The X-Files - Season 2

Season 2 of The X-Files premiered on September 16, 1994 and would conclude the following May with 25 episodes, the most of any season in the show. Like Season 1, S2 was also filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia. Season 2 started strong, but with a bit of a dilemma - Co-star Gillian Anderson had become pregnant towards the end of the first season, meaning her pregnancy and eventual childbirth would occur during filming of the second season. The question of how this should be handled, both on-screen and off, came to a head. Series creator Chris Carter, who fought considerably with FOX executives to allow Anderson to be cast in the first place (the network had wanted an actress with a broader reach, either by greater recognition or sex appeal), now had to fight again to keep her role from being re-cast. Subsequently, the show ultimately decided to operate around her pregnancy; Behind the screen, Anderson would simply be shown in ways that would not easily reveal her physical changes, while in the story, as the X-Files had been closed down in the previous season's finale, she would be split from working directly with Mulder (limiting her screen appearance somewhat) and then kidnapped and abducted to explain her absence for when she had to finally leave to have her child. 
Writing this portion of the season around her pregnancy would result in the shows' first 'arc'; an overreaching story that would span several episodes. This arc would tie-in with the already somewhat-established (and fairly popular with viewers) government/extraterrestrial conspiracy and would introduce new details and intricacies to this aspect - Ultimately it would serve as the cornerstone for much of what would become the show's main mythology going forward. A side-effect of this process was the inclusion of a new character to partially fill Scully's role as a partner to Mulder, who would subsequently become a turncoat and adversary in the show. This role, Alex Krycek, would be filled by Nicholas Lea, who had previously played an unrelated bit part in Season 1. Krycek, like several otherwise limited roles, would grow to become a prominent secondary character throughout the remainder of the series.
Season 2's production would also introduce into the staff Vince Gilligan, a freelance writer and fan of the show who would become a major series writer and producer and pen many of the show's most notable and highly-rated episodes. Gilligan would eventually develop his own highly-regarded AMC series Breaking Bad, featuring, in starring roles, several noted guest actors from The X-Files.
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=Pistols=
==SIG-Sauer P226==
In Season 2, FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) begins carrying a SIG-Sauer P226 as his sidearm. This is notable as the SIG-Sauer P226 was actually the standard-issue sidearm of the FBI at the time. This weapon first appeared in the Season 2 premiere "Little Green Men" (S2E01), when Mulder tried in vain to shoot an alien with his newly-issued P226 (despite SIGs' "Hell and Back" reliability, firearms generally do not function when UFOs are around in The X-Files). Following this episode, Mulder would carry the P226 for the entirety of the season and most of the rest of the series. Some police and government officers would be also be seen with SIG P226s in S2, including a highway patrolman (Steve Makaj) who attempts to apprehend Duane Barry (Steve Railsback) in "Ascension" (S2E06).
==SIG-Sauer P228==
In Season 2, FBI Special Agent Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) begins carrying a SIG-Sauer P228 as her sidearm. This is also notable as the SIG-Sauer P228, like the aforementioned P226, was also an actual FBI-issue sidearm at the time. Scully is first seen using her P228 in "Blood" (S2E03) and would carry it for the remainder of the season and most of the rest of the series. FBI Assistant Director Walter Skinner (Mitch Pileggi), as well as fellow Agent-turned-antagonist Alex Krycek (Nicholas Lea) are also seen with SIG P228s. Other FBI and government agents on the show are also seen using P228s. 
