3x17: Pusher

[wendelah1]

This episode appears on many best episode lists and is a favorite of fans and critics alike. Reportedly, when Gilligan turned in the script, he told Chris Carter that the episode was "the best work I'm ever gonna do for you." I think "Bad Blood" is much better, but that's just me.

Comments

Cerulean Homesick Blues

[badforthefish]

Don't know about you but LJ has been giving me grief to post.

Not my favourite episode, but it is understandable why fans love it. And okay, I'm terribly shallow but moving from beige frumpy S2 Scully last night to red-suited-knock-out S3 scully today is a bit of an ophtalmic shock.

I mean, come on, isn't she simply gorgeous here? This is a face you want to sculpt or paint.

Re: Cerulean Homesick Blues

[wendelah1]

Jumping right into the shallow end with you! I was going to post a picture of her but you beat me to it. Gillian Anderson is so gorgeous in this episode. For me, the best thing about "Pusher" was getting to stare at her lips and hair. Agent Eye Candy looks great too, but really, when doesn't Duchovny look terrific?

This episode has its moments but it's not one I've ever wanted to watch again.

[hankmoodyblues]

Unable to rewatch but thought I'd toss my two cents in anyway. I'll come right off the bat and say it: this is my favourite episode. Mulder, the man who wants others to believe him, versus Modell, the man who can force others to not only believe him but to act on his behalf. It's a fantastic battle of wits, a cat and mouse game featuring the worst kind of horror.

Why do we keep giving this guy exactly what he wants?

[wendelah1]

Because the writer made you do it.

Although I do get why other fans like it, the pleasure of watching this episode has greatly diminished over time for me. Why? The plot, for starters. Even for The X-Files, "Pusher" is full of plot holes, starting with the teaser. If the police don't know who Pusher is or where he lives, how did they manage to set up the supermarket stake-out in the first place

Re: Why do we keep giving this guy exactly what he wants?

[estella_c]

Well, then. I don't know about that teaser. It's quite well-done--the whole show is acted and filmed wonderfully--but you make a valid point. They interviewed food shoppers? We're not supposed to think about it

Re: Why do we keep giving this guy exactly what he wants?

[wendelah1]

But how can a mental process that takes away free will be in any way similar to hypnosis? Using the words "similar to" doesn't make it any more possible. Since Mulder has been hypnotized and knows how it works, I can't see him making that comparison.

Re: the phone call, I think if the writer creates a paranormal ability that follows certain parameters, as this one did up until the phone call, those rules should be adhered to, not broken wily-nily for plot purposes. They made a big deal about Modell knowing crime scene details at the preliminary hearing and in Frank's initial meeting with Mulder and Scully. If Modell wasn't present at the death scenes, he wouldn't know those details. It's a short cut to get the action moving to the hospital for the climax. He only has 44 minutes to tell his story so I get why Gilligan does it, but it still makes no sense

Re: Why do we keep giving this guy exactly what he wants?

[estella_c]

Did I interpret the hand-holding? I think it was charming that Mulder holds her hand as he gives her his gun and she snags his at the end.

Well, yes, they did say that Modell knew crime scene details, but that was then and this is nearing the climax as he has in fact planned it. Mulder at some point says "it's in voice," which distances it from the hypnosis analogy. So Modell uses the phone to kill FB as others watch horrified. You must admit that seeing the agents frustrated in their attempts to disconnect for the poor cop makes for high drama. Talk about bureaucratic dumbness.

I don't know why we should even agree to disagree about psychokinesis. It doesn't exist.

I own that book: TNPGTTXF. Well, I did. God knows where it's gotten to.

The fact is that you will always weigh science and factual accuracy heavily, and I am capable of closing my eyes to obvious glitches unless for some reason they offend me. It's in our genetic makeup. Also our educational background.

[melissaisdown]

I was having lj issues yesterday so sorry for the late post. I have to say Pusher is one of my favorite episodes. I remember reading that Vince Gilligan wrote it as a spec script and, well, I've enjoyed almost everything he wrote for this show after. Also, the performances by GA and DD in this episode are intense. There is angst and an interesting motw and overall I think Pusher is an above average ep. Certainly better than its sequel.

Also, I did read the First/second fic also and thought that it took curious advantage of the state of mind they must have been in after the capture of Modell. There are, really, a lot of different unwritten scenes that could be possible as a post ep for Pusher. I'm going to try to read more.

[wendelah1]

No worries. Anyone who comments, late or not, is always welcomed here. That's true for the fic discussion posts, too. I have nearly all of them tagged so I get the comments to my email, even they're made on posts from 2007.

Vince Gilligan is very talented, no doubt about it. It's definitely an above average episode, and miles above the sequel (aren't they always?) Truthfully, I expected to enjoy this more than I did, but I feel that way about most TV I've been rewatching these days. When you're making 24 episodes a year, it's tough to get the details right. And, okay, I'm hard to please, so maybe it is me.

We're doing "Small Potatoes" tomorrow, another Vince Gilligan episode, so stay turned.

I was ambivalent about reccing "First/Second." We discussed it here and I gave my take on it, as did two other fine reviewers. Flawed though it is, it's still a unique take on the episode--and the relationship--by one of the best writers in the fandom. Let me know if you find anyone else worth reccing. I made a pass through Gossamer and then

[murielle]

Didn't get to watch this yesterday as I was too busy sleeping off a bad stomach flu, so watched Pusher and Quagmire early this morning.

I had forgotten how familiar the episodes were to me. I am enjoying this so much I may take on the series again.

Not one of my favorite episodes,but I got a kick out of seeing familiar Canadian actors, and GA was breathtakingly beautiful in this episode.

I recall reading a fiction about Molly and Skinner...not much more than that,though.

[wendelah1]

GA was so beautiful!

[estella_c]

Yes!