War of the Coprophages(say that 10 times fast) is another gem from the pen of Darin Morgan. He just knew how to write Mulder & Scully. This episode is also brilliantly directed by Kim Manners. The use of the roach going across the screen is creative and a bit surprising the first time. The shot from the sink pipe into Mulder's and the sheriff's faces is original and funny. When Mulder is typing at the end and his computer freezes on the word "technology" is funny. David Duchovny voices that by saying, "tech-, tech-, tech-," hits the computer, "technology". It's interesting to see Scully cleaning her gun and then cleaning her dog on her time off. Also, I love the shot of the roach's view when Mulder grabs one and gives it a greeting from planet Earth. I like the transition of Mulder telling the sheriff that he was getting off the phone with his "drug dealer"(Scully) and then the scene shifts straight to the meth lab. Another great part of the episode is that Dr. Bambi's UFO theory and Dr. Ivanov's alien theory both debunk Mulder's beliefs about UFOs and aliens. It's funny to see his reaction to these two theories. War of the Coprophages is just pure comic genius from the classic Mulder/Scully dialogue to the hilarious guest performances. Well done, Darin Morgan!
25 Reviews
Not like the rest
mobiusjones27 May 2008
I am going back and watching all the seasons before the new movie comes out and I must say that in the first three seasons this episode stands out like no other. It's a throwback to old science fiction movies and the playful banter between Scully and Mulder is reminiscent of early season one. This episode was funny and a nice depart from the myth/arc episodes and the MOTW episodes. I always love the dynamic between Mulder and Scully and it's really showcased here. It's meant to be a light-hearted venture rather than the serious intense episodes of late or even some of the weaker MOTW episodes. Kick back and relax. I give it 10/10 for being a much welcomed surprise.
Her name is Bambi?
tenshi_ippikiookami21 September 2017
Probably the funniest "X-Files" episode so far, "War of the Coprophages" is a hilarious (and disgusting if you don't like cockroaches) affair from second one.
Mulder is taking a break from his UFO searching when he gets wind of a series of deaths that seem to be related to cockroaches. He goes to investigate, while constantly calling Scully for help. Scully keeps giving him logical and sound reasons for the different deaths, but Mulder is not sold on her reasoning and continues to investigate.
Everything in the episode is great. The pace is high, the direction keeps things happening non-stop, and the plot is full of funny twists and great one liners. It helps that everyone is in on the game, especially David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, who deliver their dialogue with great glee, their constant banter bringing laughs the the viewer. And Mulder's infatuation with entomologist Bambi is hilarious, with Duchovny's face being the expression of awestruck. Just seeing him looking at Bambi will bring a smile to the viewer.
It is all played with so much tongue-in-cheek that it is impossible not to enjoy this episode.
Mulder is taking a break from his UFO searching when he gets wind of a series of deaths that seem to be related to cockroaches. He goes to investigate, while constantly calling Scully for help. Scully keeps giving him logical and sound reasons for the different deaths, but Mulder is not sold on her reasoning and continues to investigate.
Everything in the episode is great. The pace is high, the direction keeps things happening non-stop, and the plot is full of funny twists and great one liners. It helps that everyone is in on the game, especially David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, who deliver their dialogue with great glee, their constant banter bringing laughs the the viewer. And Mulder's infatuation with entomologist Bambi is hilarious, with Duchovny's face being the expression of awestruck. Just seeing him looking at Bambi will bring a smile to the viewer.
It is all played with so much tongue-in-cheek that it is impossible not to enjoy this episode.
Not now! Yeah, sure, OK.
inthemoodswing15 July 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Having just seen this episode on a re-run; for anyone with a little knowledge of the Mulder/Scully relationship, this has to be one of best comic insights into that relationship. The phone conversations between our two heroes are brilliant, with Scully ever ready to put forth an alternative (and correct) cause of death, opposing Mulders theory of killer cockroaches. Scully's barely suppressed jealousy of a female rival is great to watch.
My favourite exchanges are those after Bambi enters the story, 'Her name is Bambi?' I howled when Mulder is first seen with Bambi he is obviously infatuated with her, his mobile rings (Scully on the other end, worried sick about Mulder) but he abruptly hangs up on her with a dismissive 'Not Now'. The other is soon after when Mulder wants to 'confess' something to Scully. Fearing she is about to hear of Mulders night of passion with Bambi she winces and blurts out an anguished, 'Yeah, sure, OK'.
