TV Genre

An Analysis of X-Files and Fringe

For this presentation I shall be analysing the similarities and differences of two TV shows from the same genre with an approximate gap of 10 years in which the shows were first screened on television. The two shows I have chosen are the third episode from Season 1 of the X Files which was first screened in 1993 called ‘Squeeze’ and an episode of Fringe which was screened in 2003. For this I shall be using the thirteenth episode called ‘The Transformation’ from the first season. Both shows are television shows that are from the Sci-Fi genre.

The use of genre in TV shows is used by both audiences and producers. An audience will identify what sort of programme they want to watch so that they are able to get an experience they wish to gain from watching the show. To aid the viewer to do so there are codes and conventions that any particular TV show will follow during the production process. Production companies use genre to identify their target audience so they know who their TV show will be aimed at. Science Fiction, in particular has a dedicated fan base that provide a ready made market for producers to tap into. For example, X Files have dedicated followers that call themselves X-Philes, as in an affection for something, while Star Trek have a passionate following called Trekkies. 

This is one example of how TV show genres differ from movie genres. In movies the films are categorised in their specific genres. For example, if one were to go to a video shop they would have numerous sections each dedicated to a specific genre. Horror films are segregated from action and comedy to name but a few. Watching a TV show differs to watching a movie as many people choose to watch films because of a specific actor or director. Because of this, many actors and directors will work on many projects across numerous genres, therefore the audience will, when watching movies, watch a cross section of movies regardless of the genre. TV audiences tend to watch TV shows based on the genre they wish to watch.


Many TV shows now have intermittent breaks through the show that advertisers spend lots of money ensuring their products are screened at particular times. It could be said that producers of TV shows are very much aware of this and the programme that is screened is developed in mind of the products and services that are being screened. To give an example a TV show that has technology in its theme may have advertisements such as mobile phones and laptops during the breaks in the programme.


Sci-Fi is an abbreviation of Science-Fiction, however, devotees of this genre repel at the thought this shortened expression and if they were to abbreviate the term at all, it would simply be, SF. The genre Science-Fiction, or SF, as not to offend the devotees, was first given the term by Hugo Gernsback the editor of the American magazine Amercian Stories in 1926, which was the first magazine to be dedicated to stories of this genre. Although many people may argue that there were Science-Fiction stories before this time, many were regarded as ‘scientific romances’, but I will save the debate on this for the experts!


Science-Fiction uses numerous concepts to tell stories in an extremely imaginative and plausible manner. The stories will often be about or contain within in it, the future, technology, space travel, parallel universes, aliens, the paranormal, and, of course, science. There are also other concepts that Science-Fiction may contain and in the two episodes from the TV shows I have chosen, it uses mutants and mutation as the basis of the story.


Every TV show must follow some legal and ethical codes, regardless of their genre. An example of this is a character must not represent a real life person either in name or appearance nor can the events of an individual’s life be portrayed that may reveal the person’s identity. It goes as far as changing, if need be, the gender of the character so that it bears no relation to an actual person. Details of certain events and circumstances should also not bear any resemblance. For example if a TV show has in its storyline a character who steals a car, although they may show some elements of the character hot-wiring the vehicle, they can not show a step-by-step procedure. This is because by doing so someone could learn how to do this, from the TV show, and then carry that act out. This could, in turn, be potentially dangerous to the public as a result of an accident, should this happen. For that reason, as it is both illegal and unethical to steal a car which could end up with far severe conclusions, the entire process is not shown in a visual ‘how-to guide’.


At the start of X Files and Fringe there is a short introduction to the episode before the credits. This sets up the main part of the story of the episode that the viewer is about to watch which is the investigation of the phenomena that the viewer had just seen in the pre-credit sequence. During the episodes X Files and Fringe take a different approach to the narrative of the story. The team behind the X Files create suspense as Mulder and Scully go about their investigation. They are able to do this through a number of techniques in the decision making in the pre-production process and then executing them during the production process. The visual techniques used to create suspense come from the way that they have lit the scene. In the X Files only certain elements are of the scene are lit meaning the actors have to find the light. This creates a feeling that something could happen as they walk in and out of the darkness. A good example of this is in the scene when Mulder and Scully go to the address where they feel their suspect is hiding. After they discover the lair that the mutant has made, the mutant appears out of the darkness, unbeknown to the two investigators. Due to the length of the shots and the pace of the editing, which is slower than the episode of Fringe, the story takes place over few days.


