Shapes

The nineteenth episode of "The X-Files," titled "Shapes," directed by Michael Lange, delves into the folklore of Native American culture through the lens of a classic werewolf narrative. The episode centers around Mulder and Scully as they investigate a series of mysterious deaths linked to a Native American reservation. The story unfolds when a rancher is killed under suspicious circumstances, leading to the discovery that the killer may be connected to an ancient legend involving shapeshifters known as "manitous." As the agents explore the case, they confront themes of identity, cultural heritage, and the intersection of myth and reality.

The episode opens with a gripping prologue that sets the tone for the unfolding mystery. A rancher is brutally attacked, and his death is initially attributed to a wild animal. However, as Mulder and Scully arrive at the scene, they begin to uncover evidence suggesting something far more sinister is at play. The pacing is effective, allowing for moments of tension while also providing insight into the cultural significance of the manitou legend. The dialogue between Mulder and Scully reflects their contrasting perspectives; Mulder's openness to the supernatural clashes with Scully's scientific skepticism, creating an engaging dynamic that drives the narrative forward.

Visually, "Shapes" retains the series' signature aesthetic, utilizing shadows and dim lighting to create an atmosphere of unease. Lange's direction builds suspense effectively; scenes where Mulder interacts with local authorities and tribal members are particularly impactful, showcasing their reluctance to trust federal agents. The cinematography captures both the beauty of the natural landscape surrounding the reservation and the darker undertones associated with the killings. However, some critics have noted that certain plot points feel predictable or lack depth, particularly regarding how quickly Mulder connects his findings to the legend of the manitou.

The performances in this episode are commendable, 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 Michael Horse as Sheriff Tskany and Jimmy Herman as Ish add layers to the story; they effectively convey both wisdom and caution regarding the cultural implications of their beliefs.

Thematically, "Shapes" explores profound questions about identity and cultural heritage within the context of folklore. The character of Ish serves as a representation of traditional knowledge; he embodies a connection to ancestral wisdom that contrasts sharply with Mulder's modern investigative methods. The episode raises critical questions about how stories shape our understanding of reality and how cultural narratives can influence perceptions of truth. Additionally, it examines societal perceptions of Native Americans; while some characters view them through a lens of superstition, others recognize their deep-rooted connection to history and nature.

Werewolves are admittedly not my favorite classic horror monsters, although there have definitely been some great portrayals in movies and TV (I think it's great when there's a fun spin put on it, like in "Dark Shadows", and even the more traditional "The Wolf Man" and "An American Werewolf in London" are terrific films). The problem is that they are SO overused that just about anything involving them, unless written especially well, is going to be so-so, and probably worse than that.

"Shapes" is definitely NOT especially well-written. There's a couple of good lines here and there, and some interesting background on the X-Files and their origin, and it's always nice to see Michael Horse from "Twin Peaks" make an appearance, and it's a nicely-shot David Nutter-directed episode so it never feels as taxing or boring as things like "Space" or "Teso dos Bichos", but it really isn't particularly good.

"Shapes" may put A spin on the traditional werewolf tale, by adding Native American folklore to the mix, but it's not an INTERESTING spin, which is what is needed to make a werewolf tale worthwhile. It's a generally poorly-written episode with some horribly cheesy moments, but not nearly as intolerable as the very worst episodes of the show are.

4/10

The agents set off to an American Indian reservation to investigate the murder who an Indian man who may have been mistaken for the legendary creature Manitou.A man who can shapeshift into a beast.The man who shot the creature claims to have been acting for his own safety and is adamant he didn't shoot a man.In this episode I can sense a mild form of racism between the dead man's family and the shooter and his son.I would describe this episode as pretty average.It dosen't excite in great amounts but a cool visual image is created when the man morphs into the manitou.Still a watchable episode for any hardcore x-filer.And the general dialogue between all the characters involved is decent.

This continues the mini-horror film format of Ice, Ghost in the Machine and the subsequent Darkness Falls, a werewolf tale with some feuding about land borders between Montana ranchers and Indians of the nearby reservation. We have lazy, stiff acting and plot, 'mystical' Indians, and a trite twist and conclusion, unusually bad even by X-File standards.

A redeeming value is the sort of Twin Peaks vibe going on, as the pair of detectives investigate sinister happenings in a tightly-knit community harboring secrets. And right there is all the difference. Whereas in Twin Peaks there is a marvelous subversion of tropes, a delightful earnestness undercut by the irony of familiarity, Scooby Do plunged into dark sexual jazz, here we have no irony, no real danger and just a po-faced acceptance of genre.

I think this episode is underrated. It was interesting and really different as far as the monster stories are concerned. The Native American aspect was cool and it was an exposition of the conflict between three different entities.