“Terms of Endearment” – Season 6 Ep. 7

Scully: Mulder, we are supposed to be doing background checks not chasing X-Files.

Mulder: Scully, Spender just round filed this case– it’s unconscionable.

Scully: And what do you call rooting through his trash?

Mulder: Like that’s any different from the assignment we’re stuck with.

Scully: “We,” Mulder? I’m stuck with it. You’re not here.

Written by: David Amann

Directed by: Rob Bowman

Original Air Date: January 3rd, 1999

Principal Setting: Hollins, Virginia

Episode Summary:

Mulder suspects demon fetal harvesting when a woman claims her unborn child had a horn and tail and was taken by a devil while she slept. While others conclude that the woman killed her own baby, Mulder suspects that her husband is involved and that he may be the devil in disguise.

Personal Commentary:

I like the fact that Mulder is somehow finding out about these X-File cases as Agent Spender is trying to destroy all evidence of them. It’s fun seeing Mulder take the time to tape the police report back together after Agent Spender shredded it.

Anyways, concerning this episode, it is a darker episode than you might think with demonic baby sacrifices and the scenes with the demon taking the baby is one of the most disturbing scenes in the entire show. I enjoyed the twist where you think it’s all Bruce Campbell’s doing, but it goes in another direction entirely.

I’m just curious why they decided to play “I’m Only Happy When it Rains” by Garbage as the theme song whenever the demon was on screen driving the cool red sports car. Didn’t really seem to fit.

Episode Grade: B-

Favorite Scene:

Fun Facts:

• In the middle of filming, a mother withdrew her baby from the cast during the final run-through of the “cursed-birth” scene. Although a fan of the show, as a devout Catholic she was uncomfortable with her child representing a demon. Director Rob Bowman assured her that the production staff understood her dilemma; the casting staff quickly called down and found a replacement in less than 45 minutes. It was the first time during the filming of the series that a cast-member withdrew for religious reasons.
• Bruce Campbell later auditioned for the role of John Doggett.
• Marks the third time in the series, after “Die Hand die verietzt” and “All Souls”, where Mulder and Scully encounter a genuine demonic entity.

Faces You May Recognize:

• Bruce Campbell is one of the most famous B-movie actors of all time, including famous roles in Army of Darkness, The Evil Dead series, and co-starring in the show Burn Notice.