Nisei (The X-Files)
Encyclopedia
"Nisei" is the ninth episode of the third season of television series The X-Files
.
, a mysterious train car is left in a railyard. That night, a group of Japanese
scientists enter the car and conduct an autopsy
on an alien body. The scene is being recorded and transmitted via satellite. Suddenly, a strike team storms the car and kills the scientists, taking the alien corpse away in a body bag.
Fox Mulder
purchases a video recording of the autopsy, which cuts out just before the scientists were killed. Mulder believes the tape to be authentic, but Scully is obviously skeptical. When the agents go to Allentown, Pennsylvania
, to track down the distributor of the tape, they find him murdered. The agents pursue and capture a Japanese man, Kazuo Sakurai, who is identified as a high-ranking diplomat. Skinner
appears and orders Sakurai released. Before doing so, Mulder searches Sakurai's briefcase, finding a list of Mutual UFO Network
members and satellite images of a ship. The Lone Gunmen identify the ship as the Talapus, a salvage vessel docked in Newport News, Virginia
. Meanwhile, Sakurai is assassinated by the Red-Haired Man, an MIB
assassin.
Scully investigates the MUFON group, discovering several women who claim to recognize her from her abduction experience
. They have similar implants to Scully's, and inform her that they are all dying of cancer
. The encounter causes Scully to have flashbacks
about her abduction, leaving her shaken. Meanwhile, Mulder goes to the Newport News shipyard
, only to be told that the Talapus has left the port. However, Mulder finds the Talapus and searches it. Armed men arrive and scour the ship, but Mulder manages to escape. He later finds a warehouse where a craft is being fumigated by a hazmat
team. Mulder believes the craft to be of alien origin, recovered by the Talapus.
Mulder meets Skinner at his apartment, which has been ransacked. Skinner confronts Mulder over the briefcase, the absence of which has caused an international incident
with Japan. Skinner refuses to assist Mulder any further with his case. Mulder meets with Senator Richard Matheson
, who gives him the details on the videotaped autopsy, linking it with the larger conspiracy of the alien-human hybrids. Mulder investigates further, discovering that the Japanese scientists were members of the notorious Unit 731
during World War II
; like the Nazi scientists in "Paper Clip
", they were recruited by the government to develop the hybrids. Mulder believes that the scientists killed on the videotape were working on a secret railway, transporting test subjects.
After sharing her MUFON findings with Mulder, Scully runs her implant through the FBI labs to gather technological information about it. She also analyzes the autopsy video, realizing that one of the scientists seen, Dr. Ishimaru, experimented on her during her abduction. Meanwhile, Mulder goes to West Virginia
and tracks down the secret train car, watching a group of Japanese men place what seems to be an alien-human subject on board. Mulder is unable to catch up with the car as a train pulls it out of the railyard. Meanwhile, another Japanese scientist, Dr. Shiro Zama, waits for the train at a station in Ohio
; he is forced to board after his bodyguard
is killed by the Red-Haired Man in the restroom. The Red-Haired Man follows Zama aboard the train, which is headed to Vancouver
. Mulder tracks the train to the Ohio station, but learns it has just left when he arrives.
Meanwhile, Scully goes to Mulder's apartment and is met by X, who warns her to keep Mulder from getting on the train. Scully calls Mulder, who has managed to drive ahead of the train and is just about to jump onto it from a bridge. Despite Scully's pleas, Mulder jumps onto the top of the train as it speeds past below.
was willing to do it and considered it a fun experience. The producers used trained rangers to play the soldiers in the teaser, part of an attempt to keep the show grounded in reality at all times. A 10-year-old boy was used to play the dead alien on the autopsy table. The boy's twin sister was used to play the alien on the train car. Both underwent extensive makeup including oversized dark contact lenses to create the effect of the alien eyes.
After watching the video bought by Mulder, Scully criticizes it citing the 1995 alien autopsy video – a hoax made by Ray Santilli
, a British video producer. Coincidentally, Fox ended up re-airing the alien autopsy video the night following this episode's original air date.
The episode features the first appearance of Agent Pendrell, who appeared in numerous other episodes in the third and fourth seasons. Pendrell was named after a street in Vancouver.
The title, "Nisei
", refers to the term used (in countries of North and South America) to specify the son or daughter of an 'Issei'
couple born outside Japan
. The term nisei Japanese American refers to nisei living in the United States.
s: one for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Sound Editing for a Series" and one for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Sound Mixing for a Drama Series".
This episode earned a Nielson rating of 9.8, with a 17 share. It was viewed by 16.36 million people.
