Leonard Betts (26 Jan. 1997)
"The X Files" Leonard Betts (original title)

After an ambulance accident leaves Pittsburgh, PA's EMT of the Year Leonard Betts without a head, and what's left of his body seems to walk right out of the morgue, Mulder and Scully ... See full summary »

Director:

Kim Manners

Writers:

Chris Carter (creator), Vince Gilligan,

Stars:

David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Peter Bryant

Cast

Episode credited cast:
David Duchovny	...	Fox Mulder
Gillian Anderson	...	Dana Scully
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Peter Bryant	...	The Uniformed Cop
Sean Campbell	...	The Local Cop
Jennifer Clement	...	Michele Wilkes
Bill Dow	...	Dr. Charles Burks
David Hurtubise	...	The Pathologist
Brad Loree	...	The Security Guard
Marjorie Lovett	...	Elaine Tanner
Paul McCrane	...	Leonard Morris Betts
Laara Sadiq	...	Female EMT
Cameron K. Smith	...	Special Agent Travis
Douglas Stewart	...	Male EMT (as J. Douglas Stewart)

Storyline

After an ambulance accident leaves Pittsburgh, PA's EMT of the Year Leonard Betts without a head, and what's left of his body seems to walk right out of the morgue, Mulder and Scully investigate. They find what may be evidence of evolution from man to something... cancerous.

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Plot Keywords:

morgue | decapitation | ambulance crash | cancer | blink | 

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 January 1997 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Stage 2, North Shore Studios, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

20th Century Fox Television, Ten Thirteen Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Bill Dow appears in the X Files 8 times in guest appearances. This is his second as Dr. Burks.

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Quotes

Fox Mulder: [on Leonard Bett's brain sections] Let's get a slice to go.

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Connections

References Siskel & Ebert (1986)

User Reviews

Will the real Leonard Betts please stand up?

Leonard Betts is an intriguing episode from season four written by the three-headed monster of John Shiban, Vince Gilligan & Frank Spotnitz, and directed by Kim Manners. It's a well-written story done with excellent camera work. I liked how Kim did reflection shots in the morgue freezer doors and the iodine in the tub. The props and special effects also stand out in this episode. Toby Lindala, the special makeup effects artists deserves props for his work on Leonard Betts head. The special effect of Leonard growing a new body is not too shabby as well. This episode is full of good, witty dialogue between Mulder and Scully. Chuck Burks also makes an appearance, who is always good for a few laughs. Other highlights of this episode include Mulder showing his queasiness toward digging for body parts and Kung Fu Scully. Leonard Betts is well-paced with a couple of gross scenes and it has a big reveal at the end of it. The makeup and special effects along with the good dialogue and story help make Leonard Betts to be an above-average season four addition.