpecialAgent88]

Wow these are a couple of very nice Mulder and Scully kissing photos, and it does look very real and it would be such a perfect moment for them to kiss. Thanks GD78

[dreamy]

I've heard about that kiss, too. But I also have heard that these pictures are manips. Maybe the second is manipulation but the first looks so real. Thank you for sharing!

P.S. I wonder, if someone has seen such a video on YT, why it doesn't exist now?

[GillyDreamer78]

P.S. I wonder, if someone has seen such a video on YT, why it doesn't exist now?

They removed it, FOX probably.

[dreamy]

They removed it, FOX probably.

I see, thank you. It's a pity...

[sarahp87]

For you Quest! But I'm sure you've seen these. Some people say it's a manip and some say it's not. The rumor is that there was a video on YouTube some time ago and Frank said that the kiss was not scripted but David and Gilly wanted to do a take with a kiss. Well, here is what he said, I'm sure you remember we discussed this.

The kiss was not scripted, but David and Gillian wanted to do a take with a kiss, so it was filmed. I honestly don’t know whether 20th Television has saved all the unused footage from the television series.

Later I read that Frank was talking about "Memento Mori" kiss and not PMP kiss, that he got confuesed. So we still don't know if PMP kiss really exists. Some people swear they had seen it on YouTube years ago. OK, here are the pics:



And from a different perspective:

I have always hoped this is real.. but the two different perspectives.... sorry but its the same image just flipped horizontally... look at the backgrounds, their identical just mirrored

[GillyDreamer78]

Sarahp87, i know it's the same image but the first one looks kind of real to me, better quality!

[sarahp87]

Ahhh ok.

Yeah i see what you mean, it looks more plausible.

I guess we will never know if it was real or not.

[LondonLady]

Whether it's manipulated or not, it's still a beautiful picture.