I had great hopes for this episode. The sequel to "Pusher," and the only other non-
mythology sequel. "Tooms" was a great follow-up the "Squeeze," so why shouldn't
"Kitsunegari" be also? Well, I was disappointed. By comparison, "Pusher" is a far
superior episode than "Kitsunegari" is and ever shall be. "Kitsunegari" lacked the things
that made "Pusher" so wonderful: its 'Shipper elements, character, and plot, as well as
dangerous and tenseful situations. Well, so maybe it had some, but they were nowhere
near as effective.
But, even if this episode had stood alone, that it was the first we ever saw or heard
of Robert Patrick Modell and Co, I still could not have given a fairly positive review.
Mulder said it best: "Something's just not making sense." Something is missing from this
episode.
After the theme song and commercial break, Skinner, Mulder, and Scully debrief
the other agents in boring, long monologues that were quite unnecessary, especially
considering the repeat of "Pusher" the week before. Even for those who had not managed
to ever catch an airing of "Pusher," they still could have understood with much less info
and descriptions.
Now the screen turns back to Modell. Apparently, he has new powers. He still
pushes his will on people by talking to him, but he can also make his victims envision
illusions. This is perfectly acceptable and believable if it had been introduced in "Pusher,"
but it was not, and it seems like a cheap way for "Kitsunegari" to attain some semblance of
interest. Of course, the snake was a good special effect, but without even an explanation,
new rules have been introduced. The same with the agent holding the other agent at
gunpoint, thinking he's got Modell; Skinner and the gun, etc.
The elaborate cerulean blue paint crime scene. I have to give something to the
writers for a bit of originality. And, to quickly mention a thought of mine that ties in with
the paragraph above: how do we know that Bowman didn't think he was drinking or
pouring water or something else over him, rather than paint? Not criticism, really, just a
thought.
Skinner, while having a lot of screen time, really doesn't have anything to do with
the plot. It is always nice to see these recurring character's, but the only time his
appearance is effective is at the end office scene where he congratulates Mulder. His role in
this story is unimportant, a job that almost anyone could have done. A local police officer,
for example. And wow, what good orders he gives: "Find him!" Funny, I thought that
was what they had been doing all along. Well, I may be too harsh, but I found it odd.
Linda Bowman was just simply not imaginable as a "pusher." Why bring her into
the story? I suppose it does add more mystery and excitement that there's a new "pusher"
in town, but it doesn't work. Focus on Modell, he's the real stuff.
And, finally, I think that despite all that, this could have been a good episode if not
for three more things: character development, more interaction between characters, and less
jumping around from scene to scene. Probably nearly half of this episode was just
interviewing. Now, sometimes you need that, but this was unexciting, especially because
of their lack of progress with the people they interviewed. And we never got to know
Linda: I didn't care for her at all. And the only reason I could somewhat understand
Modell is because of my previous knowledge of him. We never got too much time with
any character. Almost every time we see Modell is for only brief glimpses, and no worthy
interaction with Mulder and Scully. It was almost a cameo appearance.
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-Why didn't anyone just shoot Modell? I know it's probably not standard
procedure, but in this case I think it would be appropriate. They know he's going to talk to
them, and if he's going to die anyway, they probably would have saved a few people.
-One thing I did love, the one agent, fetching Mulder and Scully when Modell calls:
"Agents! It's Modell!" And they just run right to it, together. Mulder and Scully, partners
in the FBI.
-Falls Church was also mentioned in "Pusher," as well as this episode.
-Mulder almost got run over by a car again. If cell phones were real, Mulder's
would've probably died from fright right then.
-Everyone seemed to want to remind or know if Mulder was the agent who shot
Modell.
-Did you catch that pensive look on Scully's face when Linda was saying that you
never know how long you have. Penny for your thoughts, Scully, I bet you were thinking
about Mulder, hmm?
-Mulder has a new curse to yell at Skinner: "Go fetch her some water!"
-We finally learn Mulder's mom's name!
-A good connection: the NURSE tag, similar, though not as funny to the PASS in
"Pusher."