This scene almost didn’t air as written because Russian Roulette had never been featured on a TV series before, and Standards and Practices didn’t want to set that precedent. They were also concerned that the scene could be harmful to impressionable young children. Ultimately, the scene made it through very much in the form it was originally written, with Vince Gilligan later noting that he couldn’t believe they’d gotten away with it.
It is lucky they did, because the scene became, and has remained, one of the most powerful and memorable scenes in the history of the show. Powerful because of the way it somehow served as a test of – and testament to – the depth of the impact that Scully’s presence in Mulder’s life had on his psyche, and his resolve to see her unharmed. The scene reveals that, under the control of Robert Modell, he easily pulls the trigger when he’s pointing the gun at himself, but when he’s pointing it at her, he hesitates. We also see how deeply shocked and hurt she is to see him point a gun at her. But even as a tear rolls down her face, she is his steadfast champion, imploring him to fight Modell off.
This is the first time I’ve ever seen any behind the scenes shots of this scene. Watching the scene, I always thought it looked like he was grabbing her arm out of frame, but I could never be quite sure. In this shot it is clear that he is.