In "Ascension" (S2E06), Duane Barry (Steve Railsback) used Scully's SIG P228 to kill a highway patrolman (Steve Makaj) who tried to apprehend him. Syndicate operative 'The Crew Cut Man' (Lindsey Ginter) briefly uses a P228 in "Red Museum" (S2E10). 'Death fetishist' Donnie Pfaster (Nick Chinlund) is seen handling Scully's P228 in "Irresistible" (S2E13). The Alien Bounty Hunter (Brian Thompson) also briefly held Scully hostage with a SIG-Sauer P228 in "End Game". Mr. 'X' (Steven Williams) also carries a SIG P228 as his weapon, as seen in the episodes "One Breath" (S2E08), "End Game" (S2E17), and "Soft Light" (S2E23). In "One Breath", X describes the gun as a "..High-capacity compact SIG-Sauer .40-caliber weapon.." - The P228 is only available in 9x19mm, so Mr. X did not correctly describe the weapon's caliber (the prop weapon used in the episode is clearly a P228 and not a P229). 
==Smith & Wesson 3904==
In "Duane Barry" (S2E05), Duane Barry (Steve Railsback) uses a Smith & Wesson 3904 that he took from a guard at the mental institute. He uses the weapon throughout the episode to hold several hostages. The weapon is referred to in the episode as a "Nine-millimeter Smith & Wesson handgun" and is said to have a "nine-shot magazine". A similar handgun (possibly the same weapon) was previously seen in Season 1.
 
==Beretta 92FS==
Beretta 92FS pistols are seen numerous times throughout the series, carried and used by police officers and government agents, as well as soldiers and military personnel as a Beretta M9 substitute.
thumb|none|602px|A Beretta 92FS in the hands of a black-ops soldier in the season finale "Anasazi" (S2E25).
==Glock 17==
Glock 17 pistols are seen used by police and government officers throughout the series. In Season 2, they are wielded by numerous law enforcement officers, including a Sheriff in "Blood" (S2E03) and several Deputy US Marshals led by Marshal Tapia (Dean Norris) in "F. Emasculata" (S2E22).
==M1911A1==
Standard M1911A1 pistols are seen occasionally throughout the series. An M1911A1 is notably seen used by Augustus Cole (Tony Todd) in "Sleepless" (S2E04).
==Taurus PT92==
Throughout the earlier seasons of the show, Taurus PT92s are seen carried by police and government officers as well as soldiers and military personnel as a Beretta M9 substitute. A Taurus is notably wielded by a US Navy Captain at the beginning of "Død Kalm" (S2E19).
==Browning BDA==
During a struggle between Scully and Donnie Pfaster in "Irresistible" (S2E13), Scully's SIG P228 becomes what appears to be a Browning BDA when it is dropped on the floor.
thumb|none|325px|Browning BDA - 9x19mm
=Revolvers=
==Taurus Model 66==
Various Taurus Model 66 revolvers appear occasionally throughout the earlier seasons of the series. A blued model is briefly but clearly seen in the holseter of a bank security guard in "Blood" (S2E03). What appears to be a 6" barreled stainless Taurus Model 66 is seen wielded near the conclusion of "Our Town" (S2E24) by Walter Chaco (John Milford), and later Jess Harold (Timothy Webber).
thumb|none|350px|Taurus Model 66 revolver, Stainless Steel, 6" barrel - .357 Magnum
==Smith & Wesson Model 10==
A young Fox Mulder attempts to use a Smith & Wesson Model 10 to try and defend his sister Samantha from alien abduction during a flashback in "Little Green Men" (S2E01).
==Smith & Wesson Military & Police==
An early-version Smith & Wesson Model 10 revolver (Then known as the 'Military & Police' model) is wielded by elderly crime victim Linda Thibedeaux (Joy Coghill) near the conclusion of "Aubrey" (S2E12). What appears to be another M&P/Model 10 revolver is seen in the pocket of a graveyard caretaker (Callum Keith Rennie) in "Fresh Bones" (S2E15).
==Smith & Wesson Model 36==
A Smith & Wesson Model 36 is used by deathly-infected escaped prisoner Paul (John Pyper-Ferguson) to hold a boy hostage in "F. Emasculata" (S2E22).
