Roland (6 May 1994)
"The X Files" Roland (original title)

Mulder and Scully are called in to investigate the murder of a jet propulsion scientist who was trapped in a wind chamber and sucked through a jet engine when the unit was activated. It ... See full summary »

Director:

David Nutter

Writers:

Chris Carter (creator), Chris Ruppenthal

Stars:

David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Zeljko Ivanek

Cast

Episode credited cast:
David Duchovny	...	Fox Mulder
Gillian Anderson	...	Dana Scully
Zeljko Ivanek	...	Roland Fuller / Dr. Arthur Grable
Micole Mercurio	...	Mrs. Stodie
Kerry Sandomirsky	...	Tracy
Garry Davey	...	Dr. Keats
James Sloyan	...	Dr. Frank Nollette
Matthew Walker	...	Dr. Ronald Surnow
David Hurtubise	...	Barrington (as Dave Hurtubise)
Suleka Mathew	...	Lisa Dole (as Sue Mathew)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Todd Cornborough	...	Young Roland Grable
Tyler Cornborough	...	Young Arthur Grable

Storyline

Mulder and Scully are called in to investigate the murder of a jet propulsion scientist who was trapped in a wind chamber and sucked through a jet engine when the unit was activated. It isn't the first death among the scientists there with Arthur Grable having died in a accident several months before. As they gather evidence in the case the main suspect is the janitor, Roland, who is autistic but with a great facility for complex numbers. When Mulder finds a connection between Roland and the first dead scientist, it opens up any number of possibilities.

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Plot Keywords:

janitor | carlson washington | equation | sucked into jet engine | laboratory | 

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 May 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?

Goofs

When Dr. Nollette is in the wind tunnel, at times his fingers gripping the screen are curled tightly around the mesh; at other times they are straight, affording him no grip against the fan's pull.

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Quotes

Mulder: You got a brother, don't you, Scully?
Scully: Yeah, I've got an older one and a younger one.
Mulder: Well, have you ever thought about calling one of them all day long and then all of a sudden the phone rings and it's one of them calling you?
Scully: Does this pitch somehow end with a way for me to lower my long distance charges?

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Connections

References Beakman's World (1992)

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Soundtracks

"Roland Theme"
Written by Mark Snow
Performed by Mark Snow

User Reviews

Does this pitch somehow end with a way for me to lower my long distance charges?

The biggest downfall for Roland is that it is the fourth episode in season one that deals with the dead exacting revenge from beyond the grave through a living person. Not only that, but it follows right after 'Born Again' another episode of a similar theme. I was a bit tired of this theme by the time Roland rolled around. However, I still recommend Roland for viewing, and I'll tell you why.

The episode starts out with a cool, though unrealistic teaser. Nothing says gross like seeing someone get sucked into a jet engine (the subtitles for the episode even say (splat)). However, Dr. Surnow could have crouched by the side of the jet engine and avoid being sucked in.

I found it interesting the Mulder immediately asks about the handwriting, remarking that it is different. Well, there are three scientists working on this jet engine. Chances are that more than one style of handwriting would be on that board. It allows Mulder to make the connection to Roland, but it's shoddy writing.

The loud music in Dr. Keats' earphones doesn't seem to match his personality.

Roland has flashes of the future (how to murder people) and flashbacks of his past. I like how the color of the people are kind of a grayscale but the green coat of Roland's mother stands out. Roland then picks a green shirt to wear right after this flashback.

Of course, there is the classic visual of Roland killing a scientist by freezing his head in liquid nitrogen. The head shatters and Roland steps on one of the ears. *CRUNCH* The visual is completed with the chalk outline of the body and shattered head by the police.

The writing of this episode is its weak point, with minor annoyances throughout. What bugs me the most of all these is why Roland receives a future flash to kill his friend Tracy. Why would Arthur Grable want Tracy dead? It doesn't make any sense.

Now, what is really impressive about this episode is Zeljko Ivanek's performance as the mentally handicapped Roland. Kerry Sandomirsky is also good as Tracy, Roland's friend. If you didn't know these actors from other performances, you would think they were really mentally handicapped.

Roland plays us a tired theme for season one and the writing is inconsistent, but the guest acting is strong enough to save this episode and make it watchable.