Fringe uses a more shocking approach. This maybe because of the atrocities witnessed on 9/11 desensitised audiences. Using the graphic imagery of the man mutating into a monster and the initial violence on the plane to the graphitisation of the autopsy makes a more powerful statement. Due to the amount and the variety of shots and the faster pace editing the narrative of this story is told over a longer period; for example a few weeks.

Both episodes come to a resolution at then end which makes these two TV shows a series. A series are a number of episodes that you can watch as one-offs, where if you were to miss an episode it wouldn’t make a difference as each episode is a different story.   


Prior to the terrorist attacks of the World Trade Centre in America on 9/11, X Files focus was on paranormal activity. During the early 1990s there was much public interest in paranormal activity including ghosts and unusual phenomena. This may be a reason as to why there was huge following in this TV show as a whole. Also this may contribute to why the show’s producers and television networks created and commissioned a show based on this genre as there was a made audience waiting for a show like this. Fringe is post-9/11 and therefore the audience that were once fascinated in the early 1990s by paranormal activity have moved on to what is current at that time are now interested in the storylines that have terrorism as the main story.


It must be said however, that although an individual’s taste in TV shows wain and change over time, the audiences are influenced by what is current in the media at that time. Because of this, where the media was once interested in the paranormal and supernatural in the early to mid-1990s, due to the terrorist attacks on 9/11, the media has had an obsession on terrorism. This creates a change of interest in people minds to which the programme makers and the television networks react to creating programming containing this within the storyline. Relaxing television censorship has enabled programme makers to create storylines where the potential of mass killing is allowed. In my opinion the media’s live minute-by-minute events on 9/11 enabling the world to witness the murder of thousands of human lives not only instilled fear into people’s minds but enabled TV censorship to be relaxed. Now programme makers can make shows about terrorism, not only for entertainment value, but to keep the fear within oneself.

Using the hypodermic needle theory, we could say that by slowly injecting audiences with messages would enable media organisations to make people respond to their ideology. This is because audiences may believe that they are unable to refute any messages through the media as they are subordinate and quietly accept what they are told as they are unwilling or unable to seek alternative sources of information.


According to the University of Twente website: The "hypodermic needle theory" implied mass media had a direct, immediate and powerful effect on its audiences. It is thought that significant increase of the popularity of radio and television, the birth of advertising and propaganda industries being powerful in persuading audiences, and not forgetting Hitler’s control of the Germanic mass media during World War 2 to feed ideologies to enable the German public to support his Nazi party, were results of a psychological behaviour change on their audiences during the 1940s and 50s.


I believe that this theory is very much a feature in today’s media as it was in the media industries and services of over 60 years ago. However, ideologies have since changed as social cultures have evolved and adapted influenced through the hypodermic needle theory.

As the years have passed since the end of the X Files and to the television premier of Fringe there have been changes in the tone and treatment of sex and violence. Again, this is partly due to the relaxation of television censorship reflecting people’s acceptance to sex and violence being shown on the television and allowing such imagery into our homes on a daily basis.

In X Files, the story is purely about the investigation of the case and sex does not feature in any part of this episode. Mulder and Scully are two professionals getting on with their work and their personal feelings and emotions are kept to themselves – until they exchange a “real” kiss in episode 4 of Season 7 called ‘Millennium’ - apparently.


The connotations of sex are played throughout the episode of Fringe. For instance Olivia Dunham is during the show, dressed in a suit but with some buttons on her blouse open, revealing some flesh. In other scenes she is wearing her underwear as she is in the submersion tank being regressed and in the scene where she is regressed; she is in a hotel room with her lover. These connotations create a sexual element to satisfy the ‘male gaze’ and to keep the male audience interested in the episode. A theory from feminist Laura Mulvey claims that the camera plays the role of a heterosexual man’s eyes to become the watcher and women are sexually objectified to become the watched. But Mulvey herself has questioned this and has reservations adding that although women may be objectified it could offer women to ‘gaze’ at female protagonists.


In 1978, a feminist theory by Gaye Tuchman, argued that women are represented in the media by what she called ‘symbolic annihilation’. Her theory claims that female interests are ignored, excluded, marginalised in the media’s representation of women through stereotypical roles such as housewife, wife and mother. She also claims women who are portrayed in an occupation are represented as ineffective and not as competent as men. Women are also under-represented, for example, women will be nurses and men will be doctors, women as secretaries and men as lawyers. There is also an approval of married women within the media but a condemnation of single working women. Although, I agree with this theory during the time it was written and it may have also been true for many years after, today, as social codes and conventions have changed over time this theory may appear not to be a true reflection of todays media. In X Files and Fringe Scully and Olivia Dunham are both in high profile positions within the organisations they work for, competing successfully with men for their roles and, in both cases, superseding their male counterparts.


