The X-Files (TV Series) Three of a Kind (1999) User Reviews

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas

[Muldernscully · 8/10 · 19 March 2007]

Three of a Kind is the second of the Lone Gunmen-centric episodes, the first being Unusual Suspects. This is a great episode, and like Unusual Suspects, stars only one of the dynamic duo, this time being Scully instead of Mulder.

It opens with Byers during a voice-over, the first and only time a Lone Gunmen does a voice-over. The Lone Gunmen show that they can carry an episode. This is probably why they eventually got their own series.

I like how they revisited the Susanne Modeski story, instead of just inventing a new storyline for them. Gillian Anderson shows in this episode that she can do some comedy herself, and she doesn't just have to play the straight-man to Mulder's comedian. She is great in her portrayal of "Bimbo Scully". This is only time you'll see Scully like this, so cherish the moment.

I found it interesting that Frohike recognized Scully's laugh, since she rarely ever laughs in the X-Files. It was cool to see Scully return the favor to Michael McKean, by giving him a butt slap, referencing back to the Dreamland episodes from earlier in the season.

I also liked some of the creative shots, particularly from inside the ice machine and from the bottom of the ice bucket.

Three of a Kind has a great mixture of humor and a serious plot dealing with Susanne Modeski and political assassination. It looks like the actors had fun doing this episode, and I had fun watching it. Three of a Kind is a sweet treat for Lone Gunmen fans.

An enjoyable outing for The Lone Gunmen.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 7/10 · 18 September 2022]

The Lone Gunmen lure Scully to Vegas, after Byers spots Susanne Modeski.

It's a pretty good episode, I applaud its originality, I enjoyed the setting, and I really liked the touches of humour throughout.

It's a fun episode, there's nothing of any huge gravitas, I'm assuming it's just a lighter episode, out on ahead of what I assume will be some heavier, series closing episodes.

I quite liked seeing Susanne Modeski back, though I felt that her storyline was satisfactorily completed back in Unusual Suspects.

Was it perhaps written to give Duchovny a break from filming? The Lone Gunmen were perfectly capable of holding, and indeed thriving in an episode of their own, but I have to be honest, it was Anderson who steals it, her drugged performance was quite something.

I really liked the cheeky cameo from Michael McKean, and I hope we get to see Morris again.

Light hearted, 7/10.

"Every good plan needs a patsy."

[classicsoncall · 8/10 · 31 July 2017]

The Lone Gunmen takes center stage for the second time in this X-Files story, and oddly enough, it's a follow up to their fifth season adventure titled 'Unusual Suspects'. They're attending Def-Con '99, with John Fitzgerald Byers (Bruce Harwood) in a blue funk over the memory of Susanne Modeski (Signy Coleman), the mysterious woman who was abducted by Mr. X at the finale of that episode. It's not really made entirely clear what happened to her following that day ten years prior, but Byers never gave up hope that he'd run into her once again. So that's the story here, as Susanne shows up, but this time with a fiancé to make Byers even more depressed.

I had to laugh over Jimmy Belmont's (Jim Fyfe) obsession over the new 'stealth assassination technology' about to be unveiled at the conference. Why would you need something like that when you can do away with a guy by putting him in the path of a city bus? Ouch! Apparently, Jimmy was under the influence of E-H gas, developed by Modeski to impede higher brain function and promote suggestibility in those affected. But gee, suggesting that one kill himself seemed a bit counterproductive, similar to the idea that you can't hypnotize someone to do something that's against your very nature. Oh well.

The funniest part about this episode was seeing 'Bimbo' Scully under the influence of the same E-H gas. Lured to the Defense Contractors convention on a ruse by the Lone Gunmen, Scully winds up the life of the party, but unable to decide which of her leering admirers had the potential to light her fire. What Morris Fletcher (Michael McKean) was doing there is anybody's guess, but it was a hoot seeing Scully return a slap to his butt harking back to the 'Dreamland' episodes from the beginning of Season Six.

In what would prove to be a major double cross, Susanne Modeski winds up on the short end of a scheme on the part of her boyfriend Grant Ellis (Charles Rocket), and conspires with The Lone Gunmen to turn the tables on him with a clever set up to fake her own death. All it would take would be for her admirer Byers to hit bad guy Timmy Landau (John Billingsley) with the clueless gun that put Scully's lights out earlier. It didn't strike me as credible that Susanne would in turn invite Byers to run away with her, but what the heck, the guy showed good judgment anyway. Besides, it just wouldn't be right to carry on with only two Lone Gunmen.

Truth and Beauty - All Ye Need Know?

[walter-scott · 10/10 · 23 March 2010]

A breathtakingly aesthetic opening and tracking shot, inventive situations, the comic foibles of the principle characters, misdirection, comeuppance, and an ending which draws a connection to one of the earliest images--what is there not to like about this episode? I remember hearing that Soviet scientists after their first showing of 2001: A Space Odyssey stood up and clapped at the screen. Whenever I watch this episode as a rerun, though somewhat embarrassed, I stand up and clap as this episode concludes. Maybe it touches something mythic. Maybe it is just wonderfully and delightfully executed. For any X-File fan unfamiliar with this episode but with a love of humor, truth, and beauty, make a point to see "Three of a Kind" in Season 6, episode 20.

