Kaddish

As far as creepiness goes, I think this episode goes beyond the standard gore-and-guts business than those just prior to this one. There is a lot to be said for good, old-fashioned suspense and the things that happen off-camera. Aside from the split-second shot of Isaac Luria's dead face in the graveyard, most of the excitement comes from the fear perpetuated by rapid-zoom camera effects and sudden shot changes such as the one changing from the Golem attacking someone to the shovel hitting the ground. A well-paced story, I think the episode does justice to its sensitive subject by portraying it honestly.

I would like to praise in particular the scene in the copy shop, where Brunjes spouts off on Mulder, the government, and Jewish people. It's a tight, short scene, and although the script rattles off many prejudices in a short time, it does so effectively without trying too hard to be preachy. I also appreciate Scully's and Mulder's honest facial expressions, ranging from initial discomfort to "Can you believe this guy?" At the end of the scene, both Scully's and Mulder's parting comments to Brunje knock him down a few notches and show true strength and dignity.

As an orthodox Jew (who has not always been) it is always both hilarious and baffling how Hollywood and all other studios can never get it right when depicting orthodox Jews. The pronunciation of keys words such as Tatte being said as "tah tay" is ridiculous! For goodness sake people get a real orthodox person as a consultant PLEASE!!!. If only they could create something really exciting to depict the stories of the Golem with realistic Jewish characters. If only Steven Spielberg would take up a project like this. Maybe it would be done right. Even the facts of creating a Golem was never done this was 2000 years ago. Not unless you are thinking of the source of Sanhedrin 65b. They should have base their sources much later with the Maharal of Prague. Even the name Isaac Luria, supposedly based on the "Ari" is so off. I was so hoping for something believable. This was awfully fake, as most depictions of religious Jews are.

Just to point out that the British left Palestine in 1948, upon Israel's independence, so there were no "terrorist" attacks taking place on them in 1959, by Jacob Weiss or anyone else. History lovers everywhere constantly despair. Otherwise a decent, middle-of-the-road monster of the week, that I probably won't need to watch a second time.

I've just finished watching this episode and to my surprise found it very moving and touching, I guess it did resonate in me. This was filmed 30 years ago and world is still in the same place, hate towards other people, races, sexual orientation is still here. Can we get rid of it, probably no but do we need to fight that hate with something else, absolutely! As Mulder said "It was created not out of hate but something different!" Plus music by Mark Snow was fantastic and very fitting. That ring was also beautiful, as I understand real relic used at the real weddings. I think this was one of the best episode till this point.

It's a love story with demonic undertones.

I find myself rather perplexed by the episode's relatively low score, it's one that I'll admit I watched twice, but that's only because I didn't fully digest the plot first time around.

Well worth giving this one a chance, I thought it was an excellent offering. I'll praise Series 4 once again, for delivering such a unique mix and blend of episodes, how on Earth they managed such a broad range is incredible.

The visuals worked incredibly well, and years later the special effects still look good to me.

I understand there will be some feelings about the tone, issues of race etc, but I think they showed the racists and bigots for what they were, cowards.

Hugely impressed me, 9/10.