When viewing this episode again to write this review, I was surprised by how much I liked it. I remember I liked it, but not this much. This is a near-perfect episode written by the amazing Vince Gilligan. It showed that the Lone Gunmen could carry an episode by themselves successfully. When an episode makes me forget about Scully, which is hard to do, you know that it has done its job. Even Mulder has very few scenes in Unusual Suspects, but the viewer doesn't care. Not only is it a well-written story, but I found it very intriguing to see the origins of the lone gunmen. Mulder indirectly forms their group, as they come together to help Susanne Modeski, for whom Mulder is searching. Signy Coleman does an outstanding job as the mysterious Susanne Modeski. Susanne is a tough woman, who can pull her own tooth out. Ouch! We see that Frohike has always been a pervert. The Lone Gunmen don't even like each other at first. They just work together to help a pretty lady. X returns to do his standard cover-up operation. I love how he just ignores the three stooges as his men are doing the clean-up, like they are invisible. Then, of course, he gives a line, which ends up being the name they take upon themselves. Unusual Suspects surprises you with how good it is, and thankfully, gets a sequel later on in season six.
10 Reviews
I heard it was a lone gunman
reachtitan6 May 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Wow! This one is like a X-Files myth for sure! Writer Vince Gilligan delves deep into the X-Files characters' past and he and director Kim Manners breathe out a story that has a multi-layered significance to the X-Files lore.
This one traces the origin of Mulder's friendship with The Lone Gunmen which harks back to a scientific fair at Baltimore back in 1989 where the threesome awesome weren't yet called that, i.e., TLG. It all started with a woman named Susanne Modeski who led the three to the shattering discovery of a gigantic scale conspiracy plotted by the American government against its people and she herself is in danger from the government hoodlums due to her intentions of exposing them.
The three geeks come to a building to unravel the government's dirty work along with Susanne and then Mulder comes along and then the government agents led by none other than X (yes him), whose inclusion into the plot was a stroke of brilliance on the part of the makers and it's hilarious as well as ironic that the name the three would keep for themselves thenceforth is suggested (although unintentionally) by none other than the mysterious agent who had befriended Mulder on account of an government insider but later had met with his death. The teaser shows a police raid on the same building and them finding TLG and Mulder on site and the rest unfolds from a flashback by Byers, one of the three.
This excavation of past serves to confer much credence to the arc of the series and also fills up a lot of empty spaces the audience would have to do for themselves otherwise. The episode ends with TLG telling Mulder the things Susanne had acquainted them with in a typical "once upon a time" fashion and thus embark upon a friendship that is part of history now, at least television history.
This one traces the origin of Mulder's friendship with The Lone Gunmen which harks back to a scientific fair at Baltimore back in 1989 where the threesome awesome weren't yet called that, i.e., TLG. It all started with a woman named Susanne Modeski who led the three to the shattering discovery of a gigantic scale conspiracy plotted by the American government against its people and she herself is in danger from the government hoodlums due to her intentions of exposing them.
The three geeks come to a building to unravel the government's dirty work along with Susanne and then Mulder comes along and then the government agents led by none other than X (yes him), whose inclusion into the plot was a stroke of brilliance on the part of the makers and it's hilarious as well as ironic that the name the three would keep for themselves thenceforth is suggested (although unintentionally) by none other than the mysterious agent who had befriended Mulder on account of an government insider but later had met with his death. The teaser shows a police raid on the same building and them finding TLG and Mulder on site and the rest unfolds from a flashback by Byers, one of the three.
This excavation of past serves to confer much credence to the arc of the series and also fills up a lot of empty spaces the audience would have to do for themselves otherwise. The episode ends with TLG telling Mulder the things Susanne had acquainted them with in a typical "once upon a time" fashion and thus embark upon a friendship that is part of history now, at least television history.
Proof that origin stories can work incredibly well.
Sleepin_Dragon21 August 2022
Back to 1989, The Lone Gunmen assist a woman desperately in need of help.
How do you follow such an emotionally charged, epic, powerhouse two part story like Redux? The answer, with a totally different, unique story like Unusual Suspects.
