The Pine Bluff Variant may be John Shiban's best solo work for the x-files. He is well known for his great threesome work with Frank Spotnitz and Vince Gilligan. But this solo effort deserves good praise. In the audio commentary for the episode, he explains how he had a note tacked up for a couple of years that said "x-files thriller", since they hadn't explored that genre before. When "doubting" Mulder came along in season five, it was the perfect time to use Shiban's story. And a thriller it is. Mark Snow is brilliant at setting the tone for this tense episode. Even though this episode isn't related to the paranormal, it does ties in because the terrorists recruited Mulder after hearing him talk about his government conspiracy theory at the UFO convention in "The Red and the Black". Even though Mulder is in some very dangerous and risky situations, he manages to keep his sense of humor and get some good one-liners in. This episode is exciting from start to finish, with the first half having you doubting Mulder's allegiance along with Scully. The whole episode shows that there are "lies within lies". John Shiban's inspiration for this episode is a 1965 film called "The Spy Who Came In From The Cold". I haven't seen it yet, but I'll have to check it out, especially if it's anywhere near as good as The Pine Bluff Variant, the x-files first and only "spy thriller".
8 Reviews
If you don't hear from me by midnight... feed my fish.
Muldernscully15 December 2006
Warning: Spoilers
"Is this the Pepsi challenge?"
classicsoncall17 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
'Lies within lies' is probably the best way to characterize this episode. There's a lot of misdirection during the story and even when it's over, one doesn't have a clear fix on things relative to the government's involvement in the deaths of innocent people. Mulder understandably blows his stack with a shadowy figure named Leamus (Sam Anderson). He's an FBI guy who has a global perspective of what happened, and challenges Mulder to go whistle-blower if he has a mind to, confident in his appraisal that the government is capable of covering up anything it wants to. It's really a scary episode in that respect, because one never knows what the powers that be are up to or what they're capable of.
You know, you really have to give the writers credit for the little things they insert into these X-Files stories. Take for example the movie playing at the theater in Dunbar, Ohio - "Die Hard With a Vengeance". Wasn't that just perfect for Jacob Steven Haley's (Daneil von Bargen) agenda? That was followed up by the movie patrons murdered with a lethal biotoxin, developed in secret as a genetically altered strain of streptococcus at the Army's Pine Bluff facility, hence the title of the episode.
You have to admit one thing, Mulder can really go the distance if he has to as an FBI agent. I thought he took the broken fingers just a little too easily though, and I don't know if anyone would be quite so flippant in the face of possible death by a band of terrorists. Even while Bremer (Michael MacRae) was marching him out to perform his 'execution', Mulder cracks wise about calling him a cab so he can leave. At least he showed astonishment when Bremer let him off the hook to make his way out.
So with Bremer actually on the inside working with the FBI, the terrorist network 'New Spartans' is pretty much laid bare, but it doesn't absolve Leamus and those above him for 'allowing' the deaths of the movie patrons, or any other potential casualties in the government's pursuit to shut down even worse bad guys. It proves that even top notch agents like Mulder are expendable if the agenda requires it.
You know, you really have to give the writers credit for the little things they insert into these X-Files stories. Take for example the movie playing at the theater in Dunbar, Ohio - "Die Hard With a Vengeance". Wasn't that just perfect for Jacob Steven Haley's (Daneil von Bargen) agenda? That was followed up by the movie patrons murdered with a lethal biotoxin, developed in secret as a genetically altered strain of streptococcus at the Army's Pine Bluff facility, hence the title of the episode.
You have to admit one thing, Mulder can really go the distance if he has to as an FBI agent. I thought he took the broken fingers just a little too easily though, and I don't know if anyone would be quite so flippant in the face of possible death by a band of terrorists. Even while Bremer (Michael MacRae) was marching him out to perform his 'execution', Mulder cracks wise about calling him a cab so he can leave. At least he showed astonishment when Bremer let him off the hook to make his way out.
So with Bremer actually on the inside working with the FBI, the terrorist network 'New Spartans' is pretty much laid bare, but it doesn't absolve Leamus and those above him for 'allowing' the deaths of the movie patrons, or any other potential casualties in the government's pursuit to shut down even worse bad guys. It proves that even top notch agents like Mulder are expendable if the agenda requires it.
An undercover Mulder is placed in a very difficult situation.
Sleepin_Dragon10 September 2022
Mulder is sent undercover, to infiltrate a gang, a gang who's purpose is to infect money with a biohazardous substance.
It's another strong episode, once again I'm so impressed by the sheer variety from this fifth run, it's an episode like no other.
Some of the visuals are quite grizzly here, great use of special effects and makeup, I thought the scenes in The Cinema were very atmospheric.
