All good things must come to an end ... then be revived and come to an end again.

"The X-Files" looks like it could very well be headed toward its second end. After star Gillian Anderson told TV Insider in December that "this is it" for her ahead of Season 11, the show's creator, Chris Carter, recently discussed what that would mean for the show. There's no sugar-coating it: Her departure wouldn't mean anything good for fans wanting to see more "X-Files." When Collider asked Carter if he'd continue the show without Anderson, he said he would not.

"For me, 'The X-Files' is Mulder and Scully," he said. "I think if it were without Scully, I wouldn't do it. That's not my 'X-Files.'"

Luckily, Carter was prepared for the possibility of Season 11 being the show's last. He said that he approaches it "always thinking that this could be it." That said, he's always ready for more, too, if his stars are on board.

"For me, 'The X-Files' can go on, indefinitely," he said. "It's really how long Mulder and Scully, and David [Duchovny] and Gillian [Anderson], want to do the show."

Anderson and Carter's comments leave the future of "The X-Files" looking bleak for fans, but at least we still have Season 11. "The X-Files" returns tonight, Jan. 3 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Fox.