Redux (The X-Files)
Encyclopedia
"Redux" is the collective name for the 98th and 99th episodes of the science fiction
television series The X-Files
. Part 1 first aired on November 2 and Part 2 aired on November 9, 1997 on Fox
in the United States
and Canada
. Both episodes subsequently aired in the United Kingdom and Ireland
. The story was written by executive producer Chris Carter
, and directed by R. W. Goodwin
(Part 1) and Kim Manners
(Part 2). The episodes' story continues on from the previous episode, "Gethsemane
".
"Redux", being a part of a three-part episode arc, became a storyline milestone for the series. It marked the first episode where Fox Mulder
(David Duchovny
) loses his belief in extraterrestrial life
and the revelation that someone inside the FBI has tried to discredit Mulder and Scully's work on the X-Files. Part 1 follows Dana Scully
(Gillian Anderson
) who helps Mulder to fake his own death in an effort to discover which members of the FBI they can trust before the agents individually search for an answer to Scully's cancer. Part 2 continues immediately after part 1 with Scully hospitalized, and Mulder is offered a deal to join the Cigarette Smoking Man
.
When writing the episode, Carter wanted to tie up loose ends from the previous seasons. Despite being the first episode, it was the second episode produced, the first being "Unusual Suspects
" which followed the trio, The Lone Gunmen
. The episode has become the second-most-watched episode ever broadcast, earning more than 27 million viewers in the United States alone. The episode was well received by critics and fans alike.
), who tells him that 'they' may be listening. Mulder, spotting a small hole in his ceiling rushes upstairs and bursts into the apartment above his and kills government employee Scott Ostelhoff. He tells Dana Scully about the incident, telling her that Ostelhoff had made numerous calls to the FBI.
The next day Scully identifies Ostelhoff's body as Mulder and is met by A.D. Walter Skinner
(Mitch Pileggi
) who tells her that Section Chief Scott Blevins (Charles Cioffi
) is looking for her. She meets with them, and tells them about the previous incidents leading to Mulder's apparent suicide. Meanwhile Mulder has broken into the Department of Defense.
While Mulder is gone, the Cigarette Smoking Man
searches Mulder's apartment, believing he is not dead. Scully does some research into the phone records, coming to the conclusion that Ostelhoff was calling Skinner. Mulder meanwhile continues through the Department of Defense Headquarters finding more fake alien bodies inside. He heads through a tunnel to The Pentagon, where he finds an elaborate filing system and warehouse of evidence, the same warehouse that the Cigarette Smoking Man was seen leaving at the very end of the Pilot episode. Mulder ultimately tracks down a small metal vial that he believes may contain Scully's cure.
Scully debriefs the FBI panel, and explains that Mulder was a victim of an elaborate conspiracy and that she was given a fatal disease by someone in the room. As she's about to present her evidence her nose bleeds and she collapses. Mulder brings the vial he found to the Lone Gunmen, who tell him it's not a cure, only deionized water.
After the briefing with Skinner, Mulder travels to the hospital to see Scully. Mulder tells her that he wants to reveal the conspiracy to the public. As he's leaving, he meets with the Cigarette Smoking Man who tells him that he can cure Scully's cancer by using a chip included in the vial Mulder took from the Pentagon. Meanwhile, Kritschgau goes before the FBI panel, denying any knowledge of Ostelhoff's murderer, also revealing that his son died that morning. Kritschgau claims to work for not only the Department of Defense but a congressional lobbying firm known as Roush. Mulder sees Scully and her doctor about the chip. Scully's family is skeptical, particularly her brother Bill, who is quite upset with Mulder. Scully decides to go ahead and have the chip inserted in her neck.
The Cigarette Smoking Man contacts Mulder, arranging a meeting at a nearby diner. There Mulder meets his sister Samantha, who calls the Cigarette Smoking Man her father. Samantha claims to not remember anything about her abduction and is reluctant to stay or tell Mulder where he can find her. The next day, the Cigarette Smoking Man offers Mulder the truth if he quits the FBI and comes work for him; Mulder refuses. Mulder later meets with Blevins, who now has evidence Skinner was withholding information concerning Ostelhoff's death. Blevins tells Mulder he can help him if he names Skinner as the traitor in the FBI. Later Mulder meets with Scully, telling her he was going to make the deal with the Cigarette Smoking Man but now won't after his meeting with Blevins. Despite Scully's pleas he refuses to name Skinner as the traitor in the FBI.
