Deep Throat (17 Sep. 1993)
"The X Files" Deep Throat (original title)

Agents Mulder and Scully investigate the suspicious behaviour of a secret air force base in Idaho, coming into contact with government forces which threaten their careers and safety.

Director:

Daniel Sackheim

Writers:

Chris Carter (creator), Chris Carter

Stars:

David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Jerry Hardin

Cast

Episode cast overview:
David Duchovny	...	Fox Mulder
Gillian Anderson	...	Dana Scully
Jerry Hardin	...	Deep Throat
Michael Bryan French	...	Paul Mossinger
Seth Green	...	Emil
Gabrielle Rose	...	Anita Budahas
Monica Parker	...	Ladonna
Sheila Moore	...	Verla McLennen
Lalainia Lindbjerg	...	Zoe
Andrew Johnston	...	Colonel Robert Budahas
Johnny Cuthbert	...	Commanding Officer (as Jon Cuthbert)
Vince Metcalfe	...	Kissell
Michael Puttonen	...	Motel Manager
Brian Furlong	...	Lead Officer
Doc Harris	...	Mr. McLennen

Storyline

Mulder and Scully investigate the mental breakdown and disappearance of a U.S. Air Force officer, Col. Robert Budahas, once a well regarded test pilot. Mulder's research reveals that there is a pattern of breakdowns at Ellens Air Force base but Scully thinks there are any number legitimate medical reasons for what has happened. Mulder is soon in touch with local UFO enthusiasts and learns where in the area is best to view UFOs. He comes across two young people who regularly sneak onto the base through a hole in the fence to sit back and watch. Mulder believes the aircraft the locals are seeing were built using alien technology and it becomes apparent that the U.S. government is hiding something and will go to great lengths to keep it that way. Throughout, Mulder receives advice and a friendly warning from an unknown man, Deep Throat, who warns him to be careful and confirms Mulder's suspicions about aliens.

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Plot Keywords:

idaho | helicopter | running track | chain link fence | m 16 | 

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 September 1993 (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:

43 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Principle setting: Southwest Idaho.

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Goofs

When Mulder and Scully are confronted on the road by two cars full of government/military personnel. The guys in suits force Mulder and Scully out of their car and disarm them. One of the government agents takes Scully's pistol from her and removes the magazine. Slots in the magazine show how many bullets are in it, and it is clear that Scully only had one bullet in her gun.

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Quotes

Mulder: They're here aren't they?
Deep Throat: Mr. Mulder, THEY'VE been here for a long, long time.

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Connections

References The Addams Family (1964)

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Soundtracks

"The Truth"
Written by Mark Snow
Performed by Mark Snow

User Reviews

Memorable

Many images from "Deep Throat" have stayed with me for a long time. The whole episode feels very familiar every time I watch it, I guess because it's so utterly iconic? Deep Throat's first appearance, the full-on introduction of a government conspiracy, of aliens, of UFO's, practically everything that happens to Mulder and Scully at the military base. It's a beautifully-realized tale which has the series already looking far more sophisticated than most television looked at the time, thanks in no small part to John Bartley's excellent cinematography, a marked improvement over the hack job in the pilot episode by some random cinematographer. Daniel Sackheim does a good job of directing the episode, one of the five he directed between 1993 and 1999.

Oddly enough, however, despite being so iconic and memorable, "Deep Throat" feels routine and disappointing to me now. The story itself is less interesting if you know what's going to happen, and the script isn't strong enough to stand on its own as a memorable piece of fiction. The acting is consistently excellent, with Duchovny and Anderson both improving on their performances in the pilot episode, and Jerry Hardin is excellent in his role.

All in all "Deep Throat" is an improvement over "Pilot", but not a great X-File. It is filled with iconic and memorable imagery, and is particularly notable for being the debut of Mark Snow's legendary theme, but might come as a bit of a disappointment if scrutinized to those of us who have sugar-coated memories of it.

7/10