Production
Writer Howard Gordon originally came up with the idea for the episode while he was walking down the streets of New York and noticed several stone gargoyles on the corner staring at him. Gordon developed the idea into an X-File involving possession by a gargoyle spirit. He wrote a draft script for the episode but had to turn to series creator Chris Carter three days before production began in order to rework it. The two worked on the script over the weekend to add more psychological aspects to the episode. Gordon claimed to be very proud of the final product. Assistant Art Director Gary Allen drew the gargoyle sketches used in this episode.
The producers originally planned to film the teaser sequence at a Catholic hospital, but the hospital was reluctant to affix a faux gargoyle to the building. Thus, the shot was relocated to Heritage Hall, a noted filming location and former post office in Vancouver. Some last minute scrambling was required when city workmen tore up the sidewalk on the very spot where the producers planned to film the scene. The construction crew reassured the show that the construction would be finished in time for filming. Indeed, the work was finished two hours before shooting of the episode started. Additional exterior shots were filmed at an alley near Bonanza Meat Market. The walls were painted to match those of Heritage Hall, although after filming was completed, they were returned to their original state.
Kim Manners called "Grotesque" his favorite third season episode and praised David Duchovny's performance on this episode, saying "Duchovny drove himself, and he was brilliant in that show." Manners also said of the episode: "I think 'Grotesque' is a frightening show. I think it is a disturbing show, and I think that's why—for me—it's such a good show. We pulled it off making the viewer feel uneasy. I even found it a difficult show to watch. Yeah, it was a pretty dark hour of television and I would like to do more of those." In order to get a proper feel for the episode, Manners listened to the music from the 1990 film Jacob's Ladder until his wife "finally asked, 'Do we have to listen to that (bleeping) CD again?'" Manners also theorized that the episode may have been the template for the show Millennium, which premiered on Fox the following television season.
Read more about this topic: Grotesque (The X-Files)
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