Pusher (23 Feb. 1996)
"The X Files" Pusher (original title)

A seemingly unmotivated murderer, who can apparently talk his victims into killing themselves is on the loose and it is up to Mulder and Scully to study the clues left to them by the person and capture him.

Director:

Rob Bowman

Writers:

Chris Carter (creator), Vince Gilligan

Stars:

David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Mitch Pileggi

Cast

Episode cast overview:
David Duchovny	...	Fox Mulder
Gillian Anderson	...	Dana Scully
Mitch Pileggi	...	Walter Skinner
Robert Wisden	...	Robert Patrick Modell
Vic Polizos	...	Agent Frank Burst
Roger R. Cross	...	Lieutenant Brophy
Steve Bacic	...	Agent Collins
Don MacKay	...	The Judge
Brent Sheppard	...	Prosecutor
D. Neil Mark	...	Deputy Scott Kerber
Meredith Bain Woodward	...	Defense Attorney Brent
Julia Arkos	...	Holly
Ernie Foort	...	Lobby Guard
Darren Lucas	...	Lead Swat Cop

Storyline

Scully and Mulder investigate a series of deaths, all of which have been ruled to be suicides. Connected to all of the suicides is Robert Patrick Modell who has confessed to the crimes on the telephone and who the FBI has been trying to apprehend. When they do, the car carrying him is in a major traffic accident. Mulder comes to believe that Modell has the ability to suggest to people that they commit suicide. How he does it isn't known and not surprisingly, Scully is skeptical about it all. It all comes down to a battle of wills between Modell and Mulder.

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Plot Keywords:

grocery store | tanker truck | loudoun county virginia | cerulean | zippo lighter | 

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 February 1996 (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?

Trivia

At one point during the episode, Mulder and Scully identify a phone number the Pusher had called to be a golf driving range and pro-shop, to which Scully quips, "So he's a killer and a golfer", to which Mulder replies, "Rings a bell, huh?". This is a non-too-subtle reference to O.J. Simpson, alleged murderer and avid golfer.

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Goofs

The FBI motto on the building is incorrect as it reads "UNITED STATES BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION" instead of "FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION".

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Quotes

Robert Patrick Modell: [after the hearing] I believe you owe me five dollars.
[Mulder reaches for his wallet, then looks down]
Mulder: Hey, your shoe's untied.
[Modell looks down, then back up]
Mulder: Made you look... how do you do it?

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Connections

References Yojimbo (1961)

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Soundtracks

"Misty"
Performed by Robert Wisden

User Reviews

Cerulean Blue is a gentle breeze...

Pusher is one of if not the best Monster of the Week episodes of season 3. Pusher isn't your standard mutated human preying on people MOTW. The paranormal element is simply Robert Modell being able to impose his will on anyone through the sound of his voice. Robert Wisden does an excellent job in his guest appearance as Pusher. This episode is written by Vince Gilligan, better known for his comedy episodes of 'Small Potatoes' and 'Bad Blood'. He writes an excellent story with Pusher, the drama and suspense being at the maximum. The final confrontation between Pusher, Mulder, & Scully is one of the best moments in the x-files, period. An interesting side note: Dave Grohl, lead singer of the band 'The Foo Fighters', makes a cameo appearance, one episode after the term "Foo Fighters" was used for the first time in the x-files. Robert "Pusher" Modell ranks right up there with Eugene Tooms & Donnie Pfaster as one of the best x-files villains. You WILL watch Pusher.