My favourite exchanges are those after Bambi enters the story, 'Her name is Bambi?' I howled when Mulder is first seen with Bambi he is obviously infatuated with her, his mobile rings (Scully on the other end, worried sick about Mulder) but he abruptly hangs up on her with a dismissive 'Not Now'. The other is soon after when Mulder wants to 'confess' something to Scully. Fearing she is about to hear of Mulders night of passion with Bambi she winces and blurts out an anguished, 'Yeah, sure, OK'.
Totally rad.
vcaffari6 July 2007
I must say I've never been much of an X-files fan until recently when someone loaned me the seasons. I caught this gem mid-way through season 3 and it caught me completely by surprise. I had just commented to someone earlier in the day how they recycled ideas, lines, actors and events far too often only to be amazed by an episode which seemed to come from a different mind altogether. It has a serious noir quality, something of a dark detective story. Right away you notice that it's not going to be like the rest, I caught myself laughing right away, Mulder asks Scully "what are you wearing?" Don't get me wrong I enjoy most of the episodes, but I just think it's great that the cast and crew took an opportunity and had a little fun with the whole thing. The best I can discern is that the X-files operate on a two-plane system. The main story, which deals exclusively with the UFO's and relates to the abduction of Mulder's sister and the MIB/Black Berets. The other episodes just seem like filler, they have no real bearing on what happens in the main episodes and generally don't even include the FBI other than Dana and Fox. So essentially, what difference do they make to the series? None, so I applaud the X-files team for this one. If anyone reads this that worked on this episode I'd like to know where I can find out more about it.
Totally Rad.
Totally Rad.
Seriously high quality episode, it has the creep factor.
Sleepin_Dragon16 August 2021
Oh boy, this was good.
I really don't like insects, I have a real phobia of large insects, so for me, this episode is up there with Emasculata, this really did gross me out.
Imagine Midnight Express with a sci fi twist...
It's almost funny at parts, you have Scully constantly being cut off, and almost.travelling, and of course you have Bambi, and her heaving bosom. The first meeting between her and Mulder is very funny.
The term Katsaridaphobia may not be on the tip of everyone's tongues, but it's a rational, common fear of the little critters, it applies here.
The writing is great, the direction is terrific, I love the interplay between Mulder and Scully, both are at their very best.
'This is not place for an entomologist,' such a great line.
This was great, 9/10.
I really don't like insects, I have a real phobia of large insects, so for me, this episode is up there with Emasculata, this really did gross me out.
Imagine Midnight Express with a sci fi twist...
It's almost funny at parts, you have Scully constantly being cut off, and almost.travelling, and of course you have Bambi, and her heaving bosom. The first meeting between her and Mulder is very funny.
The term Katsaridaphobia may not be on the tip of everyone's tongues, but it's a rational, common fear of the little critters, it applies here.
The writing is great, the direction is terrific, I love the interplay between Mulder and Scully, both are at their very best.
'This is not place for an entomologist,' such a great line.
This was great, 9/10.
Waste is a Terrible Thing to Waste
AudioFileZ6 December 2012
Warning: Spoilers
This show is overflowing with funny "crap". In that vein we have several cockroach related deaths one of which is a doctor "taking one on the 'ol (Thomas) Crapper" while reading Scientific American magazine. There's more, too much to cover except to say creativity abounds ..like a juvie huffing poop derived methane in his super weed. Add to the bug mayhem a super double top-secret department of agriculture "typical two-story residential home" purposely turned into a "roach motel" complete with the coolant wearing beauty of a research scientist named Bambi (which Mulder can't resist and answers Scully's call on his cell saying "not now" and hanging up while in deep Bambi gaze).
The writers obviously had a good time with this story as if anything that came to mind was game. There's a S. Hawking inspired mad scientist obsessed by his robotic creations with the simply complex thinking that only insects possess. Robots baby! " If you think alien visitation will come in the form of living beings with big eyes you've obviously been brainwashed by too much science fiction" exclaims Dr. Ivanoff to, perhaps, the one person who has always believed the opposite. The spaghetti on the wall concept continues to great effect in a mob scene of locals panic buying for the looming catastrophe such as a sailor opting to purchase chocolate bars and women's hosiery instead of the more pertinent cans of "Die Bug Die" insecticide.
Watch this episode a few times and you catch more and more of the fun. Great stuff like a cockroach strolling across the actual filming of a scene, a explosion of a combination of waste and methane in which Mulder and Scully get "pooped" to which Mulder says to Scully something he claims he never thought he'd say to her: "Scully, you smell bad"! Well, all one can say is there's a brilliant silliness here that is a great break from the norm, don't miss this one as it is pure comedic gold!