This is a well paced, action packed episode, it doesn't really play out like a regular X File, it's more a crime heist with a twist, very often such stories have a bit of humour, a lighter touch, there is zero humour here, it plays out very much like a straight up thriller.
Great episode for Mulder, he's almost playing an anti hero here, it's a great performance from David Duchovny.
8/10.
It's another strong episode, once again I'm so impressed by the sheer variety from this fifth run, it's an episode like no other.
Some of the visuals are quite grizzly here, great use of special effects and makeup, I thought the scenes in The Cinema were very atmospheric.
This is a well paced, action packed episode, it doesn't really play out like a regular X File, it's more a crime heist with a twist, very often such stories have a bit of humour, a lighter touch, there is zero humour here, it plays out very much like a straight up thriller.
Great episode for Mulder, he's almost playing an anti hero here, it's a great performance from David Duchovny.
8/10.
Title Meaning
greta_short_n_sweet11 August 2009
Warning: Spoilers
In response to Sanpaco13's comment, I checked on the meaning behind the title of the episode, and think I understand. Pine Bluff Arsenal is an American Military base in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, which is mainly known for its storage and development of chemical weapons. Scully suggests this to Skinner as the site of the development of a strain of Streptococcus bacteria that she speculates is the basis of the deadly toxin used in the episode:
Scully: (on phone) "Now CIA intelligence suggested that this biotoxin was stolen from the Russians. But my research indicates that it was almost certainly developed domestically." Skinner: "The United States has no bioweapons Agent Scully. President Nixon dismantled the program in 1969." Scully: "Yes sir, that's what we've been told. But the CDC database contains evidence of a Streptococcus bacterium being developed by the Army's Pine Bluff facility in the 1960s. it appears to be very primitive strain of what we're seeing here."
The chemical weapon used in this episode is a variant of the one developed at Pine Bluff, hence the name Pine Bluff Variant. :)
Scully: (on phone) "Now CIA intelligence suggested that this biotoxin was stolen from the Russians. But my research indicates that it was almost certainly developed domestically." Skinner: "The United States has no bioweapons Agent Scully. President Nixon dismantled the program in 1969." Scully: "Yes sir, that's what we've been told. But the CDC database contains evidence of a Streptococcus bacterium being developed by the Army's Pine Bluff facility in the 1960s. it appears to be very primitive strain of what we're seeing here."
The chemical weapon used in this episode is a variant of the one developed at Pine Bluff, hence the name Pine Bluff Variant. :)
Bioterror in the United States
wtdk12331 March 2006
Warning: Spoilers
When a U.S. based terrorist group gets a hold of a dangerous biological agent developed by the Army and unleases it on unsuspecting citizens, Mulder must go undercover and discover who is behind these attacks and why they are committing them. He can't rely on Scully or any of his usual contacts within the FBI and is, in a sense, on his own once he infiltrates the organization.
The producers of "24" could learn a thing or two from this suspenseful episode. An outstanding stand alone episode that builds suspense from the very first frame, "The Pine Bluff Variant" (which refers to the biological agent)continues to be a favorite of fans. There was the opportunity to do a sequel to this episode that was missed (or perhaps forgotten about). Hopefully Carter will revisit this episode as an inspiration for a future "X-Files" movie.
The producers of "24" could learn a thing or two from this suspenseful episode. An outstanding stand alone episode that builds suspense from the very first frame, "The Pine Bluff Variant" (which refers to the biological agent)continues to be a favorite of fans. There was the opportunity to do a sequel to this episode that was missed (or perhaps forgotten about). Hopefully Carter will revisit this episode as an inspiration for a future "X-Files" movie.
Tense episode, great stuff
derangedxzombie21 July 2021
August Bremmer, he's the group's mastermind.
Sanpaco1321 July 2008
Warning: Spoilers
The Pine Bluff Variant has a strange title that I have never understood. After doing some online research, I still don't. That being said, the episode is another of the non-paranormal episodes dealing with virus outbreaks. I like this one because of the Mulder-spy element at the beginning of the story. It brings a lot of suspense to the scenes where Scully is following Mulder and trying to figure out what he is doing. Then she is captured and taken to a secret facility where who knows who or what she will be answering to. Then she enters a room where Skinner is patiently waiting and reacts very much the same way I would in such a situation. "What is GOING ON!?" I also enjoy watching Mulder as a spy and the flesh eating virus is one of the worst kind I can imagine. Full of suspense, conspiracy, and unanswered questions this delivers the best of the X-Files. 8 out of 10.
