Grotesque is an underrated gem from season 3. This episode doesn't have the "classic" x-files feel, but it is still quite good in its own respect. A couple of random thoughts about the teaser: I like how the model senses Mostow's creepiness. I also find it weird that there were no women in the art class. This episode uses the clichéd screeching cat scene to scare Scully; overused, but effective. I like the paranormal element in this episode. At times you see the shadow, face, or hands of a gargoyle with the killer. At the next instant, he is a normal human again. It makes you wonder if some kind of evil spirit is possessing the killer, partly transforming him. If you pay close attention to the hospital scene, you will receive a hint as to who the killer is. To get in Mostow's head, Mulder puts pictures of gargoyle's all over his apartment. I love the 360 degree shot of Scully discovering these drawings. The one question left unanswered by this episode is what significance Mostow biting Nemhauser's hand has? It's referenced a couple of times. The only thing I can think of is that it is meant to indicate that Nemhauser may be the new killer, though I never bought that. I like seeing Mulder using his previous FBI experience in violent crimes to get inside the head of the killer. It highlights his skills a little more. It makes Grotesque a really good episode.
16 Reviews
one of the darkest
SleepTight6662 October 2008
Warning: Spoilers
After two of the lightest episodes, we get one of the darkest and most energy-draining episodes of the series yet.
The episode is incredibly well done, the atmosphere is perfect and the beautiful clay Gargoyles and blue lightning effects make it one of the best directed episodes yet.
Also, David Duchovny has his ups and downs during the 9 seasons, but this was definitely one of his best performances. He was entirely believable and you almost suspect him of being the killer.
I like the little hints of who the killer might be. and the mysterious, creepy music.
I am giving this episode FOUR stars, although it was very good. It was also a bit slow in parts.
The episode is incredibly well done, the atmosphere is perfect and the beautiful clay Gargoyles and blue lightning effects make it one of the best directed episodes yet.
Also, David Duchovny has his ups and downs during the 9 seasons, but this was definitely one of his best performances. He was entirely believable and you almost suspect him of being the killer.
I like the little hints of who the killer might be. and the mysterious, creepy music.
I am giving this episode FOUR stars, although it was very good. It was also a bit slow in parts.
One of the creepiest from Season 3
bigblue1231 September 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Grotesque is a good creepy episode from Season 3 of the X-Files. I agree that it does try to cover too much in a short space of time but nevertheless it delivers on atmosphere and tension. The storyline is interesting and involves a demon that possesses people and causes them to kill. After years of effort Agent Patterson has caught the man who was possessed but once he is imprisoned, the horrific murders begin again. Thus the demon has found somebody else to possess. Enter Mulder and Scully to work out what's going on and catch the new killer.
Although it becomes obvious who the killer is, the bulk of this episode is centered around Mulder's attempts to get inside the killer's head and the resulting effect that this has on Mulder's own sanity. As mentioned by a previous reviewer, his descent into sanity happens incredibly quickly but if you look past that this is a solid episode.
The acting is good by both Duchovny and Anderson and Kurtwood Smith as Agent Patterson and Levani as the man who the demon possessed previously are both good in their roles.
I agree that this episode is often overlooked, which is a shame as it has a lot of creepy atmosphere to offer. Certainly the scenes where Mulder is alone (or is he?) in the killer's workshop are very tense. Certainly one to watch without the lights on.
Although it becomes obvious who the killer is, the bulk of this episode is centered around Mulder's attempts to get inside the killer's head and the resulting effect that this has on Mulder's own sanity. As mentioned by a previous reviewer, his descent into sanity happens incredibly quickly but if you look past that this is a solid episode.
The acting is good by both Duchovny and Anderson and Kurtwood Smith as Agent Patterson and Levani as the man who the demon possessed previously are both good in their roles.
I agree that this episode is often overlooked, which is a shame as it has a lot of creepy atmosphere to offer. Certainly the scenes where Mulder is alone (or is he?) in the killer's workshop are very tense. Certainly one to watch without the lights on.
