Another thing that the move to L.A. brought to the X-Files is guest star power. Season six sees an influx of more famous guest stars such as Ed Asner and Michael McKean. Terms Of Endearment features Bruce Campbell, famous for his "Evil Dead" movies. Bruce does a good job, playing a demon who is trying to have a normal child. Now off of the x-files, Mulder must find other avenues of investigating x-files. This time, he pieces together a file that Agent Spender has disregarded and shredded. This episode has some creepy parts to it, particularly when the demon is harvesting the fetuses. I like how Mulder uses the term "devil" to show that he's onto Wayne. After Mulder figures out what Wayne is, he turns into Columbo, which is the highlight of the episode. Mulder follows Wayne around and pesters him, suspecting Wayne of leading a double life. Terms of Endearment is a good, solid x-file and has a nice little twist at the end, a feature not too common for the X-Files. No chainsaw is required to enjoy this one.
7 Reviews
"I know what you are."
classicsoncall25 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This episode has one of the most horrifying teasers The X-Files ever had, perhaps even the scariest. The whole idea of 'demon fetal harvest' knocked me out when Mulder first mentioned it; who would have ever come up with a term like that, even if it did sound like it fit the circumstance? That's going to sit on my brain for a while as I try to excommunicate it.
Now riddle me this? How in the world did Mulder become aware of this case? He mentioned that Spender (Chris Owens) round filed the report from deputy sheriff Arky Stevens (Michael Milhoan), but Spender also ran it through a shredder as he did so. So what's Mulder doing - going through the guy's trash to piece together strips of paper to find out what Spender's doing? I don't think that would make sense to anybody, and because it was on my mind as I watched the show, it served as something of a distraction.
The story appears to set up Wayne Weinsider (Bruce Campbell) as the episode's monster of the week, and in a way he was, being the devil and all. But it seems he was trying to find someone who could provide him with a normal child, even if it took a span of decades and a myriad of wives to do it. The first time he was shown digging up the dead baby in the back yard brought to mind the 'Home' episode of The X-Files, one of the most disturbing shows I've ever seen given the subject matter.
What really boggles the mind is how Mulder manages to figure things out and change horses in midstream to know that it's second wife Betsy (Grace Phillips) who's going the extra mile for the spawn of the demon. If you're wondering how the man can be so persistent in following up his theories of the paranormal, there's really only one answer I can come up with in this case - the devil made him do it, poopydoo.
Now riddle me this? How in the world did Mulder become aware of this case? He mentioned that Spender (Chris Owens) round filed the report from deputy sheriff Arky Stevens (Michael Milhoan), but Spender also ran it through a shredder as he did so. So what's Mulder doing - going through the guy's trash to piece together strips of paper to find out what Spender's doing? I don't think that would make sense to anybody, and because it was on my mind as I watched the show, it served as something of a distraction.
The story appears to set up Wayne Weinsider (Bruce Campbell) as the episode's monster of the week, and in a way he was, being the devil and all. But it seems he was trying to find someone who could provide him with a normal child, even if it took a span of decades and a myriad of wives to do it. The first time he was shown digging up the dead baby in the back yard brought to mind the 'Home' episode of The X-Files, one of the most disturbing shows I've ever seen given the subject matter.
What really boggles the mind is how Mulder manages to figure things out and change horses in midstream to know that it's second wife Betsy (Grace Phillips) who's going the extra mile for the spawn of the demon. If you're wondering how the man can be so persistent in following up his theories of the paranormal, there's really only one answer I can come up with in this case - the devil made him do it, poopydoo.
A harrowing chiller. Cracking episode.
Sleepin_Dragon16 September 2022
A woman's baby is snatched from her in quite brutal fashion, she claims the being that took it was a horned beast, in the form of a devil.
Very good, that's a pretty creepy, unsettling episode. Definitely a one off story, so easy for a casual viewer to watch and follow. This features some of the most chilling and creepy sequences I've ever seen on The X Files, those opening sequences were really rather nasty.
I loved the twist in the story, great use on only happy when it rains by Garbage, but would Devil Woman have perhaps been the better choice?
Bruce Campbell is excellent as Wayne, it's very commanding performance. Such an interesting character, I liked the way his reasoning was explained.
Enjoyed that, 8/10.
Very good, that's a pretty creepy, unsettling episode. Definitely a one off story, so easy for a casual viewer to watch and follow. This features some of the most chilling and creepy sequences I've ever seen on The X Files, those opening sequences were really rather nasty.
I loved the twist in the story, great use on only happy when it rains by Garbage, but would Devil Woman have perhaps been the better choice?
Bruce Campbell is excellent as Wayne, it's very commanding performance. Such an interesting character, I liked the way his reasoning was explained.
Enjoyed that, 8/10.
Noticeable Change in Production Values for S6
XweAponX18 February 2012
After watching the first 5 seasons of The X Files plus the first Feature Film, I must agree that The X Files took a huge change in Production values starting this season. Traditionally, a move from Vancouver to Los Angeles indicates cheapness on the part of the network. The Episodes immediately became all lighter in tone. This is because, the Production team had quite a few losses in the move, some of the people from Vancouver never made it to LA. And those were the people that gave X Files it's classic dismalness and bleakness.
Until this episode. This episode has darkness in it - But not Bleakness as in the first 5 seasons and the Feature. I never liked the idea of moving X Files to LA either, but is was done, and I eventually began enjoying the lighter tone of the episodes as they progressed. All of the "MOTW" eps from S6 to S8 which included Mulder had this almost comedy tone.
