Unusual Suspects (16 Nov. 1997)
"The X Files" Unusual Suspects (original title)

The origins of the Lone Gunmen and their relationship with Mulder are revealed in this episode. All three were at a computer and electronics trade show in Baltimore in 1989 when they put ... See full summary »

Director:

Kim Manners

Writers:

Chris Carter (creator), Vince Gilligan

Stars:

David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Richard Belzer

Cast

Episode cast overview:
David Duchovny	...	Fox Mulder
Gillian Anderson	...	Dana Scully (credit only)
Richard Belzer	...	Det. John Munch
Signy Coleman	...	Susanne Modeski
Bruce Harwood	...	John Fitzgerald Byers
Tom Braidwood	...	Melvin Frohike
Dean Haglund	...	Richard 'Ringo' Langly
Steven Williams	...	Mr. X
Chris Nelson Norris	...	SWAT Lieutenant
Glenn Williams	...	Officer
Stuart O'Connell	...	SWAT Cop
Kenneth H. Hawryliw	...	Himself (as Ken Hawryliw)

Storyline

The origins of the Lone Gunmen and their relationship with Mulder are revealed in this episode. All three were at a computer and electronics trade show in Baltimore in 1989 when they put their antagonism to one another aside to help a woman, Susann Modeski, who claims her boyfriend kidnapped her daughter. In fact, she's a government scientist on the run from security officers. She tells them about a massive government conspiracy and they inform their new found friend Mulder, who finds it all a bit far-fetched.

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Plot Keywords:

trade show | playing a video game | hotel bible | year 1989 | ringing pay phone | 

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 November 1997 (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:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is Steven Williams' last appearance before the series finale.

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Goofs

Near the end a dark car is driving away from the Baltimore Guardian newspaper office. As the car is driving away a billboard for "CBC Radio Two" is briefly visible revealing this was shot in Canada rather than then United States.

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Quotes

Susanne Modeski: [to The Lone Gunmen] No matter how paranoid you are, you're not paranoid enough.

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Connections

References Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

User Reviews

I heard it was a lone gunman.

When viewing this episode again to write this review, I was surprised by how much I liked it. I remember I liked it, but not this much. This is a near-perfect episode written by the amazing Vince Gilligan. It showed that the Lone Gunmen could carry an episode by themselves successfully. When an episode makes me forget about Scully, which is hard to do, you know that it has done its job. Even Mulder has very few scenes in Unusual Suspects, but the viewer doesn't care. Not only is it a well-written story, but I found it very intriguing to see the origins of the lone gunmen. Mulder indirectly forms their group, as they come together to help Susanne Modeski, for whom Mulder is searching. Signy Coleman does an outstanding job as the mysterious Susanne Modeski. Susanne is a tough woman, who can pull her own tooth out. Ouch! We see that Frohike has always been a pervert. The Lone Gunmen don't even like each other at first. They just work together to help a pretty lady. X returns to do his standard cover-up operation. I love how he just ignores the three stooges as his men are doing the clean-up, like they are invisible. Then, of course, he gives a line, which ends up being the name they take upon themselves. Unusual Suspects surprises you with how good it is, and thankfully, gets a sequel later on in season six.