Thanks for clarifying the terms. You are right—there aren't exact parameters of the genres. I'm just speaking here of Atwood, who didn't invent the phrase "speculative fiction," but uses it solely to define fiction dealing with things that could actually happen in our lifetime on our planet, based on current…

Margaret Atwood is my favorite author and I've read most everything she's written. I agree that Handmaid's Tale is the place to start because it is her most famous and a quick read, although I personally prefer Oryx and Crake and Year of the Flood. Those are her three "speculative fiction" novels, or what she…

Margaret Atwood is my favorite author and I've read most everything she's written. I agree that Handmaid's Tale is the place to start because it is her most famous and a quick read, although I personally prefer Oryx and Crake and Year of the Flood. Those are her three "speculative fiction" novels, or what she…

Yes! I was thinking of Tithonus when I wrote my response, because I liked the times when splitting them up showed us something about the strength of the partnership (as in season 2, when GA was pregnant and they brought in Krycek). And having Mulder be the one tied to a desk while helping Scully was a interesting…

Yes! I was thinking of Tithonus when I wrote my response, because I liked the times when splitting them up showed us something about the strength of the partnership (as in season 2, when GA was pregnant and they brought in Krycek). And having Mulder be the one tied to a desk while helping Scully was a interesting…

At the end of season 5, Mulder and Scully were taken off the x-files and a fire destroyed Mulder's work in the basement. For the first half of season 6, they were reassigned to more conventional FBI work and had desks on another floor. Spender and Fowley were given the x-files, so they had the basement office during…

At the end of season 5, Mulder and Scully were taken off the x-files and a fire destroyed Mulder's work in the basement. For the first half of season 6, they were reassigned to more conventional FBI work and had desks on another floor. Spender and Fowley were given the x-files, so they had the basement office during…

I think the choice made sense here because otherwise it would feel like even more of a Small Potatoes retread, and the "what if Mulder had a normal life?" bit wouldn't have the same impact.

I think the choice made sense here because otherwise it would feel like even more of a Small Potatoes retread, and the "what if Mulder had a normal life?" bit wouldn't have the same impact.

I don't remember Fletcher being responsible for the body switch, but then again I don't remember much explanation for the warp that caused it, really. His low-key reaction to it did seem odd, considering how little he censored his thoughts later. Mulder's reaction to it made sense, since he's quick on his feet and is…

I don't remember Fletcher being responsible for the body switch, but then again I don't remember much explanation for the warp that caused it, really. His low-key reaction to it did seem odd, considering how little he censored his thoughts later. Mulder's reaction to it made sense, since he's quick on his feet and is…

Ah, Dreamland. I find it problematic in so many ways, from the many plot contrivances to the unnecessary stretch into a two-parter that prolongs Scully's usual skepticism in the first half to the point where I become more frustrated with her than any point in the entire series. I mean, come on, it's not like she…

Ah, Dreamland. I find it problematic in so many ways, from the many plot contrivances to the unnecessary stretch into a two-parter that prolongs Scully's usual skepticism in the first half to the point where I become more frustrated with her than any point in the entire series. I mean, come on, it's not like she…

This is an excellent post. I believe the discussion of what is "good" versus "bad" art is valid and worth having (or else I would not come to this site), but I do not think a person's choice of art matters much in terms of maturity, if the majority of his or her time is spent engaging in the generally agreed upon…

This is an excellent post. I believe the discussion of what is "good" versus "bad" art is valid and worth having (or else I would not come to this site), but I do not think a person's choice of art matters much in terms of maturity, if the majority of his or her time is spent engaging in the generally agreed upon…

The "lyrics matter" argument is weak when you're citing songs like "Call Me Maybe." Who the hell is listening to that song because of the depth of the lyrics? I think "secret importance of the lyrics" as a title is misleading, because that aspect of the article doesn't amount to much more than "songs have words . . .…

The "lyrics matter" argument is weak when you're citing songs like "Call Me Maybe." Who the hell is listening to that song because of the depth of the lyrics? I think "secret importance of the lyrics" as a title is misleading, because that aspect of the article doesn't amount to much more than "songs have words . . .…

The flowers make me laugh too, just because Skinner is the last person I would ever imagine buying flowers for Mulder.

The flowers make me laugh too, just because Skinner is the last person I would ever imagine buying flowers for Mulder.

I also love Arcadia, but it's one of those that I love in spite of the plot and not because of. Which unfortunately happened more and more often as the series progressed. But I would agree that Monday-Arcadia is my last favorite two in a row.