X-Files Book Club

I see the Dana/Scully name matter completely differently. I don't see anyone as "taking her name away." She doesn't lose anything by identifying herself as Scully. That's simply who she is, and increasingly so as time goes on. Professionally and personally she is Scully (Dr., Agent, partner, friend). I think she gains a degree of self-awareness and definition she never had as Dana. It doesn't mean she's any less herself, only that more than ever she knows who that is and accepts it. I find the idea that Scully comes to think of herself as Scully as natural as the idea that Mulder has come to think of himself as Mulder. I think people (and many, many fanfics) equate Scully's occasionally expressed desire to have more of a "life" with her having some deep-seated longing to be seen and appreciated as 'Dana', but canon never suggests Scully feels a connection between her first name and her fundamental identity.

It's all a bit OT at this point, but you said an idea I posted as my own was annoying and horrible. I respect your right to have strong opinions, just as I have, but I feel in fairness I should get to speak my case.