The X-Files 2x20: Humbug
Sep. 21st, 2018 07:31 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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tori_reviewsThe X-Files 2x20: Humbug
I know this episode is considered a classic in some circles, but damned if I can figure out why. Sure it’s got a colorful cast of characters of the week, but a whole lot of problems with it that made it really hard for me to enjoy.
Mulder says at the beginning that over 25 years there hasn’t been escalation in these killings, nor did it sound like they would happen in spurts of several and then stop for a few years. But here we have three going on four murders in the same week. There’s an argument to be made that because Lenny was apparently dying, Leonard might have been seeking out a new brother, that would support the facts on this case, but not the backstory we’re given.
And all episode; Mulder, and especially Scully, seem really judgmental and prejudiced towards people who aren’t as conventionally attractive as them. The episode even has the hotel man call them out on it, except it seems like we’re supposed to be amused with Mulder by the punchline of the scene; and the characters themselves note they’re basically being racist and then decide to carry on being racist anyway (in an episode that doesn’t actually have any non-white people in it). There’s a whole lot of staring at the freaks going on, both by the characters and the camera, and I don’t like it.
Plus this has to be one of the few times in the series when Mulder and Scully don’t apparently always have their flashlights handy, otherwise Mulder could have gone for his flashlight rather than immediately to his gun when he heard something under the trailer, and it would have rather changed the dynamics of the funhouse diversion if it had been done primarily by flashlight.
Then the conclusion is also basically anti the TXF formula; because usually when Scully sees something it’s because it at least seems scientifically reasonable, even if it’s the scientifically reasonable tip of the paranormal iceberg. If this was meant to be character development (either the result of it, they’ve seen enough mutations for it not to seem so weird anymore; or to show that going forward she will have a more open mind towards what is scientifically reasonable in her world) then that would be one thing, but I’m pretty sure it’s not meant to be that; it’s just the way she’s written this episode.
I mostly found this episode annoying, and it didn’t help that even though I only saw it once before, I remembered clearly who the murderer was; so instead of being focused on the case I was seeing all the parts that annoyed me. I’m not sure I’d call it bland (although considering how much it’s trying to be anything but bland, that I’m even considering using the label means it probably failed), but I mostly didn’t like it.
Previous status
I did see it once before, probably about 20 years ago. I don’t recall if I liked it back then, but it must have left some impression.
Vancouver spotting
Not so much a Vancouver spotting, as an awareness that we are not in Florida since everyone is wearing jackets even though dialog complains about the heat a couple times.
Are we saying it’s aliens?
That’s not even a factor here.
Scully’s convenient miss of the week
The fact that Scully doesn’t miss much this week, she even sees Leonard at one point, is part of my previously mentioned problem.
How crazy does Mulder sound?
He’s considering a monkey made up as a mermaid as a murder suspect. He’s also a terrible crime scene investigator as he was going around leaving fingerprints on everything.
Wow that’s uncomfortable in hindsight
Mulder and Scully need to stay away from bees.
I know this episode is considered a classic in some circles, but damned if I can figure out why. Sure it’s got a colorful cast of characters of the week, but a whole lot of problems with it that made it really hard for me to enjoy.
Mulder says at the beginning that over 25 years there hasn’t been escalation in these killings, nor did it sound like they would happen in spurts of several and then stop for a few years. But here we have three going on four murders in the same week. There’s an argument to be made that because Lenny was apparently dying, Leonard might have been seeking out a new brother, that would support the facts on this case, but not the backstory we’re given.
And all episode; Mulder, and especially Scully, seem really judgmental and prejudiced towards people who aren’t as conventionally attractive as them. The episode even has the hotel man call them out on it, except it seems like we’re supposed to be amused with Mulder by the punchline of the scene; and the characters themselves note they’re basically being racist and then decide to carry on being racist anyway (in an episode that doesn’t actually have any non-white people in it). There’s a whole lot of staring at the freaks going on, both by the characters and the camera, and I don’t like it.
Plus this has to be one of the few times in the series when Mulder and Scully don’t apparently always have their flashlights handy, otherwise Mulder could have gone for his flashlight rather than immediately to his gun when he heard something under the trailer, and it would have rather changed the dynamics of the funhouse diversion if it had been done primarily by flashlight.
Then the conclusion is also basically anti the TXF formula; because usually when Scully sees something it’s because it at least seems scientifically reasonable, even if it’s the scientifically reasonable tip of the paranormal iceberg. If this was meant to be character development (either the result of it, they’ve seen enough mutations for it not to seem so weird anymore; or to show that going forward she will have a more open mind towards what is scientifically reasonable in her world) then that would be one thing, but I’m pretty sure it’s not meant to be that; it’s just the way she’s written this episode.
I mostly found this episode annoying, and it didn’t help that even though I only saw it once before, I remembered clearly who the murderer was; so instead of being focused on the case I was seeing all the parts that annoyed me. I’m not sure I’d call it bland (although considering how much it’s trying to be anything but bland, that I’m even considering using the label means it probably failed), but I mostly didn’t like it.
Previous status
I did see it once before, probably about 20 years ago. I don’t recall if I liked it back then, but it must have left some impression.
Vancouver spotting
Not so much a Vancouver spotting, as an awareness that we are not in Florida since everyone is wearing jackets even though dialog complains about the heat a couple times.
Are we saying it’s aliens?
That’s not even a factor here.
Scully’s convenient miss of the week
The fact that Scully doesn’t miss much this week, she even sees Leonard at one point, is part of my previously mentioned problem.
How crazy does Mulder sound?
He’s considering a monkey made up as a mermaid as a murder suspect. He’s also a terrible crime scene investigator as he was going around leaving fingerprints on everything.
Wow that’s uncomfortable in hindsight
Mulder and Scully need to stay away from bees.