This could easily have not worked, it could have been a pale story in comparison, but that idea is as far from reality as possible, this shows that origins stories can work, and can deliver on every count.
We learn how Mulder gets involved with the trio, and perhaps an indication of when Mulder's thought process is shifted.
I know it's only 8 years ahead, but 1989 is created perfectly, it looks awesome.
It's funny, it's dramatic, it has several big moments. It's impossible to find any fault here, it's a classic episode, 9/10.
How do you follow such an emotionally charged, epic, powerhouse two part story like Redux? The answer, with a totally different, unique story like Unusual Suspects.
This could easily have not worked, it could have been a pale story in comparison, but that idea is as far from reality as possible, this shows that origins stories can work, and can deliver on every count.
We learn how Mulder gets involved with the trio, and perhaps an indication of when Mulder's thought process is shifted.
I know it's only 8 years ahead, but 1989 is created perfectly, it looks awesome.
It's funny, it's dramatic, it has several big moments. It's impossible to find any fault here, it's a classic episode, 9/10.
An Origin Story Done Right!!!
injury-6544729 May 2020
I have to assume the lower than expected imdb rating on this episode is simply because of the absence of Mulder & Scully as a duo. I don't see how anybody could objectively say this episode isn't perfect or close to perfect! I didn't miss Scully at all in this, as her character simply isn't relevant to the story.
It really blew me away honestly - and reminded me why I love the X-Files so much when it's done right. The episode had me totally engrossed from start to finish.
The introduction of each individual member of The Lone Gunmen is spot on! The personalities that we know and love are fully on display. The uptight nerd, the cheesy ladies man, the geeky D&D player. I personally find Byers so adorable, I could watch him all night being stammering and wide-eyed.
I can't believe a 40 minute episode was enough to not only adequately explain the origin of the LG but also their connection to Mulder, their mission statement & tell an enthralling story in its own right. The writer/s should be commended absolutely.
The cameo by X is a nice touch - he plays it exactly as we have come to expect but with a little humour as well. Who knew he was responsible for naming TLG!!
The comedic tone of the episode is balanced perfectly alongside the darker story beats of child abduction, conspiracy and a government targeting its own citizens with experimental gas.
As the episode ends with TLG sitting Mulder down for a heavy talk to open his eyes we can totally imagine how his crusade for the TRUTH began, how he would come to start the X-FILES and how his relationship with TLG would become what it is later on in the series.
Definitely not a throwaway episode, one of my absolute favourites of the whole series! Fantastic stuff!
It really blew me away honestly - and reminded me why I love the X-Files so much when it's done right. The episode had me totally engrossed from start to finish.
The introduction of each individual member of The Lone Gunmen is spot on! The personalities that we know and love are fully on display. The uptight nerd, the cheesy ladies man, the geeky D&D player. I personally find Byers so adorable, I could watch him all night being stammering and wide-eyed.
I can't believe a 40 minute episode was enough to not only adequately explain the origin of the LG but also their connection to Mulder, their mission statement & tell an enthralling story in its own right. The writer/s should be commended absolutely.
The cameo by X is a nice touch - he plays it exactly as we have come to expect but with a little humour as well. Who knew he was responsible for naming TLG!!
The comedic tone of the episode is balanced perfectly alongside the darker story beats of child abduction, conspiracy and a government targeting its own citizens with experimental gas.
As the episode ends with TLG sitting Mulder down for a heavy talk to open his eyes we can totally imagine how his crusade for the TRUTH began, how he would come to start the X-FILES and how his relationship with TLG would become what it is later on in the series.
Definitely not a throwaway episode, one of my absolute favourites of the whole series! Fantastic stuff!
Shut up ya narc!
Sanpaco1315 February 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I'm glad that I got the opportunity to watch this and write a review for it. This is probably the best Lone Gunmen centered episode in my opinion. I like it because of all the history. We find out how the Lone Gunmen met and follow them on their first adventure. How they turned into the paranoid conspiracy theorists they are. And not only them! Mulder too! We also get to see how Mulder and the Lone Gunmen meet. It is all very important to X-Files character stories. Um... I don't think I will continue on this line. Instead I will migrate to another thing I really like about the episode. The episode is called "Unusual Suspects". The way the episode is written and filmed is very similar to the way the movie "The Usual Suspects" is done. Anyway, I never noticed that until I actually saw the movie. I like that we get to see X again and how even way back then he was looking out for Agent Mulder. I give the episode a 10.
