Rush is a very exciting and at times disturbing episode. I remember back in 2000 something there was a movie that came out about a bunch of teenagers that got super powers or something and they started going all sociopath on everyone. That is what this episode reminds me of. And there is no question that Max is a sociopath. Probably the most disturbing scene is when Max kills the teacher in the lunch room by smashing him in half with a table and crushing his head with the chair. I also find it interesting that the effect that they used to show the teenagers moving fast in the cave is the same special effect they use in "Requiem" when Mulder and Scully enter the UFO force field. Kind of makes you wonder if they were maybe trying to imply some kind of extra terrestrial explanation in this episode or if they just used the same special effect as a coincidence. There is one thing about this episode that bugs me every time I see it. Why did Chastity kill herself? It makes no sense other than to just add some of the teen movie drama that is completely pointless. I could maybe understand if the only way she could kill him was by killing herself in the process or something, but no she consciously takes the 20 seconds after shooting him to go over in front of the bullet and kill herself too. All because she's all emo because she used the Rush Cave or whatever. Anyway, that part just bugs me in its lack of logic. Other than that, 7 out of 10.
8 Reviews
"I can't go back to things standin' still."
classicsoncall3 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
There are a couple of thoughtful reviews on this episode from ''talvaffe' and 'jmr723'; you should check them out for different perspectives on the story. For me, it brought to mind a great Silver Age comic book cover posing the question - 'Who is the fastest man alive, Superman or The Flash?' The race between them ended in a tie, which seemed fair enough, since DC Comics didn't want to upset fans who might have had a favorite. Personally, I was rooting for Superman.
It seems to me there was a bit of inconsistency in the story. If Max Harden (Scott Cooper) moved so fast that no one could see him, shouldn't the table he pushed in the cafeteria to kill teacher Babbit (David Wells) be invisible too? And don't even think about the way the follow up chair tumbled end over end as it made it's way to finish the job. Aside from that though, that was a pretty effective scene to establish Max's ultra-frequency powers.
The other cool scene occurred when Chastity (Nicky Aycox) shot Max in the cave, the bullet passing through him in a slow motion effect first seen in "The Matrix" which came out earlier in the year 1999. It's been used any number of times since, but was still a pretty novel effect when the X-Files used it in the story here. A third reviewer for this episode was bothered by the idea that Chastity in effect committed suicide by placing herself in the path of the bullet, feeling that it didn't make any sense. I can think of one reason which was pretty obvious. Had she survived, she would have been up for a murder rap for shooting Max, while the guilt she felt over the deaths of Deputy Foster and Babbit was enough to push her over the edge.
It seems to me there was a bit of inconsistency in the story. If Max Harden (Scott Cooper) moved so fast that no one could see him, shouldn't the table he pushed in the cafeteria to kill teacher Babbit (David Wells) be invisible too? And don't even think about the way the follow up chair tumbled end over end as it made it's way to finish the job. Aside from that though, that was a pretty effective scene to establish Max's ultra-frequency powers.
The other cool scene occurred when Chastity (Nicky Aycox) shot Max in the cave, the bullet passing through him in a slow motion effect first seen in "The Matrix" which came out earlier in the year 1999. It's been used any number of times since, but was still a pretty novel effect when the X-Files used it in the story here. A third reviewer for this episode was bothered by the idea that Chastity in effect committed suicide by placing herself in the path of the bullet, feeling that it didn't make any sense. I can think of one reason which was pretty obvious. Had she survived, she would have been up for a murder rap for shooting Max, while the guilt she felt over the deaths of Deputy Foster and Babbit was enough to push her over the edge.
You must have been a Betty back in the day.
Muldernscully13 April 2007
Warning: Spoilers
The X-Files must have been original back in the day. Original? Back in the day. Although season seven has its share of gems, it takes a while for it get going strong. Rush retreads the theme used in earlier seasons of the sheriff's son(surprise!) doing less than honorable things and the sheriff either defending his son and/or being very unhelpful to Mulder and Scully. Mulder and Scully's dialogue is becoming so self-referential by this time that it is starting to wear thin. Mulder and Scully do their perfunctory dance of arguing about the paranormal. Then Scully says, " Mulder. Rather than spirits... can we at least start with Tony's friends? Please? Just... for me?" What? Is she flirting with him? And even before that, when they first meet, Scully slaps Mulder's arm with a folder. He turns around and gives her this goofy grin. Totally out of character. When Tony is later released by the police and returns home, we get "The Karate Kid" scene where the mom explains that she moved them away from the bad schools to start a new life and she's working two jobs for him. Then Tony responds about her not being around. The show has turned into an after school special. Also, they just moved from Philadelphia. The mom shows a strong Philadelphian accent but Tony shows no trace of a similar accent. Sloppy casting there. And at the end, the cave thingy only affects teenagers? I don't know if I buy that. Rush is still a semi-interesting story good for an initial viewing. But it's re-watchability is not very high. You won't exactly get a "Rush" from watching it.
