The Last Replicoid

The End, again.

I enjoy science fiction that explores imaginary futuristic technologies. The most significant technological change in the Exode Saga is regressive: the actual end of Eternity as a functional time travel device.

At the end of Asimov's novel, The End of Eternity, Noÿs believes that she has put an end to time travel. However, she is not aware that both the "Queen of Time Travel", R. Gohrlay, and the Huaoshy, still retain the ability to travel through time. The Time Travel War is still raging!

However, the true end of time travel is near: it comes not in the 1930s but in the 1970s. The end of time travel occurs when the Huaoshy change the dimensional structure of the universe, making time travel physically impossible. It is not particularly hard for the Huaoshy to do this, since it was they who previously altered the universe so as to make possible faster-than-light travel, an act of dimensional engineering that (unbeknownst to the Huaoshy) also made time travel possible.

Overseer Sachiz

The Last Replicoid
Are there other consequences arising from the dimensional engineering that ends time travel? Yes. Some of the technologies that were developed by R. Gohrlay make use of sedrons and the physical properties of sedrons were altered by the Huaoshy's final act of dimensional engineering. In particular, R. Gohrlay's system for creating replicoids was inactivated.

Just before the end of time travel, Grean created the last replicoid: a copy of Isaac Asimov. Grean immediately began to call "him" Azynov. Before Azynov was sent off to Tar'tron, he got to meet the future tryp'At Overseer,  Sachiz, and the Editor.

The Adventures of Azynov.

Azynov's "meeting" with the Editor takes place under strange conditions. While the Editor is sleeping, his thoughts are able to be "ported" into his own replicoid in the Hierion Domain. The Editor is not able to efficiently use the Bimanoid Interface, so what he experiences is like a dream, albeit an intense "dream" unlike any other.

This "meeting" between the Editor and Azynov provides an opportunity for Grean to prepare Azynov for his "mission" to Tar'tron and to inform the Editor about that mission. After the meeting, Grean puts restraints on the ability of both Azynov and the Editor to remember what they were told by Grean during the meeting. Only later will they be allowed to remember Grean's words.

In the Buld Reality.
Original cover art by Jack Gaughan
Special thanks to Miranda Hedman
for "Black Cat 9 - stock" that I
used to create the green "sedronite"
who is in the image, above.

The immediate effect for the Editor in having met with Azynov is that he seeks out and reads a copy of The God's Themselves. This begins his fascination with Asimov's science fiction stories. Six years later, while at college, the Editor has the opportunity to meet Asimov, just days before Asimov has a heart attack. Only 40 years later is the Editor allowed to remember what he was told by Grean about Azynov's mission to Tar'tron.

Immediately after meeting with Grean and the Editor, Azynov becomes a time traveler. Grean makes use of Azynov to make a small adjustment to Reality, making sure that Jack Vance will live to a ripe old age. This allows Grean to demonstrate to Azynov that time travel is possible. However, Azynov is told that soon, time travel will become impossible.

Original art by Alexey Kashpersky
and Hubert Rogers

Azynov decides to use time travel to warn "himself" about his own death and the existence of the HIV virus. He goes back to 1951, but only passes a rather garbled message to "himself", resulting in the story "Hostess".

Finally, Azynov is taken away from Earth by Many Sails. Azynov is taken to the planet Tar'tron where he begins to learn about Genesaunt Society and the fragments of Humanity that are scattered around the galaxy.

Azynov and his first experiences in the Hierion Domain might be the perfect beginning for the Exode Saga.

Next: Return to Eternity

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SIHA Watch 2018

Ringworld (image source)

Now 25% of the way through 2018, it is time to scan the horizon for possible SIHA nominations (see the Search for Interesting Hollywood Aliens, 2017). For me, one of the big questions surrounding The X-Files Season 11 was if Chris Carter would have anything interesting to say about aliens. I'm not really surprised that Carter seemed to forget about aliens at the end of Season 11. I'm disappointed, but not surprised.

"Good space movies understand that both art and aliens should prompt an experience of wonder" (source)

Ringworld

Ringworld
Here in 2018, rumors continue to circulate about Larry Niven's Ringworld being turned into a movie (why not a TV series?). My only reservation: Niven, as a physicist, did not invent biologically plausible aliens.

I'm thinking that there could be real advantages for me in watching science fiction films that are made in languages other than English. I would not have to cognitively process the absurd blather in the script and I could imagine that I am watching an interesting story. In that spirit.... to Japan...

Before We Vanish

Before We Vanish (source)

This movie came out in 2017, but I did not notice it last year. It was reviewed in the New York Times this year.