Frohike: Sure, baby, my kung fu is the best.
bombersflyup28 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Unusual Suspects is about the origins of the Lone Gunmen and their relationship to Mulder.
A brilliant episode, showing once again the show can be successful based entirely or for the most part around supporting characters. The coming together of the Lone Gunmen, from Susanne Modeski using her feminine wiles and Byers lapping up all of it, to Mulder getting the scoop and becoming their confidant. Seeing step by step the work at hand, the tracking device, the gas, the murder, to the cover up and the kidnapping of Susanne Modeski. Giving the characters their life's pursuit. Also, the very best of Mr X.
Langly: Say it. Langly: Say it. Frohike: Your kung fu is the best.
A brilliant episode, showing once again the show can be successful based entirely or for the most part around supporting characters. The coming together of the Lone Gunmen, from Susanne Modeski using her feminine wiles and Byers lapping up all of it, to Mulder getting the scoop and becoming their confidant. Seeing step by step the work at hand, the tracking device, the gas, the murder, to the cover up and the kidnapping of Susanne Modeski. Giving the characters their life's pursuit. Also, the very best of Mr X.
Langly: Say it. Langly: Say it. Frohike: Your kung fu is the best.
Prequel and the origins to The Lone Gunmen without Scully damn good one
NightmareOnElmStreetFan25 June 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Unusual Suspects is one of my favorite episodes of The X-Files. It is a prequel and an origin story to "The Lone Gunmen" how those three characters Bruce Harwood, Tom Braidwood and Dean Haglund find them selfs. The episode is about The Lone Gunmen they are the stars in this episode, they first appeared in the first season Ep 17 E.B.E. Guest stars: David Duchovny and Steven Williams as X. Gillian Anderson as main character FBI Special Agent Dana Scully is absent from this episode. This is the second time in the last five seasons Scully was absent in this show. The first time Gillian was absent was In Season 2 Episode 7 "3" that was the first episode without Scully this is the second episode without Dana Scully.
This was the first part of two parts episodes. A sequel to the episode was later filmed during the series' sixth season, entitled "Three of a Kind". Unusual Suspects I love to death, it is one of my favorite episodes in the fith Season. I love the gun blazing in which a killers try to gun down Mulder with a machine guns and he ducks. Mulder (David Duchovny) was a bad-ass in this episode. The Lone Gunmen was also a spin off from The X-Files which Byers, Frohike and Langly had their own show but it was canceled after Season 1. During ninth Season Byers, Frohike and Langly were killed off. That is why I hate Season 9! I hate Seasons 7, 8, 9 and 10 I never seen Season 11 and I don't care about these seasons.
Kim Manners directed wonderful this episode and actress Signy Coleman as Susanne Modeski did a good job playing her character.
The origins of the Lone Gunmen are explored. In 1989, two salesmen and a federal employee join forces when they meet Susanne Modeski, a woman who claims that she is being pursued by her violent ex-boyfriend, an FBI agent named Fox Mulder. We learn how agent Mulder came to meet three friendly and familiar faces. Unusual Suspects damn good episode I recommended to The X-Files fans like me.
This was the first part of two parts episodes. A sequel to the episode was later filmed during the series' sixth season, entitled "Three of a Kind". Unusual Suspects I love to death, it is one of my favorite episodes in the fith Season. I love the gun blazing in which a killers try to gun down Mulder with a machine guns and he ducks. Mulder (David Duchovny) was a bad-ass in this episode. The Lone Gunmen was also a spin off from The X-Files which Byers, Frohike and Langly had their own show but it was canceled after Season 1. During ninth Season Byers, Frohike and Langly were killed off. That is why I hate Season 9! I hate Seasons 7, 8, 9 and 10 I never seen Season 11 and I don't care about these seasons.
Kim Manners directed wonderful this episode and actress Signy Coleman as Susanne Modeski did a good job playing her character.
