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)
A circus attraction gone wrong
Sticks his head where it doesn't belong
Making its killings
Now the Enigma its filling
And the Fiji Mermaid has moved along.
Humbug is the first comedy episode of the series written by Darin Morgan who would later bring us a few other great episodes including my favorite overall of the series "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose". A humbug is another word for a sideshow attraction which is exactly what the entire episode is about. The idea of having a trailer park where a bunch of circus freaks all live allows for all kinds of great comedic opportunities. I think one of the things I like most about this is how Mulder's humor is allowed to come out in this episode. Probably one of the better characters is the Conundrum "big jigsaw tattooed naked guy". In other words, great writing and great actors = great episode. 10/10.
- Sanpaco13
- Nov 16, 2007