January 16 2001: Cast List:

David Duchovny as Agent Fox Mulder
Robert Patrick as Agent Doggett
Mitch Pileggi as Assistant Director Walter Skinner
Bruce Harwood as Byers
Tom Braidwood as Frohike
Dean Haglund as Langly
Jordan Marder as Creature
Michael McGrady as Sheriff Kurt Frey
Justin Williams as Paul Hangemuhl
Natalie Radford as Marie Hangemuhl
Caroline Lagerfelt as Rustic Woman

January 8 2001: Credits:

Written By:

Frank Spotnitz

Directed By:

Kim Manners

Air Date: February 4th 2001

January 28 2001: From FOX:

"A case Mulder kept secret from Scully comes to light as Doggett investigates circumstances that may ultimately relate to Mulder's unexplained disappearance in the "The Gift" episode of THE X-FILES Sunday, Feb. 4 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (XF-811) (TV-PG;V)"

January 9 20001: From FOX:

"In the Feb. 4 episode "The Gift," a case Mulder (David Duchovny) kept secret from Scully (Gillian Anderson) comes to light as Doggett (Robert Patrick) investigates circumstances that may ultimately relate to Mulder's unexplained disappearance."

December 13 2000: From PichuFox: More Q&A:

Question: Anything that would upset shippers?

Answer: Uh...ya got me. Nothing offended me.

Question: Is scully showing or at least wearing more conservative clothes?

Answer: No Scully so far.

Question: Any emotion charged scenes?

Answer: Yes, one of the last.

Question: And?

Answer: Just before Doggett is shot in the back.

Question: Is Scully in the emotional scene?

Answer: No.

Question: How much of a role does Mulder play (if at all)?

Answer: Mulder is in a flashback and Doggett mentions him as does Skinner.

Question: Are there any M & S scenes in The Gift?

Answer: Only Mulder in a flashback.

Question: After seeing this, how did you view Mulder?

Answer: Serious. Resolved.

Question: Your fav part so far?

Answer: None so far....some very serious moments. Um...Doggett getting shot in the back isn't my favorite. I like Doggett very much. He's actions leading up to the moment show great moral character. It's a moment...not sure what you would label watching a character get shot in the back....

Question: Is this really part 1 of 2?

Answer: I don't know...I'm trying to figure out how they're going to make Doggett undead. And, I think he should be alive....but that's my personal opinion. I think he will be the guy to find Mulder as Scully will be having pregnancy problems...again my personal opinion. I hope the Beast!Man can bring him back.

Question: What IS the gift?

Answer: It must be the ability this Beast!Man possesses. I think he can heal people. I don't know.

Question: Date stamps for The Gift present-day or the flashback Mulder scenes?

Answer: No date stamps.

Question: Why is Mulder critical to this Storyline. Could this be told W/him?

Answer: It may explain the trips.

Question: Does Doggett know Scully's pregnant yet?

Answer: I don't know.

Question: Any link to Mulder illness as in Within?

Answer: Personally, I'm thinking this way.

Question: So JD is shot and we see him dead... who else is in that scene? the monster? Skinner? I am assuming there is another person in the scene to make an emotional scene or am I misguided and hopeless?

Answer: He is SO dead! Seriously...I don't know what they're gonna do. I think it's a good scene leading up.

Question: Who shoots Doggett, and is he shot because he has figured out something about Mulder's illness or abduction?

Answer: The local sheriff. No.

Question: Is this ep. pregnancy-related in any way?

Answer: Not that I'm seeing.

Question: Any light shed on whether or not Mulder actually betrayed the trust on which the M/S partnership is based, either by lying or withholding info, and why?

Answer: I haven't seen that.

Question: How is Mulder dressed in the flashback scenes?

Answer: Black jeans, sweater, rain coat...white T.

Question: Does Skinner hide anything or lie to Doggett?

Answer: Not that I've seen, but....

