The X-Files Season 11: 10 Things We Learned From Plus One
6. The Show Very Much Wants The "Will They Or Won't They" Feeling Back
Sam and Diane. David and Maddie. Ross and Rachel.
"Will they or won't they" pairings have always been a television gold mine. While The X-Files was never designed with that in mind, the undeniable chemistry between Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny changed the course of the series after just a few seasons. It divided the fanbase, helping popularize the terms ship (as in relationship) and shipper (as is relationshipper, or a supporter of a Mulder/Scully relationship). Those terms are still used today when fans of any number of shows say they "ship" one set of characters or another.
The whole "will they or won't they" angle got stronger as the show went on, at least until season seven, when the question was answered, sort of. It also drew in an entire army of fans more interested in the relationship than the paranormal, a rather unintended (but welcome, no doubt, to those watching the ratings at FOX) consequence.
How does that relate to anything we learned in Plus One? Because in Plus One, the show is desperately trying to get that "will they or won't they" feeling back. Mulder starts the episode sleeping on the couch when the agents share a hotel room. There are nods to past transgressions, but nothing is discussed outright, just hinted at. The pair clearly love each other, but the subject is danced around.