Michael, I was fortunate to see the unaired episodes of both Miraceles and Veritas. I have to tell you they were great. And made me even more upset they cancelled the shows.
Unfortunately a few after that FOX started with the quick trigger finger. I cant think of all the names but there were a lot of them that didn't get a chance to grow. Television is a different place now.
When X-Files started, Fox was fairly new and didn't have many other options. Numerous people have mentioned when complainign about Firefly, John Doe, or some other Fox show cancellation that the modern Fox wouldn't have let The X-Files finish its first season.
Which doesn't make it true. The X-Files was showing growth all through its first season, so likely would have reached the finish line and been picked up for a second year.
There's no way the superior show it was paired with, The Adventures of Brisco County Junior, manages twenty-six episodes on top of its two hour pilot today, though. Even ten years ago, that was a gift from the TV gods.
Gilligan's Island was cancelled because the head of CBS loved Gun Smoke and got upset when it was cancelled. He demanded that Gun Smoke be saved so GI and another show were cancelled to free up some time in the schedule
That's a horrible cast photo of "Kate". She looks much better in motion.
If you look in the "Pictures" section of that website, Photo #54 is more what I was speaking of for "Kate". But if you look in the "Pictures" area, you'll see lots of screencaps from the pilot. So be forewarned of possible spoilers from those photos.