My personal favorite episode
talvaffe25 April 2006
Warning: Spoilers
This is the episode of the X Files that, despite its nature as a non-canon, non-alien, what some may call "filler" episode, nonetheless truly defines the show and its appeal for me.
According to Wikipedia, this episode entails "When a school student becomes the prime suspect in the bizarre murder of a police officer, Mulder and Scully are sent to investigate. They discover that the boy and a couple of friends have been playing with the ability to accelerate their movements to a frequency the human eye can't perceive."
A nice and supernatural tone befitting all well-written X-files episodes, the plot is, however, merely the backdrop against which a series of intriguing questions can be posed. Questions like "Is respect for authority something that should be expected or earned?", "Is power something that anyone is entitled to?", "If so, will they use it wisely?", "If not, who has the power to stop them?", and "How far will that person have to go?" Most of these questions are answered, but a few are left open to argument.
Of course, most of the time, I ignore the moral implications of this episode's mystery and simply end up daydreaming about what I would do if I had the power to move faster than the eye can perceive.
In the end, I suppose that is what draws me to write about this particular episode above any of the other well-made installments: imagination at its best and its worst. People have always wondered about how their lives would change if they could only fly, or breathe underwater, see through walls, or move faster than a bolt of lightning. What they almost never consider is whether or not they would get drunk off of those abilities, or how long it would take to start abusing them.
As for this episode, the respective answers would be; they would, and not long at all.
According to Wikipedia, this episode entails "When a school student becomes the prime suspect in the bizarre murder of a police officer, Mulder and Scully are sent to investigate. They discover that the boy and a couple of friends have been playing with the ability to accelerate their movements to a frequency the human eye can't perceive."
A nice and supernatural tone befitting all well-written X-files episodes, the plot is, however, merely the backdrop against which a series of intriguing questions can be posed. Questions like "Is respect for authority something that should be expected or earned?", "Is power something that anyone is entitled to?", "If so, will they use it wisely?", "If not, who has the power to stop them?", and "How far will that person have to go?" Most of these questions are answered, but a few are left open to argument.
Of course, most of the time, I ignore the moral implications of this episode's mystery and simply end up daydreaming about what I would do if I had the power to move faster than the eye can perceive.
In the end, I suppose that is what draws me to write about this particular episode above any of the other well-made installments: imagination at its best and its worst. People have always wondered about how their lives would change if they could only fly, or breathe underwater, see through walls, or move faster than a bolt of lightning. What they almost never consider is whether or not they would get drunk off of those abilities, or how long it would take to start abusing them.
As for this episode, the respective answers would be; they would, and not long at all.
Whistling Dixie.. another excellent episode.
Sleepin_Dragon20 September 2022
A student is prime suspect in the death of a Deputy, Mulder is convinced he's innocent, and that someone with special powers is responsible.
It's a very good episode, one I really enjoyed, it's been nice having a series of one off episodes, away from the story arcs and Black oil. The fresh feel continues, the recent batch of episodes have felt so different to what we had in series 5 and 6, not just visually, bit the tone and production values, it feels fresh.
There are some definite points of interest, the whole scenario of having speed father than light, mixed in with teenage hormones, that's very well conceived.
Best scene of all has to be the teacher's demise in the school cafeteria, that packs a punch, it's pretty bleak, it's very well staged, we're given glimpses of how. I got Lost Boys vibes when Max took Tony out in the car.
There were one of two plot holes, a few scenes that perhaps didn't gel, or fully make any sense, but those are minor gripes.
I liked the character of Tony, he was well developed, certainly well acted. Max was good too, he had a definite chip on his shoulder, again, well acted, I loved his backlog of old sayings, he's full of them.
Another very, very good episode, 8/10.
It's a very good episode, one I really enjoyed, it's been nice having a series of one off episodes, away from the story arcs and Black oil. The fresh feel continues, the recent batch of episodes have felt so different to what we had in series 5 and 6, not just visually, bit the tone and production values, it feels fresh.
There are some definite points of interest, the whole scenario of having speed father than light, mixed in with teenage hormones, that's very well conceived.