Awesome underrated classic
Dorian-Kellaway1 December 2006
Grotesque is quite possibly the most underrated x file ever. It tells the story of Agent Bill Pattersons catching of a serial killer who claimed to be possessed by an evil spirit. The killer spent his time painting and sculpting gargoyles. As the murders and facial mutilation of young men continues Mulder and Scully begin the investigation Mulder often clashing with Patterson over the approach to violent crimes. Mulder dives deeper and deeper into the case until it borders on insanity. The whole episode has an edge to it, it gives the viewer little knowledge as to what exactly is happening and whose doing it. The class in this episode is in its creation, directed by Kim Manners he creates arguably one of the darkest X files ever. Mark Snow provides a fantastic musical score and it stands apart from nearly any other x file you will see. Im sure certain people were turned off by it abandoning some conventions of Mulder and Scullys investigative approach and teamwork they separate bitterly in this episode. In general it is far more like a stylised film than a television episode. If you want a dark edgy atmospheric powerful thriller that really shys away from typical x file approach, combined with one of Duchovnys best performances as Fox Mulder then turn out the lights and watch Grotesque.
Heck of an episode, Grotesque
beverlyhillscopseries13 February 2010
I have watched X-Files through the years on TV and in DVD form and I have to say this episode (Grotesque) is one of the best I have ever seen in the X-Files franchise.
I watched this episode with all the lights off and many times during this episode I jumped when scary scenes were afoot. This was a thrilling and intelligent episode that I will never forget. Kim Manners did a heck of a job with producing and directing this episode (along with Rob Bowman among others) and may he rest in peace. I wish I could have met Manners and went into detail with him about this episode.
One of my favorite parts of this episode was when Mulder went into John Mostow's studio and the camera(s) gave a sort of panoramic view of all these torso and bust statues of gargoyles. And then I loved when they got close up shots of such gargoyles. Outstanding camera work and directing.
This episode in my mind should have been a two-parter because there too much good stuff left on the cutting room floor. This was one of David Duchovny's best acting efforts of his career. Thank God he is still working and that he is currently the star of one of the better shows on TV, Californication.
I watched this episode with all the lights off and many times during this episode I jumped when scary scenes were afoot. This was a thrilling and intelligent episode that I will never forget. Kim Manners did a heck of a job with producing and directing this episode (along with Rob Bowman among others) and may he rest in peace. I wish I could have met Manners and went into detail with him about this episode.
One of my favorite parts of this episode was when Mulder went into John Mostow's studio and the camera(s) gave a sort of panoramic view of all these torso and bust statues of gargoyles. And then I loved when they got close up shots of such gargoyles. Outstanding camera work and directing.
This episode in my mind should have been a two-parter because there too much good stuff left on the cutting room floor. This was one of David Duchovny's best acting efforts of his career. Thank God he is still working and that he is currently the star of one of the better shows on TV, Californication.
The Epi-Tomb of The X-Files
XweAponX14 February 2012
What I mean is, this Episode is The Epitome of The X-Files.
"If you want to know an artist, you have to look at his art...
If you want to catch a monster, you have to become one yourself"
This episode succeeds, rather than fails, to portray what Mulder does best: Profiling. But the person he is profiling here is not a human being, or at least not one individual. In that sense what we have here was originally explored in the feature film "The Hidden" and by that token, this story is very similar to the one in that film.
Mulder begins to understand how this - Entity? Thinks - And by doing so, is able to locate it, and capture it. But in doing so he alienates Skully, Skinner, and everyone around him. This is a Mulder that is in no way pleasant or humorous to see, and even after watching the episode four times, there were places where I just hit the ceiling - Chris Carter knows how to show true Horror- And that Horror can be Mundane, Or Fantastic. In this episode, there are places of both.
This shows David Duchovney as Mulder, BEING Mulder, doing exactly what Mulder does. If any episode of this show defined the character of Mulder, this one is it.
This Episode is exactly what the X-Files is about, the true roots of the series. Although most fans of the show think that Mulder's quest is to find his Alien-Abducted Sister Samantha, they are missing the point of The X- Files.
There IS a lot going on in the Ep, but it is the focusing on Mulder going deeper and deeper into that dark place, that grounds the viewer.
This is also why I say, that this Episode is a lot like the 2nd X-Files feature "I want to Believe"- And most of the fans who call themselves fans of the show, who hated that film, are not true fans, because from the top they DON'T get it.
