The key to enjoying El Mundo Gira is to not take it seriously. The episode doesn't. Why should you? Without being familiar with the television genre of the Hispanic telenovela, the viewer may feel a little confused and disappointed. In short, Hispanic telenovelas are known for over-dramatic acting, a lot like American daily soap operas. You can tell the actors in this episode are used to that kind of work, because they do it well. The Spanish guitar used in the score, gives you a good feel for the culture that exists on the U.S.-Mexican border. The INS worker does an excellent job by being indifferent and easy-going. He just seems so natural. Doctor Scully teaches us an interesting word from her autopsy: aspargillus. It's just fun to say. The one nice piece of cinematography work I liked in El Mundo Gira is when the shot transitions from the alien/chupacabra's face to the face of AD Walter Skinner. What exactly is the director implying? There are two different endings to the story as told by different women, a technique later used in 'Bad Blood'. The story of El Chupacabra and the love triangle between the woman and the two brothers is a Hispanic telenovela at its best. It's not a deep, dark x-file. Take it for what it is, and enjoy.
19 Reviews
All in the title
ybemad29 July 2009
Being fluent in Spanish I got right away this episode would have something to do with soap operas ("(As) The world turns"). With this expectation in hand then, I took the over-the-top acting as part of the episode. But I must say the acting from the Hispanic actors outside of Ruben Blades really bothered me. Casting here I think was terrible. I know there must be Hispanic actors who are more fluent in Spanish than these people were, certainly one's who didn't speak Spanish with such terrible English accents...I mean I'm fluent and I had to read the subtitles to understand what they were saying at times. It was really distracting for me. I'm watching it again...wow the accents are terrible. Why?! Outside of this accent problem I thought the episode was entertaining, containing some of the elements that keeps me coming back for more of the show. The Mulder one liners, the subtle maybe sometimes unintended humor, the Mulder-Scully banter, the unexplained but remotely plausible phenomena. Just to be clear Ruben Blades was great here.
Over-the-top 'silly'
SleepTight66614 November 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Quite a mess, with dramatic overacting and cheesy writing.
But despite it being quite over-the-top 'silly'. I really enjoy it. Being someone whose primary language is Spanish, it's very fun to see David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson try out some Spanish dialog.
My favorite part of the episode is really the make-up effects. The fungus looked very real, and very gross. My favorite part was probably Maria's face, or the guy at the store. I also liked the Chupa Cabra make-up for some reason. It looked silly, but that suited the episode.
Behind the silly Chupa Cabra storyline, this episode has a bigger meaning. It tries to tell the story about the Mexican immigrants in America, and how their suffering is ignored by the government. Like Mulder said; 'Nobody cares'.
I'm giving this a solid THREE stars. Not great, but entertaining nonetheless.
But despite it being quite over-the-top 'silly'. I really enjoy it. Being someone whose primary language is Spanish, it's very fun to see David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson try out some Spanish dialog.
My favorite part of the episode is really the make-up effects. The fungus looked very real, and very gross. My favorite part was probably Maria's face, or the guy at the store. I also liked the Chupa Cabra make-up for some reason. It looked silly, but that suited the episode.
Behind the silly Chupa Cabra storyline, this episode has a bigger meaning. It tries to tell the story about the Mexican immigrants in America, and how their suffering is ignored by the government. Like Mulder said; 'Nobody cares'.
I'm giving this a solid THREE stars. Not great, but entertaining nonetheless.
"El Chupacabra Vive!"
classicsoncall23 June 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Ah yes, the 'chupacabra' episode of the X-Files. I recall when I first saw this how it bothered me that I had never heard of a chupacabra before. After all, as a kid in the Fifties/early Sixties, I ate up all I could find on stuff like the Loch Ness Monster, Abominable Snowman and American cousin Bigfoot. Well there's an explanation, the legend of the chupacabra didn't begin until the first purported sighting of the creature in Puerto Rico in 1995. That makes it a relatively new legend, but a timely X-Files episode to jump on the idea so quickly.
The term itself is derived from the Spanish word 'chupar' which means 'to suck' and a 'cabra' is a goat. So quite literally a goat sucker, which was confirmed by a Mexican woman in the story when she spoke of Eladio Buente (Raymond Cruz) - "He is a goat sucker and must be killed!" To back up the premise, dead goats with their blood removed generally pop up whenever Eladio's been around, so it has the entire village terrified.
