The X-Files
Australian Conne-X-ion
Episode Guide:
"Darkness Falls"


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Episode 1X19

Title: Darkness Falls

First screened in Australia: June 23, 1994
First screened in the USA: April 15, 1994

Credits: Director: Joe Napolitano
Writer: Chris Carter Starring: Guest Stars: Plot:
What became of the entire crew of seasoned loggers working a Pacific Northwest cut? Even Mulder dismisses the Bigfoot theory as he and Scully are sent to find the crew. With the aid of a local forest ranger and a timber company security guard, they find a mysterious cocoon with the ghastly remains of one man. A frightened environmentalist caught at the logging camp reveals that a deadly force comes out of the forest at night, capable of lifting a grown man off his feet and sucking the life out of him. Only one thing can save them: light. Whatever it is that made away with the loggers, it shuns the light. Mulder and Scully discover the identity of this night-loving killer: swarms of microscopic green bugs released from a thousand-year slumber by the felling of the giant trees. When the environmentalist disappears with the last of the generator fuel, Mulder, Scully and the ranger face a long and terrifying night watching the last remaining light bulb flicker and flare. Will they make it through the night?
My Rating: 6/10
When I first saw that huge coccoon up the tree I was waiting for a giant spider (from Mars?) so it was disappointing to see a little glowing green gnat instead! This episode gets some marks for it's conservation message and the night spent waiting for the fuel to run out was suspenseful enough while the characterisation was fine, but the main reason I have a problem with this episode is the ending. Why was Doug Spinney attacked when he was standing in the headlight of the jeep? There was more light from the headlights than one globe gave off! It just doesn't make sense. And to cap it all off Mulder and Scully are attacked but survive and make a miraculous recovery!

Where Have I Seen That Face Before?
Titus Welliver (Doug Spinney) starred in the excellent "Brooklyn South" TV series as well as "Falcone" and "Big Apple" and also appeared regularly on "NYPD Blue". His movie roles include "Mulholland Falls", "Navy SEALS", "Blind Justice", "Rough Riders" and "The Doors" and he was Al Capone in "Mobsters".

Jason Beghe (a good friend of David Duchovny had starring parts on the TV series "1st and Ten", "Picket Fences", "Melrose Place", "To Have And To Hold", "George and Leo" and "Good Company". He had an uncredited role on "The X-Files Movie: Fight The Future" and appeared in "GI Jane", "Maid To Order", "Monkey Shines" and "Thelma And Louise".

Notable Quotable:
Scully: "What kind of insect could have gotten a man all the way up in a tree?"
Mulder: "Itsy bitsy spider..."
Trivia
Ranger Moore is played by a childhood friend of David Duchovny's, Jason Beghe, who also helped convince David to try his hand at acting.

The Pain Factor
Mulder and Scully get attacked by the alien bugs and almost die.

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