Best scene of all has to be the teacher's demise in the school cafeteria, that packs a punch, it's pretty bleak, it's very well staged, we're given glimpses of how. I got Lost Boys vibes when Max took Tony out in the car.
There were one of two plot holes, a few scenes that perhaps didn't gel, or fully make any sense, but those are minor gripes.
I liked the character of Tony, he was well developed, certainly well acted. Max was good too, he had a definite chip on his shoulder, again, well acted, I loved his backlog of old sayings, he's full of them.
Another very, very good episode, 8/10.
Something old is new again
robbscott-113 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Good episode. Being an old Sci-Fi geek,
I'm remembering 2 old TV episodes:
Wild Wild West, s01e26, "Night Of The Burning , Diamond". The Bad Guy develops the Diamond Elixir, which allows the drinker to move at an accelerated rate of speed so fast as to be invisible.
Star Trek TOS, s03e11, "Wink of an Eye". Kirk and company try in across the Thalosians, who operate. At speeds so high that.they're invisible to humans
Both episodes have a couple of things in common. Both find ways to "accelerate" the heroes: West and Gordon, and Kirk. Unaccelerated humans in both episodes hear high frequency sounds that turn out to be the accelerated beings, even likening the sounds to insects.
Neither episode shares a writer with the other. They do share an era, and as I recall Heinlein's "Stranger on a Strange Land" touches on this concept.
Fascinating....
Wild Wild West, s01e26, "Night Of The Burning , Diamond". The Bad Guy develops the Diamond Elixir, which allows the drinker to move at an accelerated rate of speed so fast as to be invisible.
Star Trek TOS, s03e11, "Wink of an Eye". Kirk and company try in across the Thalosians, who operate. At speeds so high that.they're invisible to humans
Both episodes have a couple of things in common. Both find ways to "accelerate" the heroes: West and Gordon, and Kirk. Unaccelerated humans in both episodes hear high frequency sounds that turn out to be the accelerated beings, even likening the sounds to insects.
Neither episode shares a writer with the other. They do share an era, and as I recall Heinlein's "Stranger on a Strange Land" touches on this concept.
Fascinating....
Great Episode
jmr72310 April 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I think talvaffe's review above is right on - although this is a "filler" episode, it's a great example of the nature and style of the show, which is what makes it appealing. In fact, the whole alien thing is so convoluted and drawn out that I don't particularly enjoy those episodes; I much prefer standalone episodes like this one.
Initially it appeared that some aspects of the plot didn't make a lot of sense, in particular why Max used the speed in such conspicuous ways (e.g. coming to class with 2 minutes left to take the test and filling it out without looking at it in front of everyone; killing the teacher in front of a cafeteria full of people by making it appear that the table and chair moved on their own). He could have accomplished both of those tasks without making it appear that anything unusual was going on, thereby avoiding drawing the attention to himself that ultimately led to his getting caught and eventually killed.
But when viewed in the context of the episode as a whole, these actions make perfect sense. What the episode is really about is drug use and addiction. The cave is a drug, and the power to move faster than the eye can see is its effect. The fact that Mulder at one point refers to the drug-like aspects of the cave (saying it gives Max a "buzz" and that he needs another "fix" because the effects have worn off), as well as the episode's title, further evidence this main theme.
The cave exhibits all of the classic characteristics of a drug of abuse:
-it gives its users pleasure, in this case a supernatural physical power rather than a "feeling" as with real-life drugs. This was a classic X-files twist on reality, particularly well done here.
-its effects are not permanent; they wear off over time and repeated use is necessary to achieve them.
-addicts are unable to stop using it despite negative consequences, no matter how severe (e.g. Max's injuries).
-it alters (or more precisely, accentuates certain aspects of) the user's personality, and this becomes more severe as use continues. Max, who has a problem with authority and anger issues to begin with, becomes more and more defiant and angry as time goes on. He eventually commits two murders and would have killed his own father had Tony not stopped him. Chastity, who is portrayed as highly sensitive and prone to guilt and sadness, eventually kills herself, presumably due to guilt over failing to prevent the death and destruction caused by Max.
-its effects vary from person to person, based on physical makeup and life experiences. Max and Chastity become addicted and Tony appears to be headed in that direction, but the cave has no effect at all on Mulder and Scully. The explanation for this appears to be that the cave only affects teenagers - another example of a classic X-files twist on reality. With real-life drugs, whether someone becomes an addict, a casual user or never uses the drug again appears to be determined by (or at least highly correlated with) their personality. With the cave, it's based solely on age. Either way, it's a combination of a person's physical makeup and life experiences that determines how the drug will affect them and whether they'll become addicted.