Other paranormal events occur in the story, like a massive yellow rainstorm and victims that appear to have died from a massive, fast growing type of fungus. Scully of course resorts to her scientific background to come up with some explanation, while Mulder is off in search of some extraterrestrial connection with a massive meteor and who knows what else. It's a typical plot structure for the FBI agents, and though a resolution of sorts is agreed upon with the fungal connection, the disappearance of the Buente brothers at the end of the episode only adds to the mysterious legend of the Chupacabra.
It was interesting to read viewer comments on this board who had some knowledge of Spanish television with a predilection for over the top soap opera story lines and acting style. Those ideas apply here along with the musical scoring, all of which give the story a distinct ethnic flavor. The only thing missing was a fictional depiction of an animal that might have resembled the mythical chupacabra. Doesn't that just get your goat?
The term itself is derived from the Spanish word 'chupar' which means 'to suck' and a 'cabra' is a goat. So quite literally a goat sucker, which was confirmed by a Mexican woman in the story when she spoke of Eladio Buente (Raymond Cruz) - "He is a goat sucker and must be killed!" To back up the premise, dead goats with their blood removed generally pop up whenever Eladio's been around, so it has the entire village terrified.
Other paranormal events occur in the story, like a massive yellow rainstorm and victims that appear to have died from a massive, fast growing type of fungus. Scully of course resorts to her scientific background to come up with some explanation, while Mulder is off in search of some extraterrestrial connection with a massive meteor and who knows what else. It's a typical plot structure for the FBI agents, and though a resolution of sorts is agreed upon with the fungal connection, the disappearance of the Buente brothers at the end of the episode only adds to the mysterious legend of the Chupacabra.
It was interesting to read viewer comments on this board who had some knowledge of Spanish television with a predilection for over the top soap opera story lines and acting style. Those ideas apply here along with the musical scoring, all of which give the story a distinct ethnic flavor. The only thing missing was a fictional depiction of an animal that might have resembled the mythical chupacabra. Doesn't that just get your goat?
To me, part of the MythArc
michaeljulian2682 November 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Despite the put downs by the other reviewers, I'd say this could be seen as part of the MythArc. Isn't it the same concept as the Black Oil which is a latent form of alien life? It infects and transforms the body of the victim. The aliens in this episode seem to be a different type of Grey, taller but with the same craving for blood due to a compromised digestive tract.
It was a good episode in my opinion and shed more light on the MythArc and the teamwork of Mulder and Scully - Mulder ready to accept the preposterous and Scully doing the spadework, dotting the i's crossing the t's but somehow meeting with Mulder's conception.
I hated the tingly guitar and the Hispanic stereotypes though and it is a shame that it (and other episodes especially series 6) couldn't be played straight but must succumb to the lowest common denominator of the US ratings system.
It was a good episode in my opinion and shed more light on the MythArc and the teamwork of Mulder and Scully - Mulder ready to accept the preposterous and Scully doing the spadework, dotting the i's crossing the t's but somehow meeting with Mulder's conception.
I hated the tingly guitar and the Hispanic stereotypes though and it is a shame that it (and other episodes especially series 6) couldn't be played straight but must succumb to the lowest common denominator of the US ratings system.
Possibly based on real event
jvans377711 February 2014
This was a weird episode, though it wasn't the greatest involving story line or acting the events of the "yellow rain" is an actual mystery that has been happening for some time now though it will normally change from yellow to red and does not have any document cases of causing illness.
the first publicly documented case was in 2001 in Karla, India and this episode was made in 1997, listen carefully and read between the lines, Moulder seem to drop little hints and the explanation of the event seem to be right on par with actual scientific evaluation of the red rain of Karla.
this might be the most important x-files in the inter show.
the first publicly documented case was in 2001 in Karla, India and this episode was made in 1997, listen carefully and read between the lines, Moulder seem to drop little hints and the explanation of the event seem to be right on par with actual scientific evaluation of the red rain of Karla.
this might be the most important x-files in the inter show.
Lozano: This guy's *better* than Erik Estrada.
bombersflyup23 February 2018
Warning: Spoilers
El Mundo Gira is about the investigation into the death of an illegal immigrant. The locals dub the culprit the El Chupacabra, a beast from Mexican folklore.
MARIA MARIA!!! I remember this use to be one of my favourite episodes, it's still great, but the over-dramatic acting takes it toll. The fungus effects great and Conrad Lozano's good as the mediator. Mulder takes his death rather lightly after having spent some time with him and him being a rather nice fellow. I don't much care for the two brothers.
