Humbug

Episode aired Mar 12, 1996
TV-14
45m

IMDb RATING

8.6/10

5.9K

YOUR RATING

Crime Drama Mystery

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.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.6/10

5.9K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Photos40

Michael J. Anderson in Salaiset kansiot (1993)

Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny in Salaiset kansiot (1993)

David Duchovny in Salaiset kansiot (1993)

Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny in Humbug (1995)

Gillian Anderson, David Duchovny, Vincent Schiavelli, and Alvin Law in Humbug (1995)

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Gillian 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.

Goofs
After 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.

Connections
Featured in No Small Parts: Vincent Schiavelli (2014)

Soundtracks
Frenzy
(uncredited)
Performed by Screamin' Jay Hawkins

User reviews18

Review

Featured review

10/10

There's a sucker born every minute.

Humbug is one of the best episodes of season two. It is the first of four Darin Morgan comedy episodes. Humbug is also the X-Files first foray into comedy. It's not a straight-out comedy like some later episodes, but it has a lot of comedic elements to it. Humbug is littered with great guest star performances, including the late Vincent Schiavelli, The Enigma, and Jim Rose. Humbug is superbly directed by Kim Manners. I love when Scully goes into the museum of curiosities and you never get a straight on shot of the curator's disfigured face. It's either seen in a mirror, a reflection of a pot, his profile, or some other abstract way. I was debating whether to drop this episode to a 9 for the puppet used to play Leonard. It looked a bit fake at times. But I figure it wasn't bad enough to drop this episode a full point. Humbug is so well-rounded with the script, sets, and acting, that you I can't justify knocking off a point. Humbug is a truly excellent episode. When you view it though, be sure to leave an extra five dollar donation.

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