UNCUT - The X-Files S1E19 - Shapes

David Nutter also directed a bunch of episodes of the live-action Superboy TV series, which ran for 4 seasons from 1988-92. It was like Smallville, but 20 years earlier & from the producers of the Christopher Reeve Superman films.

If you love the werewolf ironically The Vampire Diaries would be right up your alley!

Basic banger as I like to call it. One thing X-files does so spectacularly well is set the tone and vibe down perfectly.

Deputy Hawk! I totally forgot Hawk (from Twin Peaks) was in an episode of X-Files. Loved that! You guys gotta eventually react to Twin Peaks (and Northern Exposure!) Hit all the early 90s shows that shot in the same general area, these three shows were super ahead of their time.

the way alex's hair is sticking up towards the end vaguely reminded me of Jim Carrey's White Devil cut in Ace Ventura - When Nature Calls hahah

I totally forgot Deputy Hawk was in this one. iykyk

Wolfen also is a werewolf Native American theme

Guys got to watch the movie The Manitou

as far as the episode goes, I'd second what the "cozy" commenter said earlier - it's not the most "take chances" episode ever, it plays it safe, but it does check all the boxes for The Vibe - not cutting edge, but if you just want some good background XF, it's a good representative example of "the spirit of the thing". and good insight on making the best of a limited budget, those are the things I love revisiting and learning about from new perspectives :) helps me appreciate the genius of the series even more. and OH BOY am I stoked for the final stretch, no spoilers but the score on the next one

I must admit I've never revisited this episode after it's first run. It never made much of an impression on me.

Silver bullets are needed to kill werewolves so they had to change it to another creature.

Michael Horse and David Duchovny… You guys should react to Twin Peaks, also if you’re this shocked by Focus Pullers, wait till you learn about Key Grips, and Best Boys

I was never the biggest MOTW fan and this one doesn't help. It's decent enough but just isn't really my thing

OMG you guys....tense scene completely undone by Alex's 'We hired this animal for the day!' Also Josh, have you seen Dog Soldiers? If not, its one of the best werewolf films ever.

Always thought I disliked this one but it was pretty good, probably just impatience waiting for the next ones

Exactly a nice run of the mill X-Files which is still an excellent episode...yes you are just scratching the surface....AND YES we are 50% there to having BOTH of you liking X-Files as your favorite show....if not now by season 2

Good stuff, although I would have preferred some Native American actors that can act. That Sheriff and his scenes were hard to get through. Beyond that, early Cryptid X-Files lore. Always a good time with this show.

This is not one of the early episodes I saw so I don’t have much to say about it however, next week…

I like this one significantly more than the last, because to me it's kind of "cozy" in the sense that it touches on all the vibes and tropes you expect in a MOTW episode of X Files. It's not an amazing episode or anything, but well made and if you're just looking to get your X Files fix, it checks all the boxes. Looking forward to the last 5 of the season. Been waiting for a few of those.

Another good episode. I do enjoy werewolf stories, having been terrified by An American Werewolf In London when I was far too young to watch it!. As others have cited, I think the show is respectful towards Native American Culture and beliefs. I think the show is good at doing this with all cultures and beliefs that crop up during its run. The lighting in this is extremely good, as you state. When working on a budget and doing a show such as this, it really helps sell the atmosphere and cover the limited SFX at their disposal. Nutter and team for the win!

Josh, knowing your predilection for werewolves due to you having mentioned it before, I offered this podcast to you one other time. I too, have a special interest in what is more commonly known today as a "Dogman". I don't really care for the name. I would prefer werewolf or wolfman, but both are already associated with the lore of a man changing into an upright walking canine whereas a dogman is an upright walking canine all of the time. Much like bigfoot, they are a mostly unknown and poorly understood actual cryptid. Dogman Encounters - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@DogmanEncounters/videos Dogman Encounters Radio Podcast | Free Listening on Podbean App https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/cnxjf-20510b/Dogman-Encounters-Radio-Podcast Dogman Encounters (Report your Dogman Encounters Here!) https://dogmanencounters.com/report-your-encounter/ Purported to be true stories. Some starter episodes....best at night, in the dark. https://youtu.be/HweHBN4SL50 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ms-q2jpMeo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRAB4fACZWg&t=255s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy_VonDqgcY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6nCvsZwZUE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWz8Phhz4kU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXi6Umu6pWg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKLXBQ7M_-I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvI55V4SF5I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDlWjBqlutc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgFBwLfTMbk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Jlr_X3cZWU

It blows my mind how much mileage The X-Files gets out of lighting and music. So much more atmospheric and creepy than I'd expect from a 1990s TV budget. Kudos to David Nutter for understanding that monsters are scarier when you don't show them.

I appreciate the show going with Native American lore over the classic Gothic Werewolf trope. Very respectful treatment of Native culture and good direction are also appreciated.

You're really gonna love this show. It's a masterpiece, I can't stress that enough. And you ain't seen nothing yet, lol.

The only problem is Dr Cottle does not have a cigarette.

Josh, if you haven't already, you should check out the shifter race in the D&D Eberron setting. Sounds like it would be right up your alley.

If you like werewolf movies and haven't seen it already, you need to check out The Howling by Joe Dante (1981).