The X-Files
The X-Files is an American science fiction television series and a part of The X-Files franchise, created by screenwriter Chris Carter. The program originally aired from to . The show was a hit for the Fox network, and its characters and slogans became popular culture touchstones in the 1990s...
.
Plot
In Knoxville, TennesseeKnoxville, Tennessee
Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region...
, a mysterious train car is left in a railyard. That night, a group of Japanese
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
scientists enter the car and conduct an autopsy
Autopsy
An autopsy—also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy , autopsia cadaverum, or obduction—is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present...
on an alien body. The scene is being recorded and transmitted via satellite. Suddenly, a strike team storms the car and kills the scientists, taking the alien corpse away in a body bag.
Fox Mulder
Fox Mulder
FBI Special Agent Fox William Mulder is a fictional character and protagonist in the American Fox television shows The X-Files and The Lone Gunmen, two science fiction shows about a government conspiracy to hide or deny the truth of Alien existence. Mulder's peers consider his theories on...
purchases a video recording of the autopsy, which cuts out just before the scientists were killed. Mulder believes the tape to be authentic, but Scully is obviously skeptical. When the agents go to Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown is a city located in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is Pennsylvania's third most populous city, after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and the 215th largest city in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 118,032 and is currently...
, to track down the distributor of the tape, they find him murdered. The agents pursue and capture a Japanese man, Kazuo Sakurai, who is identified as a high-ranking diplomat. Skinner
Walter Skinner
FBI Assistant Director Walter Sergei Skinner is a fictional character in the American FOX television shows The X-Files and The Lone Gunmen, two science fiction shows about a government conspiracy to hide or deny the truth of Alien existence...
appears and orders Sakurai released. Before doing so, Mulder searches Sakurai's briefcase, finding a list of Mutual UFO Network
Mutual UFO Network
The Mutual UFO Network is an American non-profit organization that investigates cases of reported UFO sightings. It is one of the oldest and largest UFO-investigative organizations in the United States....
members and satellite images of a ship. The Lone Gunmen identify the ship as the Talapus, a salvage vessel docked in Newport News, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. Meanwhile, Sakurai is assassinated by the Red-Haired Man, an MIB
Men in Black (The X-Files)
In The X-Files television show, the Men in Black refer, unofficially, to a group of enforcers employed by the Syndicate to execute assassinations, cover ups and other covert operations. It is implied that most, if not all, of them are former members of special operations units...
assassin.
Scully investigates the MUFON group, discovering several women who claim to recognize her from her abduction experience
Ascension (The X-Files)
"Ascension" is the sixth episode of the second season of the science fiction television series The X-Files. "Ascension" concerns Mulder's pursuit of Scully, who has been kidnapped by alien abductee Duane Barry.- Plot :...
. They have similar implants to Scully's, and inform her that they are all dying of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
. The encounter causes Scully to have flashbacks
Flashback (narrative)
Flashback is an interjected scene that takes the narrative back in time from the current point the story has reached. Flashbacks are often used to recount events that happened before the story’s primary sequence of events or to fill in crucial backstory...
about her abduction, leaving her shaken. Meanwhile, Mulder goes to the Newport News shipyard
Shipyard
Shipyards and dockyards are places which repair and build ships. These can be yachts, military vessels, cruise liners or other cargo or passenger ships. Dockyards are sometimes more associated with maintenance and basing activities than shipyards, which are sometimes associated more with initial...
, only to be told that the Talapus has left the port. However, Mulder finds the Talapus and searches it. Armed men arrive and scour the ship, but Mulder manages to escape. He later finds a warehouse where a craft is being fumigated by a hazmat
Hazmat
Hazmat, HazMat and similar terms can refer to:* Hazardous materials and items—see Dangerous goods** Hazchem—a system of hazardous chemical classification and firefighting modes** A hazmat suit is a type of protective clothing...
team. Mulder believes the craft to be of alien origin, recovered by the Talapus.
Mulder meets Skinner at his apartment, which has been ransacked. Skinner confronts Mulder over the briefcase, the absence of which has caused an international incident
International incident
An international incident is a seemingly relatively small or limited action or clash that results in a wider dispute between two or more nation-states...
with Japan. Skinner refuses to assist Mulder any further with his case. Mulder meets with Senator Richard Matheson
Richard Matheson
Richard Burton Matheson is an American author and screenwriter, primarily in the fantasy, horror, and science fiction genres. He is perhaps best known as the author of What Dreams May Come, Bid Time Return, A Stir of Echoes, The Incredible Shrinking Man, and I Am Legend, all of which have been...