The writers obviously had a good time with this story as if anything that came to mind was game. There's a S. Hawking inspired mad scientist obsessed by his robotic creations with the simply complex thinking that only insects possess. Robots baby! " If you think alien visitation will come in the form of living beings with big eyes you've obviously been brainwashed by too much science fiction" exclaims Dr. Ivanoff to, perhaps, the one person who has always believed the opposite. The spaghetti on the wall concept continues to great effect in a mob scene of locals panic buying for the looming catastrophe such as a sailor opting to purchase chocolate bars and women's hosiery instead of the more pertinent cans of "Die Bug Die" insecticide.
Watch this episode a few times and you catch more and more of the fun. Great stuff like a cockroach strolling across the actual filming of a scene, a explosion of a combination of waste and methane in which Mulder and Scully get "pooped" to which Mulder says to Scully something he claims he never thought he'd say to her: "Scully, you smell bad"! Well, all one can say is there's a brilliant silliness here that is a great break from the norm, don't miss this one as it is pure comedic gold!
What's important to sailors in a panic
samtnoel-19 October 2009
One of the funniest episodes ever, very snide and very funny in a Family Guy (small, unnecessary, but hilarious details) kind of way. and at the same time one of the most gross. The toilet scene is funny as the cockroaches appear to be stealing the toilet paper before the attack. Then watch the scene in the store very carefully. While everyone else panics and grabs survival essentials, there is a sailor who is only grabbing chocolate bars and women's tights, as per the gifts they gave to women in Europe during the Second World War. Scully and Bambi's face off is spot on, too. The aftermath of the methane explosion is predictable, but still funny.
die, bug, die
frostedfraggle2 February 2009
i love how scully seems almost bored with the going ons and has an offhand explanation for each death, but as soon as dr. bambi enters the picture she is raring to go (she gets dressed mighty quickly).
loved the phone conversations. mulder is unusually accepting of scully's more down to earth theories abut the mysterious deaths.
the mass panic is hilarious (how great is the 'die bug die' insect spray?!) and a nice foil to second season episode 'f. emasculata'. so *this* is what would have happened if they hadn't kept the outbreak secret.
love gillian anderson's very real reaction to the (non scripted and unplanned) mini car crash in front of the convenient store just as she enters it. and her facial expression when the guy bumps in her. did anybody else flash back to the cricket eating scene in 'humbug' when she casually pops one of the spilled sweets people mistook for roaches int her mouth? great script - absolutely absurd and hilarious but not lacking content and quite thought provoking at times.
as usual excellent direction by the late great kim manners a.k.a. the roach-whisperer.
10/10
loved the phone conversations. mulder is unusually accepting of scully's more down to earth theories abut the mysterious deaths.
the mass panic is hilarious (how great is the 'die bug die' insect spray?!) and a nice foil to second season episode 'f. emasculata'. so *this* is what would have happened if they hadn't kept the outbreak secret.
love gillian anderson's very real reaction to the (non scripted and unplanned) mini car crash in front of the convenient store just as she enters it. and her facial expression when the guy bumps in her. did anybody else flash back to the cricket eating scene in 'humbug' when she casually pops one of the spilled sweets people mistook for roaches int her mouth? great script - absolutely absurd and hilarious but not lacking content and quite thought provoking at times.
as usual excellent direction by the late great kim manners a.k.a. the roach-whisperer.
10/10
Her name is bambi?
PeterWanderingSoul27 August 2022
In the list of the best episodes of this show, this one is in the top 5.
Seeing Scully at home doing her routine outside of investigate work is well thought of, her cleverness is well written, and their interactions are fun and funny.
We see the horny side of Mulder which is fun too, and bambi is a character that should have reappeared throughout the entire series.
This episode is proof that a silly plot can be really well written and this is one of the first episodes that showed us that the XFiles knew how to make fun of itself.
Note for those who don't have the dvd box set: when scully arrives at the supermarket and the cars crash, this wasn't actually scripted, you can see it in Gillian Anderson 's face.
Seeing Scully at home doing her routine outside of investigate work is well thought of, her cleverness is well written, and their interactions are fun and funny.
We see the horny side of Mulder which is fun too, and bambi is a character that should have reappeared throughout the entire series.
This episode is proof that a silly plot can be really well written and this is one of the first episodes that showed us that the XFiles knew how to make fun of itself.