They ask "Where are the Aliens" - And the answer is, The X-Files was NEVER About Aliens, it was about Mulder - Even the seasons where John Dogget was looking for him.
Fox Mulder was Affected by an incident when he was a child, which he was shown under hypnosis that his sister Samantha was taken away into a Bright Light. This is not the point of the show - The Point of the show always was, how this affected him, even when he did not KNOW it was affecting him.
And this was why he was so good at Profiling, because he was driven by a Dark Design even before he knew about it.
This episode, which is right in the middle of the series, or rather, at the end of the first third of the series, I'm sure was put in by Carter to show us, THIS is what Mulder is all about, and THIS is how he works.
"If you want to know an artist, you have to look at his art...
If you want to catch a monster, you have to become one yourself"
This episode succeeds, rather than fails, to portray what Mulder does best: Profiling. But the person he is profiling here is not a human being, or at least not one individual. In that sense what we have here was originally explored in the feature film "The Hidden" and by that token, this story is very similar to the one in that film.
Mulder begins to understand how this - Entity? Thinks - And by doing so, is able to locate it, and capture it. But in doing so he alienates Skully, Skinner, and everyone around him. This is a Mulder that is in no way pleasant or humorous to see, and even after watching the episode four times, there were places where I just hit the ceiling - Chris Carter knows how to show true Horror- And that Horror can be Mundane, Or Fantastic. In this episode, there are places of both.
This shows David Duchovney as Mulder, BEING Mulder, doing exactly what Mulder does. If any episode of this show defined the character of Mulder, this one is it.
This Episode is exactly what the X-Files is about, the true roots of the series. Although most fans of the show think that Mulder's quest is to find his Alien-Abducted Sister Samantha, they are missing the point of The X- Files.
There IS a lot going on in the Ep, but it is the focusing on Mulder going deeper and deeper into that dark place, that grounds the viewer.
This is also why I say, that this Episode is a lot like the 2nd X-Files feature "I want to Believe"- And most of the fans who call themselves fans of the show, who hated that film, are not true fans, because from the top they DON'T get it.
They ask "Where are the Aliens" - And the answer is, The X-Files was NEVER About Aliens, it was about Mulder - Even the seasons where John Dogget was looking for him.
Fox Mulder was Affected by an incident when he was a child, which he was shown under hypnosis that his sister Samantha was taken away into a Bright Light. This is not the point of the show - The Point of the show always was, how this affected him, even when he did not KNOW it was affecting him.
And this was why he was so good at Profiling, because he was driven by a Dark Design even before he knew about it.
This episode, which is right in the middle of the series, or rather, at the end of the first third of the series, I'm sure was put in by Carter to show us, THIS is what Mulder is all about, and THIS is how he works.
Superb.
Sleepin_Dragon19 August 2021
Is John Mostow responsible for the brutal killings of several men, or something a little more.....demonic.
I loved this episode, thought it was absolutely brilliant, it's a really dark and complex story, you will need to concentrate on it, or you will miss it, there is so much going on, and so much you need to take note of. Hardly light viewing, the story is bleak throughout, even seeing one of the glorious duo placed under suspicion.
The title Grotesque is very apt, I was expecting a very unpleasant start, something nasty, instead we're given a naked man, nothing Grotesque about Zoran Vuekelic.
The filming, production and visuals are superb, it's so wonderfully atmospheric, there is so much to absorb.
Another stand alone episode, this one is a total classic, 9/10.
I loved this episode, thought it was absolutely brilliant, it's a really dark and complex story, you will need to concentrate on it, or you will miss it, there is so much going on, and so much you need to take note of. Hardly light viewing, the story is bleak throughout, even seeing one of the glorious duo placed under suspicion.
The title Grotesque is very apt, I was expecting a very unpleasant start, something nasty, instead we're given a naked man, nothing Grotesque about Zoran Vuekelic.
The filming, production and visuals are superb, it's so wonderfully atmospheric, there is so much to absorb.
Another stand alone episode, this one is a total classic, 9/10.
Tries to cover too much..
