files seventeenth episode season american science fiction television series files originally aired fox network february written directed episode monster week story unconnected series wider mythology overarching fictional history x-files earned nielsen household rating watched million viewers initial broadcast received overwhelmingly positive reviews television critics centers fbi special agents fox_mulder david_duchovny dana_scully gillian_anderson work cases linked paranormal called files episode mulder scully assistance requested case involving man goes pseudonym seemingly capable bending people suspect uses mysterious abilities manipulate mulder dangerous end game crafted intention feature tense cat mouse game mulder final scene featuring game russian met resistance network standards practices department argued game featured television series unsuitable broadcast actors considered role went play lead role millennium eventually won role plot walks supermarket buying large supply energy drinks leave surrounded arrested fbi agents led escorted away police car repeatedly talks color blue talking seemingly causes driver approaching big rig color causing collision escapes driver dying burst surviving agent crash tells fox_mulder david_duchovny dana_scully gillian_anderson pursuit nicknamed committed series contract killings past years making acts appear suicide mulder spots word written crime scene tracks classified mercenary magazine mulder believes psychic ability push people phone number agents track golf course virginia makes lieutenant gasoline light fire mulder finds exhausted car nearby arresting uses skills judge let agents look past find failed enter fbi psychological examination deemed writing word pass piece paper putting shirt pocket able pass security enter fbi headquarters pushes agent holly julia pulling mulder file walter_skinner mitch_pileggi convinces holly man causing spray skinner beat scully unable explain power agrees mulder theory push people wants agents raid apartment find find cans protein drinks medicine mulder suspects brain given ability power physically exhausting forcing constantly consume energy drinks mulder believes dying wants blaze glory makes phone agent burst causes fatal heart attack try trace agents track hospital compelled guard shoot technician kill mulder ventures inside hospital captured scully finds sitting table dead guard revolver forces mulder play russian despite scully pleading mulder pulls trigger hammer falling chamber times makes aim gun scully instant scully sees fire alarm mirror pulls desperation breaking concentration mulder instantly switches aim pulls trigger bullet fired severely wounded later mulder scully visit hospital lying coma scully brain kills mulder surprises revealing brain times refused removed health deteriorated scully asks mulder repeats earlier assessment little man psychic ability feel big production writing written directed crafted episode intention feature tense cat mouse game mulder later explained conscious thing wanted start turned script told series creator chris_carter episode best work gon sic carter writers better trying scripting effort character later return fifth season episode final scene featuring russian game met resistance network standards practices department argued game featured television series unsuitable broadcast furthermore argued scene harmful young children tense negotiations scene included episode largely uncut later noted believe got away episode contains inside jokes references previously established canon x-files universe episode host appears tabloid opening scene mulder fitted camera script originally ask received discovery channel duchovny knowing character interest pornography changed line playboy channel members cast crew appearances magazine featured episode tabloid featured small image props master american magazine mulder contained miss shot production assistant casting actors considered role went play lead role millennium initially considered role read script blew away pleased performance said thought great kind confident actor lots ideas took day half speak look eyes walk talk scene mitch_pileggi disappointed fact episode featured character walter_skinner getting beat occurred multiple episodes point feeling little uncomfortable getting ass kicked think fans lead singer guitarist drummer small cameo wife episode scene fbi building active interest ufo lore called episode acting debut themes robert_shearman lars_pearson book wanting believe critical guide lone gunmen wrote episode helps illustrate idea evil mundane human somewhat thing note rooted season episodes x-files reason despite ability ultimately loser wishes special cured brain disease furthermore argue fantasy plays little man big broadcast reception premiered fox network united_states february episode earned nielsen household rating share meaning roughly percent television equipped households percent households watching television tuned episode episode watched total million viewers received overwhelmingly positive reviews television critics zack_handlen gave describing smart paced exciting memorable human monster manages drawn praised climax felt holly stereotype able fear walks weird line plausible entirely necessary handlen felt excellent starting point wanted series entertainment_weekly gave writing warmth mulder scully parallels detective work climactic mental war mulder makes logic robert_shearman lars_pearson gave episode glowing review rated stars called script witty clever noted triumph furthermore shearman pearson praised performance calling portrayal spot paula_vitaris cinefantastique gave episode positive review awarded rare stars called intense nail ranks best x-files airing reviewers list episode best episodes x-files ign named best standalone episode x-files writing episode loaded memorable scenes terror emotional bond leads den geek listed seventh best episode series called good game cat mouse book examination unauthorized look seasons files named episode best episode x-files called best monster week series history magazine named russian scene moments x-files ranking number magazine called sequence completely gripping
Pusher (The X-Files)