Pusher (The X-Files)
Pusher is the seventeenth episode of the third season of the American science fiction television series The X-Files. It premiered on the Fox network on February 23, 1996. The episode was written by Vince Gilligan and directed by Rob Bowman. "Pusher" is a "monster-of-the-week" story, unconnected to the series' wider mythology.
Plot[edit | edit source]
The episode follows FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully as they investigate a series of deaths that appear to be suicides but are actually the result of mind control exerted by a man named Robert Patrick Modell, also known as "Pusher." Modell has the ability to force his will onto others, compelling them to act against their own interests, often leading to their deaths.
The investigation begins when Modell is arrested after a high-speed chase. During his interrogation, he demonstrates his abilities by compelling an officer to shoot himself. Mulder and Scully soon realize that Modell is using his powers to challenge Mulder, whom he sees as a worthy adversary. The climax of the episode features a tense standoff between Mulder and Modell, culminating in a game of Russian roulette.
Characters[edit | edit source]
- Fox Mulder (David Duchovny)
- Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson)
- Robert Patrick Modell (Robert Wisden)
- Walter Skinner (Mitch Pileggi)
Production[edit | edit source]
"Pusher" was written by Vince Gilligan, who would later become a key writer and producer for the series. The episode was directed by Rob Bowman, known for his work on several other episodes of The X-Files. The character of Robert Patrick Modell was portrayed by Robert Wisden, whose performance was widely praised.
Reception[edit | edit source]
"Pusher" is considered one of the standout episodes of the third season of The X-Files. It received positive reviews from critics and fans alike, particularly for its suspenseful plot and the performance of Robert Wisden as Modell. The episode is often cited as one of the best examples of the series' ability to blend psychological horror with science fiction.
Legacy[edit | edit source]
The character of Robert Patrick Modell would later return in the fifth season episode "Kitsunegari." "Pusher" remains a fan favorite and is frequently included in lists of the best episodes of The X-Files.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External links[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
