"The X Files" Grotesque (1996)

Director:

Kim Manners

Writers:

Chris Carter (creator)
Howard Gordon (written by)

TV Series:

"The X Files" (1993)

Original Air Date:

2 February 1996 (Season 3, Episode 14)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Plot:

After a serial killer, who claims to have killed people under the influence of a demon, is arrested, the murders continue. Meanwhile Mulder, who believes that the demon might have picked someone new, goes neck-deep in the investigation.

Plot Keywords:

Title Spoken By Character | FBI | FBI Agent | Alien | X Files

Cast

  (Episode Credited cast)

David Duchovny	...	Fox Mulder
Gillian Anderson	...	Dana Scully
Mitch Pileggi	...	Walter Skinner
Levan Uchaneishvili	...	John Mostow (as Levani)
Kurtwood Smith	...	Agent Bill Patterson
Greg Thirloway	...	Agent Nemhauser
Susan Bain	...	Agent Sheherlis
Kasper Michaels	...	Young Agent
Zoran Vukelic	...	Model

Runtime:

Argentina:60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Argentina:13

Company:

20th Century Fox Television

Trivia:

Agent Nemhauser is named after Lori Jo Nemhauser, the post-production supervisor.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Mostow's cell shutter is opened, the light from the corridor is extremely bright, yet when Mulder and Scully enter the cell the light is less harsh. At the bottom right of the door as it is opened a crew member's leg can briefly be seen, presumably taking the first, brighter light out of the frame.

Quotes:

Agent Bill Patterson: My advice to you, Scully: Let Mulder do what he has to do. Don't get in his way. And don't try to hold him back; because, you won't be able to.

Soundtrack:

Sketch

Awesome underrated classic

Grotesque is quite possibly the most underrated x file ever. It tells the story of Agent Bill Pattersons catching of a serial killer who claimed to be possessed by an evil spirit. The killer spent his time painting and sculpting gargoyles. As the murders and facial mutilation of young men continues Mulder and Scully begin the investigation Mulder often clashing with Patterson over the approach to violent crimes. Mulder dives deeper and deeper into the case until it borders on insanity. The whole episode has an edge to it, it gives the viewer little knowledge as to what exactly is happening and whose doing it. The class in this episode is in its creation, directed by Kim Manners he creates arguably one of the darkest X files ever. Mark Snow provides a fantastic musical score and it stands apart from nearly any other x file you will see. Im sure certain people were turned off by it abandoning some conventions of Mulder and Scullys investigative approach and teamwork they separate bitterly in this episode. In general it is far more like a stylised film than a television episode. If you want a dark edgy atmospheric powerful thriller that really shys away from typical x file approach, combined with one of Duchovnys best performances as Fox Mulder then turn out the lights and watch Grotesque.