Alvin Kersh

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The X-Files character
Image:Ddkersh001.JPG
Alvin D. Kersh
Affiliated with FBI/Syndicate/Colonists
First appearance "The Beginning"
Last appearance "The Truth"
Portrayed by James Pickens, Jr.

Alvin D. Kersh is a fictional character from The X-Files, played by James Pickens, Jr..

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Kersh was a Navy A-6 Intruder bombardier in Vietnam, and used the same instincts that served him as an aviator to guide his career in the FBI. As an Assistant Director, he temporarily became supervisor to Agents Mulder and Scully when they were assigned away from the X-Files division. During this time, the Cigarette Smoking Man could be seen in his office, and Kersh was far more loyal to him than Assistant Director Skinner was. Kersh assigned Mulder and Scully mostly to menial tasks, such as terrorist details and Federal background checks. When they did investigate an X-File behind his back, Kersh would charge them for expenses they incurred on the case, forcing them to pay out of their own pocket. He also attempted to separate Mulder and Scully, believing that Mulder threw away a promising career as a criminal profiler, but that Scully's career could still be saved.

When Mulder and Scully were reassigned to the X-Files Section, Kersh continued to climb the ladder, making his way to Deputy Director. It was not long after his promotion that Mulder was abducted by aliens. Kersh assigned John Doggett to run the manhunt for Mulder. When Mulder returned, Kersh refused to assign him to the X-Files, keeping Doggett in that position. When Mulder and Doggett pursued an unauthorized case, Kersh was prepared to fire them both, but Mulder accepted full responsibility and was dismissed from the FBI. Shortly thereafter, Mulder disappeared again, and Doggett brought in Monica Reyes to help him investigate Kersh's involvement in the conspiracy surrounding Mulder's disappearance. The investigation turned up nothing. Although Doggett seemed convinced that Kersh was involved in the conspiracy, Kersh insisted that he was actually protecting Mulder. During the 9th season, The Toothpick Man, a key conspirator, could be seen in the company of Kersh, much like Cigarette Smoking Man before. In the end, Kersh showed a heroic side when during the series finale, he helped Doggett and Skinner free Mulder from a military prison. In response to Mulder's escape, Kersh had to permanently close the X-Files to appease his irate superiors.

Kersh's personal life was never touched upon, but it was clear that he was married, as he wore a wedding ring.

[edit] Appearances

Season 6

  • "The Beginning"
  • "Drive"
  • "Triangle"
  • "Dreamland"
  • "Tithonus"
  • "One Son"

Season 8

  • "Within"
  • "Without"
  • "Via Negativa"
  • "DeadAlive"
  • "Three Words"
  • "Vienen"
  • "Existence"

Season 9

  • "Nothing Important Happened Today"
  • "Nothing Important Happened Today II"
  • "John Doe"
  • "Provenance"
  • "Providence"
  • "The Truth"