Lone Gunmen Resuscitation Petition

Lone Gunmen Resuscitation Petition

We, the loyal fans of the Lone Gunmen, feel that Chris Carter, Vince Gilligan, John Shiban, Frank Spotnitz, and 10-13 Productions have done us a grave disservice.

For nine years, we graciously followed the adventures of John Fitzgerald Byers, Richard "Ringo" Langly, and Melvin Frohike in THE X-FILES and THE LONE GUNMEN. From the beginning, we appreciated the eccentric-but-lovable trio who strove for "Truth, Justice and the American Way" in their own quixotic way. We appreciated their determination to find the truth, tell it to the world, and help their fellow man. They succeeded not through looks, fame or money, but by keen intellect, compassion, and perseverance. They were average people who managed to be heroes; in short, they were characters with whom we viewers relate more than with the typical Barbie- or Ken-style TV idol. When the spinoff was announced, we Gunmen fans rejoiced! Finally, we thought, there would be one show on television that celebrated substance over style, plot over spectacle, heart and heroism over greed and cynicism...and gave us a chance to laugh as no other show had given us before. And when the finicky FOX network cancelled the show, we rallied to save it. We devoted hours, days, weeks and months on websites, calls, letters and petitions to save the show and the characters we loved.

The producers promised us a conclusion to the GUNMEN finale during the last year of THE X-FILES. They gave it to us--in an unconscionable way. At the end of the XF episode "Jump the Shark," the Gunmen were killed. Not only was this act an insult to the characters who had fought so hard and given so much to the cause of truth they believed in, but the manner in which the writers brought about their demise was contemptible. By systematically dismantling every single thing the Gunmen had ever achieved and thoroughly humiliating them before the unjustified and gratuitous coup de grâce, this episode refuted the values of loyalty, patriotism and kindness Byers, Langly and Frohike embodied... and thrust a knife into the heart of every fan who had grown to love them. The finale of XF gave us no relief, either. We had hoped for our heroes to be alive and well. Instead, we got "ghosts" who did little but try to convince Mulder to give up his quest. This outcome was completely uncharacteristic and unworthy of the characters. And furthermore, it was a betrayal of every fan who had supported the franchise.

We are unwilling to condone this turn of events. We Gunfen have resolved that until and unless our Gunmen are shown alive and well again (in a TV-movie, direct-to-video project, comic book/graphic novel or living appearance in the next XF movie), we will not in any way support Chris Carter, Vince Gilligan, John Shiban, Frank Spotnitz, 10-13 Productions, and THE X-FILES. We will not read, watch, or purchase any books, merchandise, programs, DVDs, or movie tickets to any X-FILES or 10-13 product, nor will we support any future projects with which the abovementioned are involved. We refuse to patronize those who in turn refuse to respect the intelligence and emotions of the fans they depend upon.

What we ask is not so difficult--so many characters that supposedly died on THE X-FILES have "come back to life" again--sometimes repeatedly. Now it's the Lone Gunmen's turn.

We have no wish to cause undue financial hardship or job losses for anyone due to our actions; we merely wish to exercise our right to shun a product that has become morally repugnant to us. We strongly encourage Chris Carter and his associates to repair the damage they have done to an otherwise brilliant product. At such time, we will reconsider our decision to boycott THE X-FILES.

--written by Jennifer Stairs and Alyssa Barber