The X-Files
Australian Conne-X-ion
Episode Guide
"The Unnatural"
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Episode 6ABX20
Title: The Unnatural
First screened in Australia: June 23, 1999
First screened in the USA: April 25, 1999
Credits:
Director: David Duchovny
Writer: David Duchovny
Starring:
Guest Stars:
- Jesse L. Martin as Josh Exley
- M. Emmett Walsh as Arthur Dales II
- Frederic Lane as Officer Arthur Dales
- Brian Thompson as the Alien Bounty Hunter
- Daniel Ducovny as Piney
- Ken Medlock as White Coach
- Chris Kohn as the Catcher
- Lou Beatty, Jr. as the Black Coach
- Burnell Roques as Buck Johnson
- Jesse James as Poorboy
- Gabriel Clifton as Black Boy
- Julie Griffith as Beautiful Woman
- Al Kaplon as Umpire
- Lennie Loftin as Officer Coranado
- Kerric MacDonald as Moore
- Walter T Phelan Jr as Alien
- Robb Reesman as Macon Officer
- Paul Willson as Ted
Plot:
Mulder and Scully delve into an old case involving a mysterious player (guest star Jesse L. Martin) in the Negro Baseball League with an astonishing batting average.
My Rating: 10/10
I've read a lot of negative reviews of this episode but I must disagree. It was a brilliant effort! The writing was funny and the direction from David Duchovny was fine. The story was quite original but I wonder how it all fits in the true X-Files mythology? If it does fit, it certainly explains a lot of things I've been wondering about The Alien Bounty Hunter/Jeremiah Smith/morphing/the back-of-the-neck stabbings etc.
The effects were well done with the aliens, the ku-klux-klan, the reflection in the bus window, the baseball and the Josh Exley unmasked-Arthur Dales confrontation for example. Exley morphing into a woman was quite funny.
The ending with Mulder and Scully "at bat" was thrown in for the 'shippers as Chris Carter and his team continue to tease them ('shippers) to the point of no return.
Like any good story, there was a sting in the tail, the moral which was well-handled and not mawkish in the slightest.
Great stuff. I've watched the episode four-five times now and it is still just an enjoyable.
Where Have I Seen That Face Before?
Michael Emmet Walsh (Arthur Dales) had a starring role in my favourite movie of all time, "Blade Runner". In a long career he's also appeared in well-known movies such as "My Best Friend's Wedding", "Romeo and Juliet", "Albino Alligator", "Free Willy II", "White Sands", "Raising Arizona", "Fletch", "Silkwood", "Ordinary People", "The Jerk", "Serpico" and the brilliant "Blood Simple".
Jesse C Martin (Josh Exley) had a recurring role on "Ally McBeal" before moving on to "Law And Order". He also starred in a TV show called "413 Hope St". His only movie role has been in "Restaurant". On stage he was in the original version of "Rent". For more informaiton check a website called Simply Jesse
Jesse James (Poorboy) has appeared in "Message In A Bottle" and "As Good As It Gets" (as Helen Hunt's son).
Where Have I Heard That Name Before?
Daniel Ducovny (Piney) is David Duchovny's brother and this is his first acting role. Ducovny is an award-winning commercial director while he was director of photography on movies "Vibes", "Tough Guys Don't Dance" and "Jumpin' Jack Flash".
The Pain Factor:
Mulder and Scully survive without a scratch.
Trivia:
The name of this episode was changed on a number of occassions during production including Black Diamond before settling to The Unnatural, a reference to Robert Redford's baseball movie, The Natural.
