The X-Files
Australian Conne-X-ion
Episode Guide:
"Terms of Endearment"
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Episode 6ABX06
Title: Terms Of Endearment
First screened in Australia: March 24, 1999
First screened in the USA: January 3, 1999
Credits:
Director: Rob Bowman
Writer: David Amann
Starring:
Guest Stars:
- Bruce Campbell as Wayne Weinsider
- Chris Owens as Agent Jeffrey Spender
- Lisa Jane Persky as Laura Weinsider
- Michael Milhoan as Dep. Arky Stevens
- Grace Phillips as Betsy Monroe
- Michael Rothhaar as Dr. Couvillion
- Lenora May as Ms. Britton
- Jimmy Staszkiel as Mr. Ginsberg
Plot:
After an ultrasound reveals abnormal growths on her fetus, the expectant mother
dreams that a demonic figure takes the child, which is also a demon. The
woman then awakens covered in blood---and is no longer pregnant.
US TV Guide
The Weinsiders are just like any other couple - they want to start a family. But when the ultrasound shows possible deformities in the baby that Laura is carrying, it is Wayne who becomes visibly upset. That night, Laura has a nightmare that a demon has come to steal her baby. When she wakes, she realizes the nightmare has come true and that her unborn baby has been taken from her.
Official UK X-Files site
My Rating: 7/10
To me this episode just seems a little hollow, almost like everyone's just going through their paces. It's not that there's anything really wrong with the episode - the idea of good versus evil is always interesting - but I guessed what was happening as soon as I saw Wayne's "second"? wife - and I hadn't seen any spoilers for the episode at all, apart from the channel 10 promo.
I've always been a big fan of Bruce Campbell (his "Evil Dead" movies are brilliant low-budget horror) and he did a fine job. Lisa Jane Persky was suitably mousey while Grace Phillips was just the opposite.
The idea of Mulder going through Spender's trash and painstakingly taping the shredded information back together (do you realise just how long that would take?) was a brilliant idea and a great visual gag - while the whole Mulder/Arky follow-up scene after the Spender/Arky scene was well written. There were other excellent scenes in the episode including the Scully/Ginsberg interview; the Mulder/Wayne car race; the breath-sucking; the warm milk (an homage to Hitchcock's "Suspicion") and Scully digging up the babies.
Mulder's line "I don't know why; I'm not a psychologist." was really sloppy writing given his Oxford training and that alone deserves one demerit point : - )
Despite all the good things, the episode just seemed a little hollow.
Notable Quotable:
Agent Spender: Okay, Deputy. We're going to put this right into our priority caseload. (Turns around and shreds it)
Scully: (on phone) Mulder, we are supposed to be doing background checks not chasing X-Files.
Mulder: (on phone) Scully, Spender just round filed this case-- it's unconscionable.
Scully: (on phone) And what do you call rooting through his trash?
Mulder: (on phone) Like that's any different from the assignment we're stuck with.
Scully: (on phone) "We," Mulder? I'm stuck with it. You're not here.
Mulder: (on phone) Scully, this is a classic case of demon fetal harvest
Mulder: (To Wayne) I know what you are.
Mulder: (To Wayne) Come on, Wayne, I'll race you.
Mulder: I was down in the basement at county records doing a background check.
Scully: Mulder... It's me. That's your cover story, remember?
Wayne: (Giving Betsy a glass of warm glowing milk) This will put you to sleep on a cloud. Where troubles melt away.
Betsy: (Sighs and drinks the milk.) Sometimes I remember why I married you.
Betsy: Maybe you didn't hear me! I said, what are you doing, Wayne?
Wayne: I just wanted what everyone wants.
Where Have I Seen That Face Before?
The talented Bruce Campbell (Wayne) (actor/director/writer/producer/sound/editor) is Autolycus in "Hercules" and "Xena: Warrior Princess" and starred in the "Evil Dead" trilogy. He's also appeared in movies such as "Congo" and "Escape From LA" and had a cameo role in one of my all-time favourites, "Fargo". (He was uncredited but appears as the soap star on TV if you're interested). His latest movie (at the time this episode was screened) is "From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money". There is an Official Bruce Campbell Website where can find 28 images from this episode.
Lisa Jane Persky (Laura) first appeared in the brilliant "The Great Santini", one of my favourite movies. She's also been in "Destiny Turns On The Radio", "When Harry Met Sally", "The Sure Thing" and "The Cotton Club".
Grace Phillips (Betsy) has appeared in "Truth Or Consequences NM", "Quiz Show" and "Leave It To Beaver".
Michael Milhoan (Dep. Stevens) has appeared in "She's All That", "Bulworth", "Tin Cup", "Multiplicity", "Phenomenon", "Jurassic Park: The Lost World", "Crimson Tide" and "Field Of Dreams". On TV he had a regular role in "Third Rock From The Sun" and for fellow "Seinfeld" fans he was the Security Guard in "The Stranded" episode.
The Pain Factor
Mulder and Scully have been getting it fairly easy this season and go through another episode without suffering physical pain.
Trivia
Bruce Campbell sometimes works under the pseudonym Roc Sandstorm.
Writer David Amann wrote the screenplays for "Dead Air", a movie starring Veronica Cartwright (Cassandra Spender) and "The Man Who Wouldn't Die" which starred Roger Moore plus XF guests Scott Bellis (Max Fenig) and Sheila Paterson.