Iona explanation: Doggett and Skinner are on this... They end up on this case but I'm not sure how. If I was guessing (and that's all it is), I would think, maybe, Doggett is investigating the travel of Mulder he mentioned in the premiere. In the beginning...the teaser...I think we'll see a man walk up to a house in the rain...draw his gun...walk up to the door...which has a cross and circle in blood on it...and walk in. We won't see who it is. Later, we'll find out it was Mulder.

Back to Doggett....if Doggett is investigating this...maybe he stumbles upon a similar death OR this case is in the same vicinity Mulder travelled. I think it will be one or the other....but I could be WAY wrong.

Mulder is mentioned. Doggett and Skinner reference him. Doggett is saying if Mulder isn't the kind of guy to do this...out and out blood shed...then he must have had a reason. Doggett is trying to keep Mulder's reputation and character intact will still trying to figure out what was going on...both in the present and with Mulder shooting someone.

The mob wants the Beast!Man....they say they have many sick people. I'm inferring his "Gift" is one of healing. Why else would they want him? Doggett feels they treat him as a creature...not as a human. He wants to take him out.

Question: Heals him? Isn't that the gift?

Answer: I would think they would go that way... but... I've seen next to the last scene, I think. I don't know if they'll have the time...if they do, it will be squeezed in at the end. I think it would make a great two parter...I have no clue what they're gonna do.

Question: Is there a lot of Mulder or just a few scenes?

Answer: Just one scene that I know of.

Question: Who's the woman who was thought dead but isn't?

Answer: I don't know.

Question: does Skinner seem to be a believer on this case?

Answer: Um...I think he wants to solve the case.

Question: Is there ANYTHING at all mentioned in this episode that references Scully, or the MSR, or something that might make us all feel better about the MSR, and especially the Mulder situation...

Answer: I think we can be sure Mulder will be found... .I think we can be sure Scully wants him back. I think we can be sure Doggett will play a significant role in the finding and return of Mulder. I think none of this comes from the ep in particular (from what I've seen), but in everything the XF has said so far for all these years...and will say in the future.... I think the relationship of Mulder and Scully saturates every episode....and that, folks, is my humble opinion.

Question: Does it appear Scully already knew Mulder had been investigating the case back when it happened?

Answer: There's no sign of Scully so far.

Question: Do we learn whether Mulder was actually sick or dying, and can you enlighten us if you know?

Answer: I don't know.

Question: Is Scully mentioned at all? Previous spoilers said she was in the hospital, I think.

Answer: I have no mention of her.

Question: Also, since this beast person heals people, do you think he not only heals Doggett after he's shot but cures Mulder of whatever they said was wrong with him in "Within"?

Answer: Ya know.. If I was connecting the two...Mulder's travel and illness and this ep....I'm thinking the same way. But, we can't be sure that's the connection...

Question: What does the beastman look like?

Answer: Not any good closeups...long hair.. shirtless...not a normal face.

Question: Doesn't Mulder kill the beast in the teaser?

Answer: We don't see who he kills And there is definitely a Beast!Man in the rest of the ep.

Question: Is it DD in teaser or Steve Kiziak?

Answer: A stand-in. Didn't even look like Steve."

December 3 2000: From PichuFox: Q&A from Iona and Erin:

Q: Are there any "Scully addresses Mulder tearfully or otherwise in her diary in her bed" scenes, a la "Momento Mori" or in a similar fashion?

A: Not that I've seen and from the nature of the ep, I wouldn't think so.

Q: Is there a nice little surprise that validates Mulder's character in the end, and doesn't make him appear as villainous as he might appear at the beginning?

A: I haven't seen the end. I don't know.

Q: Any mention of what's going on with Mulder or does Scully mention him?

A: I have yet to see Scully in this ep.

Q: Do we learn anymore of why Scully is bedridden?

A: I have yet to see Scully.

Q: Is The Gift in ref to IVF treatment of that name?

A: I wouldn't think so.

