Ratboy
| Synonyms: | Skippy |
| See also: | X-Files terminology |
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Ratboy was the most common fannish nickname for Alex Krycek, though he was never called that in any of the episodes.
Other fannish nicknames include Skippy, "Squeaky," "Weasel" and "Weaselboy," none of which ever approached the popularity of "Ratboy."
The name may have arose because of the difficulty fans on the usenet group alt.tv.x-files had remembering how to spell 'Krycek'.
The use of the names, Skippy and "Ratboy," appears to have both begun in October 1994, shortly after Krycek appeared in his first episode, Sleepless.
Fanon to Canon
The fame of the nickname Ratboy made it back to TPTB. In the X-files homage episode of Once a Thief, the Mulder impersonator snapped, "Don't call me Spooky, Ratboy" to Nick Lea's character.
Even more so than most popular fannish shows, X-Files had a fairly dense set of nicknames, acronyms, nearly-impenetrable in-jokes and hard-to-remember initialisms -- it also invented some that have become part of larger media fandom, such as UST and Shipper.
Other Fannish Use
Websites referring to the nickname are for example the RATales Archive for fanfiction featuring Alex Krycek and the RatB archive for Mulder/Krycek slash.
Fan Comments
1994
Hmmm, my interpretation was that it was him that was just on the phone to Ratboy and that he just hadn't hung up until then. [1]
The final scene was VERY touching as well... And looks like Mulder finally caught RatBoy, and that the X-Files are open again!!!! YAY!!!! [2]
I think this guy may be dealing with his own shock that his superiors just might be in the wrong. He's finding his conscience troubled. Remember, we don't really know where RatBoy came from; as someone has reminded us, he may not be a rookie; we were told it was HIS CASE which Mulder kind of appropriated. It could be that Kryczeck is becoming just as legitimately disgusted with the people he was directed by as Mulder and Skinner are. We may not have seen the last of him, and - like Skinner - he may not be exactly what he seems. [3]
1996
But Ratboy isn't what he seems. [4]
"Good work, Ratboy!" Mr. X said.
Krychek cut his eyes at Mr. X. "Don't call me Ratboy!" Krychek countered back. [5]
I read in the Ratboy Brigade FAQ something about a Nicholas Lea Estrogen Brigade (NLEB). Does this actually exist? Does anybody know anything? [6]
The alien was still in the pilot's body, wasn't it? While it has left Ratboy. Leaving him on his own, trapped and either abandoned or in the Smoking Man's power. Doesn't look good for him. I'm hoping he gets out of it too. I think he will. He's a survivor. [7]
I'm sorry. Krychek is cute, but I just can't seem to get past the fact that Krychek killed Mulder's father and was part of the hit squad that was supposed to kill Scully, but mistakenly killed her sister. To use the language of the X-Files, the author must deceive, inveigle, and obfuscate to rehabilitate Krychek.
And even if it can be proved that Ratboy killed Mulder's father and Scully's sisterb because Cancerman drugged his hair gel that might keep Mulder from killing him, but I don't think it would be enough for Mulder to have a relationship with him. [8]
1997
...I need to divide the world into two halves:
There are two sorts of M/K fans: ONE kind wants to believe that Krycek isn't all bad; they prefer Skippy to Ratboy. I can't speak for those fans at ALL. Don't even ask me. (Not saying there's anything wrong with them; just that they confuse me as much as M/K confuses other people.)
But there is another kind; women who glory in Krycek's badness--who believe the only good Krycek is an EVIL Krycek; who think that Ratboy was always hiding, seething under Skippy's mild-mannered exterior. So, why do BadKrycek fans read/write/vid Mulder/Krycek? [9]
My objection to the Krycek stories is that he might start out as Ratboy, but then he becomes Ratbaby, and then he becomes Skippy, and then he becomes Darling Golden Misunderstood Hero--and I *like* him evil and amoral. I don't want him rescued and redeemed, turned into some squeeky-clean--but misunderstood, misguided and misled--little green-eyed sweetiepie.[10]
References
- ^ from alt.tv.x-files, Where are all the posts? (my musings on 'Ascension') (October 22, 1994)
- ^ from alt.tv.x-files, Scully IMPREGNATED by ALIENS!!!!!! (October 23, 1994)
- ^ from alt.tv.x-files, RatBoy's allegiance? (was: Re: Skytram Scene (Spoiler Alert)) (October 24, 1994)
- ^ from alt.tv.x-files.creative, (no subject) (January 1, 1996)
- ^ from a fan's story at alt.tv.x-files.creative, NEW: Descention II 6/7 (January 5, 1996)
- ^ from alt.tv.x-files.creative, Ratboy Estrogen Brigade?) (Feb 16, 1996)
- ^ comment at Virgule-L, quoted anonymously (Feb 19, 1996)
- ^ comment at Virgule-L, quoted anonymously (October 20, 1996)
- ^ from a comment by Sandy Herrold quoted with permission, from Virgule-L (14 Apr 1997)
- ^ comment at Virgule-L, quoted anonymously (May 1, 1997)