Three of a Kind

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.

The twentieth episode of the sixth season of The X-Files, titled "Three of a Kind," directed by Bryan Spicer, is a light-hearted yet engaging installment that serves as a follow-up to the earlier episode "Unusual Suspects." Written by Vince Gilligan, this episode focuses on the beloved trio known as the Lone Gunmen-Byers (Bruce Harwood), Langly (Dean Haglund), and Frohike (Tom Braidwood)-as they become embroiled in a conspiracy involving government mind control and a mysterious woman named Susanne Modeski (Kristin Lehman). The narrative begins with the Gunmen attending a convention where they hope to uncover secrets about government surveillance, but things quickly take a turn when they find themselves in over their heads.

As the plot unfolds, the Lone Gunmen discover that Susanne, a former associate with knowledge of mind control technology, is being pursued by government agents. The pacing of "Three of a Kind" is brisk and engaging, effectively maintaining tension while allowing for moments of humor that highlight the Gunmen's quirky personalities. A particularly memorable scene occurs when Frohike attempts to impress Susanne, leading to comedic misunderstandings that showcase the trio's camaraderie and their often misguided attempts at heroism. This blend of humor and suspense adds a refreshing dynamic to the episode.

Visually, "Three of a Kind" employs a vibrant aesthetic that captures the energy of the convention setting while also emphasizing the darker undertones of the conspiracy. Spicer's direction effectively contrasts the lively atmosphere of the event with the tense moments that arise as the Gunmen confront their adversaries. The cinematography utilizes bright colors during comedic scenes and shadowy tones during moments of danger, creating a visual contrast that enhances the storytelling. Critics have noted that this visual style contributes to an engaging viewing experience.

The performances in this episode are particularly noteworthy, especially from Harwood, Haglund, and Braidwood, who bring their characters to life with charm and humor. Their chemistry is palpable, making their interactions enjoyable and relatable. Lehman as Susanne Modeski provides a strong female presence; her character is both resourceful and vulnerable, adding depth to the narrative. The interplay between her character and the Gunmen highlights their contrasting approaches to danger-while they often bumble through situations, she remains focused on survival.

"Three of a Kind" raises significant questions about trust, conspiracy, and the nature of authority. The episode critiques how individuals can become pawns in larger schemes; it examines how personal relationships can be strained by external pressures such as government oversight and societal expectations. Additionally, it highlights societal attitudes toward authority; characters like Mulder represent those who seek to expose hidden truths despite facing ridicule from skeptics. This exploration invites viewers to reflect on their beliefs regarding justice, morality, and the ethical implications surrounding conspiracy theories.

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.

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.

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.