David Duchovny Reveals Calling Out X-Files Character Inconsistencies

David Duchovny, famed for his role as FBI agent Fox Mulder on The X-Files, frequently had to address character inconsistencies on the show, often correcting directors who were unfamiliar with the series' continuity. He shared on his Fail Better podcast that it was a pet peeve when directors, despite having strong scripts, would portray Mulder in ways that had been seen multiple times before or conflicted with previously established traits. A notable example was when Mulder’s fear of fire in a season one episode contradicted his calm reaction to a fire in the series pilot, prompting Duchovny to point out the inconsistency directly to creator Chris Carter. Duchovny described himself as the curator of Mulder’s character, responsible for maintaining consistency across episodes. He also expressed skepticism about modern television’s ability, particularly with the rise of Netflix, to achieve the lasting cultural impact and longevity that The X-Files enjoyed. These insights underscore Duchovny’s deep involvement in preserving the integrity of his iconic character throughout the show’s run.