Improbable (7 Apr. 2002)
"The X Files" Improbable (original title)

Reyes, Doggett, and Scully are pulled into a bizarre serial murder case involving the number '3', numerology on a whole, and an eccentric man who likes to play checkers.

Director:

Chris Carter

Writers:

Chris Carter (creator), Chris Carter

Stars:

Gillian Anderson, Robert Patrick, Annabeth Gish

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Gillian Anderson	...	Dana Scully
Robert Patrick	...	John Doggett
Annabeth Gish	...	Monica Reyes
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Shannon Maureen Brown	...	Pretty Blonde
Amy D'Allessandro	...	Amy Sheridan Aufsbergher
Nick DeMarinis	...	Pizza Guy
Ernesto Gasco	...	Heavy Italian Man
Ellen Greene	...	Vicki Louise Burdick
John Kapelos	...	Special Agent Fordyce
Kelly Knox	...	Dancer
Ray McKinnon	...	Mad Wayne
Benito Prezia	...	Old Italian Man
Burt Reynolds	...	Mr. Burt
Travis Riker	...	Baby William
Larry Udy	...	Middle-Aged Man

Storyline

Reyes, Doggett, and Scully are pulled into a bizarre serial murder case involving the number '3', numerology on a whole, and an eccentric man who likes to play checkers.

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Plot Keywords:

numerology | number 3 | playing solitaire | shuffling cards | number 9 | 

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 April 2002 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

20th Century Fox Television, Ten Thirteen Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Mr. Burt: [held at gunpoint by Scully for the second time] So, what you're saying is I had nothing to do with it?
Dana Scully: [Mr Burt puts down his hands] Hey, keep you hands up!
Mr. Burt: Why?
Dana Scully: I don't know.

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Crazy Credits

The tag line of the opening credits reads "Dio Ti Ama," or "God Loves You" in Italian.

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Soundtracks

"Torero"
Performed by 'Karl Zero'

User Reviews

There's always checkers.

Severely lacking in seasons 8 & 9, was some fun. Chris Carter finally discovered that and gave us Improbable before the end of the series. What captures your attention right away is the music in this episode. It is so catchy, and fun! I just can't help moving my feet to it.

This is Reyes' first chance to do comedy, I guess Doggett's as well, though it doesn't feel like it because of all his clever one-liners we are used to hearing.

I like the cinematography at the beginning of the episode as Reyes is walking through the FBI as people are passing her left and right. Very creative.

The FBI finally upgraded the x-files office overhead projector. Reyes uses a very sleek-looking hi-tech one.

Burt Reynolds is perfect in his "Role". Very enjoyable. The garage segment is just classic. I like the message that Carter is trying to get across in this episode, although Wayne-O never gets it, unfortunately. Ray McKinnon also does an excellent job as Mad Wayne or Wayne-O, as Burt Reynolds calls him.

I also like this episode because it offers a different combination. Instead of Scully and Doggett or Doggett and Reyes, it's Scully and Reyes for the most part. Power to the women! I found it very interesting that Carter uses a brand new A.D. to run the case instead of A.D. Skinner. I was hoping that Carter would explain why he used a new character instead of Skinner in his commentary, but he doesn't. Also an interesting note from the commentary: Ray McKinnon, who plays Mad Wayne, won an Oscar for a short film he wrote and directed while filming this episode.

Reyes' theory on numerology gets a little tiring, but not enough for me to drop this episode a point. The music is catchy and contagious, the dialogue is funny and entertaining, and though it seems "improbable", Improbable is one of the best episodes of season nine.