Mulder meets with the FBI panel while "Quiet Willy" follows the Cigarette Smoking Man with his sniper rifle. Mulder tells the panel of the conspiracy against him and Scully. Questioned by Blevins and the Senior Agent about whether he killed Ostelhoff, Mulder instead names Blevins as the traitor in the FBI. The Cigarette Smoking Man, looking at a picture of a young Mulder and Samantha, is shot by "Quiet Willy". Blevins is killed by the Senior Agent in his office, who makes it appear like a suicide. At the hospital Skinner meets with Mulder, telling him that the Cigarette Smoking Man is dead, although his body wasn't found. Mulder admits that he guessed when he named Blevins, who Skinner reveals was on the payroll for Roush. Mulder tells Skinner that Scully's cancer has gone into remission.
when talking about "Redux" part 1 and 2, "We wanted to tie up a lot of loose ends from the past season, and play the idea that the conspiracy is a hoax and that it had been done to hide various terrestrial and temporal misdeeds". Despite being the season premiere, "Redux" was the second episode produced of the season due to David Duchovny
and Gillian Anderson
being needed for filming on The X-Files
movie. In "Redux II", the role of "Quiet Willy" was originally intended for the character the "Gray-Haired Man", but was re-written for a new character when actor Morris Panych
was unavailable. The role went to Willy Ross, whose real name is Steve Allen. The tagline for Redux is changed to "All Lies Lead to the Truth".
"Redux II" had three different storylines: the medical treatment, Scully's religious faith and the Cigarette Smoking Man
's cure for Dana Scully
's cancer. It was normal for the writers to add one or two different storylines for the different episodes, to create different interpretations, but Carter felt it took "the idea of the show" and spun it "in the most interesting way." The episode also started what would become Fox Mulder
's loss of belief in extraterrestrials until the episode, "The Red and the Black
". While the writers kept "playing" with the idea of Mulder's loss of faith, fans and viewers could not grow to accept his loss of faith, which left the Cigarette Smoking Man victorious.
"Redux II" was highly praised by Carter, saying that "I think that Redux II is one of the best episodes we've ever done." Frank Spotnitz
said "Redux II is one of my favorite episodes. I think the story has a crystal purity and clarity, and it just comes to a perfect point for me." Anderson said "I thought it was a terrific episode, especially the scenes in the hearing room, and the whole progression of Scully praying. How it was written and shot and how it was edited. Fabulous."
Redux and Redux II were the first episodes of the series to be broadcast in HD.
Duchovny was nominated for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his performance in "Redux II".
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
television series The X-Files
The X-Files
The X-Files is an American science fiction television series and a part of The X-Files franchise, created by screenwriter Chris Carter. The program originally aired from to . The show was a hit for the Fox network, and its characters and slogans became popular culture touchstones in the 1990s...
. Part 1 first aired on November 2 and Part 2 aired on November 9, 1997 on Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Both episodes subsequently aired in the United Kingdom and Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. The story was written by executive producer Chris Carter
Chris Carter (screenwriter)
Christopher Carl Carter is an American screenwriter, film director and producer. He is the creator of The X-Files and Millennium.- Ten Thirteen Productions :...
, and directed by R. W. Goodwin
R. W. Goodwin
Robert W. "Bob" Goodwin, billed as R. W. Goodwin, is an American television producer and director best known for his work as senior executive producer of The X-Files...
(Part 1) and Kim Manners
Kim Manners
Kim Manners was an American television producer, director and child actor best known for his work on The X-Files and Supernatural.-Early life:...
(Part 2). The episodes' story continues on from the previous episode, "Gethsemane
Gethsemane (The X-Files)
"Gethsemane" is the fourth season finale of the science fiction television series The X-Files. The episode first aired in Canada and the United States on the Fox network and subsequently aired in the United Kingdom on Sky1...
".