Nutri-Grain27 April 2006
Grotesque (#3.14) fails in its attempt to portray Mulder stumbling down the rabbit-hole of obsession and fear mainly because the episode is given only 45 minutes to do so. Mulder's transformation from level-headed (for Mulder anyways) to covering the walls of his apartment with demonic drawings occurs quicker than comprehension allows, creating an unconvincing situation which may detach the causal viewer. Kurtwood Smith (Robocop) gives a wonderfully slimy performance (as usual) as Agent Patterson. Grotesque is refreshing in the sense that it is one of the few episodes in the series to not be concluded by supernatural or extraterrestrial themes.
"We work in the dark."
classicsoncall10 June 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The sight of Mulder's apartment wallpapered with the demonic sketches drawn by serial killer Mostow (Levani Uchaneishvilli) was an early indication that Mulder might be going off the deep end. Getting 'into' the mind of a vicious murderer unnerves his partner Scully, to the point that she harbors suspicions that he might be a copycat killer following Mostow's arrest and incarceration. When Mulder's prints turn up on a blade stolen from an FBI evidence room, the idea further gains traction. The thing that bothered me about that was why an FBI agent would handle a piece of evidence without latex, thereby compromising it's value in an investigation. One could say that Mulder wasn't thinking straight by then, but still, it's a weak part of the plot.
All things considered, it didn't take Mulder a long time to solve this case, as the presence of hostile agent Bill Patterson (Kurtwood Smith) telegraphed his involvement in the new round of 'gargoyle' murders. If Mulder's own judgment was becoming compromised, how severely affected was Patterson by virtue of his three year case investigating Mostow. I'd have to say that those demonically inspired paintings, sketches and sculptures provided a surreal cast to the story, lending an eerily dark and foreboding atmosphere to it's execution.
All things considered, it didn't take Mulder a long time to solve this case, as the presence of hostile agent Bill Patterson (Kurtwood Smith) telegraphed his involvement in the new round of 'gargoyle' murders. If Mulder's own judgment was becoming compromised, how severely affected was Patterson by virtue of his three year case investigating Mostow. I'd have to say that those demonically inspired paintings, sketches and sculptures provided a surreal cast to the story, lending an eerily dark and foreboding atmosphere to it's execution.
Does it have a name to go with that face?
Sanpaco1311 November 2009
Warning: Spoilers
FBI catches a man who did kill
But claims was under a demon's will
The killings proceed
And Mulder's new lead
Is that the new serial killer is Bill
Grotesque is a different kind of episode for The X-Files. Mulder and Scully are called in to a case where the SAC is the head of violent crimes at Quantico. The fictional version of John Douglas for those of you familiar. But on this case he just hasn't been able to figure out how the murders are still going on after they have already captured the killer. The killer turns out to be a foreign guy who claims that he has been possessed by a demon who has kept him killing and had now moved on to someone else. The pictures of the demon that he makes are indeed very creepy. Much of the episode shows Mulder in the man's apartment late at night seemingly becoming obsessed with this demon. Scully even gets to a point where she suspects him of the killings. At the moment of climax in the episode when Mulder discovers Agent Patterson to be the killer, Scully arrives and instead turns her weapon on Mulder. She quickly realizes her mistake however and they capture the killer.
I really liked some of the themes of the episode. I liked seeing the theme of the darkness consuming the investigators. As a fan of criminal profiling shows and actual stories, I often wonder and marvel at some of the men who are able to deal with these cases and it was interesting to see that as a theme. I loved the guest performances from Kurtwood Smith and the guy that played Mostow. All in all this was really just an interesting episode and enjoyable to watch. I give it a 10 out of 10.
But claims was under a demon's will
The killings proceed
And Mulder's new lead
Is that the new serial killer is Bill
Grotesque is a different kind of episode for The X-Files. Mulder and Scully are called in to a case where the SAC is the head of violent crimes at Quantico. The fictional version of John Douglas for those of you familiar. But on this case he just hasn't been able to figure out how the murders are still going on after they have already captured the killer. The killer turns out to be a foreign guy who claims that he has been possessed by a demon who has kept him killing and had now moved on to someone else. The pictures of the demon that he makes are indeed very creepy. Much of the episode shows Mulder in the man's apartment late at night seemingly becoming obsessed with this demon. Scully even gets to a point where she suspects him of the killings. At the moment of climax in the episode when Mulder discovers Agent Patterson to be the killer, Scully arrives and instead turns her weapon on Mulder. She quickly realizes her mistake however and they capture the killer.