MARIA MARIA!!! I remember this use to be one of my favourite episodes, it's still great, but the over-dramatic acting takes it toll. The fungus effects great and Conrad Lozano's good as the mediator. Mulder takes his death rather lightly after having spent some time with him and him being a rather nice fellow. I don't much care for the two brothers.
John Shiban's X-termination
MisterWhispy11 February 2007
For his third attempt at writing, Shiban once again proves he hasn't a clue as to what he's doing (Teso dos Bichos should have gotten him fired immediately and ranks as one of very worst, if not THE WORST). Of course, for those who have seen the entire series, this is no great surprise. Ironically, or rather as a result of his future (and inexplicable) promotion to co-producer/producer, he almost single-handedly helped to ruin the show. Just wait till you get to garbage like Tavelers, S. R. 819, and the odious Jump The Shark. Thanks John, I hope you're happy. All, I know is, somewhere Glen Morgan and James Wong are laughing their tails off.
Tight,tight,tight,yeaaaaAAHH!
suvechhabose26 February 2020
¿Qué?
lhulhuhaha4 April 2022
I liked the fungus and that is all the positive feedback I have. I am a fan of the show, but the story is bad, the acting is awful and the Spanish accents are terrible. The creators tried to make a social critique saying people don't care about Mexican immigrants, but It's like they didn't care about their portrayal at all. It looks like they couldn't bother casting or directing the Spanish speaking actors. Their portrayal of Mexican immigrants is patronizing and just dumb. I really don't like the """"ethnic""""" episodes not only because of the ignorance they showcase, but also because the writing is usually terrible.
Mulder Lets Investigate This Mould
devonbrown-9064924 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Good premise but not so great execution. Parts of the plot felt cliche and rushed. Nevertheless it was a entertaining story that highlighted to me that every legend has part truth and part exaggeration.
The Agents go out to investigate a migrant worker who has been struck from the sky with a deadly fungus that kills his brothers love Maria. The locals now rand this migrant worker (Buentes) as El chupacapra a legendary creature in mexican folklore that sucks the blood of goats. In this episode the legends origins are explored.
The Brothers seems to share resistance against the fungus that kills all in its path and they roam Mexico under the mystery of nobody caring for them.
I found the ending to be under whelming. Im shocked two alien looking brothers can freely exist in this world of cameras, social media and US military surveillance but i guess the episode needed to end somehow.
The Agents go out to investigate a migrant worker who has been struck from the sky with a deadly fungus that kills his brothers love Maria. The locals now rand this migrant worker (Buentes) as El chupacapra a legendary creature in mexican folklore that sucks the blood of goats. In this episode the legends origins are explored.
The Brothers seems to share resistance against the fungus that kills all in its path and they roam Mexico under the mystery of nobody caring for them.
I found the ending to be under whelming. Im shocked two alien looking brothers can freely exist in this world of cameras, social media and US military surveillance but i guess the episode needed to end somehow.
Not worse than "The Field Where I Died"... but close...
Sanpaco133 February 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Other than some familiar faces, this episode has nothing special about it whatsoever. I have to say that this is by far one of my least favorite episodes of the entire series.
The episode seems to be trying to make a kind of telenovela out of a chupacabra story and ends up throwing in too many stupid soap opera elements so that the actual story that could have been told gets completely lost. There are so many versions of the story at the end of the episode that not only is it impossible to figure out what actually happened, but neither do I care. Like in "Hell Money", the local cop who is supposed to be an intermediary for Mulder and Scully to connect with and understand the culture ends up being more loyal to his stupid cultural ideals than to the badge he wears. I don't know why the writers think that just because someone is Mexican or Chinese or whatever that they will end up being corrupt in the name of culture and tradition and honor and blah blah blah. The story didn't even try to explain the actual myth behind the chupacabra at all other than translating it to English for those who don't speak Spanish. The actors, who supposedly are Mexican and speak Spanish as their first language, have less convincing Spanish accents than I do and I'm a hamburger and pizza lovin' gringo. The main character, who I've seen in a number of other shows and have enjoyed quite a bit, does not work well in this episode as the chupacabra. His acting is TERRIBLE! I know that this wasn't his first job, you would think the director could at least done a little directing and done some retakes or something. Ugh! The worst part is I might actually be able to enjoy the episode if there was an obvious attempt at parody here. But there isn't. It comes across as being totally serious.
I think I'm done. Other than some pretty cool special effects this episode was lame and not worth watching and I give it a 3 out of 10.
