shapes x-files shapes nineteenth episode season american science fiction television series files premiered fox network april shapes written directed featured guest appearances episode monster week story stand plot unconnected series wider mythology shapes earned nielsen household rating watched million households initial broadcast received mixed reviews varied reaction episode handling genre native american themes centers fbi special agents fox_mulder david_duchovny dana_scully gillian_anderson work cases linked paranormal called files episode mulder scully called montana shooting farm near native american reservation investigating case agents find dead man attacked capable ferocious phenomenon documented shapes written executives fox suggested series feature conventional type monster producers began looking native american legends form basis episode concept episode filmed british_columbia plot fbi agents dana_scully fox_mulder travel montana investigate killing native american man local ranch owner present killing appears motivated dispute ownership tract land parker claims fired monstrous animal human parker son bears lend story scene shooting scully reasons short range shot impossible mistake animal mulder finds tracks leading area appear change human animal nature scully dismisses finds large section shed human skin nearby believes killed knows skinned signs injury found body matter complicated difficulties mulder scully dealing native american population stemming experience locals fbi wounded knee incident sister gwen bitter neighbors frightened native legends confront death despite agents find ally permits scully examination body autopsy discover elongated similar animal bears long healed similar borne parting ways sheriff scully asks mulder expecting piece evidence come mulder informs scully years previously similar incident area investigated fbi file case body cremated traditional ceremony agents watch distance mulder shares scully belief current case investigation scully dismisses theory instead credits belief clinical elder parker subsequently ripped apart unseen animal outside home found naked unconscious yards away elder men reservation explains mulder legend creature possess transform man pass new host bite death original host believes seen creature youth frightened confront says happens years region long sighting possible examination reveals father flesh stomach scully brings home hospital medical calls mulder hurry parker ranch beast arrived ranch house scully attic parker home creature shadows attack scully shoots thinking parker pet mountain lion escaped outside mulder mountain lion cage discover body attic agents leave learn gwen left town warns mulder years production shapes written executives fox suggested series feature conventional type monster producers began looking native american legends form basis episode concept believing horror able legends thirteen hundreds episode mention file case opened apparently initiated whilst references events earlier season episode sea scully seen discussing father death shapes marked time episode x-files use native american themes folklore whilst episode stand monster week story later episodes beginning second season finale begin incorporate cultural references overarching mythology guest star plays guest star series previously appeared alongside david_duchovny fellow alumni played episode portrayed agent scully father william earlier episode sea davis second season breath whilst actors appear later episodes series second season season revelations fourth season episode filmed british_columbia site named classic western town built specifically film sets located minute drive assistant director home area chosen provided locations exterior shots reservation plus interior areas needed episode despite covering area gravel heavy rains left ground muddy equipment vehicles similar weather conditions hinder filming episode darkness falls funeral scene lit natural light whilst extras sang prayed cast director visit weekly meeting native americans vancouver felt casting non professionals lend scene authenticity broadcast reception shapes premiered fox network april broadcast united_kingdom bbc february episode earned nielsen household rating share meaning roughly percent television equipped households percent households watching tuned episode total million households watched episode original airing retrospective season entertainment_weekly episode rated described having garden variety plot offered sink teeth zack_handlen writing described episode thoroughly predictable found plot believing existed sense tradition real desire tell specific story praised acting episode especially guest star writing den geek described shapes basic slightly drawn detective story overall finding episode visual effects atmosphere meant comes good end shapes criticized like tale native american attempts political seen forced praised noble savage portrayal native american characters unexplained feels episode seriously folklore portrays noting natives calling man eating beast like calling god plot shapes adapted novel young adults
Shapes (The X-Files)