In general, I don't like alien invasion movies because they are usually portrayals of human history warped into some imaginary futures where aliens travel across vast interstellar distance to make a stupid war movie in Hollywood. Before We Vanish seems a slightly more cerebral than your average American film (based on some reviews that I've read) and might have some interesting aliens.

Foreboding (image source)

Foreboding
I'm confused, but apparently Foreboding is another version of the same story (originally a play) that inspired Before We Vanish. Hopefully I'll be able to watch one of these two films. Apparently this story was originally seen in Japan as a 5 part television show, then it was spliced into a film, shown this year in Europe.

SIHA 2018

Side Show Shills
I've read all of the webpages proclaiming lists of "must see" science fiction for 2018. These films are what the folks in Hollywood imagine as science fiction, but they are low on science and big on horror and fantasy. As usual, there is nothing there that interests me.

I have a sense of foreboding: maybe aliens invaded Earth and zapped the brains of movie makers, turning them into zombies who keep re-working the same tired plots, again and again. Is there anything that can be done before the science fiction genre completely vanishes from our screens?

UPDATE: I saw Before We Vanish
Related Reading: SIHA 2018 Award
Next: Azynov the replicoid

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William's Woe

Daddy issue: this time for sure

Before The X-Files Season 11 finale, I wrote my wish list for how the Saga of William might play out. As a science fiction fan, my wishes were based on the hope that Sci Fi themes would dominate the finale, but this episode was light on the Sci Fi revelations. The coolest part of the show was when we got to see Mr. Y's hi-tek flying machine (see below).

My Struggle 4...
1. William's struggle. The ever-lying CSM told Skinner who told Scully who told Mulder that William was an experiment: a fetus carried to term by Scully, but who was not Mulder's son. All that Mr. Y would say was "You still don't get it, do you?" I suppose Chris Carter wants to do more X-Files, so we could not be told anything useful. We did get to see William's growing powers. He can explode the bodies of anyone who threatens him and he made the CSM believe that he (the CSM) was shooting Mulder.

William

William even made Mulder think that William had been killed by the CSM, but in the very last scene, viewers got to see that William is still alive.

The end of the Syndicate:
the exploding Barbara Hershey

2. Aliens. The alien tease continues. Endlessly. The whole meandering plot thread about a "Spartan virus" that can be countered by "alien DNA" died a quiet death during the finale. Was the "Spartan virus" just a lie from the CSM, just a trick aimed at allowing the Syndicate to find William? Will we ever see Mr. Y's cool flying machine again? Can you say "Season 12"?

The P-Files

3. The End of Scully. I was expecting a dramatic end point for special agent Scully. She and Mulder got fired from the FBI, again. And she's miraculously pregnant, again. Apparently, this time (for sure) Mulder IS the father. With everyone else dead, I guess Dana, Fox and the new baby get to live quietly in retirement... or maybe their adventures continue (see below).

the shape of alien water

4. Next. Skinner shot Reyes. Skinner got run over. Mulder shot Mr. Y and the CSM (and a bunch of extras). Barbara Hershey got exploded by William. If Mulder and Scully and baby are out of the FBI, then who will do Season 12 of The X-Files? I suppose it is like the Trump White House, there is no shortage of people willing to take on the assignment.

Half Time

Look, Ma, no hands.

"My Struggle IV" felt like it had originally been a two hour show, but it was seemingly cut down (spinning off what became the mid-season "Ghouli") so as to fit the finale into 50 minutes of non-linear story telling. Were the non-linear parts supposed to be William's view of future events? Who knows. I'm thankful that it was only 50 minutes. It seemed like half of the show consisted of loooong car chases and loooong chases on foot. Yawn.

He has a 2 hour head start,
but I'll catch up. Vrooooom.

In a previous millennium, the rule was "shoot first and then ask questions". For Chris Carter, there are no rules, so: "just shoot a lot and maybe everyone will forget to ask questions." Oh, and don't forget this: in Season 12 viewers might find out that this episode was all just a dream, too.

Superman
William is a superman. Given his super-powers, it is hard to understand how anything can really threaten him.

The endless alien tease: is this as close as Chris
Carter will let us get to an X-Files alien?

By running (seemingly endlessly) through the Sugar Factory, William was able to both: 1) have a moment to say goodby to dear old Mom and 2) arrange to give Mulder the satisfaction of killing the CSM.

I'd still like to see Mulder and Scully take Mr. Y's spaceship and depart from Earth and The X-Files. There can be some kind of X-Files: The Next Generation television show that includes a satisfying account of the aliens and how alien technology (and DNA) was deployed on Earth.