High Card - the Queen of Hearts

[andyetris · 10/10 · 24 October 2006]

This comic "Lone Gunmen" episode is the sequel to the delightful episode "Unusual Suspects" from season 5. Byers, Frohike, and Langly, publishers of the "Lone Gunmen" conspiracy-newsletter, are in Las Vegas at a defense contractors' convention hoping to dig up some government secrets. So are a couple of other conspiracy 'nuts' - and Suzanne Modeski, the military chemist kidnapped by government agents in the episode that brought the "Gunmen" together! Byers has long carried a torch for the beautiful would-be whistle-blower, and aims to rescue her - again! The trio trick Scully into lending a hand, but Modeski doesn't feel she needs much help. Are Byers' suspicions of Modeski's fiancé (Charles Rocket) more than jealousy? Will Frohike take advantage of his love interest's new feelings? And Langly is also aiming for a woman's heart - will he penetrate it? You'll have fun finding out!

Charles Rocket doesn't have much of a role here, which is kind of a waste. Nevertheless this is a fun comedy-thriller. If you like it, be sure to look for "The Lone Gunmen" TV series.

I always loved the Lone Gunmen, and this episode is a favorite. This had to be a reason creator Chris Carter got the go-ahead on the spin-off series. It's too bad the series didn't last a full season!

Scully and The Gunmen - lots of memorable lines and situations

[misterowl07030 · 10/10 · 31 March 2007]

This is probably my favorite episode.

The Byers dream sequence in the teaser still grabs me every time I see the episode in re-runs, and it always leaves me a little sad. The X-Files has a lot of episodes with very well-written teasers, but this one is just beautiful.

I liked seeing Scully get drawn out of the huge machinations of the show's main plot into the nerdy intrigue of The Lone Gunmen. Mulder usually calls on them when he needs something. This time, they're calling on Scully, and she has to interact with them without Mulder as an intermediary.

It's also nice to see Susanne Modeski again, considering that she was being taken away by Mr. X when we las saw her in the "Unusual Suspects" episode. It's too bad that we never got to know her better. A lot of what's good about this episode comes from all of these interesting characters having to deal with each other.

This was a great episode from The X-files at its peak. No aliens or monsters, just people.

The Lone Gunmen Taking Las Vegas

[hrkepler · 8/10 · 24 June 2018]

The Lone Gunmen - Byers, Frohike and Langley - are kind of a gang, who is good with small doses. I mean the amount of episodes and screen time they usually get is enough, but every once in a while it is great to see the episode concentrating on the trio's adventures on their own. 'Three of a Kind' is fantastic and enjoyable comedic conspiracy theory episode. The Three Musceteers are attending defense contractor conference in Las Vegas to snoop out some highly classified information. When Byers sees the woman who is exact look a like to his long lost love presumed to be dead Susanne Modeski, the three friends soon discover that something highly suspicious is going on.

'Three of a Kind' is direct sequel to 'Unusual Suspects' (third episode of season five) which also concentrated on The Lone Gunmen and introduced us the character of Susanne Modeski. This episode also is connected with the double episode 'Dreamland' as Morris Fletcher (the guy who changed bodies with Mulder) appears as an attendee in the conference. This time there is no Mulder, but Scully makes humorous appearence.

Not to forget, what a wonderfully shot first scene about Byers' dream.

Like I'm gonna reveal my sources.

[Sanpaco13 · 7/10 · 29 April 2008]

Three of a Kind is the sequel to the earlier episode The Unusual Suspects and the Susanne Modeski story. It also features an appearance by renowned Man in Black, Morris Fletcher. Byers, Langley, and Frohike are at a Defense Contractors Convention in Vegas looking for some sweet 411. I like the way the episode starts out with the poker game and Byers getting busted. I don't know why but i've always enjoyed watching poker games. AFter getting kicked out Byers sees Susanne in the casino and the hunt ensues to figure out how to save her. Byers believes her to have been brain-washed and it looks to be true as we see Jimmy kill himself by jumping in front of a car. The whole idea is very similar to that of The Manchurian Candidate where brainwashing or mind control is used to create assassins. The episode has some good suspense and comedic elements including the famous bimbo Scully. Overall the episode is entertaining but not the best. 7 out of 10.

Could do with a better story, still great

[lola-nandez · 8/10 · 5 July 2020]

So I have a feeling this episode was a test for the spin off that happened a bit later. This is a great episode, and I like the camera work very much. I wish they did something different with the story though, as I feel the Modeski plot was not very fresh. I also kinda wish Byers had been drugged, just to see his uptight character have a funny moment too. For characters that appear so much, I always felt like they deserved a better development. There is this glimpse of Byers' love life but that's it. It's almost like their lives only happens when we see them. They made a great effort with other characters, for example, in the awesome Skinner centric episodes that show us more of his private life. Every episode that was Skinner centred was amazing and engaging; so yeah, they could be more creative with the Lone gunmen.

bad episode

[mrdonleone · 4/10 · 29 May 2009]

really, this episode was boring. yes, we know the love story from episodes before, but it ended! hello? anybody home? we don't need the same story twice! ow, now I am so scared... it's in fact the same story as before... oh no, what shall we do... what can we do? my advice: put the DVD out of your DVD player and be sure to burn it after you demolish it. well, yes, this may sound like an angry guy, but I am angry: I am angry they used those Lone Gunmen in a story with no plot other than the same as before. I hate it when Mulder isn't in the story. it's as if I would eat meat without a bone... I'm just laughing, that's all, because this whole episode is one big laugh. it's so dumb it's not even something to laugh about, but what else do you want me to do? to weep? sure, I could weep, I could weep because these kind of episodes destroy the moral op The X-Files and they have made Hollywood make a sequel movie, a movie that has got nothing to do with the series! so now you see: these kind of episodes makes us dumb and stupid. destroy this episode! and in case you didn't know yet, this review was sarcastic.