The episode seems to be trying to make a kind of telenovela out of a chupacabra story and ends up throwing in too many stupid soap opera elements so that the actual story that could have been told gets completely lost. There are so many versions of the story at the end of the episode that not only is it impossible to figure out what actually happened, but neither do I care. Like in "Hell Money", the local cop who is supposed to be an intermediary for Mulder and Scully to connect with and understand the culture ends up being more loyal to his stupid cultural ideals than to the badge he wears. I don't know why the writers think that just because someone is Mexican or Chinese or whatever that they will end up being corrupt in the name of culture and tradition and honor and blah blah blah. The story didn't even try to explain the actual myth behind the chupacabra at all other than translating it to English for those who don't speak Spanish. The actors, who supposedly are Mexican and speak Spanish as their first language, have less convincing Spanish accents than I do and I'm a hamburger and pizza lovin' gringo. The main character, who I've seen in a number of other shows and have enjoyed quite a bit, does not work well in this episode as the chupacabra. His acting is TERRIBLE! I know that this wasn't his first job, you would think the director could at least done a little directing and done some retakes or something. Ugh! The worst part is I might actually be able to enjoy the episode if there was an obvious attempt at parody here. But there isn't. It comes across as being totally serious.
I think I'm done. Other than some pretty cool special effects this episode was lame and not worth watching and I give it a 3 out of 10.
One Of Two Weakest Myth-Arc Related Episodes...
AudioFileZ4 April 2013
Warning: Spoilers
El Mundo Gira is not a well done X-Files episode. Starting with a very outlandish premise and never fostering it into a unified whole that works is close to the best synopsis. At a migrant worker enclave a strange death occurs associated with a possible meteor exploding during which a strange yellow rain falls. A young man is believed to be the murderer, a creature of South American folklore called the Chupacabra a(sp?). His brother must avenge the death because the victim was his girlfriend. No one cares, even the INS, as it's just another illegal alien...Except, Mulder, of course, does.
Mulder and Scully arrive on the scene to which the phrase "move along, nothing to see here" suits Scully. Not Mulder as he sees the connection to something far more sinister and extraterrestrial. Mulder coops Scully to do an autopsy and the culprit is found to be a fungus, athlete's feet gone wild if you will. It shouldn't be killing, but it shouldn't be spreading at an exponential rate in lab cultures either. Plainly there's something "out-of-this-world" going on and it's carrier, the young man whose brother suspects as his girlfriend's killer, must be found. The story gets more virulent as well as silly as the accused escapes and spreads the good stuff on his way.
Nothing here gels in a compelling way. Ruben Blades is wasted guesting as the in-charge INS agent. He plays it nonchalant to the extreme while the ham-fisted illegal alien cast overplays their South American parts with bad Americanized Spanish accents and pseudo fear. The myth-arc extraterrestrial tie in is best forgotten except it seems to promote that there are more than just the, in contrast, sophisticated Greys visiting us.
This episode can be skipped. Or, just see where it goes...You probably won't care too much however. Weak.
Mulder and Scully arrive on the scene to which the phrase "move along, nothing to see here" suits Scully. Not Mulder as he sees the connection to something far more sinister and extraterrestrial. Mulder coops Scully to do an autopsy and the culprit is found to be a fungus, athlete's feet gone wild if you will. It shouldn't be killing, but it shouldn't be spreading at an exponential rate in lab cultures either. Plainly there's something "out-of-this-world" going on and it's carrier, the young man whose brother suspects as his girlfriend's killer, must be found. The story gets more virulent as well as silly as the accused escapes and spreads the good stuff on his way.
Nothing here gels in a compelling way. Ruben Blades is wasted guesting as the in-charge INS agent. He plays it nonchalant to the extreme while the ham-fisted illegal alien cast overplays their South American parts with bad Americanized Spanish accents and pseudo fear. The myth-arc extraterrestrial tie in is best forgotten except it seems to promote that there are more than just the, in contrast, sophisticated Greys visiting us.
This episode can be skipped. Or, just see where it goes...You probably won't care too much however. Weak.
Yikes!
ileas20 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Bad acting. Very bad acting. And I don't say that often. Confusing storyline. Still not sure what exactly a chubracabra is supposed to be; would've been nice to see one in the episode, which is what I was hoping for...instead we got a confused mess of an ending with 2 different endings that aren't endings, but the ramblings of 2 superstitious women that really should've known what hazmat suits look like. Ugh! Did I mention the acting was horrible?
Ok, imb people, why does the review have to be a certain amount of letters? I have nothing else to say about this episode, except that whoever watches it, I hope you're a fan of subtitles, cos there's a lot of those, for some reason. Yikes, rewatching it now; even the male actors are bad in this. That takes a special kind of not caring if people like this episode.