Q: Since one of the eps. (ep. 8 maybe) ... deals with In-Vitro Fertilization, and supposedly Scully is laid up in bed for this episode, does "The Gift" have anything to do with the reproductive technology of the same name/acronym? (Gamete IntraFallopian Transfer)

A: I have NO idea...I wouldn't think so though.

Q: Did Scully know about Mulder's trips to PA?

A: No sign of Scully yet.

Q: Why is Mulder shown to be crying?

A: I haven't seen a crying Mulder.

Q: Why does Mulder have tears in his eyes after shooting the monster? Who is the monster?

A: I didn't see any tears. A caveman thing.

Q: We know Mulder shot the Beast...How does it relate to the story? And what is Skinner hiding from Doggett?

A: I don't know as I only have a few scenes.

Q: What is the Creature's Gift? And how does it possibly relate to Scully's pregnancy or Mulder being ill??

A: I don't think it will have to do with them.

Iona & Erin's comment: By all appearances, it appears Doggett is shot in the back and killed. He is not the Beastman and Mulder doesn't do the shooting. (ADMIN NOTE: As Robert is contracted for the whole of this season and an optional 9th, and since this is The X-Files where nothing is as it seems, please weigh this information with that in mind.)"

December 1 2000: From Foxsong:

"I drove to LA to the location site which was on Mulholland Hwy between Las Virgenes Rd (Malibu Canyon Rd) and Stokes Canyon Rd. Arrived about 10:45 a.m. and the location site was getting set up. The crew was setting up the stuff for water spray which they told me would be used for a shot later on in the evening. The two lane road had a white fence to the side where they would be shooting towards and there were some great looking horses on the other side of the fence!"

"The sun was out, it was a great day, maybe 70 degrees with a light breeze. After my friend arrived we parked our cars down at the intersection and walked the 200 yards or so to where the crew had set up. We met with several people We were told David was not there, nor was Gillian.. The shots were going to be moving vehicle shots along Mulholland Highway."

"While standing there we saw the van pull up from base camp with Robert Patrick in the front seat. He looked good and when he got out he waved to us enthusiastically. He smiled , looked relaxed and like he was having a great time. We watched them film several shots. The crew, hard working as usual, were getting the car shots set up and of course, Kim Manners himself was there directing. Robert's scenes were taken in the car, with the camera angle from the front outside of the windshield. We watched them make two or three passes and Robert each time remained in the car till they got everything set for the next take. It was not exactly cool and I was impressed with how quickly the crew worked to get everything set to go for each shot. They also shot a scene with his double from inside the vehicle. What a sight it was to see Kim and they guys crammed in the car with the driver! Although we couldn't see a heck of a lot as they drove down the road it was pretty interesting to see it set up.

"After Robert was done, he actually came over and introduced himself. I have to tell you he was pretty awesome. He was genuinely enthusiastic, shook hands and welcomed us. We in turn welcomed him as a member of the XF family and told him we thought so far he was doing a great job. He spent about 20-30 minutes talking to us. It was a sincere privilege to meet and speak with him."

"I was impressed with how professional, hard working and conscientious he was. I will tell you as a fan of the MSR that I felt at once relaxed and relieved as he was open about talking about the character of Doggett, that he was not there to replace but to find Mulder and to add to the show and I felt like he was genuine. He said we were going to find out a lot of information in the episode they were filming and that it is an important episode. He also said he didn't want to spoil anything for us (rats). He was open to constructive feedback and we honestly told him we miss Mulder and he is doing a great job as Doggett but that for many fans the return of Mulder is obviously what they are looking forward to. He totally understood that and emphasized his character is an important part of that process. We talked about where his character is going and he explained that at this point Doggett is just like he appears - straightforward and to the point. He definitely wants to stay on the show as long as he can and is truly and genuinely having a great time. He loves working with Gillian and says that he also has enjoyed spending time talking with David the few times he has been able to."