Scully is a bad ass, Mulder is deep undercover the best of The X-Files my absolutely favorite ep
NightmareOnElmStreetFan6 July 2019
The best Episode in The X-Files fifth season, diffrent than the past five season but absolutely great. It is my third favorite episode in the fifth season. The first is Patient X" than The Red and the Black. this episode "The Pine Bluff Variant" is the third favorite episode than would be Detour and Kitsunegari. It is in my top 5 best X-Files episodes. Season 5 abolutely great my favorite season ever. I have really enjoy this episode sadly over 20 years we did not got any episode that would have been a sequel to "The Pine Bluff Variant" ep at all. This is The X-Files this should have be nowdays. This Episode deserves 9 not 8.4.
The Pine Bluff Variant is John Shiban's best solo script for The X-Files ever. This is the hunt for deadly toxin that it is in possession of a militia group called "the New Spartans." Mulder (David Duchovny) is deep undercover by the F.B.I. and try's to get the deadly toxin and stop the group by hurting anyone else. Scully (Gillian Anderson) in this episode is a bad-ass. She didn't know what is going on and she suspect that Mulder become compromised and turned to evil, it is up to her to stop him. You have bank robbery in which the money is spread with deadly toxin in which millions of people across the country would have died. In movie teather the deadly toxin a virus was released and 14 people were killed by Bremer (Michael MacRae). You have 2 kids who snuck in to movie teather to see Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995) my all tme favorite action film of all time and the discover the body's.
Mulder is on the hunt of this man August Bremer (Michael MacRae). Jacob Haley (Daniel von Bargen) is the second leader of the militia of the New Spartans and he needs to connect him to August Bremer. Haley suspect that Mulder is a spy but he can't prove it, so his hanchman break Mulder's fingers trying to break him while interogating him.
The effects of the biological weapon, which causes rapid degeneration of human flesh. The special effects and mood for the scene are absolutely amazing. Rob Bowman's direction, with Bowman demonstrating once again why he was the perfect choice to direct The X-Files: Fight the Future. The Pine Bluff Variant is a well-constructed piece of television.
Actress Kate Braidwood plays beautiful Usherette in movie teaher who later dies what a babe. She was before in The X-Files episodes. David Duchovny does great as Mulder, presenting a character who is very clearly dancing on the edge of a razor blade. Gillian Anderson is absolutely gorgeous as Scully who was very angry when she relizied Mulder was used and sent on a suicide mission.
The Pine Bluff Variant is a beautiful masterpiece that was based on a 1963 novel The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, written by John le Carre. One of my favorite episodes I seriously will watch this episode again. I have all 6 Seasons of The X-Files on DVD and I enjoy the Fith Season very much. "The Pine Bluff Variant" really surprised me and blew my mind away, I recommend this episode to any X-Files fans, should have got a higher rating and not 8.4 I would give it 9,0.
The Pine Bluff Variant is John Shiban's best solo script for The X-Files ever. This is the hunt for deadly toxin that it is in possession of a militia group called "the New Spartans." Mulder (David Duchovny) is deep undercover by the F.B.I. and try's to get the deadly toxin and stop the group by hurting anyone else. Scully (Gillian Anderson) in this episode is a bad-ass. She didn't know what is going on and she suspect that Mulder become compromised and turned to evil, it is up to her to stop him. You have bank robbery in which the money is spread with deadly toxin in which millions of people across the country would have died. In movie teather the deadly toxin a virus was released and 14 people were killed by Bremer (Michael MacRae). You have 2 kids who snuck in to movie teather to see Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995) my all tme favorite action film of all time and the discover the body's.
Mulder is on the hunt of this man August Bremer (Michael MacRae). Jacob Haley (Daniel von Bargen) is the second leader of the militia of the New Spartans and he needs to connect him to August Bremer. Haley suspect that Mulder is a spy but he can't prove it, so his hanchman break Mulder's fingers trying to break him while interogating him.
The effects of the biological weapon, which causes rapid degeneration of human flesh. The special effects and mood for the scene are absolutely amazing. Rob Bowman's direction, with Bowman demonstrating once again why he was the perfect choice to direct The X-Files: Fight the Future. The Pine Bluff Variant is a well-constructed piece of television.
Actress Kate Braidwood plays beautiful Usherette in movie teaher who later dies what a babe. She was before in The X-Files episodes. David Duchovny does great as Mulder, presenting a character who is very clearly dancing on the edge of a razor blade. Gillian Anderson is absolutely gorgeous as Scully who was very angry when she relizied Mulder was used and sent on a suicide mission.
The Pine Bluff Variant is a beautiful masterpiece that was based on a 1963 novel The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, written by John le Carre. One of my favorite episodes I seriously will watch this episode again. I have all 6 Seasons of The X-Files on DVD and I enjoy the Fith Season very much. "The Pine Bluff Variant" really surprised me and blew my mind away, I recommend this episode to any X-Files fans, should have got a higher rating and not 8.4 I would give it 9,0.
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