I really liked some of the themes of the episode. I liked seeing the theme of the darkness consuming the investigators. As a fan of criminal profiling shows and actual stories, I often wonder and marvel at some of the men who are able to deal with these cases and it was interesting to see that as a theme. I loved the guest performances from Kurtwood Smith and the guy that played Mostow. All in all this was really just an interesting episode and enjoyable to watch. I give it a 10 out of 10.
Underrated creepy episode!
wtw-9230230 November 2023
This episode could have had more Kurtwood Smith, but the creep factor on this one is much higher than 'The List'! Sure there's no meta plot in this episode, but it's a great self contained story. David Duchovny basically does what Hugh Dancy ends up doing in Hannibal 20 years later and it's just as compelling and creepy.
I'm surprised to find that people don't find the plot interesting or thematically deep. Plus criticism of the investigation and the relative competence of Mulder and Scully is only seeking to poke holes. All X Files stories need to have varying levels of "competent investigation" for the convenience of the drama, that's the conceit of television, and given the eventual perpetrator I think it can be forgiven that the police didn't catch on sooner.
Great atmospheric episode that shakes up the standard X Files ambiance a little. David Duchovny shines as his sanity diminishes. Worth watching.
I'm surprised to find that people don't find the plot interesting or thematically deep. Plus criticism of the investigation and the relative competence of Mulder and Scully is only seeking to poke holes. All X Files stories need to have varying levels of "competent investigation" for the convenience of the drama, that's the conceit of television, and given the eventual perpetrator I think it can be forgiven that the police didn't catch on sooner.
Great atmospheric episode that shakes up the standard X Files ambiance a little. David Duchovny shines as his sanity diminishes. Worth watching.
Gargoyles
chaos-rampant22 July 2013
Sombre, dark, tortured look on madness.. but so silly.
A new, developing trend is to have these revelatory monologues by Mulder on the subject, here he pontificates on how the abyss sometimes looks back.
But I have a specific issue with this one, which illustrates a broader failure. A serial killer, an artist, is arrested on the gruesome killings of young men which he attributes to being possessed by a horrible spirit, revealed in his charcoal sketches and clay sculptures of a gargoyle. While he's behind bars, the killings go on with the same pattern.
This is not the first time Mulder goes after a serial killer. It's the first time he hopes to catch him by 'becoming the monster', immersing himself in the killer's mind. Apparently, this is a technique taught him by a Bureau mentor, who is present. Everything about it obviously references Manhunter, one of the best movies I know on surrounding yourself with images to create the illusion, a cinematic subject.
My issue is that all of a sudden Mulder works in this way, it's a baffling new dimension to his character, trying to 'be' the killer, which I'm sure will be abandoned again in the next episode. It's such a sloppy and haphazard way to write a character, randomly pulling strings from one story to the next.
A new, developing trend is to have these revelatory monologues by Mulder on the subject, here he pontificates on how the abyss sometimes looks back.
But I have a specific issue with this one, which illustrates a broader failure. A serial killer, an artist, is arrested on the gruesome killings of young men which he attributes to being possessed by a horrible spirit, revealed in his charcoal sketches and clay sculptures of a gargoyle. While he's behind bars, the killings go on with the same pattern.
This is not the first time Mulder goes after a serial killer. It's the first time he hopes to catch him by 'becoming the monster', immersing himself in the killer's mind. Apparently, this is a technique taught him by a Bureau mentor, who is present. Everything about it obviously references Manhunter, one of the best movies I know on surrounding yourself with images to create the illusion, a cinematic subject.
My issue is that all of a sudden Mulder works in this way, it's a baffling new dimension to his character, trying to 'be' the killer, which I'm sure will be abandoned again in the next episode. It's such a sloppy and haphazard way to write a character, randomly pulling strings from one story to the next.
