“Die Hand die Verletzt” – Season 2 Ep. 14

Scully: I think this case is an example of a murderer taking advantage of local folklore. I mean there’s nothing odd about– {frogs start raining down}
Mulder: So… lunch?
Scully: Mulder, toads just fell from the sky.
Mulder: I guess their parachutes didn’t open. You were saying something about this place not feeling odd?

Written by: Glen Morgan & James Wong

Directed by: Kim Manners

Original Air Date: January 27th, 1995

Principal Setting:  Milford Haven, New Hampshire

Episode Summary: 

The agents are called in by a local New Hampshire Sheriff when they hear of evidence of a satanic cult performing rituals in the town of Milford Haven. One teen has died during a nightly outing as they read a chant to awaken the satanic presence. Strange biblical events are occurring like frogs raining down from the sky. As Mulder and Scully interview the surviving teens, it becomes apparent that some of the school staff are involved in devil worship, but the real danger comes from outside of the group where you would least expect.

Personal Commentary:

“Die Hand Die Verletzt” is a good episode with some memorable moments, like the pig coming alive right before she’s dissecting it, the snake eating a human in minutes (so unrealistic), frogs falling from the sky accompanied by Mulder’s parachute joke, and the creepy acting abilities of Susan Blommaert. Other than that this episode is a little bit flat following the excellent “Irresistible”.

Episode Grade: C+

Favorite Scene:

Fun Facts:

• The title of the episode “Die Hand die verletzt” is German for “the hand that wounds”.
• Actor Dan Butler is terrified of snakes. He was unable to talk while shooting the scene in the basement. The actor’s fright meant the make-up team did not need to apply fake sweat to his face.
• The sentence that Phillis Paddock writes in the blackboard saying goodbye to Mulder and Scully is in fact a prIvate joke of the writers, Glenn Morgan and James Wong, who had written their last episode in this season. They would go onto develop another TV show Space: Above and Beyond.

Faces You Recognize:

• Dan Butler is famous for playing Bulldog Briscoe in Fraiser and appeared in films The Silence of the Lambs and Enemy of the State.

• Susan Blommaert has played in Edward Scissorhands and Doubt, as well as being Mr. Kaplan/Red’s Associate on The Blacklist.