Sanguinarium (10 Nov. 1996)
"The X Files" Sanguinarium (original title)

Scully and Mulder investigate a particularly gruesome murder at a hospital where a cosmetic surgery patient is butchered by the attending physician. The doctor who performed the operation ... See full summary »

Director:

Kim Manners

Writers:

Chris Carter (creator), Valerie Mayhew,

Stars:

David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Andrew Airlie

Cast

Episode credited cast:
David Duchovny	...	Fox Mulder
Gillian Anderson	...	Dana Scully
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Andrew Airlie	...	Attorney
Norman Armour	...	ER Doctor
Richard Beymer	...	Dr. Jack Franklin
Martin Evans	...	Dr. Hartman
O-Lan Jones	...	Nurse Rebecca Waite
John Juliani	...	Dr. Harrison Lloyd
Arlene Mazerolle	...	Dr. Shannon
Paul Raskin	...	Dr. Eric Ilaqua
Marie Stillin	...	Dr. Sally Sanford
Greg Thirloway	...	Dr. Mitchell Kaplan (as Gregory Thirloway)

Storyline

Scully and Mulder investigate a particularly gruesome murder at a hospital where a cosmetic surgery patient is butchered by the attending physician. The doctor who performed the operation has no idea why he did it and felt like he was possessed. While Scully looks for a scientific explanation Mulder feels witchcraft may have played a role. He finds 5 burned rings on the floor of the operating room which when joined together form a pentagram. As the uncontrolled killings continue, Mulder discovers a link between the victims' dates of birth and key dates on the witchcraft calendar.

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Plot Keywords:

witchcraft | sleeping pill | pin | phenol | liposuction | 

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 1996 (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:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Dana Scully: There's magic going on here, Mulder. Only it's being done with silicone, collagen, and a well-placed scalpel.

User Reviews

Everyone wants to be beautiful...

"Sanguinarium" is an engrossing (emphasis on gross!) albeit less-than-awe-inspiring episode that unfortunately fails to deliver much of anything noteworthy besides gratuitous gore. Which is a shame, given the presence of Twin Peaks' Richard Beymer, who is all but wasted in his thankless role as the evil Dr. Franklyn.

The plot begins simply enough: doctors in a prestigious plastic surgery unit are being driven to murder their patients in grisly manners. Stranger yet are the residual pentagrams left behind at the crime scenes. When our two agents show up to investigate, Mulder inevitably suspects the involvement of witchcraft.

The script was the first and only written by Mayhew and Mayhew, yet the unevenness of the plot just screams committee writing. Supposedly a good number of Wiccans were put off by their misinformed representation in this episode. The black magic that Mulder touches upon isn't wholly explained, and the character of Nurse Waite (O-Lan Jones) is equally confusing. How does she aim to protect patients by scarring them with leeches? Why the elaborate bloodbath in Franklyn's home? If the goal was to make her the "good" witch I feel like the mark was missed. Also, how was Franklyn able to manipulate the other doctors through their medication?

I often lamented The X-Files for not coming up with more occult episodes. This one quenched my thirst but did not leave a lasting impression. A creepy premise and decent guest acting save this one from the x-file toilet, but the lack of substance in favor of cheap thrills do not render this one of the show's greater efforts. If you like gruesome deaths however, "Sanguinarium" is for you. For those faint of heart, look elsewhere.

6/10