"Robert did say the reaction to his character was a little tough when it was first announced and that it had been a bit rough to read some of the things that had been written on some of the boards. We told him we fully supported the introduction of his character and felt it was the best addition of a character, at least for us, since the character of Skinner. He did say he has been getting some great positive feedback lately from fans and he's enjoyed that. I hope the fans continue to do this. Anyway, we left shortly thereafter as they broke for dinner. We didn't stay for the night shooting which looked pretty cool. All in all it was a great day. I was impressed by the professionalism and dedication of the entire crew and Robert as well and it really looks like this episode is going to be great."

November 26 2000: From Mod!Kim:

"The teaser for EP 11 starts out with a MAN shooting at a monster in a house. The camera does not show the face of the MAN. The MAN returns to his car, and it turns out that it is MULDER! According to the script 'tears shine in his eyes."

"This is a flashback to last year. Apparently the trips to Raleigh [mentioned in 'Within'] were actually trips to PA, where Mulder was investigating an Indian folk legend [the soul eater]."

"Scully is not in the EP very much. She is apparently bed ridden. There is no more info on that though."

"Doggett & Skinner go to investigate 'the monster.'. The Sheriff tells them that Mulder was there last year, and that he [Mulder] was a nutcase. That he [Mulder] believed an ancient Indian Legend [the monster of the week] ate a woman. Doggett & Skinner then proceed to go after the 'monster' while the whole town seems to be keeping something from them."

"In one scene the 'monster' vomits up a 'new' person."

November 17 2000: From Mod!Kim:

"Adding on to what is posted below, there are a few interesting scene with a character named 'Woman.' At her house, Doggett discovers another character he believed had been killed by the soul-eater (the same character that Mulder apparently believed had been killed by the soul-eater in May 2000, but who was alive -- although very ill -- when Doggett first arrived to investigate). Doggett takes that character, Marie Hangemuehl, to the hospital where he meets up with Skinner, who had gone to look for the soul-eater. Doggett asks Skinner about the soul-eater, and Skinner tells him it wasn't there. Doggett can't believe it, and then the script says that "as Skinner leaves, Doggett sees something that makes him realize Skinner knows exactly where the creature is -- Skinner is lying to him too."

November 12 2000: From Mod!Kim:

"This is the episode that seems to explain the car rental receipts, and they were not for Raleigh. Scully, is for some reason laid up in bed, and Doggett is sent out to investigate a investigation of an Indian folk lore soul eater beast that it appears Mulder was working on in the spring. Mulder does appear in this episode in flashbacks to what he was doing during that trip. Skinner is featured prominently in this episode as well. At this time the whole episode is not yet written."

"From what is written, and that is an early draft, it does seem this episode brings back Doggett's promise to Scully to find Mulder, whether he's successful or not is unknown at this time. Through the course of what is written it is not crystal clear, but it seems Doggett believes Mulder shot (and killed?) a transient, soul eater, in May 2000. It also seems that if he did so, he did so to protect someone. There are flashbacks of Mulder written, one is of Mulder questioning Marie and Paul Hangemuhl. Marie had gone missing for a few days and Mulder tries to figure it out. Doggett questions both in 'real time' as well. Sheriff Frey is also present in both flashback and 'real time'. At one point the Sheriff says his first name is 'Kurt', I'd imagine this is no reference to the 'Kurts'-however I have not seen enough to know. None of the episode that I have information on contains Scully or any scene with Mulder and Scully in 'real time' or flashback. Skinner is featured in this episode-and it seems he may lie to Doggett, though the reason is unknown at this time. It is also interesting to note that it seems Mulder didn't mention this case in any of his files."

November 11 2000: From The Official X-Files Website:

((Of course lets all remember that the Official site will never post spoilers. Yeah right! I have proof and here it is.))

"The mythology-laced episode numbered 8X11 follows Doggett's intensive pursuit into the truth behind Mulder's disappearance. He gets a helping hand from Skinner and the Lone Gunmen. 'The Gift,' written by Frank Spotnitz, tracks a mysterious creature with unique capabilities in Squamash, Pennsylvania. The episode, directed by Kim Manners, is scheduled to air on Sunday, Feb. 4th."




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