"Redux", being a part of a three-part episode arc, became a storyline milestone for the series. It marked the first episode where Fox Mulder
Fox Mulder
FBI Special Agent Fox William Mulder is a fictional character and protagonist in the American Fox television shows The X-Files and The Lone Gunmen, two science fiction shows about a government conspiracy to hide or deny the truth of Alien existence. Mulder's peers consider his theories on...
(David Duchovny
David Duchovny
David William Duchovny is an American actor, writer and director. He has won Golden Globe awards for his work as FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder on The X-Files and as Hank Moody on Californication.-Early life:...
) loses his belief in extraterrestrial life
Colonist (The X-Files)
The Colonists are an extraterrestrial species in the science fiction television show, The X-Files, as well as the first X-Files feature film. The mystery revolving around their identity and purpose is revealed across the course of the series...
and the revelation that someone inside the FBI has tried to discredit Mulder and Scully's work on the X-Files. Part 1 follows Dana Scully
Dana Scully
FBI Special Agent Dana Katherine Scully, M.D. is a fictional character and protagonist on the Fox television series The X-Files , played by Gillian Anderson. She also appeared in two theatrical films based on the series...
(Gillian Anderson
Gillian Anderson
Gillian Leigh Anderson is an American actress.After beginning her career in theatre, Anderson achieved international recognition for her role as Special Agent Dana Scully on the American television series The X-Files. During the show's nine seasons, Anderson won Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen...
) who helps Mulder to fake his own death in an effort to discover which members of the FBI they can trust before the agents individually search for an answer to Scully's cancer. Part 2 continues immediately after part 1 with Scully hospitalized, and Mulder is offered a deal to join the Cigarette Smoking Man
Cigarette Smoking Man
The Smoking Man is a fictional character and the antagonist on the American science fiction television series The X-Files. He serves as the arch-nemesis of FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder. Although his name is revealed to purportedly be C.G.B...
.
When writing the episode, Carter wanted to tie up loose ends from the previous seasons. Despite being the first episode, it was the second episode produced, the first being "Unusual Suspects
Unusual Suspects
"Unusual Suspects" is the third episode of the fifth season of the American science fiction television series The X-Files. It was written by Vince Gilligan and directed by Kim Manners and aired in the United States on November 16, 1997 on the Fox network...
" which followed the trio, The Lone Gunmen
The Lone Gunmen
The Lone Gunmen are a trio of fictional characters, Richard "Ringo" Langly, Melvin Frohike and John Fitzgerald Byers, who have recurring roles on the American television series The X-Files. They also starred in a short-lived spin-off, also called The Lone Gunmen. The name was derived from the lone...
. The episode has become the second-most-watched episode ever broadcast, earning more than 27 million viewers in the United States alone. The episode was well received by critics and fans alike.
Part 1
As a distraught Fox Mulder sits in his apartment, he receives a phone call from Michael Kritschgau (John FinnJohn Finn
John Finn is an American actor known as one of the leads of the television programs Cold Case and EZ Streets. Finn has also had supporting roles in the films The Hunted , Catch Me If You Can , True Crime , Turbulence , Blown Away , The Pelican Brief , and Glory .TV series that Finn has...
), who tells him that 'they' may be listening. Mulder, spotting a small hole in his ceiling rushes upstairs and bursts into the apartment above his and kills government employee Scott Ostelhoff. He tells Dana Scully about the incident, telling her that Ostelhoff had made numerous calls to the FBI.
The next day Scully identifies Ostelhoff's body as Mulder and is met by A.D. Walter Skinner
Walter Skinner
FBI Assistant Director Walter Sergei Skinner is a fictional character in the American FOX television shows The X-Files and The Lone Gunmen, two science fiction shows about a government conspiracy to hide or deny the truth of Alien existence...
(Mitch Pileggi
Mitch Pileggi
Mitchell Craig "Mitch" Pileggi is an American actor. Pileggi is known for playing FBI assistant director Walter Skinner on the long-running popular series The X-Files. He also had a recurring role on Stargate Atlantis as Col. Steven Caldwell...
) who tells her that Section Chief Scott Blevins (Charles Cioffi
Charles Cioffi
Charles Cioffi , also credited as Charles M. Cioffi, is an American movie and television actor.-Biography:He was born in New York City and attended Michigan State University, where he became a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity....
