Badlaa (21 Jan. 2001)
"The X Files" Badlaa (original title)

A small Indian man on a creaky cart is believed to have the ability to leap into people's bodies.

Director:

Tony Wharmby

Writers:

Chris Carter (creator), John Shiban

Stars:

David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Robert Patrick

Cast

Episode credited cast:
David Duchovny	...	Fox Mulder (credit only)
Gillian Anderson	...	Dana Scully
Robert Patrick	...	John Doggett
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Tony Adelman	...	Trevor's Father
Jane Daly	...	Mrs. Holt
Bill Dow	...	Chuck Burks
Jacob Franchek	...	Red-Haired Kid
Andy Hubbell	...	Quinton's Father
Kiran Rao	...	Customs Agent
Calvin Remsberg	...	Hugh Potocki
Deep Roy	...	Beggar Man
Mimi Savage	...	Teacher
Maura Soden	...	Trevor's Mother
Winston Story	...	Bellboy
Jordan Warkol	...	Quinton (as Jordan Blake Warkol)

Storyline

A small Indian man on a creaky cart is believed to have the ability to leap into people's bodies.

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Plot Keywords:

mute | drowning | male sitting on a toilet | razor scooter | mumbai india | 

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 January 2001 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Stage 5, 20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

20th Century Fox Television, Ten Thirteen Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When the Beggar has Quinton cornered in the classroom, just as Scully enters with the Principal the Boom Mic becomes visible just left from the center of the shot.

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Quotes

John Doggett: Dead men don't tip, Agent Scully.

User Reviews

This whole episode doesn't make any sense.

Badlaa is a good, creepy episode that is quite enjoyable to watch if you don't think about it too much. If you start thinking about it, the glaring plot holes start jumping out at you and lessen your enjoyment of the episode. With each viewing, they become more apparent to me.

I like in the beginning how Scully says her theory to Doggett slowly as if she can't believe what she is saying. The scene where Quinton's dad is killed reminds me of Folie a Deux where the lady is killed in her house. Both times screams are heard but then the person looks calm and undisturbed. I like how the other boy sees the janitor's face flicker.

I love seeing Chuck Burk in this episode. He has a much larger role than just one scene. After Doggett shuts down Scully's theory, she later divulges a new theory to Chuck, not Doggett. She knows Chuck won't shoot her down. I wouldn't be telling Doggett anymore theories either.

The apparition of the janitor that was just sitting in the police station is an interesting scene. However, they never explain when it disappeared. Or is it still sitting there to this day?

I love how Scully talks at the end about trying to see the case how Mulder would've seen it. It's great development for her character to try to step out of her shell a little.

These are the biggest problems with the episode:

How is the beggar able to get along without speaking? It makes the character creepier, but a principal wouldn't hire him as a janitor if he never spoke. Does he have "Pusher" abilities as well?

Early in the episode, Chuck says, "If this is for revenge, then why is he killing the people who he is killing?" John Shiban never answers that question. Big plot hole.

If the beggar didn't enter the mom, why are her eyes red? Isn't that the indication that he entered the person?

Also, at the end of a lot of X-files episodes, they show hints of the monster continuing on WHEN he gets away. When the monster is caught or killed, they don't show that. The beggar was shot and (supposedly) killed by Scully, then they show the 2 weeks later shot at the airport. How ridiculous! Completely unnecessary! That ruined the ending.

John Shiban did some good work for the x-files, but I think he had more mental lapses than any other staff writer. Upon initial viewing, Badlaa is a really good, creepy episode. But it loses it charms upon subsequent viewings as the plot holes emerge and sour the viewing experience.