Ok, imb people, why does the review have to be a certain amount of letters? I have nothing else to say about this episode, except that whoever watches it, I hope you're a fan of subtitles, cos there's a lot of those, for some reason. Yikes, rewatching it now; even the male actors are bad in this. That takes a special kind of not caring if people like this episode.
Boring and stupid
mychalek12 January 2014
It's almost as stupid as my review. Why? There's a ridiculous plot, flat characters, pathetic figurative expression at the end. I know it's should be some kind of spoof of the genre, but it's really weak and funny in a bad way. The comparison of Mexicans to aliens in that way don't catch at all. Explanation that they're "not visible" is even more idiotic than chupacabra legend itself. This episode doesn't deserve 10 lines of review so I just write random words to apprehend essence of this episode. Such soap opera kind of story and silly acting. Yes, I'm irritated by it. I usually don't write any reviews and I don't care if someone will block this lame feature to me.
No Soy Asesino!!!
Bogieboo821 July 2022
I'm not sure whether to blame the director, the writer or Raymond Cruz for the ridiculously hammy playing of Eladio Buente. I cringed every time Cruz bleated, "No soy Asesino!" It's sad to think that Cruz might have been directed to act this way as his ability to act well is demonstrated in much of his later work.
Cooking "El Mundo Gira"
theterminateriscoming15 May 2016
Donald Trump's favorite episode of the X-Files serves Americans and takes forty-five minutes to prepare.
Begin with the Chupacabra legend and numerous stereotypical illegal immigrants.
Liberally add over acting to well past taste.
Sprinkle in several packets of good looking special effects.
Disregard, mock, and patronize all non white/American characters until their understanding of the world is entity discredited and seen as just something that "those people believe".
Immediately add scientific grounding to all events as justification for the righteousness of Mulder and Scully's actions.
Randomly add some aliens before serving because why not?
Begin with the Chupacabra legend and numerous stereotypical illegal immigrants.
Liberally add over acting to well past taste.
Sprinkle in several packets of good looking special effects.
Disregard, mock, and patronize all non white/American characters until their understanding of the world is entity discredited and seen as just something that "those people believe".
Immediately add scientific grounding to all events as justification for the righteousness of Mulder and Scully's actions.
Randomly add some aliens before serving because why not?
This episode portrays Latinos as fundamentally different
sonjamranta27 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I found it extremely distracting that every single Mexican knew that he was the Chupacabra and was afraid of him. Like, surely not every single Mexican had heard the rumors about him that quickly or was from his little town? In this episode, everyone even looking Latino just knew he was the Chupacabra somehow! This would suggest some kind of fundamental physical difference between Whites and Latinos, which is really problematic. I know, it was the 90's, but watching this in the 2020's it is quite glaringly racist.
Skinner had it spot on.
Sleepin_Dragon6 August 2022
Mulder and Scully investigate when a migrant worker is found dead in bizarre circumstances, with a bizarre rain fall, the locals believe it to be El Chupacabra, a beast from Mexican folklore.
I'm on the same boat here as Skinner, he didn't know what on Earth was going on, neither did I. Before reading any reviews, all I could think of was trashy American soap, and I imagine there is something in that.
I think Raymond Cruz delivered in terms of eye candy, very handsome indeed, but the acting, I thought was shocking, he made me feel awkward for him at times, maybe it was in keeping with the story.
The acting was over the top and hammy, it wasn't the sort I really enjoy, maybe on soap land it would fit.
The story of El Chupacabra was zany and so bizarre, maybe it would have worked if it was told like a comic book story, or maybe even with Mulder and Scully absent.
I'll always applaud the show for doing things differently, and so often it pays off, sometimes though they just don't work, this sadly didn't, 5/10.
I'm on the same boat here as Skinner, he didn't know what on Earth was going on, neither did I. Before reading any reviews, all I could think of was trashy American soap, and I imagine there is something in that.
I think Raymond Cruz delivered in terms of eye candy, very handsome indeed, but the acting, I thought was shocking, he made me feel awkward for him at times, maybe it was in keeping with the story.
The acting was over the top and hammy, it wasn't the sort I really enjoy, maybe on soap land it would fit.
The story of El Chupacabra was zany and so bizarre, maybe it would have worked if it was told like a comic book story, or maybe even with Mulder and Scully absent.
I'll always applaud the show for doing things differently, and so often it pays off, sometimes though they just don't work, this sadly didn't, 5/10.
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