, who gives him the details on the videotaped autopsy, linking it with the larger conspiracy of the alien-human hybrids. Mulder investigates further, discovering that the Japanese scientists were members of the notorious Unit 731
Unit 731
was a covert biological and chemical warfare research and development unit of the Imperial Japanese Army that undertook lethal human experimentation during the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II. It was responsible for some of the most notorious war crimes carried out by Japanese...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
; like the Nazi scientists in "Paper Clip
Paper Clip
"Paper Clip" is a 1995 episode of The X-Files television series. It was the second episode broadcast in the show's third season. Paper Clip concludes the story regarding the agents' possession of a digital tape containing government secrets on extraterrestrials.- Plot :Continuing from the previous...
", they were recruited by the government to develop the hybrids. Mulder believes that the scientists killed on the videotape were working on a secret railway, transporting test subjects.
After sharing her MUFON findings with Mulder, Scully runs her implant through the FBI labs to gather technological information about it. She also analyzes the autopsy video, realizing that one of the scientists seen, Dr. Ishimaru, experimented on her during her abduction. Meanwhile, Mulder goes to West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
and tracks down the secret train car, watching a group of Japanese men place what seems to be an alien-human subject on board. Mulder is unable to catch up with the car as a train pulls it out of the railyard. Meanwhile, another Japanese scientist, Dr. Shiro Zama, waits for the train at a station in Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
; he is forced to board after his bodyguard
Bodyguard
A bodyguard is a type of security operative or government agent who protects a person—usually a famous, wealthy, or politically important figure—from assault, kidnapping, assassination, stalking, loss of confidential information, terrorist attack or other threats.Most important public figures such...
is killed by the Red-Haired Man in the restroom. The Red-Haired Man follows Zama aboard the train, which is headed to Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
. Mulder tracks the train to the Ohio station, but learns it has just left when he arrives.
Meanwhile, Scully goes to Mulder's apartment and is met by X, who warns her to keep Mulder from getting on the train. Scully calls Mulder, who has managed to drive ahead of the train and is just about to jump onto it from a bridge. Despite Scully's pleas, Mulder jumps onto the top of the train as it speeds past below.
Production
This episode was originally intended to be a stand alone mythology episode, but was lengthened to a two parter, resulting in it being delayed several weeks. A co-executive producer called this episode and its second part 731 logistically huge. The stunt where Mulder jumped on a moving train was worked on for six weeks. While there was some alarm in having David Duchovny do the stunt, the actor, who had previously performed his own stunts in the episode AscensionAscension (The X-Files)
"Ascension" is the sixth episode of the second season of the science fiction television series The X-Files. "Ascension" concerns Mulder's pursuit of Scully, who has been kidnapped by alien abductee Duane Barry.- Plot :...
was willing to do it and considered it a fun experience. The producers used trained rangers to play the soldiers in the teaser, part of an attempt to keep the show grounded in reality at all times. A 10-year-old boy was used to play the dead alien on the autopsy table. The boy's twin sister was used to play the alien on the train car. Both underwent extensive makeup including oversized dark contact lenses to create the effect of the alien eyes.
After watching the video bought by Mulder, Scully criticizes it citing the 1995 alien autopsy video – a hoax made by Ray Santilli
Ray Santilli
Ray Santilli is a British musician, record, and film producer, best known for his exploitation in 1995 of the controversial "alien autopsy" footage, subject of the Ant & Dec film Alien Autopsy.-Life and career:...
, a British video producer. Coincidentally, Fox ended up re-airing the alien autopsy video the night following this episode's original air date.
The episode features the first appearance of Agent Pendrell, who appeared in numerous other episodes in the third and fourth seasons. Pendrell was named after a street in Vancouver.
The title, "Nisei
Nisei
During the early years of World War II, Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated from their homes in the Pacific coast states because military leaders and public opinion combined to fan unproven fears of sabotage...
", refers to the term used (in countries of North and South America) to specify the son or daughter of an 'Issei'
Issei
Issei is a Japanese language term used in countries in North America, South America and Australia to specify the Japanese people first to immigrate. Their children born in the new country are referred to as Nisei , and their grandchildren are Sansei...
couple born outside Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. The term nisei Japanese American refers to nisei living in the United States.
Reception
"Nisei" won two Emmy AwardEmmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
s: one for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Sound Editing for a Series" and one for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Sound Mixing for a Drama Series".
This episode earned a Nielson rating of 9.8, with a 17 share. It was viewed by 16.36 million people.