When The X-Files makes its much-ballyhooed return to Fox on Jan. 24, any and all signs of a Mulder-Scully romantic entanglement will be outta there. But… why?

Series creator Chris Carter tells TVLine that the decision to keep the iconic pair’s relationship — which resulted in a son, William, let us not forget — all business and no pleasure was creatively driven.

“I thought it was honest,” he explains. “And I thought it was an interesting thing to explore, as well as a way to put tension into the idea that the X-Files would be more difficult to reopen if they were split up versus together.”

And X-Philes shouldn’t hold out hope for a reunion. Although Carter teases that the ex-couple will “become closer” over the course of the six-episode revival, it’s as a result of their renewed professional partnership not their “romantic” history.

What do you think — good call on Carter’s part? Vote in the poll below and then elaborate in the comments!

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