Too many unanswered questions, this is a "blink and you'll miss a clue" type episode
robertmaybeth18 September 2018
I honestly feel maybe I must have missed a few critical seconds since the end was a little baffling to me, and "X-files" are usually extremely canny and giving the viewer just enough clues or at least inferring enough to provide the episode with closure. I really liked seeing Red Foreman" (Kurtwood Smith) as the villain, he is perfectly cast as Mulder's foil that happens to be another G-man to boot. i wished they could have made Smith another ongoing villain, like Cancer man and Alien bounty hunter,but in his one appearance here he makes the most of the character. A good episode but not great - even when the X-files is not great, it's still damn good.
And now, back to boring.
lynnwengland2 August 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Just when I though that this silly, pointless and completely unbelievable "spooky" series found it's direction in "spoofs", it turns 180 around to "scary" music, "scary" scenes and "scary" camera angles. After the two wonderful episodes that poked great fun at 1950's science fiction and Teen slasher movies , it's back to ho-hum. Are we really supposed to believe that highly trained FBI forensic investigators somehow missed looking behind the charcoal drawings in the perp's digs? That only the great Mulder can glean such hidden mysteries? I guess I don't "get" it as some reviewers have stated. I was looking for entertainment, not a sedative. My Literature Professor would lecture on about themes and story line. I thought this had a theme and story line but it seems to be lost, AGAIN. Did Mulder just forget about his missing sister or his murdered father? How about Scully's murdered sister? Where is Mr. X? Where is the story line? Oh, wait a second, I've "got" it now. This is another spoof. It's having a go at "Close Encounters of the Third Kind". Gargoyle-possessed humans strive to draw, sculpt or build the "perfect" gargoyle: "is this right?"..."Does this look right"? I dozed off and didn't finish so how did it end? Did gargoyle/humans trek to South Dakota to gaze lovingly up at a "miss-tear-ee-us" Lincoln-transformed-into-a-gargoyle (no, wait, he already looked like that. It must have been Jefferson) Mount Rushmore? Did they pair up, fall in love and move to Toronto, decorate every square inch of lawn, wall and flooring with Halloween stuff beginning in late August? Then replace everything with Christmas stuff on November 1st? Have two kids, a dog and live out the Canadian dream? Real sorry I missed that.
Scully: Maybe you're just seeing what you wanted to see. Mulder: What makes you think I'd want to see that?
bombersflyup6 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Grotesque is about an arrested serial killer, claiming to have killed people under the influence of a demon, the murders continue.
So the characters, guest appearances and dialogue good. The investigation engulfs Mulder, but it fails to have that affect on the viewer. We're merely on the outside observing, never understanding the inner workings.
Mulder: Look at your hands. Now ask yourself what you're doing here. Every day and every night for three years you lived and breathed the horror show that was in his head and I'm sorry... imagining everything that he imagined. Sinking deeper and deeper into the ugliness that you taught us to do. When you finally caught him, it didn't just go away, and the violence... it stayed alive inside you ... til it had to come out.
So the characters, guest appearances and dialogue good. The investigation engulfs Mulder, but it fails to have that affect on the viewer. We're merely on the outside observing, never understanding the inner workings.
Mulder: Look at your hands. Now ask yourself what you're doing here. Every day and every night for three years you lived and breathed the horror show that was in his head and I'm sorry... imagining everything that he imagined. Sinking deeper and deeper into the ugliness that you taught us to do. When you finally caught him, it didn't just go away, and the violence... it stayed alive inside you ... til it had to come out.
Become a monster to understand one.
devonbrown-906491 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Excellent Back to back great episodes from x files.
Mulder has really pushed the limits of his psyche in this episode. He went into the darkness and came out the other side sane. Unlike his fellow agent Patterson who let the darkness consume him whole.
Really enjoyed this dark gritty episode that explores demonic possession and the resilience required to face your demons and regain victorious.
Pattersons role was pivotal on this story as he was ironically investigating his own evil which he could never catch up too. He know he had to call in mulder to face his ugly side for him and solve his greatest mystery.
Mulder has really pushed the limits of his psyche in this episode. He went into the darkness and came out the other side sane. Unlike his fellow agent Patterson who let the darkness consume him whole.
Really enjoyed this dark gritty episode that explores demonic possession and the resilience required to face your demons and regain victorious.
Pattersons role was pivotal on this story as he was ironically investigating his own evil which he could never catch up too. He know he had to call in mulder to face his ugly side for him and solve his greatest mystery.
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