Humbug
- Episode aired Mar 31, 1995
- TV-14
- 45m
The agents search for a killer in a Florida town inhabited by sideshow performers.The agents search for a killer in a Florida town inhabited by sideshow performers.The agents search for a killer in a Florida town inhabited by sideshow performers.
- Mr. Nutt
- (as Michael Anderson)
- Hermaphrodite waitress
- (uncredited)
- Robert Glazebrook, The Oldest Son
- (uncredited)
- Lionel Glazebrook
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaGillian Anderson's character Scully was supposed to eat a cricket in front of Mulder. After Scully picked it up, the scene was to be stopped so a candy bug could replace the real one. However, before "cut" could be called, Anderson immediately placed the real bug in her mouth and ate it, and it stayed in the final cut. David Duchovny's off-screen gross out can be seen in one of the many "Making of the X-Files" featurettes.
- GoofsAfter the first victim is killed, Mulder tells Scully the victim suffered from ichthyosis. He then proceeds to explain to her what it is, however, as a doctor and pathologist, she would know about this condition. She also fails to stop him and lets him finish his explanation as if she didn't know what it was.
- Quotes
[after correcting Mulder's assumption that he was a circus performer]
Fox Mulder: I'm sorry. I meant no offense.
Mr. Nutt: Well, why should I take offense? Just because it's human nature to make assumptions about people purely on the basis of their physical appearances? Why, I've done the same thing to you, for example. I've taken in your all-American features, your dour demeanor, your unimaginative necktie design, and concluded that you work for the government... an FBI agent. But you see the tragedy? I have unconsciously reduced you to a stereotype, instead of regarding you as a specific, unique individual.
Fox Mulder: But I am an FBI agent.
- ConnectionsFeatured in No Small Parts: Vincent Schiavelli (2014)
The whole premise of the story is interesting as there really is a Gibsonton Florida which grew into a home away from the road for countless side show performers. Not only that, but the additions to the cast of town inhabitants and current "freakshow" performers is "spot-on" as far as adding mysterious credibility to an otherwise too outlandish story ( I personally usually like X-Files best when the stories have just enough credibility to be only improbable, not impossible). The performances of true-life "freaks" Jim Rose and The Enigma really nail down "Humbug" catapulting it into one of my top two or three season two episodes. The late, and truly great, character actor Vincent Schiavelli brings what he does best in his limited role here too.
All in all, this is an excellent episode that proves if guest writers, such as Darin Morgan who is credited here, are let to allow their creative juices to flow X-Files doesn't have to be constrained by anything alien related. Recommended.
- AudioFileZ
- Jun 25, 2012