Secret Syndicate Space Shuttle

It would be fun if Mulder and Scully took Mr. Y's spaceship for a spin and ended up on some planet with aliens. In Season 12 there could be occasional messages sent back to Earth from Scully and Mulder as they work on the alien issue from a far star system. A computerized voice synthesizer could do better for voice messages from a far star than Anderson did in the last few episodes of Season 11 with her raspy voice.

Luke William, I'm not your father.

What about super-man William and the other people of Earth who have bits and pieces of alien DNA and various doses of telepathic ability? Maybe we could learn in Season 12 that William knew he could not have a future with his Mom, but he had a role in the "miracle" of Scully's second pregnancy. Maybe William used his special powers to give Scully and Mulder a child who would be their "replacement" for William.

Go to the Season 11 main page.
Next: SIHA 2018.

Struggle 4

William's struggle

This is my wish list in advance of The X-Files Season 11 final episode "My Struggle IV").

1. William
My expectation is that we will learn about William's struggle to survive and build a (normal? livable?) life for himself. As a science fiction fan, I hope we learn something "juicy" such as how alien technology/DNA is what powers William's telepathic powers.

2. Aliens

Alien spaceship

The X-Files has long teased fans with aliens, alien spacecraft and "alien DNA". I'm not happy that the teaser video from FOX TV for the final episode is full of gun violence and has no mention of aliens.

3. Dana's Immortality
The X-Files has had fun with the idea that Dana is immortal. We were told that she has a chunk of "alien DNA" that can protect her from the Spartan Virus. With Anderson leaving the show, it would be fun if there was a dramatic end point for Dana Scully here at the end of Season 11.

4. X-Files the Next Generation

I'd like the Season 11 finale to make clear that the X-Files could go on, even without Anderson and (my preference) without Chris Carter in control.

I'd like to see the mysterious Mr. Y show up with a spaceship that uses alien technology. The remnants of the Syndicate want to take William off into outer space and provide a new beginning for humanity, however, at the last minute they settle for taking Dana away from Earth. Mulder gets to go along for the ride.

William uses his telepathic abilities to trick Skinner and the CSM into shooting each other. Even after a catastrophic head wound, there could be a scene at the end suggesting that the CSM is immortal, due to the alien medical nanites that are in his body.

Season 12

The Y-Files
Season 12 would begin with a new international investigative agency continuing on in the spirit of the X-Files. In the background would be William and other humans who have unusual abilities due to their alien DNA and their control of alien nanite technology.

Next: episode 10

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Winter of Dis Content

I've got your bloody back

Heading into the home stretch at the end of The X-Files Season 11, I was not expecting much from episodes 8 and 9. I was pleased to discover that episode 8 was well-paced and not too annoying. In contrast, episode 9, "Nothing Lasts Forever", seemed to last forever. This story might have made a lame 30 minute Twilight Zone episode, but as a one hour X-Files case, it seemed absurd and repetitive.

Kokor Hekkus
Some of my dissatisfaction with "Nothing Lasts Forever" arises from the fact that I'm a fan of Jack Vance. Vance's story "The Killing Machine" includes the idea of a "bad guy" who has the secret of eternal youth, which involves taking special youth-conferring substances from the bodies of young people.

Lame horror episodes distracting
you from the search for William?
Wait... there's an app for that.

Of course, Vance deployed this plot element in a far more entertaining way than did The X-Files. "Gratuitous and shock value is boring"... exactly how I would describe this episode.

Dis Content

Season 11 summary:
"Let's throw Scully in the trash".

I suppose that Chris Carter (and his buddies like Wong) feel that The X-Files is their baby and they can do what they want to do with the show. They probably get tired of being told how to run "their" show. "You want female writers, okay, here you go." Here is an episode that does nothing to advance the story arc, even though we are now just one hour from the end. Anderson complained about not getting equal pay? Okay, we'll throw her in the trash. It is not a good look for any television show when the show runners seem to be dissing the fans.

Get the point?

Most of my dissatisfaction with "Nothing Lasts Forever" arises from the fact that I don't like horror. For 50 years the mad scientist/doctor has been doing vampire-like experiments in life extension, but now, because we have no idea how to advance our television show, we'll cold open with a crazed sister who has penetrated the dark cult and is taking revenge. Is she one of the telepathic kids like William, so she was able to discover the super-secret cult? Nobody associated with The X-Files cares, so another opportunity for some actual science fiction is lost.

Next: wishes for episode 10.