There is too, ironically during the scene connoting sex and romance, a connotation of violence. This is denoted by a gun on the bed during the scene when Olivia Burnham is first regressed. Overall, the tone of Fringe is a lot darker in its content and it connotations of violence is more evident. This is evident by the storyline being about terrorism and bio-weapons; actions that could affect millions. This is a story which is in the now, and although I do not wish to panic you, it could happen tomorrow, without warning, and because of this the programme makers have made elements of the episode humorous. Peppering the show with sound bites of humour gives the show some balance in the tone without it being so dark that people would not want to see it.


In the early 1990s and during the creation of the X Files the world was still seen as a “man’s world”. To enable Gillian Anderson’s character to become a successful detective she would have had to work hard to succeed. This is a progressive representation of women and the suit that she wears represents a statement of power to gain respect but also to fit in with her male counterparts. Because of this Scully is not sexualised; but she sexualises herself by using make-up to make her feel and look more feminine.


Olivia Burnham in Fringe is in a prominent role, leader of men, which is seen as normal nowadays. She also wears less make-up which has been seen on other characters in lead roles in TV shows. This gives a progressive representation of women although it could be argued that she is being sexualised by wearing her blouse with a couple of buttons undone and the scenes where she strips to her under garments prior to climbing into the submersion tank. However, if it is deemed that the character has chosen to do so by her own decisions this shows that she is in control. Therefore, the fact that she is being represented both progressively and regressively cancels each other out and gives a neutral representation of women.


The communication equipment in the two shows has changed over time due to the advancements in technology. In the 1990’s mobile phone technology was still in its infancy and the mobile phone would have been bulkier. In Fringe the technology has evolved and the devices are smaller. Computers had also evolved in this technological era and this is denoted by the large bulky computers on X Files in comparison to the flat-screen slim versions of those used in Fringe. Storing, researching and distributing information to aide the investigators in their enquiries would have been easier and quicker than the ten years previous. In the rooms that the two investigations take place have evolved. X Files was more technological based by the way that they use information on their computers to aide the case solving whereas Fringe used science to assist their investigation which was denoted by the scientific paraphernalia.


The clothing worn by the investigative agents had more similarities than differences. Both wore suits but the main difference comes from the way it was worn. Scully wore her suit in a professional manner with the buttons on her blouse. This could have connotations that she was a more closed-in person, someone who may be trapped within herself. Olivia Burnham wore her suit with some buttons undone which could make her appear more relaxed and dressed as if she is ready to burst into action to fight serious crime that may have a detrimental effect on the human race.


As technology has got more sophisticated film making equipment has become much smaller and lighter and therefore has enabled production teams to be more mobile. This means that film cameras can go places where they couldn’t before. Also the technology has evolved which means more interesting and creative shots can be captured. This is evident in the differences in the cinematography between X Files and Fringe. In X Files, for example, probably due to the weight of the equipment and the technology of the time, a vast number of the shots are static shots, taken from the camera mounted on a tripod. Due to this, when Mulder and Scully are talking during a scene, we are looking on at them as if we are watching the conversation. The shots follow the Master Shot, Long Shot, Mid-Shot and Close-up conventions. Although not very aesthetically engaging to watch following these conventions the production team have been able to successfully capture the story. It is due to the weight and the lack of mobility of the equipment that the conventional shots mean that the viewer sees the scene as if they are looking through a window.


The TV show Fringe has been able to take a different approach to the cinematography, due to the light and mobile equipment, meaning more shots can be taken from variant angles making the scenes more engaging. It is also worth noting because technology has made film making equipment lighter and more mobile, and although film making is still an expensive process, more shots and the creativity of those shots are now within the budgets of the producers. The interesting and creative shots now mean that the viewer can seemingly get closer to the action as if they are involved. Taking the example of the characters having a conversation, when Olivia Burnham, Dr. Walter Bishop and Astrid Farnsworth are in the laboratory conversing, the closeness of the camera and the angle of the shot enable the viewer to see the conversation and to feel as if they are part of it.