=Submachine Guns=
==Heckler & Koch MP5A3==
Numerous Heckler & Koch MP5A3s are seen throughout the series. Upon closer inspection, the vast majority in Season 2 are actually Tokyo Marui spring-powered airsoft guns. These are wielded by police tactical officers and government agents, as well as military and black-ops personnel. These weapons are notably seen wielded by both the Blue Beret team leader in "Little Green Men" (S2E01), and HRT agents in "Duane Barry" (S2E05). In the season finale "Anasazi" (S2E25), a team of black ops soldiers are armed with MP5A3s fitted with the H&K proprietary flash hider (these appear to be real, blank-adapted MP5s, instead of airsoft replicas).
==Calico M955A==
In the season opener "Little Green Men" (S2E01), Mulder and Scully were chased away from the Arecibo radio telescope site in Puerto Rico by a Blue Beret Crash Retrieval Unit. The Blue Berets were armed with a number of weapons that were considered "futuristic" back in the mid-1990s when the episode was made, including a Steyr AUG, a Calico M955A with a laser sight, and at least two Mossberg 500 Bullpup shotguns. The leader of the team carries what appears to be an airsoft MP5 (see above).
The Calico M955A in this episode actually appears to be a full-auto conversion of the M951 carbine; notably, it has a slightly longer barrel than an actual M955A with no flash hider, suggesting that the barrel was chopped.
==Heckler & Koch MP5K (Mocked up Kimel AP-9)==
What appear to be Heckler & Koch MP5Ks are seen used by government agents and military/black-ops personnel. In reality, these are not real MP5Ks; but rather mock-ups built on the bolt carrier and magazine well of a Kimel AP-9, because the armorers in British Columbia did not have genuine MP5Ks during the 1990s. The same guns have also appeared in Crying Freeman, M.A.N.T.I.S. and The Outer Limits. These weapons are notably seen carried by black ops soldiers in "Anasazi" (S2E25).
=Rifles / Carbines=
==Colt Model 715 / Olympic Arms K4B==
Due to the series' filming in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada for the first five seasons, most of the M16-type rifles seen throughout this period were Colt Model 715s, or, more likely, the Olympic Arms K4B equivalent, which seems to be favored by the Canadian armorers. These weapons generally appeared in the hands of US military personnel as an M16A2 stand-in. Several of these rifles outfitted with scopes and modified buttstocks are seen wielded by SWAT sharpshooters in "Duane Barry" (S2E05).
==Colt AR-15 SP1 (Mocked Up as M16A1 and M16A2)==
Throughout the show, especially in earlier seasons, Colt AR-15 SP1 rifles fitted with M16A1-style flash hiders are seen. They are fitted with both M16A1 and M16A2-style hand guards, intended to pass for either rifle. A2 mock-ups are seen in "Fresh Bones" (S2E15), in the hands of US military personnel, while A1 mock-ups are seen in "Sleepless" (S2E04) and "F. Emasculata" (S2E22).
thumb|none|500px|M16 aka SP1 (flat "slab side receiver") with an A1 "birdcage" Flash hider, used to impersonate the M16A1 during the 1970s and 1980s. This version has a 30 round magazine - 5.56x45mm
==Colt Model 733 / Olympic Arms K3B 'Commando'==
Several episodes in Season 2 feature appearances of Colt "Commando"-type carbines, usually in the hands of military personnel and SWAT officers. None are seen very closely, but they appear to be the same A1E1-receiver short barrel carbines (Likely shortened Olympic Arms K3B equivalents) seen throughout the first season.
==Steyr AUG==
In the season premiere "Little Green Men", Mulder and Scully were chased away from the Arecibo radio telescope site in Puerto Rico by a Blue Beret Crash Retrieval Unit. The Blue Berets were armed with a number of weapons that were considered "futuristic" back in the mid-1990s when the episode was made, including a Steyr AUG, a Calico M955A with a laser sight, and at least two Mossberg 500 Bullpup shotguns. The leader of the team used an airsoft MP5 (see above).
