Skippy

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Synonyms: Ratboy
See also: X-Files terminology
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Skippy was a fannish nickname for Alex Krycek by fans who believe Alex Krycek is a "sweet, but misunderstood, dear, loving, helpless, trodden-upon *darling baby* who's really a good boy at heart." [1]

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.

Other fannish nicknames include Ratboy, "Weasel," "Weaselboy," and "Squeaky." Skippy never approached the popularity of "Ratboy." One possible reason for so many nicknames for Krycek may have arose because of the difficulty fans on the usenet group alt.tv.x-files had remembering how to spell 'Krycek'.

Fan Comments

1994

Well it seems Mulder didn't tell skippy about the impant [sic]. Come one who do you think Mulder would tell first Scully or skippy? [2]

1996

Of course, NL did mention in an interview that DD had an interesting idea for a Krycek plotline... could this be it? The Rat'niks wait, in breathless anticipation... <hey, guys, it's just an idiom.. .breathe, dammit! Inhale! Yeesh, they'd lose their own tails if they weren't firmly affixed.

Now, whether this is a reference to this being the Chinese Year of the Rat, or a reference to Krycek (another Carterean tip of the hat to the online 'philes?), I don't know. Given the last time we saw Skippy . . . err . . . Ratboy . . . err . . . Quaker State face . . . well, you know who I mean -- 'tis interesting to speculate. . . .

That's Mr Quaker State Face to you! :)

Now, we all know that Squeaky lives... any character with a leather jacket that cool is integral the a series inner cohesion, and therefore can't be killed off without a generous financial compensation package being paid to his fan club. [3]

1997

Personally, there's not *enough* black leather in [The X-Files] , if you ask me. I got all excited when I thought the parka Skinner wore in Zero Sum was leather but on further watchings I realized it was fabric with leather trim. Bummer. Still, at least he had leather gloves. And I think that became Krycek's one redeeming feature -- black leather jackets gave him a chin, which he needs badly, and made him look just that little bit off the side of rough trade, mitigating the Skippy factor. So I think we need more leather,... [4]

I've noticed the majority of fans and the media call Krycek "Ratboy." But my husband and I have, from the beginning, referred to him as "Moleboy." We want to launch a campaign to change Krycek's alias to "MOLEBOY"! Would anyone out there be interested in joining us in this thoroughly worthy cause?;)

Not me .. Rat is a far better animal suiting him.. Unless ya call him Fletch, changes sides more than he does his underwear.. Or, money gree[d]y back-stabbing little bastard.. Don't think either would cat[c]h on, so Ratboy is my choice.
It's just too late. He's been RatBoy for 3 long years. Though I always did : like "Skippy" too back in his "Sleepless" days..[5]

1999

Friend is a four letter word -- M/K. Deeply clever song choice (I've never heard it before), and a cool look at their relationship. Interesting use of some standard shots -- I almost felt like the Krycek killing Melissa and beating up Skinner shots were used as a reminders -- see, he's not nice, he's not Skippy. I suppose for a vidder to try to use her vids to get more fiction of the kind she likes is not a terrible thing. [6]

References

  1. ^ from a comment on Virgule-L, quoted anonymously with permission (19 Jun 1997)
  2. ^ from alt.tv.x-files, X-FILES HIGHLIGHT REEL (10/14) (October 22, 1994)
  3. ^ from alt.tv.x-files, Teso Dos Bichos (March 8, 1996)
  4. ^ comment at Virgule-L, quoted anonymously (May 27, 1997)
  5. ^ from alt.tv.x-files, "Ratboy" vs. "Moleboy" (Jun 2, 1997)
  6. ^ "VID: Reflections: a review (warning, long)," comment by Sandy Herrold at Virgule-L, quoted anonymously with permission (Dec 16, 1999)