Baby William

Xfiles character


name=William
affiliation=
first="Existence"
last="William"
portrayer=Multiple babies (See text for details) William is a fictional character in the American television series "The X-Files". He is the son of agent Dana Scully, and was born in the eighth season episode "Existence". Throughout the last two seasons of the series William was encompassed by an aura of mystique, ranging from his origin to the apparent supernatural abilities he possessed.

Background

Toward the end of the eighth season, the informant Knowle Rohrer stated that an implant related to Scully's mysterious abduction was likewise related to her pregnancy. At some point, Scully made the decision to have a child through in-vitro fertilization, and asked Mulder to be the sperm donor, to which he agreed, as revealed via flashback in the episode "Per Manum." It was said in this same episode that the in-vitro attempt failed. There were apparently no repeat attempts and it is unclear exactly when in the X-Files timeline this took place. It has also been implied that Scully and Mulder began an intimate relationship late into their partnership. In "Essence", Mulder's inner monologue reflects: "How did this child come to be? What set its heart beating? Is it the product of a union or the work of a divine hand?" suggesting William may have been conceived naturally through intercourse (supposedly an impossibility for Scully) or by some paranormal intervention, or perhaps some measure of both. In the series finale and "", both agents referred to William as their son. However, it is not made clear whether or not this is a term of affection on Mulder's part or a biological fact. William did have noticeably wide-set nostrils, perhaps intended to resemble Mulder in this regard.

The New Syndicate frequently had William and Scully under surveillance. During Season 9, William turns out to have some paranormal abilities, including telekinesis. After a visit from a disfigured Jeffrey Spender, William is injected with a magnetite substance and, according to Spender, seemingly is "cured" of his paranormal abilities. Because Jeffrey Spender was able to gain access to Baby William and inject him, Scully decides that the only way to keep her son safe is to give him up for adoption to a Christian couple in Wyoming. This occurs in the episode "William." William appears to be around 10-12 months of age at this time.

Scully states that he was named after Mulder's father, who was named William, although, coincidentally Scully's father was named William as well. This is also the first name of Scully's brother as well as Fox Mulder's middle name.

The origins of his supposed powers are never explained. It is possible that he is similar to Gibson Praise and has otherworldly powers. He displays telekinesis by causing a mobile over his crib to revolve.

Current status

Six years after the series finale, Mulder and Scully are living together. At one point they mention the clearly absent William and Mulder refers to "the loss of our child", implying that William is indeed their son, biological or not.

Actors

Baby William was "played" by the following babies:
* In "Existence" by Jerry Shiban.
* In "Nothing Important Happened Today I" by Travis & James Riker, Rikki & Rowdy Held, and Ashley Knutson.
* In "Nothing Important Happened Today II," by Travis & James Riker, and Wyatt Smith.
* In "Trust No 1," "Provenance," "Providence," "Improbable," and "William" by Travis & James Riker.

External links

* at

References