Note for those who don't have the dvd box set: when scully arrives at the supermarket and the cars crash, this wasn't actually scripted, you can see it in Gillian Anderson 's face.
Very intelligent episode but it lacked what I like in X Files
richieweisdorf13 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I guess I am more a true monster of the week fan as this isn't really one of them. My 7/10 rating is very subjective. I rewatched this one wondering why I never connected to the story when I was younger and was hoping to get it now in adulthood. The episode is very smart but due to the cerebral element of its jokes, which are just sort of inserted throughout, it doesn't make me laugh. Somehow the story zips around to the possibility of cockroaches that are metallic constructions/robots and then aliens after a whole bunch of false starts being debunked by Scully (which is supposed to be funny). We have a few notable side characters including Bambi (who I actually thought was a pretty true to life character) and the wheelchair bound sensitive scientist (whose genius feelings were hurt when something was beyond his understanding) and the paranoid dung smuggler. All in all, none of this made the episode stand out for me. Had I been better at following some of the reasoning supporting the theory that these roaches were aliens, would I have liked it more? I don't know. I guess the story was weak for me because the villains were roaches and people's paranoia the focal point, the former of which is underwhelming and the latter being something too ordinary to be an x file.
I contrast this one to The List which I thought was excellent. The suspense that episode created was excellent even if it borrowed some Shawshank Redemption elements.
I contrast this one to The List which I thought was excellent. The suspense that episode created was excellent even if it borrowed some Shawshank Redemption elements.
Scully: I'm not going to ask you if you just said what I think you just said, because I know it's what you just said.
bombersflyup6 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
War of the Coprophages is about Mulder out investigating reports of strange lights in the night sky, when he learns of a series of deaths supposedly caused by cockroaches.
An extremely good, not quite brilliant, light humoured episode with a flimsy plot. Mulder's a riot though and it does contain quality exploratory forethought. I do think there are many better episodes this season however. Die Flea, Die!
An extremely good, not quite brilliant, light humoured episode with a flimsy plot. Mulder's a riot though and it does contain quality exploratory forethought. I do think there are many better episodes this season however. Die Flea, Die!
So much secret?
apd826 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
How many times Mulder hang up the phone and let Scully in the dark?
I'm quite sure Scully did that sometimes too. What wrong with a few more words before hanging up especially when they are in somewhere that might be dangerous?
Mulder seemed more horny (forgive the language) than usual. He hung up the phone when he saw Bambi and just left Scully worried. WTF? Then "Not now!" ? WTF? So much of the later scenes when he shoved himself over Bambi at the microscope. Write them to sleep together already!
I'm quite sure Scully did that sometimes too. What wrong with a few more words before hanging up especially when they are in somewhere that might be dangerous?
Mulder seemed more horny (forgive the language) than usual. He hung up the phone when he saw Bambi and just left Scully worried. WTF? Then "Not now!" ? WTF? So much of the later scenes when he shoved himself over Bambi at the microscope. Write them to sleep together already!
Bugs..., they drive me crazy!
classicsoncall8 June 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Uh-oh, here we go again. The third season of the X-Files was infamous for episode names that you needed a dictionary for. You would think with the emphasis on cockroaches in the story, the 'War of the Coprophages' would have something to do with the tiny insects, and it does, but in a peripheral sort of way. Coprophagia actually deals with the eating of dung or excrement, not the most enticing of subjects to say the least, but the writers took that idea and ran with it and came up with one of the more hilarious episodes in the series.
This one really gets going when Mulder breaks into a USDA research facility and comes face to face with perhaps the most attractive female guest celebrity in the series run thus far. And Dr. Barbi Berenbaum (Bobbie Phillips) even has her own theory on UFO's caused by the nocturnal swarming of insects passing through an electrical field. Why Mulder never thought of that I'll never know, but her presence does engender an unusual jealousy from partner Scully, who's determination to help him out comes across as more comically macho than reassuringly feminine.
After the incident where the you know what hits the fan, the episode is beside itself with a myriad of poop jokes, and this would have been a good one to insert Scully's observation about Thomas Crapper inventing the flush toilet, but it was used in an earlier episode. I got a kick out of that sign outside the Alt-Fuels plant - 'Waste is a Terrible Thing to Waste', which combined with all the other goofy stuff going on, made for a hysterical joyride out of subject matter you didn't have to hold your nose for.