Max's actions, then, can be viewed in one of two ways, either of which are consistent with his "addiction". One is that they are a cry for help - i.e. he's hoping someone will notice what's going on and help free him (and possibly Chastity) from the addiction. More likely, though, they're an indication that the addiction is completely out of control, causing him to lose touch with reality and any appreciation of the consequences of his actions.
Overall, this episode was a great example of what makes the show appealing: a clever twist on, or exaggeration of, a real-life issue, presented in a well-thought-out way with good use of subtlety and attention to detail. Definitely one of my favorites.
Initially it appeared that some aspects of the plot didn't make a lot of sense, in particular why Max used the speed in such conspicuous ways (e.g. coming to class with 2 minutes left to take the test and filling it out without looking at it in front of everyone; killing the teacher in front of a cafeteria full of people by making it appear that the table and chair moved on their own). He could have accomplished both of those tasks without making it appear that anything unusual was going on, thereby avoiding drawing the attention to himself that ultimately led to his getting caught and eventually killed.
But when viewed in the context of the episode as a whole, these actions make perfect sense. What the episode is really about is drug use and addiction. The cave is a drug, and the power to move faster than the eye can see is its effect. The fact that Mulder at one point refers to the drug-like aspects of the cave (saying it gives Max a "buzz" and that he needs another "fix" because the effects have worn off), as well as the episode's title, further evidence this main theme.
The cave exhibits all of the classic characteristics of a drug of abuse:
-it gives its users pleasure, in this case a supernatural physical power rather than a "feeling" as with real-life drugs. This was a classic X-files twist on reality, particularly well done here.
-its effects are not permanent; they wear off over time and repeated use is necessary to achieve them.
-addicts are unable to stop using it despite negative consequences, no matter how severe (e.g. Max's injuries).
-it alters (or more precisely, accentuates certain aspects of) the user's personality, and this becomes more severe as use continues. Max, who has a problem with authority and anger issues to begin with, becomes more and more defiant and angry as time goes on. He eventually commits two murders and would have killed his own father had Tony not stopped him. Chastity, who is portrayed as highly sensitive and prone to guilt and sadness, eventually kills herself, presumably due to guilt over failing to prevent the death and destruction caused by Max.
-its effects vary from person to person, based on physical makeup and life experiences. Max and Chastity become addicted and Tony appears to be headed in that direction, but the cave has no effect at all on Mulder and Scully. The explanation for this appears to be that the cave only affects teenagers - another example of a classic X-files twist on reality. With real-life drugs, whether someone becomes an addict, a casual user or never uses the drug again appears to be determined by (or at least highly correlated with) their personality. With the cave, it's based solely on age. Either way, it's a combination of a person's physical makeup and life experiences that determines how the drug will affect them and whether they'll become addicted.
Max's actions, then, can be viewed in one of two ways, either of which are consistent with his "addiction". One is that they are a cry for help - i.e. he's hoping someone will notice what's going on and help free him (and possibly Chastity) from the addiction. More likely, though, they're an indication that the addiction is completely out of control, causing him to lose touch with reality and any appreciation of the consequences of his actions.
Overall, this episode was a great example of what makes the show appealing: a clever twist on, or exaggeration of, a real-life issue, presented in a well-thought-out way with good use of subtlety and attention to detail. Definitely one of my favorites.
Monster Teenagers
StuOz1 November 2021
Teenagers can move at an amazing speed.
I love these filler episodes or non-canon episodes that are about some monster-of-the-week. Am not a weekly viewer of X Files re-runs instead I just flick over to the channel to see if the show is doing a non-traditional hour like this one.
The way the teens get worn out after using their powers is well done and the acting seems fine to me. However, as a casual viewer, it did stand out to me that Mulder and Scully seemed to take this whole situation as so routine and just another day at the office.
Am no expert on the series as a whole but have seen episodes where Mulder was more interesting than this.
Whatever, when first viewed 21 years after it first aired, Rush is very entertaining.
I love these filler episodes or non-canon episodes that are about some monster-of-the-week. Am not a weekly viewer of X Files re-runs instead I just flick over to the channel to see if the show is doing a non-traditional hour like this one.
The way the teens get worn out after using their powers is well done and the acting seems fine to me. However, as a casual viewer, it did stand out to me that Mulder and Scully seemed to take this whole situation as so routine and just another day at the office.
Am no expert on the series as a whole but have seen episodes where Mulder was more interesting than this.
Whatever, when first viewed 21 years after it first aired, Rush is very entertaining.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
