"The X Files" Tooms (1994)

Director:

David Nutter

Writers:

Chris Carter (creator)
Glen Morgan (written by) ...

TV Series:

"The X Files" (1993)

Original Air Date:

22 April 1994 (Season 1, Episode 20)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Plot:

In this sequel to "Squeeze", Tooms is released after an investigation. However, he needs to be stopped before he can claim his last victim and go into hibernation for another 30 years.

Plot Keywords:

Clogged Toilet | Roto Rooter | Male Female Relationship | Character Name In Title | FBI

Cast

David Duchovny	...	Fox Mulder
Gillian Anderson	...	Dana Scully
Doug Hutchison	...	Eugene Victor Tooms
Paul Ben-Victor	...	Dr. Aaron Monte (as Paul Ben Victor)
Mitch Pileggi	...	Walter Skinner
Henry Beckman	...	Detective Frank Briggs
Timothy Webber	...	Detective Talbot
Jan D'Arcy	...	Judge Kann
Jerry Wasserman	...	Dr. Plith
Frank C. Turner	...	Dr. Collins
Gillian Carfra	...	Christine Ranford
Pat Bermel	...	Frank Ranford
Mikal Dughi	...	Dr. Pamela Karetzky
Glynis Davies	...	Defense Counsel Nelson
Steve Adams	...	Prosecution Counsel Myers

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Argentina:13

Company:

20th Century Fox Television

Goofs:

Factual errors: A body encapsulated in cement would remain conserved in a relatively good condition. The remains found in the concrete floor however, consist merely of bones.

Quotes:

Dr. Aaron Monte: [First Lines] Eugene,
[He knocks on Tooms'door]
Dr. Aaron Monte: Eugene it's Dr. Monte.

Movie Connections:

Features The Fly (1958)

Worthy sequel

If memory serves well, "Tooms" is the first of three X-Files episodes where old 'monster of the week' characters are brought back for another episode, this featuring Eugene Victor Tooms and the other two featuring Pusher and Donnie Pfaster respectively. Although conventional wisdom holds that "Squeeze" is a classic and "Tooms" merely a satisfying sequel, I find "Tooms" just as enjoyable as "Squeeze" and possibly slightly better, perhaps.

Tooms, mostly thanks to Doug Hutchinson's inspired performance, is a fantastic villain, creepy and effective, and he is used well here with the mythology behind the character being developed further in this script by James Wong and Glen Morgan. In addition the script features some hilarious, inspired, and truly witty exchanges between Mulder and Scully, features CSM actually saying something, a rarity at this point in the series (not sure, but this might be the first time he speaks). The episode also introduces AD Skinner played by Mitch Pileggi, almost everyone's third favorite character after Mulder and Scully.

Creepy, witty, lots of fun, and featuring a great climax, "Tooms" is a worthy sequel to "Squeeze".

8.5/10