Regardless of that, this episode has portions where the creep factor is maximum, and if you take into account Army of Darkness' Bruce Campbell's guest role anyone can see that this is due to his involvement.
Campbell is Classic almost B-Movie material, he fits right in here.
As dark as this episode is, there is almost a Eucatastrophe, as Tolkein puts it - A point where everything seems the worst, but suddenly everything turns out for the better OUT of the bad things that happen.
Bruce Campbell's character- as creepy as he is, is not the real villain of this episode. You'll see who if you watch it.
Until this episode. This episode has darkness in it - But not Bleakness as in the first 5 seasons and the Feature. I never liked the idea of moving X Files to LA either, but is was done, and I eventually began enjoying the lighter tone of the episodes as they progressed. All of the "MOTW" eps from S6 to S8 which included Mulder had this almost comedy tone.
Regardless of that, this episode has portions where the creep factor is maximum, and if you take into account Army of Darkness' Bruce Campbell's guest role anyone can see that this is due to his involvement.
Campbell is Classic almost B-Movie material, he fits right in here.
As dark as this episode is, there is almost a Eucatastrophe, as Tolkein puts it - A point where everything seems the worst, but suddenly everything turns out for the better OUT of the bad things that happen.
Bruce Campbell's character- as creepy as he is, is not the real villain of this episode. You'll see who if you watch it.
Bit over-the-top,but good viewing
sagarshares785418 July 2014
I admit,that its difficult(if not impossible) to make an episode about Demons that is not 'over-the-top'. The episode starts with a married couple expecting a child & taking a medical report on it.Their doctor finds some abnormalities,but says that its too early to jump to conclusions. After the first 5 mins.,you feel that its going the 'Rosemary's Baby' way,but a reference to the same,from Scully,puts this thought to rest.What unfolds is a decent story,with a small twist towards the end. I liked the way Mulder plays along with Laura's brother...making him believe that he is a cover-up(while Mulder has been ousted from the X- Files!) These are character-defining moments,& the writers have handled it well.Scully,on the other hand,is being quiet sincere with the awarded duties(meant to humiliate her) I can understand why X-Files fans,feel a bit cheated in this series...but then,its only a TV show! Chris Carter would have wanted to experiment with a new line of thought,& as a creative person,that is something you would expect out of him.So,I have no complaints.The episodes are still entertaining & good on humour quotient.Characters have been maintained,with some juggling of positions(which has been brilliantly shown) 'Terms of Endearment' happens to be a take on Rosemary's Baby,with added touches from the X-Files team.The production values are a bit on the lower side.However,the acting is very good.Supporting cast is good.I felt that they could have made the atmosphere a bit more tense...giving the 'chills' when some women is expecting a baby,or something of that sort.But the emphasis is on making a sympathetic antagonist,so it works well. Direction: 7/10.Acting: 8.5/10.Story: 7.5/10.Overall: its an 8/10.
Rosemary's Baby
AngelLysh7 November 2011
Warning: Spoilers
In what started off as a strong season, we come back after the holidays with Terms of Endearment. It's the story of a demon who just wants to have a normal child and has knocked up two women in his attempt. The mother of the first demon child has a brother in law enforcement, who turns to the X-Files for help in this case. Spender, who I don't know what he's been doing with his time, throws the case away and Mulder takes it on. So this might even be the first official X-file of the season. Mulder quickly catches on, of course occasionally calling up Scully for her expertise, as he tries to find proof that this man is the devil.
I remember not liking this episode when it first aired on TV and hadn't watched it since. There's a lot of Bruce Campbell in this episode, who I probably knew from Jack of all Trades and he did very good in this episode. As always, I love Mulder's attempt at continuing paranormal investigations despite not being assigned to the X-files, as well as Scully's knowledge and that face she gets after one of Mulder's crazy ideas. It was an interesting episode. The effects were a little bad, but would be good for an episode in season 1, so it has this old episode feel to it a little bit. So I liked it better now, on my second viewing. It just isn't on the same scale as the previous episodes of this season.
I remember not liking this episode when it first aired on TV and hadn't watched it since. There's a lot of Bruce Campbell in this episode, who I probably knew from Jack of all Trades and he did very good in this episode. As always, I love Mulder's attempt at continuing paranormal investigations despite not being assigned to the X-files, as well as Scully's knowledge and that face she gets after one of Mulder's crazy ideas. It was an interesting episode. The effects were a little bad, but would be good for an episode in season 1, so it has this old episode feel to it a little bit. So I liked it better now, on my second viewing. It just isn't on the same scale as the previous episodes of this season.
Demon v.s. Demon
anzaldua11 December 2006
While Mulder is working on the X Files undercover behind Spender's back, Scully is doing some background checks. Mulder visits a couple who had their baby abducted.
This is an episode that make us be in the shoes of those who had lost a baby, no matter how. It also shows us the power of a blind love from a wife towards his liar husband, and also how coward men or demons sometimes are.
Incredibly, the costumes are very bad in this episode, very bad at least for a series that stood out for it's special effects. The plot is, on the contrary, very good. Terms of Endearment is an episode that shows how evil can be anywhere and that evil can find some greater evil even in the most beautiful things.
This is an episode that make us be in the shoes of those who had lost a baby, no matter how. It also shows us the power of a blind love from a wife towards his liar husband, and also how coward men or demons sometimes are.
Incredibly, the costumes are very bad in this episode, very bad at least for a series that stood out for it's special effects. The plot is, on the contrary, very good. Terms of Endearment is an episode that shows how evil can be anywhere and that evil can find some greater evil even in the most beautiful things.
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