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Something So Familiar

black magic

I accept that part of the formula for success of The X-Files has been the diversity of its episodes. Sci Fi, fantasy, horror, mystery, and romance fans and, of course, conspiracy buffs can all find something to enjoy. As a Sci Fi fan, I always find myself wishing that the Sci Fi side of The X-Files might get more attention. I feared the worse sort of silly fantasy would make Season 11, episode 8 unwatchable for me.

Next Gen X
I've been living with the hope that some new talent might be revealed during Season 11: possibly some new writers and new show runners who could move us into the future with an X-Files the Next Generation television show. Episode 8 gave me some hope. I feel that this episode was well done and I'd be interested to see more from Holly Dale and writers like Benjamin Van Allen. Okay, Dale is even older than Chris Carter, but I think "Familiar" shows that Dale knows how to put together a well-paced episode of The X-files.

the mind of a child

The Craft
As a Sci Fi fan, I can't stop myself from imagining a technological explanation for the witchcraft in Episode 8. I like to imagine that for thousands of years humans have been on the brink of having the kind to telepathic powers that we've seen deployed by William. William can make people see what he wants them to see. Maybe there have long been witches who could trick people into seeing things.

In this episode, innocent children get caught up in the witchcraft. Maybe children are just naturally susceptible to telepathy? Maybe adults can resist the attempt of a witch to telepathically insert images and thoughts into their minds.

Burn

can't burn

I like the idea that alien nanites might be involved in human telepathic abilities. If enough nanites accumulate inside someone, might they attain "magical" powers? Might burning such a person disperse the nanites and make it less likely that the critical mass of nanites be passed on to someone else?

I also like the idea that nanites can reside in books or other inanimate objects. At the end of the episode, the book of spells remains un-burned. I'm going to take this as a good omen: that The X-Files can live on past the end of the terms of Carter and Anderson.

Next: the horror of episode 9

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Spies in Your Vagina

Dana and Fox running from Elon Musk

Or, the Vagina No-Dialogue. Or is that dialog? Season 11's 7th episode of The X-Files only has two human characters: Fox and Dana. X-Files 'shippers have been begging for an episode in which Fox and Dana go on a date, and here it is. And I suppose many of those 'shippers have been dreaming of some heart-to-heart dialogue between Fox and Mulder about "their relationship". But this is an episode with almost no Fox-Dana dialogue.

Twitter bot

For an episode with so few spoken words, the introductory teaser is an amazingly annoying and chatty voice-over account of an artificial intelligence gone bad (see Tay). That's the Hollywood version of the "racist" Twitterbot (image to the left).

Scully's Vibrator

YUM?

The star of the show is Scully's little lost vibrator. After years of over-work, this little guy decides to run away, forcing Dana to actually turn to Fox for human contact. Just kidding...

How we meet the star
When we first see the star of the show, he is pulled out from under Scully's bed by a robotic floor sweeper. The sweeper has two menacing red eyes and was just mysteriously delivered (by a flying drone) to Scully's fully automated house.

Jump the Shark Sushi
The entire episode is built around Mulder's date from hell. He is served a disgusting purple fish for dinner. He can't eat it, but he has to pay for it. Fox tries to complain, but there are no human workers to complain to. He refuses to give a tip and for the next 4 hours he is repeatedly badgered by a phone app reminding him that "it is not too late" to give a tip. Worse, all of the electronic devices near to Fox and Dana begin to harass them. Most of this episode is a seemingly endless series of absurd and tedious "malfunctions" of computerized devices that all seem to conspire to make Mulder give a tip to the robots who made his inedible dinner. Yuk, yuk.

Twilight Zone: man vs machine

Teach Your Children Well
When I saw the previews for this episode, I started imagining that the creators of this episode might manage to tie the drone army that chases Fox and Dana to one of the dangling X-Files plot threads such as the CSM's search for William. But no. This was a stand-alone episode with no apparent relevance to other episodes dealing with Sci Fi topics like alien conspiracies or telepathy.

episode 8

This X-Files episode could have been shaped into a good 30 minute X-Files tribute to an old Twilight Zone episode that was televised back in 1960. However, for a 60 minute show, it felt like it was 30 minutes too long, repeating the same Fox and Dana Keystone Cop-like gags again and again. Ya, I get it already; Fox and Dana have smart phones that magically and inexplicably "go bad". Cut! Next!

I Don't Want to Believe It
I've been fantasizing about the possible emergence of new writers and new show runners who might bring us an "X-Files The Next Generation". However, I'm starting to believe that Chris Carter and his old team are actually not that easy to replace. Judging by the episode 8 preview, even less entertaining filler episodes await before we finally reach the final episode and hopefully a satisfying resolution of the X-Files saga. Like watching a suffering, dying patient, I'm ready for this to end.

Next: Season 11, Episode 8

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