The origins of the Lone Gunmen are explored. In 1989, two salesmen and a federal employee join forces when they meet Susanne Modeski, a woman who claims that she is being pursued by her violent ex-boyfriend, an FBI agent named Fox Mulder. We learn how agent Mulder came to meet three friendly and familiar faces. Unusual Suspects damn good episode I recommended to The X-Files fans like me.
"Your kung fu is the best." - Frohike conceding to Langley
classicsoncall10 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This episode of the X-Files takes a step back in time to 1989 to give us an origin story of the Lone Gunmen and how they individually and as a team wound up meeting Fox Mulder, initially believing, upon the advice of a distraught young woman, that Mulder was her psychotic boyfriend. David Duchovny plays these roles to the hilt, and since this story comes at a time before Dana Scully was assigned as his partner, she's not even a factor in this episode.
The main protagonist of this tale is Susanne Modeski (Signy Coleman), who's entire demeanor is given to conspiratorial ambiguity. Her cover story maintains she's a former employee at a government science facility in Arizona, however Langly's (Dean Haglund) hack into an FBI website suggests she's psychotic, profoundly paranoid, and extremely dangerous. Mulder actually is on her trail, but not for the reason Modeski stated; she's wanted for murder and sabotage of the Whitecorps facility where she was formerly employed.
What's particularly amusing about the still un-named Lone Gunmen, is how exceedingly inept they seem to be as contrasted to the earlier episodes in which we've seen them cleverly hacking away into various encrypted websites and government facilities. And since the events here took place before the X-Files were given unofficial status, it's cool to see Steven Williams brought back as Mr. X, a clever way to utilize a character that was killed off in a prior season.
The episode ends as ambiguously as it began, as Mulder is about to arrest Modeski, and two unidentified agents arrive on scene and subject him to a toxic agent. Modeski shoots both men, but in turn is hauled off by a team led by Mr. X, who inadvertently offers up the moniker that will come to stick with the trio of Byers (Bruce Harwood), Frohike (Tom Braidwood) and Langly - "I heard it was a lone gunman". As for the fate of Susanne Modeski, I guess you have to arrive at your own conclusion.
The main protagonist of this tale is Susanne Modeski (Signy Coleman), who's entire demeanor is given to conspiratorial ambiguity. Her cover story maintains she's a former employee at a government science facility in Arizona, however Langly's (Dean Haglund) hack into an FBI website suggests she's psychotic, profoundly paranoid, and extremely dangerous. Mulder actually is on her trail, but not for the reason Modeski stated; she's wanted for murder and sabotage of the Whitecorps facility where she was formerly employed.
What's particularly amusing about the still un-named Lone Gunmen, is how exceedingly inept they seem to be as contrasted to the earlier episodes in which we've seen them cleverly hacking away into various encrypted websites and government facilities. And since the events here took place before the X-Files were given unofficial status, it's cool to see Steven Williams brought back as Mr. X, a clever way to utilize a character that was killed off in a prior season.
The episode ends as ambiguously as it began, as Mulder is about to arrest Modeski, and two unidentified agents arrive on scene and subject him to a toxic agent. Modeski shoots both men, but in turn is hauled off by a team led by Mr. X, who inadvertently offers up the moniker that will come to stick with the trio of Byers (Bruce Harwood), Frohike (Tom Braidwood) and Langly - "I heard it was a lone gunman". As for the fate of Susanne Modeski, I guess you have to arrive at your own conclusion.
Back To The Future...of the The Lone Gunmen
AudioFileZ24 June 2013
Warning: Spoilers
The "Unusual Suspects" is one of those "stand-alone one-off" episodes that give the viewers, and writers, a creative vacation of sorts. First, it's non-linear because we've seen these guys work together as a team before and here they're just meeting one another. Second, there's no Scully and sparingly little Mulder. This, of course, creates a whole different dynamic and it is interesting to see that the "Lone Gunmen" can carry the weight well-enough to pull it off and deliver a good X-Files episode. So good, in fact, that avid viewers weren't griping then or now about the absence of the shows principal characters.
