Gender Bender

The fourteenth episode of "The X-Files," titled "Gender Bender," directed by Rob Bowman, is a provocative exploration of gender identity, sexuality, and the complexities of human relationships. This episode introduces viewers to a mysterious cult known as The Kindred, who possess the ability to change their gender and are linked to a series of murders following sexual encounters. As agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) investigate these bizarre occurrences, they confront their own beliefs about sexuality and identity in a narrative that blends horror with social commentary.

The episode opens with a gripping prologue that sets the stage for the unfolding mystery. A couple leaves a nightclub, only for one partner to undergo a shocking transformation after a sexual encounter, resulting in death and chaos. This chilling start effectively establishes an atmosphere of danger and intrigue. As Mulder and Scully delve deeper into the investigation, they discover that the victims were all connected to The Kindred, a religious sect that embodies both traditional values and radical beliefs about gender fluidity. The pacing is brisk, allowing for moments of tension while also providing insight into Mulder's fascination with the case and Scully's skepticism.

Visually, "Gender Bender" maintains the series' signature aesthetic, utilizing shadows and dim lighting to create an unsettling ambiance. Bowman's direction builds suspense effectively; scenes where Mulder interacts with members of The Kindred are particularly impactful, showcasing their eerie rituals and enigmatic behavior. The cinematography captures both the vibrant nightlife of the city and the more sterile environments associated with the cult, creating a stark contrast that enhances the narrative's tension. However, some critics have noted that certain plot points feel predictable or lack depth, particularly regarding how quickly Mulder connects his findings to the cult's practices.

The performances in this episode are strong, especially from Duchovny and Anderson. Duchovny's portrayal of Mulder captures his characteristic charm and enthusiasm for uncovering hidden truths; he embodies a sense of urgency that drives the narrative forward. Anderson's Scully provides a rational counterbalance; her skepticism grounds Mulder's wild theories while showcasing her growing curiosity about their cases. The guest performances by Brent Hinkley as Brother Andrew and Amanda Pays as a member of The Kindred add layers to the story; they effectively convey both allure and danger, enhancing the episode's tension.

Thematically, "Gender Bender" explores complex issues surrounding sexuality and identity in a way that was particularly bold for its time. The ability of The Kindred to change genders serves as a metaphor for societal anxieties surrounding sexual fluidity and the fear of the unknown. This exploration raises critical questions about how society perceives gender roles and sexual orientation, inviting viewers to reflect on their own beliefs. Additionally, Scully's interactions with Brother Andrew highlight her internal struggle between professional skepticism and personal curiosity about attraction; this dynamic adds depth to her character as she navigates her feelings in an unfamiliar context.

In conclusion, "Gender Bender" stands out as an ambitious entry in "The X-Files," successfully blending elements of horror with psychological drama while tackling themes that remain relevant today. While it may not reach the emotional heights of later episodes or fully develop all plot points, it effectively maintains tension and intrigue throughout its runtime. The exploration of gender identity within a modern context invites viewers to reflect on their perceptions of sexuality and societal norms, setting a precedent for future episodes that balance levity with deeper themes.

Why are healthy young men dying after having random sex with an attractive young woman, who has a touch to die for?

You really have to hand it to the whole team, this first series is the exact opposite of formulaic, there is a breadth of story, and originality of idea, unmatched to this day in any other show.

There have been psychological thrillers, horrors, dramas, and good old fashioned science fiction, I'm not quite sure which bracket this one falls into, but who cares, Gender bender is daringly different, it combines club life, sci fi and a aerial killer all into one story, it is very well put together.

I'm surprised by some of the negativity surrounding this one, it scores highly for originality. 7/10.

I was thrilled watching this show when it first aired and now am enjoying having all the episodes on DVD, but I'm noticing something that I guess didn't bother me before.

As has been generally noted, each episode has incredible production values and structure - enough for a full length movie and therein is where perhaps I am seeing the problem now. Everything is too rushed. Has to be to squeeze (pardon the pun) everything in in less than an hour.

For example in this episode, the banter between Mulder and Scully is quite rapid - first Mulder says something and Dana replies almost instantly. Would have been better (and more dramatic) if more time had been taking by each to reply. Also more realistic as it takes time to think through what someone else says and come up with a reply. Also this episode is over too quickly without having the time to more fully explore and expand all the details. We see the cult member "Marty" transform several times - how interesting it could have been if towards the end we saw him/her transform to his/her "real" form - also perhaps more of the sect leaving: glimpse of their craft or cut to a military base's radar operations in the area:

"Sir, I just notice an anomaly in sector 6." "Yes?" "Sir, object appeared on my screen at low altitude, then quickly shot up and out of range." "Identification?" "No sir, didn't match anything I'm familiar with and when it left, nothing I know of can move that fast."

This is a freakish episode, I wish it had been revisited because it kind of fit into the mythos of the show. Who were these people? How are they able to move quickly, in the shadows? What were their secrets?

The interesting thing about this is that it shows ordinary looking people being able to cause a severe sexual reaction with the men or women that they interact with. In every case, the person that they target initially tries to tell them to get lost, but the power of attraction is so intense that they just drop whatever they're doing (and whatever they are wearing) and go with it. On the surface they are not even that attractive, especially the "woman". Neither of them, man or woman, were really anything to write home about, in terms of what people deem "attractive".

But these ordinary looking people were able to attract, first, Nicholas Lea (who would later become Alex Krycek), and then later Brent Hinkley (from Silence of the lambs) was able to get a reaction out of Skully.

In fact there was a whole town filled with Brent Hinkleys and Kate Twas (The actress who played the "woman"). Ordinary looking people who live in an Amish kind of community, who, as simple as they appear to be, are not what they appear.

Their abilities give rise to all kinds of questions: especially, how do they vanish? This is also the first time that we see the phenomenon known as a crop circle in the X-Files, but what does it represent here? And then there is also the relationship to a certain kind of mud, which appears to be part of this cult's religious practice.

For comparison's sake, in season nine we get to meet a bug woman and her bug child, who are able not only to control bugs but to spin webs- but they are at least partially explained. In my mind these cult people are even weirder than the bug family. Especially since no attempt was ever made to explain who they were, where they came from, where they went to. But this episode grabs your interest because those are questions that we want answered. They should have been answered. It drives us bugsputz because it was never resolved, not really.

I think part of the point of this episode was to show that even with communities of people that repress themselves in order to stay away from things like bars and sex and booze and Playboy magazines, and collect themselves into communities where there is no electricity or cars, as far away from the temptations of the world you would think that living like that would bring you, those temptations are still there and given an opportunity will sprout into activity. No matter how much they protest to Mulder and Skully that they want nothing to do with the world, they still can't deny that one of their members definitely wanted something to do with the world- and left the community in order to explore that world.

The only solution this cult could think of was to move even further away from the world in general. That's where the speculation comes in, because where they went to, was it out of this world completely? We don't know, because this episode basically dead ends, leaving Mulder and Skully again with nothing to show for it, except for possibly a few flakes of skin from their scalps as they scratched their heads in bewilderment (and not just Mulder and Skully, us as well).

Which was another reason why I loved season one...

This is a really interesting episode, I really loved the gender bender plot. Amish people were a really nice touch as well. This is the first episode I ever watched and it got me hooked to the show. It's definitely my favorite from season one.