) is looking for her. She meets with them, and tells them about the previous incidents leading to Mulder's apparent suicide. Meanwhile Mulder has broken into the Department of Defense.
While Mulder is gone, the Cigarette Smoking Man
Cigarette Smoking Man
The Smoking Man is a fictional character and the antagonist on the American science fiction television series The X-Files. He serves as the arch-nemesis of FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder. Although his name is revealed to purportedly be C.G.B...
searches Mulder's apartment, believing he is not dead. Scully does some research into the phone records, coming to the conclusion that Ostelhoff was calling Skinner. Mulder meanwhile continues through the Department of Defense Headquarters finding more fake alien bodies inside. He heads through a tunnel to The Pentagon, where he finds an elaborate filing system and warehouse of evidence, the same warehouse that the Cigarette Smoking Man was seen leaving at the very end of the Pilot episode. Mulder ultimately tracks down a small metal vial that he believes may contain Scully's cure.
Scully debriefs the FBI panel, and explains that Mulder was a victim of an elaborate conspiracy and that she was given a fatal disease by someone in the room. As she's about to present her evidence her nose bleeds and she collapses. Mulder brings the vial he found to the Lone Gunmen, who tell him it's not a cure, only deionized water.
Part 2
After hearing of Scully collapsing, Mulder arrives at the hospital where Scully is being treated. Before he is able to make contact with her, he is detained by Skinner and two FBI agents. Mulder is then brought to Blevins and a Senior Agent who demands information on why Scully lied about Mulder's death. After the meeting, Mulder tells Skinner that a traitor in the FBI gave Scully her cancer. In the meantime, the Cigarette Smoking Man has a meeting with the First Elder, trying to convince him that Mulder will join their side if he is given a good reason to do so.After the briefing with Skinner, Mulder travels to the hospital to see Scully. Mulder tells her that he wants to reveal the conspiracy to the public. As he's leaving, he meets with the Cigarette Smoking Man who tells him that he can cure Scully's cancer by using a chip included in the vial Mulder took from the Pentagon. Meanwhile, Kritschgau goes before the FBI panel, denying any knowledge of Ostelhoff's murderer, also revealing that his son died that morning. Kritschgau claims to work for not only the Department of Defense but a congressional lobbying firm known as Roush. Mulder sees Scully and her doctor about the chip. Scully's family is skeptical, particularly her brother Bill, who is quite upset with Mulder. Scully decides to go ahead and have the chip inserted in her neck.
The Cigarette Smoking Man contacts Mulder, arranging a meeting at a nearby diner. There Mulder meets his sister Samantha, who calls the Cigarette Smoking Man her father. Samantha claims to not remember anything about her abduction and is reluctant to stay or tell Mulder where he can find her. The next day, the Cigarette Smoking Man offers Mulder the truth if he quits the FBI and comes work for him; Mulder refuses. Mulder later meets with Blevins, who now has evidence Skinner was withholding information concerning Ostelhoff's death. Blevins tells Mulder he can help him if he names Skinner as the traitor in the FBI. Later Mulder meets with Scully, telling her he was going to make the deal with the Cigarette Smoking Man but now won't after his meeting with Blevins. Despite Scully's pleas he refuses to name Skinner as the traitor in the FBI.
Mulder meets with the FBI panel while "Quiet Willy" follows the Cigarette Smoking Man with his sniper rifle. Mulder tells the panel of the conspiracy against him and Scully. Questioned by Blevins and the Senior Agent about whether he killed Ostelhoff, Mulder instead names Blevins as the traitor in the FBI. The Cigarette Smoking Man, looking at a picture of a young Mulder and Samantha, is shot by "Quiet Willy". Blevins is killed by the Senior Agent in his office, who makes it appear like a suicide. At the hospital Skinner meets with Mulder, telling him that the Cigarette Smoking Man is dead, although his body wasn't found. Mulder admits that he guessed when he named Blevins, who Skinner reveals was on the payroll for Roush. Mulder tells Skinner that Scully's cancer has gone into remission.
