Tunguska (24 Nov. 1996)
"The X Files" Tunguska (original title)

Scully and Mulder participate in a raid on a group of right-wing extremists who are obviously planning an attack of some kind. Mulder has been receiving anonymous notes from someone who ... See full summary »

Director:

Kim Manners

Writers:

Chris Carter (creator), Frank Spotnitz,

Stars:

David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Mitch Pileggi

Cast

Episode credited cast:
David Duchovny	...	Fox Mulder
Gillian Anderson	...	Dana Scully
Mitch Pileggi	...	Walter Skinner
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Stefan Arngrim	...	The Prisoner
Brendan Beiser	...	Agent Pendrell
David Bloom	...	Stress Man
William B. Davis	...	Cigarette Smoking Man / CGB Spender
Laurie Holden	...	Marita Covarrubias
Campbell Lane	...	Committee Chairman
Nicholas Lea	...	Alex Krycek
John Neville	...	The Well-Manicured Man
Jan Rubes	...	Vassily Peskow
Jessica Schreier	...	Dr. Bonita Sayre
Lee Serpa	...	Swarthy Man
Brent Stait	...	Timothy Mayhew

Storyline

Scully and Mulder participate in a raid on a group of right-wing extremists who are obviously planning an attack of some kind. Mulder has been receiving anonymous notes from someone who knows of the plan. When they stop the terrorists, one of the men turns out to be Mulder's old nemesis Alex Krycek, who claims to be the person who was feeding him information. Meanwhile, a diplomatic courier is caught smuggling a mineral-like object into the United States. Mulder contacts Marita Covarrubias of the UN to learn more about its origin. He and Krycek are soon on their way to Russia.

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Plot Keywords:

close up of eyes | binoculars | handcuffed | testifying before congress | swearing in | 

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Russian

Release Date:

24 November 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

The glass on the french doors in Marita Covarrubias' NY apartment is the same glass pattern used on the doors of the religious cult compound in a previous episode entitled "The Field Where I Died".

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Quotes

Fox Mulder: [shoving Krycek's face away roughly] Stupid ass haircut!

User Reviews

Jumping The Shark

This, and its follow-up episode, signified major trouble afoot. This is where X-Files "Jumps The Shark", and was a sad day indeed.

This would mark a watershed low in the series. Where past so-so episodes were still enjoyable, such was not the case in this instance. Had the feel of a really bad mini-series. Gulag Schmulag.

I find this to be a major turning point for the series.

However, to be fair, the quality of the series lasted much longer than most all other programs, (as this was Season 4) and unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. No matter how slowly that end may ultimately arrive. A rabid weekly viewer, I was now delegated to "on occasion" status after this, which would subsequently become "never", not long after that.