Kitsunegari

The eighth episode of the fifth season of The X-Files, titled "Kitsunegari," directed by Kim Manners, serves as a sequel to the earlier episode "Pusher." This installment delves into the psychological manipulation and moral ambiguity surrounding the character of John Lee Roche (Robert Wisden), a villain who possesses mind-control abilities. Written by Vince Gilligan, the episode explores themes of duality, obsession, and the consequences of unchecked power. The narrative kicks off with a gripping cold open, where Roche escapes from a mental institution, setting the stage for his re-emergence as a formidable adversary.

As Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) investigate Roche's escape, they uncover a series of murders linked to him. The pacing is taut and suspenseful, effectively maintaining tension as the agents race against time to prevent further violence. A particularly striking moment occurs when Mulder confronts Roche in a tense standoff, leading to a chilling exchange that highlights Roche's manipulative nature. This scene not only showcases Mulder's determination but also emphasizes the psychological games that define Roche's character.

Visually, "Kitsunegari" employs a dark and gritty aesthetic that enhances its themes of fear and control. Manners's direction captures both the claustrophobic environments of the mental institution and the eerie atmosphere surrounding Roche's actions. The cinematography utilizes shadows and stark lighting to evoke feelings of dread, particularly during scenes where Roche exerts his influence over others. Critics have praised this visual storytelling for its ability to immerse viewers in a world where trust is fragile and danger is ever-present.

The performances in this episode are particularly noteworthy, especially from Wisden as Roche. His portrayal captures the character's sinister charm; he embodies both menace and charisma, making him a compelling antagonist. Duchovny delivers a strong performance as Mulder, showcasing his relentless pursuit of justice while grappling with the psychological implications of confronting such a manipulative foe. Anderson's Scully provides crucial support; her skepticism grounds Mulder's theories while emphasizing her concern for his well-being. The chemistry between Duchovny and Anderson continues to shine throughout this episode, adding depth to their partnership as they navigate the complexities of their investigation.

Thematically, "Kitsunegari" raises significant questions about power, manipulation, and the nature of evil. The episode critiques how individuals can become pawns in larger games; it examines how personal motivations can lead to devastating consequences for others. Additionally, it highlights societal attitudes toward authority; characters like Mulder represent those who challenge established norms in pursuit of truth while grappling with their own vulnerabilities. This exploration invites viewers to reflect on their beliefs regarding morality, accountability, and the ethical implications of wielding power over others.

"Kitsunegari" stands out as a compelling entry in The X-Files, successfully blending elements of psychological thriller with social commentary while exploring complex themes related to manipulation and control. While it may not reach the heights of its predecessor "Pusher," it effectively maintains an engaging pace throughout its runtime. The exploration of these themes within a modern context encourages viewers to consider their perceptions of truth and morality in society while enjoying a richly layered narrative that showcases both character development and suspenseful storytelling. As it reflects broader societal concerns regarding power dynamics and personal responsibility, "Kitsunegari" leaves audiences contemplating their own relationships with authority and manipulation.

The moment Pusher said "I don't care that you are tracing this call", Mulder should've known this was not the standard Modell scenario. Also, later clues were very Un-Modellish.

Mulder should have had Skully on the phone with him, should have had some protection to monitor that his brain was not going to be taken over again.

But... Pusher should not have made that Hoke-joke "It's Alive" cack.

Everybody makin a mistake here. Mulder got Mistake, Pusher got Mistakes, eveybody got mistakes. Even Mel Cooley got mistakes.

This episode is a huge cluster of Effs of dire mishaps.

Because there is something worse than Pusher rearing its ugly head, Pusher pooch-screwed his only chance at getting Moulder to seriously listen, and "Mouldar" became a dummy, pretending to be Clint Eastwood.

This episode could have been several levels higher than the original, it tried to be, hell it almost was... but instead, it was a classic example of how we believe something is going to be exactly the same as it was the first time that we encountered it- and it very rarely ever is.

In fact, we are living through that right now as a country. We should have known, but nobody listened. We were warned, but we shrugged it off.

