Ascension (21 Oct. 1994)
"The X Files" Ascension (original title)

Mulder sets out with agent Alex Krycek to find Scully, who has been kidnapped by Duane Barry. He's getting very little support from his superiors, including Assistant Director Skinner who ... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Lange

Writers:

Chris Carter (creator), Paul Brown

Stars:

David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Steve Railsback

Cast

Episode cast overview:
David Duchovny	...	Fox Mulder
Gillian Anderson	...	Dana Scully
Steve Railsback	...	Duane Barry
Mitch Pileggi	...	Walter Skinner
Nicholas Lea	...	Alex Krycek
Sheila Larken	...	Margaret Scully
Steven Williams	...	Mr. X
Meredith Bain Woodward	...	Dr. Ruth Slaughter
William B. Davis	...	Cigarette Smoking Man / CGB Spender
Michael David Simms	...	Senior FBI Agent
Peter LaCroix	...	Dwight
Steve Makaj	...	Patrolman
Peter Lapres	...	Video Technician
Bobby Stewart	...	Deputy (as Bobby L. Stewart)

Storyline

Mulder sets out with agent Alex Krycek to find Scully, who has been kidnapped by Duane Barry. He's getting very little support from his superiors, including Assistant Director Skinner who wants him out of the case. Mulder believes Barry has kidnapped Scully to offer her to his alien abductees in the hope they will leave him alone. Mulder thinks he knows exactly where he is going but it soon becomes obvious that there are some who will go to great lengths to stop him. Skinner for his part makes a fateful decision.

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Plot Keywords:

kidnapped | continued from previous episode | cigarette butt | falling asleep at the wheel | cable car | 

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 October 1994 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Stage 2, North Shore Studios, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

20th Century Fox Television, Ten Thirteen Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

The Cigarette Smoking Man: We tell you only what you need to know.
Krycek: I think I have a right to know.
The Cigarette Smoking Man: You have no rights, only orders to be carried out. If you have a problem with that, we'll make other arrangements.

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Soundtracks

"Keeping Faith"
Written by Mark Snow
Performed by Mark Snow

User Reviews

Great follow-up to "Duane Barry"

The continuation of the thrilling episode "Duane Barry" is more of a full-fledged mythology-arc affair complete with the reveal of Krycek as a bad guy and plenty of CSM screen time. The episode picks up where the last one left off, with Duane Barry taking Scully to where he plans to have the aliens abduct her instead of him. Meanwhile, Mulder and Krycek go after her, with Krycek attempting to sabotage Mulder's efforts, and following CSM's orders. The episode surprisingly ends with Scully's whereabouts still unknown. That mystery would not be solved until "One Breath", but Mulder appears to believe that the government did, in fact, 'abduct' Scully.

"Ascension" is an excellent, thrilling follow-up to "Duane Barry". The episode doesn't concentrate on him as much, but he is still one of the most memorable guest characters as far as mythology episodes go. "Ascension" is the first episode to very clearly show the 'syndicate' at work. A great early mythology episode.

9/10