Production
Chris CarterChris Carter (screenwriter)
Christopher Carl Carter is an American screenwriter, film director and producer. He is the creator of The X-Files and Millennium.- Ten Thirteen Productions :...
when talking about "Redux" part 1 and 2, "We wanted to tie up a lot of loose ends from the past season, and play the idea that the conspiracy is a hoax and that it had been done to hide various terrestrial and temporal misdeeds". Despite being the season premiere, "Redux" was the second episode produced of the season due to David Duchovny
David Duchovny
David William Duchovny is an American actor, writer and director. He has won Golden Globe awards for his work as FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder on The X-Files and as Hank Moody on Californication.-Early life:...
and Gillian Anderson
Gillian Anderson
Gillian Leigh Anderson is an American actress.After beginning her career in theatre, Anderson achieved international recognition for her role as Special Agent Dana Scully on the American television series The X-Files. During the show's nine seasons, Anderson won Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen...
being needed for filming on The X-Files
The X-Files (film)
The X-Files is a 1998 American science fiction-thriller film written by Chris Carter and Frank Spotnitz, and directed by Rob Bowman. It is the first feature film based on The X-Files series created by Carter that revolves around a fictional FBI paranormal investigation unit called the X-Files...
movie. In "Redux II", the role of "Quiet Willy" was originally intended for the character the "Gray-Haired Man", but was re-written for a new character when actor Morris Panych
Morris Panych
Stephen Morris Panych is a Canadian playwright, director and actor.Morris Panych was born in Calgary and grew up in Edmonton. He studied at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, and the University of British Columbia...
was unavailable. The role went to Willy Ross, whose real name is Steve Allen. The tagline for Redux is changed to "All Lies Lead to the Truth".
"Redux II" had three different storylines: the medical treatment, Scully's religious faith and the Cigarette Smoking Man
Cigarette Smoking Man
The Smoking Man is a fictional character and the antagonist on the American science fiction television series The X-Files. He serves as the arch-nemesis of FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder. Although his name is revealed to purportedly be C.G.B...
's cure for Dana Scully
Dana Scully
FBI Special Agent Dana Katherine Scully, M.D. is a fictional character and protagonist on the Fox television series The X-Files , played by Gillian Anderson. She also appeared in two theatrical films based on the series...
's cancer. It was normal for the writers to add one or two different storylines for the different episodes, to create different interpretations, but Carter felt it took "the idea of the show" and spun it "in the most interesting way." The episode also started what would become Fox Mulder
Fox Mulder
FBI Special Agent Fox William Mulder is a fictional character and protagonist in the American Fox television shows The X-Files and The Lone Gunmen, two science fiction shows about a government conspiracy to hide or deny the truth of Alien existence. Mulder's peers consider his theories on...
's loss of belief in extraterrestrials until the episode, "The Red and the Black
The Red and the Black (The X-Files)
"The Red and the Black" is a 1998 episode of The X-Files television series. It was the fourteenth episode broadcast in the show's fifth season...
". While the writers kept "playing" with the idea of Mulder's loss of faith, fans and viewers could not grow to accept his loss of faith, which left the Cigarette Smoking Man victorious.
"Redux II" was highly praised by Carter, saying that "I think that Redux II is one of the best episodes we've ever done." Frank Spotnitz
Frank Spotnitz
Frank Spotnitz is an award-winning American television writer and producer, best known for his work on The X-Files television series.-Biography:...
said "Redux II is one of my favorite episodes. I think the story has a crystal purity and clarity, and it just comes to a perfect point for me." Anderson said "I thought it was a terrific episode, especially the scenes in the hearing room, and the whole progression of Scully praying. How it was written and shot and how it was edited. Fabulous."
Redux and Redux II were the first episodes of the series to be broadcast in HD.
Reception
"Redux I" earned a Nielsen rating of 16.1, with a 22 share. It was viewed by 27.34 million people. It was the highest rated episode of the season, and at the time, the second highest rated episode of the series after "Leonard Betts", which aired after the Super Bowl. "Redux II" earned a Nielsen rating of 15.0, with a 21 share. It was viewed by 24.84 million people.Duchovny was nominated for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his performance in "Redux II".