And that is what this episode is the best example of: people refusing to listen to each other, people refusing to believe facts, people refusing to leave their own comfort zones. That's exactly what this is about. And how an unscrupulous person can take advantage of that tendency in people, so that they ultimately act against their own best interests.

And the end result of this inability to really listen almost turns into a major disaster for Sculder and Mully.

I don't think this is the first time we have seen this tendency, especially with "Mould-AR" (refer to John Barnett in "Young at Heart")...

But this is probably the prime example of this type of idiocy.

That's what makes this episode great, because we know what is happening, but we also know exactly how everybody will act, we are expecting it. But they weren't, they believed it was the same as before. So we are scraping our fingernails across the worst of all chalkboards, waiting for the stuff to hit the fan, and it does.

This time, it's Skully that snaps Mulder out of it.

The irony is, Mulder starts getting it. But he is slapped down.

Another irony is Diana Scarwid, who at one time was Christina Crawford, this time almost is Joan. She succeeds in making us hate Linda Bowman's guts. Great character actress.

But there is still something strange going on here, not with the character herself, but with the fact of who she was, and her ultimate existence. Her husband, Nathan Bowman, "tried" Pusher for his earlier crimes, and according to the plot here, he was successful in acquiring a conviction.

Wait, What?

How did they manage to bring pusher to trial? Did they roll Pusher into the courtroom in his life support unit? Or did Pusher roll his big plastic wheel into court? The last we saw, Mulder had shot Modell through the head and he was in a coma.

So the whole concept of putting a comatose man on trial doesn't make any sense at all. Unless there is another suggestion here, somebody else caused a courtroom appearance of Pusher, even when he could not attend himself?

Mulder and Scully are on the hunt for The Pusher, aka John Patrick Modell, who's escaped from a top security prison.

What a cracking episode, definitely imaginative and well thought out, you can tell a lot of time and effort was put into the script, it's very tightly and satisfyingly written.

Definitely a horror element to this one, and a few sequences which are still shocking all these years on, all I'll say is electricity board and paint.

Those opening sequences were fantastic, and really did what they were intended to do, which was hook you right in. Modell made for a first rate adversary, he really did offer up something a little different, Robert Wisden did a first rate job.

I really did enjoy it, excellent, 9/10.

The Return of Robert Patrick Modell (Robert Wisden) Pusher from Season 3. This time Modell escapes from from a prison hospital in In Lorton, Virginia. F.B.I. is on a man hunt with Mulder and Scully of course Mulder capture him in Season 3. This time Modell is on a Fox hunt and Mulder (David Duchovny) try's to figurate out his game before he will start killing again.

I disagree with the reviewer who wrote the title "Pusher deserved a better sequel". How will Pusher get another sequel when it 20 years old?. My opinion Kitsunegari is a damn good sequel to Modell, I love the F.B.I. hunt on a serial killer.

The problem that i had is that Modell tried to retribute him self by not killing anyone. Modell is on a hunt of a woman name Linda Bowman (Diana Scarwid) that is a murder mystery that Mulder has solve it and put pics in the puzzle together.

Great performence by Gillian Anderson as Dana Scully I love her character in this episode. I love the villians too in here. Kitsunegari is so effective at mimicking a soulless sequel that is almost indistinguishable from the real thing. The result is a well-constructed and clever little episode, but one that is not particularly enjoyable or fun. I love the blue paint nad the blue color. By early 1998, The X-Files was a cultural force. It was a massive success by just about any measure. There was a feature film due in theatres, there was merchandise in stores. The viewing figures were at the highest that they would ever be. The fifth season of The X-Files is generally a very slick, very professional production.

I absolutely love Linda Bowman she was so hot and sexy. Great performence from Diana Scarwid, excellent performance from the actress. I gave my favorite episodes 10. Kitsunegari is my favorite episode in the fifth season good episode to Pusher. Yet Pusher in Season 3 is my favorite episode in The X-Files. I love Unusual Suspects, Detour, The Post-Modern Prometheus this one Kitsunegari and i also love Schizogeny which i am going to review that episode next. I am watching The X-Files the fifth season all episodes on DVD and i am writing reviews which one of the episodes are my favorite in the fifth season.

If you believe in the pushing why would you expose yourself to it?