files fourth episode fifth season american science fiction television series files written executive producer frank_spotnitz directed episode aired united_states november fox network episode monster week story stand plot unconnected series wider mythology received nielsen rating watched million viewers received mixed reviews television critics centers fbi special agents fox_mulder david_duchovny dana_scully gillian_anderson work cases linked paranormal called files mulder believer paranormal skeptical scully assigned debunk work episode mulder scully traveling conference fbi agents stop join nearby investigation attacks unidentified predator executive producer frank_spotnitz inspired write episode watching american thriller film took nineteen days film norm x-files shooting hampered rain episode villains created mixture elaborate bark suits digital technology addition episode contained cultural references plot men surveying area florida attacked killed unseen glowing red eyes later day son louis hunting dog stretch woods discovering surveyor bloody jacket father orders son dog run home son dog shots heard fox_mulder david_duchovny dana_scully gillian_anderson fbi agents route team building stopped local police mulder decides investigate mulder scully venture woods informed officer conclusive evidence found support louis report shooting mulder sees perfect opportunity ditch later mulder explains scully species native north_america attack stronger member prey weaker target available residence upset begins lets outside attempts retrieve dog refuses turns inside discovers inside louis hears mother screams climbs bed dark figure red eyes corners louis barely escapes dog door runs mulder informing creature whereabouts house morning mulder shows scully tracks door house appear human based weight distribution evidently travels balls feet heel toe additionally creature lured mother house order louis suggests mulder creatures paranormal nature local technician armed device joins mulder scully search creature soon spot creatures travel separate directions causing split attacked disappears mulder creatures related west_virginia brief encounter creatures takes running swiftly killed creature mulder grabbed creature releases scully manages wound morning scully falls hole underground chamber bodies missing companions stored spotting pair red eyes scully realizes mulder drops bushes begin jumps hole scully shoots creature kills examine dead creature notice human like features wood like skin nearby words latin darkness found carved tree trunk mulder scully rescued sign creature leaving forest mulder states creature fact evolved version spanish settled forest years finds ridiculous mulder believes centuries adequate drastic adaptations happen mulder realizes creatures presence territory threatening rushes hotel room scully packing things finished packing firmly urges vacate room camera bed pair red eyes open production executive producer frank_spotnitz inspired write episode watching american thriller film recounted idea stranded hostile environment interesting idea moving brush series writer contributed team builder exercise bit ending left intentionally ambiguous explained think monster initially scenes filmed typical shooting time episode x-files days took nineteen days film second unit director recounted day strain cast crew main shot needed intended outdoors daylight massive delays changes actors schedules rearranged kim_manners brought assist finishing second unit episode filming later moved avoid rain later noted thought come simple concept literally easy props people departments initially decided antagonists episode dressed elaborate bark suits blend surroundings special effects created elaborate suits faux bark end difficulties great switched digital effects visual effects supervisor tasked creating glowing red eyes blended images including shots family dog cultural references plot nature episode bears striking resemblance film predator creature able perfectly camouflage point complete humans dense jungle camping woods overnight scully sings joy world dog night mulder rests know awake guard originally scully supposed sing cry country song series creator chris_carter requested wall instead chose joy world later said retrospect song perfect talking mulder admits time thought seriously dying reception ratings premiered fox network november episode earned nielsen rating share meaning roughly percent television equipped households percent households watching television tuned episode viewed million viewers reviews received mixed positive reviews critics positive episode calling imaginative ign named seventh best standalone x-files episode entire series site called sequence scully holds wounded mulder sings sic best scene episode praised depth characters relationship zack_handlen gave episode called solid entry series handlen complimented episode cold opening structure monster relationship mulder scully writing core relationship mulder scully remarkably strong noted conversation woods reminiscent season episode sweet writing culture highlighted cinematic appeal included episodes list reviews mixed gave episode wrote overall episode somewhat light hearted departure mythology installments continuity flights fancy dominate early fifth season character driven moments highlight actual case far special purpose trigger character work end fairly average paula_vitaris cinefantastique gave episode mixed review awarded stars called scene featuring scully singing mulder failed attempt create special files moment noted sequence poor substitute meaningful dialogue vitaris guest cast called creature effects creepy robert_shearman lars_pearson book wanting believe critical guide lone gunmen rated episode stars noted replicated good satisfied intention reasoned busy telling cute mulder scully episode good shearman pearson called spanish revelation utterly left field feels self
Detour (The X-Files)