What we have here is almost as if a "pilot" for a Lone Gunmen spin-off series. It could be shameless if that was the whole enchilada, but this episodes story is just good enough to "carry the water" for X-File fans with or without the "spin-off" launch pad this obviously was.
In "The Unusual Suspects" we get an extremely appealing protagonist in the character of Susanne Modeski played by Signy Coleman (now known for soap operas Santa Barbara, the Guiding Light, and The Young and the Restless). Coleman is strikingly beautiful here and the producers play up both her looks as well as her legs. It doesn't hurt and it propels the "throwing caution to the wind" FCC employee Byers exhibits in order to help Modeski with her dilemma. In the process we get a non-linear (some earlier time in Mulder and Scully's journey) look back to the forming of "The Lone Gunmen".
As stated earlier, the writing is just good enough to hang this stuff on (a kind of lame government latter-day MK Ultra), but more importantly it's entertaining and it endears the viewer to The Lone Gunmen. These are adult "Goonies" and it exhibits a kind of brilliance for The X-Files to step outside the series a bit while still firmly planted it it's ethos. I'd give it a 7.5 on 10-scale and say it entertains more than it has the right to do so thanks to Byers, Frohike, and Langly...and a totally endearing femme fatale for spice too! And...by the way, Richard Belzer plays his comically dour cop in this episode which we all know is also a good thing. Recommended.
What we have here is almost as if a "pilot" for a Lone Gunmen spin-off series. It could be shameless if that was the whole enchilada, but this episodes story is just good enough to "carry the water" for X-File fans with or without the "spin-off" launch pad this obviously was.
In "The Unusual Suspects" we get an extremely appealing protagonist in the character of Susanne Modeski played by Signy Coleman (now known for soap operas Santa Barbara, the Guiding Light, and The Young and the Restless). Coleman is strikingly beautiful here and the producers play up both her looks as well as her legs. It doesn't hurt and it propels the "throwing caution to the wind" FCC employee Byers exhibits in order to help Modeski with her dilemma. In the process we get a non-linear (some earlier time in Mulder and Scully's journey) look back to the forming of "The Lone Gunmen".
As stated earlier, the writing is just good enough to hang this stuff on (a kind of lame government latter-day MK Ultra), but more importantly it's entertaining and it endears the viewer to The Lone Gunmen. These are adult "Goonies" and it exhibits a kind of brilliance for The X-Files to step outside the series a bit while still firmly planted it it's ethos. I'd give it a 7.5 on 10-scale and say it entertains more than it has the right to do so thanks to Byers, Frohike, and Langly...and a totally endearing femme fatale for spice too! And...by the way, Richard Belzer plays his comically dour cop in this episode which we all know is also a good thing. Recommended.
Well done, but a tad boring
SleepTight66618 January 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Despite my liking for the Lone Gunmen, I have never been a big fan of their first centric-episode and I am still not a fan of it.
While there are certain things that I liked a lot. We learned how the Lone Gunmen came together and how they met Mulder which eventually led to the X-Files. The way the story unfolds didn't really capture my attention.
Too much of this episode was about the government and their evil plots against the American people. See, this is just not something I find that interesting. The episode moves slowly and at times it feels like it's been going on forever.
There are also a few things that didn't make too much sense, why did X let the Lone Gunmen live? He wasn't a bad guy and deep down he wanted the truth to be exposed. but of all people...
and this Susanne chick, I couldn't get into the actress. She fell flat and didn't have any sparks with Byers.
I'm going to give it TWO stars. Well done, but a tad boring.
While there are certain things that I liked a lot. We learned how the Lone Gunmen came together and how they met Mulder which eventually led to the X-Files. The way the story unfolds didn't really capture my attention.
Too much of this episode was about the government and their evil plots against the American people. See, this is just not something I find that interesting. The episode moves slowly and at times it feels like it's been going on forever.
There are also a few things that didn't make too much sense, why did X let the Lone Gunmen live? He wasn't a bad guy and deep down he wanted the truth to be exposed. but of all people...
and this Susanne chick, I couldn't get into the actress. She fell flat and didn't have any sparks with Byers.
I'm going to give it TWO stars. Well done, but a tad boring.
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