t first, Robert Patrick didn't know if he'd be able to
join The X-Files. Series creator and executive producer
Chris Carter wanted him, but contractual obligations to
another series pilot meant that he might have to pass.
Fortunately, the other studio let him off the hook, and
the way was paved for Patrick--best known for his role as
the T-1000 in Terminator 2: Judgment Day--to join the
eighth season of The X-Files as the agent in charge of
the task dedicated to finding Mulder (David Duchovny). Science Fiction Weekly
trusted no one, and pried
as many truths as possible from the tight-lipped actor, who did his best to save the
surprises for this season's viewers.
Tell us a little bit about your character.
Patrick: John Doggett is a very hard-working, fast-climbing
FBI agent. His background is as a United States Marine;
he went on after that to be a New York City police
detective. He is a knee-jerk skeptic, and he does not
believe the X-Files. He's a facts-oriented, sort of blue-collar work ethic type
of guy. And he's very well-respected in the FBI community. He has a strong code
that he lives by, and he has a great deal of confidence
in himself
How much direction has Chris Carter or the producers given you
on how to play Doggett, and what direction to take him
in?
Patrick: Yeah, they have. A lot of it I can't tell you,
because I don't want to reveal too much about the
character, because I want people to see the arc of the
character. But it's pretty much what I told you in the
description of the guy, and that's really how I look at
every scene and go about it, with that foundation. It's
becoming really, really clear to me, and easier for me
too [as we] go. I think we're on our ninth episode right
now, or our eighth or something, and I'm starting to
really understand how Doggett would react to different
situations.
Do you know the context of where Doggett is going to
fit into The X-Files universe--and the dynamic when
Mulder does return later in the season?
Patrick: I don't. I'm anxiously awaiting, just like the fans.
Each week, I'm kind of like, "wow, okay, great, this is
where they are now," and "I get this,"
and "geez, that's great." [Scully and Doggett's]
relationship is growing, and Doggett's role is growing,
and his perspective on the X-Files and so forth is
constantly evolving.
And Scully is learning to trust him?
Patrick: Yeah, she's slowly learning to trust him. Yeah.
That's one of the great dynamics as well. When Doggett
shows up, she doesn't like him. So he's starting at the
bottom.
He has a story arc, even though you don't know what it
will be, exactly?
Patrick: There's a definite arc for him, and that's the
beauty.
Does Doggett know about Scully's pregnancy?
Patrick: No.
Do you know when he's going to find that out?
Patrick: Yes. Can't tell you.
What can you say about the cases you have worked on?
Patrick: I can't tell you that, other than to say that this
is a really scary season.
What's it like working with Gillian Anderson?
Patrick: I think she's just a great gal--a total professional,
and my respect for her as an actress is very, very high.
Is it awkward stepping in to fill the void left by the
absence of Mulder/Duchovny?
Patrick: Well, I don't see it like that. I see it from the
point of view of, David is a fantastic actor, and I
understand that he's at a point in his career where he
wants to walk away and pursue other interests, and he's a
terrific actor. From my point of view, it's very
exciting to be a new character introduced, and I'm a
part of the ensemble.
Ironically, Duchovny left so he could pursue his film
career (among other things). You, on the other hand,
come to television after doing nearly 50 films since you
began acting in 1984. What made you want to try the
genre?
Patrick:: It's just where I'm at as an individual. After my
experience [as a guest star] on The Sopranos, [since] I
had never done television, I thought after the film
career, it would just be kind of nice to have something
like this on a steady basis, instead of going from gig
to gig to gig, unemployed, employed, back and forth. And
that's why I'm here. I had no idea when I told my agents
that I wanted to do [TV], that I wanted to find a nice
role to do on television, that it was going to be such a
wonderful experience and opportunity. And I'm really
grateful.
Still, the implications of a new character being
introduced under these circumstances could be very
daunting for some.
Patrick: All I'm responsible for, as an actor, as a new guy
joining the show, is just to work hard and do the best I
can. That's my responsibility to myself, and to all of
them [at 1013 and The X-Files] as well. And to the fans
of the show, to just come in and do
what they're making available for me to do, and do it as
best as I can.
What do you think is the universal appeal of The X-Files?
Patrick: Well, I think it's a really diverse field: It's neat,
it's conspiracies, it's things that aren't normal, it's
a phenomenon, it's the dynamic of these people, and it's
very intriguing. These are not everyday sort of
experiences. And the fact that it's just great writing.
What's going on on the surface is the structure of the
story, and then the interesting thing here to me are the
subplots, what's going on underneath. What is this
really about--is this about this, or is it about this?