There is a significant difference in the editing of both shows. In X Files for instance the shots are longer and the sequence of shots takes more time. Because of this the continuity of time in X Files may take place over a period of a couple of days. To aide the viewer and to speed the investigative process by Mulder and Scully, when they needed to find information regarding the case that they are working on a “do-doom” sound signifies that they have found what they are looking for and then we cut to the scene that they next need to be in. Although not a “jump-cut” itself it acts as one as the viewer can work out on their own the journey they have made from finding their information and going to the scene without the need of seeing the journey.


Fringe, however, uses the extra shots that they have been able to capture to seemingly make the pace of the episode more rapid. Because of the additional and variant shots more cuts can be made and this speeds up the flow of the action. As the story can be told at a quicker pace the story has been told over a longer period of time, a few weeks, maybe. Regularly in Fringe, we will cut to an establishing shot, more often than in X Files, and by doing to this the audience are given the continuity of space. Fringe also uses parallel editing as Olivia Burnham goes into a submersion tank to be regressed. As well as seeing Olivia in the tank, and other characters in the laboratory, we see John Scott in another realm. By using parallel editing it is if we are seeing two stories at the same time.


Despite the longer running time Fringe has over X Files by eight minutes due to the amount of shots, the variety of shots and the faster paced editing; the Fringe episode seems shorter than X Files. Just for the record, Fringe ran at 50 minutes and X Files ran for 42 minutes – and as they say – strange but true!

During X Files there are passages of silence during scenes to create a suspenseful atmosphere. Occasionally, the exclusion of sound can be more effective than sound effects, dialogue or music. However, when music was featured during elements of the episode it helped create the feelings of suspense, tension and horror, which often are used when the mutant is attempting to catch its next victim.


Fringe uses numerous sound effects to reinforce what is happening on screen. For instance, during the autopsy of the mutant we hear the sounds of the squelching of blood and body parts as the organs are being removed for analysis. During the action sequences of this episode the sounds are amplified to create drama and an intense atmosphere.


I would not be able to make a comparison of the sound between the two episodes without commenting on the dialogue. The dialogue in X Files makes references about the case, what they need to discover and what they need to do. It followed a beginning, middle and end format as Mulder and Scully went on their investigation.

Fringe uses more scientific and informative terminology. Again this is evident during the autopsy of the mutant. To enable the story to become more believable the writers use scientific phrases and terms that may be used in laboratories. This could be partly due to the expanding knowledge of the viewers and their understanding of the scientific terms and phrases.


Probably due to the technology of its time the X Files have used a human to represent the mutant. For this to work the mutations had to happen off-screen and this is reflected within the storyline. The mutant is able to squeeze down chimney’s, through air ducts and vents to capture his victims. The locations chosen for this story to be conceivable were house and workplaces such as office blocks. These are locations and/or sets that would have been cheaper to hire or build.


In Fringe the mutations happen on screen and this is achievable by the use of CGI, the Computer Generated Image. The ability to create almost anything using computer technology has enable film makers to develop more imaginative scenarios. The mutation of the man into the beast on a plane and then that plane descending from the skies would not have been possible ten years previous without the investment of vast sums of money.

During this presentation I have identified numerous similarities and differences of two Science-Fiction TV shows in X Files and Fringe. But, and in my personal opinion, I feel that X Files lacks believability because of the time it was made. Although no fault of the producers the technology available to them at the time may have hindered their desire to make this episode to appear as real as possible and because of this the TV show is more about escapism, relaxation and entertainment. Fringe, however, with its excellent use of cinematographic and technological advancements makes the viewer feel as if they are part of the team investigating the case. Added to that, the story involving terrorism is now – it is happening – makes this extremely believable. Although, trying to compare two excellent TV shows is like trying to compare a classic film against a modern day remake. It is whatever the individual viewer gets from it – it is purely subjective.


Science-Fiction is also futuristic and what we witness in these shows, it could be argued that many of these elements could become part of our everyday lives in years to come. If we take for example another Science-Fiction show, Star Trek, many technological concepts were born through this show. For example, flip phone and smart phone technology and doors that open automatically were first seen and physicists from the University College London and the University of Gdansk believe that teleportation will be possible in the future – but I’ll spare you all the scientific jargon on this occasion.


Anyway, even if some elements of X Files or Fringe do come to reality, I’m a big boy. I’m not frightened of mutating monsters underneath my bed. It’s the one in the wardrobe I’m really scared of.