==Winchester Model 70==
In "Blood" (S2E03), Edward Funsch (William Sanderson), a man suffering from an extreme-paranoia psychotic break is seen purchasing and later firing on a small carnival with what appears to be a Winchester Model 70 rifle. It is in .308 Winchester (as seen from a box of ammo he uses), has a jeweled bolt, and scope.
 
==Remington 700PSS==
SWAT sharpshooters are briefly seen with Remington 700PSS rifles in "Duane Barry" (S2E05).
==Ruger Super Redhawk (Mocked up to resemble the KAC Revolver Rifle)==
In "End Game" (S2E17), an FBI sniper accompanying Assistant Director Skinner (Mitch Pileggi) is armed with what appears to be a Knight's Armament Revolver Rifle. This rifle is actually a mock-up built on a Ruger Super Redhawk revolver that was fitted with a carbine length bull barrel, scope, bipod, and a black synthetic buttstock. The weapon was originally built by Felcan Enterprises for the film Another Stakeout, but would subsequently be re-used on numerous productions filmed in Vancouver, including The Sentinel, Supernatural and Psych, in addition to The X-Files. Since the real Knight's Revolver Rifle also used a Ruger Super Redhawk as a base gun, this method for creating the mockup approximated the production method for the original weapon.
=Shotguns=
==Mossberg 500 (Numerous Variants)==
Several types of Mossberg 500 shotguns are seen throughout Season 2 - Due to the number of different variants, they will be sub-divided within this section. Note that it is possible some of these might actually be the lower-priced Maverick 88 models, as the show rarely gives good showings of the weapons' receivers (the safety placement being the only readily distinguishable difference between the two) and actual Maverick 88s are seen used in the show as well.
===Mossberg 500 Bullpup===
In the first episode of Season 2, "Little Green Men", Mulder and Scully were chased away from the Arecibo radio telescope site in Puerto Rico by a Blue Beret Crash Retrieval Unit. The Blue Berets were armed with a number of weapons that were considered "futuristic" back in the mid-1990s when the episode was made, including a Steyr AUG, a Calico M955A with a laser sight, and at least two Mossberg 500 Bullpup shotguns. The leader of the team used an airsoft MP5 (see above). Black ops units and other government agents are seen with Mossberg 500 Bullpup shotguns throughout the series.
thumb|none|450px|Mossberg 500 Bullpup - 12 Gauge
===Mossberg 500 'Persuader'===
Standard riot-model Mossberg 500s, known as 'Persuader' models are seen throughout Season 2, primarily in the hands of police and government officers. They are notably seen in the hands of FBI agents in "Irresistible" (S2E13) and Deputy US Marshals in "The Host" (S2E02) and "F. Emasculata" (S2E22).
===Mossberg 500AT===
Some of the Mossberg shotguns appear to be Mossberg 500AT variants, noted by the wooden foregrip.
==Ithaca 37==
Several Ithaca 37 shotguns are seen throughout Season 2 of the show, wielded by police officers and government agents. Both standard variants and variants with extended magazine tubes are seen.
===Ithaca 37 'Featherlight'===
An Ithaca 37 "Featherlight", the field-variant of the shotgun, is seen wielded by zoo worker Ed Meecham (Jack Rader) in "Fearful Symmetry" (S2E18).
==Over/Under Double Barreled Shotgun==
An Over & Under 12-Gauge Double Barrel Shotgun is wielded by a devil-worshiper in "Die Hand die Verletzt" (S2E14).
==Winchester Model 1912==
What appears to be a Winchester Model 1912 shotgun is briefly seen in the hands of a police officer in "Fearful Symmetry" (S2E18).
=Other=
==Palmer Cap-Chur Short Range Projector==
A Palmer Cap-Chur Short Range Projector tranquilizer dart pistol is seen wielded by Willa Ambrose (Jayne Atkinson) in "Fearful Symmetry" (S2E18). Ed Meecham (Jack Rader) and Mulder are also seen wielding the tranq pistol.
=See Also=
Category:Television
Category:Science-Fiction
Category:Mystery
Category:Detective