This one really gets going when Mulder breaks into a USDA research facility and comes face to face with perhaps the most attractive female guest celebrity in the series run thus far. And Dr. Barbi Berenbaum (Bobbie Phillips) even has her own theory on UFO's caused by the nocturnal swarming of insects passing through an electrical field. Why Mulder never thought of that I'll never know, but her presence does engender an unusual jealousy from partner Scully, who's determination to help him out comes across as more comically macho than reassuringly feminine.
After the incident where the you know what hits the fan, the episode is beside itself with a myriad of poop jokes, and this would have been a good one to insert Scully's observation about Thomas Crapper inventing the flush toilet, but it was used in an earlier episode. I got a kick out of that sign outside the Alt-Fuels plant - 'Waste is a Terrible Thing to Waste', which combined with all the other goofy stuff going on, made for a hysterical joyride out of subject matter you didn't have to hold your nose for.
Don't pass this one up...HILARIOUS!
hurlock14 May 2019
Warning: Spoilers
So I wasn't in the mood for something on the level of nasty cockroaches. But this one really stood out and I'm glad I didn't pass it up! I actually remember when this was aired though I never saw it but instead saw the news later that Fox was having to issue apologies for people over the next two or three nights because people had destroyed their TVs thinking that there was a cockroach on their screen about midway through this episode. You must see this one it's a bit like Mouse Hunt.
Eat. Sleep. Defecate. Procreate.
Sanpaco1326 May 2009
Warning: Spoilers
War of the Coprophages the Limerick:
Mulder and Bambi are tracking
Cockroaches who on humans are snacking
These bugs are quite zealous
Then Scully gets jealous
Because Mulder on Bambi is macking.
This is one of the better Darrin Morgan episodes in my personal opinion. I think it sometimes doesn't get as much credit as it deserves because there are so many explanations given for the mysteries and twists and turns that occur that it can be somewhat hard to follow. The main story is that there are cockroach robots from outer space who have begun attacking humans in a small town in Maine and reports of the attacks have caused mass panic. Unfortunately, the source of the roaches is in a fertilizer plant which gets blown up at the end thus destroying the only way to explain what has happened. I personally like the episode because of the many interesting sequences and characters and some of the dialogue. I enjoy the interaction between Mulder and Scully on the phone especially early on with Mulder jumping to conclusions and then Scully just automatically coming up with some off the wall explanation that, no matter how rare, fits perfectly into the situation. I also love some of the Mulder and Scully relationship hints, specifically the Planet of the Ape quotes and the parallel used with Dr. Ivanov and Bambi at the end hooking up after a Planet of the Apes quote. They were meant for each other, haha. Anyway, just an all around great comedic episode. 10 out of 10.
Mulder and Bambi are tracking
Cockroaches who on humans are snacking
These bugs are quite zealous
Then Scully gets jealous
Because Mulder on Bambi is macking.
This is one of the better Darrin Morgan episodes in my personal opinion. I think it sometimes doesn't get as much credit as it deserves because there are so many explanations given for the mysteries and twists and turns that occur that it can be somewhat hard to follow. The main story is that there are cockroach robots from outer space who have begun attacking humans in a small town in Maine and reports of the attacks have caused mass panic. Unfortunately, the source of the roaches is in a fertilizer plant which gets blown up at the end thus destroying the only way to explain what has happened. I personally like the episode because of the many interesting sequences and characters and some of the dialogue. I enjoy the interaction between Mulder and Scully on the phone especially early on with Mulder jumping to conclusions and then Scully just automatically coming up with some off the wall explanation that, no matter how rare, fits perfectly into the situation. I also love some of the Mulder and Scully relationship hints, specifically the Planet of the Ape quotes and the parallel used with Dr. Ivanov and Bambi at the end hooking up after a Planet of the Apes quote. They were meant for each other, haha. Anyway, just an all around great comedic episode. 10 out of 10.
My favorite episode 3 seasons in.
bigBang89 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Everything from humor to mystery and suspense is spot on. The back and forth phone calls are hilarious. Mulder is unusually compliant. Or denying probably an important phone call, comically so. The talk about insects being true to life's design. Eat sleep poo and procreate. Its unlikely they need any more reason than those 4. For us unfortunately to stay sane and relaxed we need many more steps in between. Scully chilling at home. Mulder observing the stars.
Truly an episode without a dull moment.
Truly an episode without a dull moment.
I, for one, am not a fan of Roaches
SleepTight66625 September 2008
Warning: Spoilers
A very original, very witty and very entertaining episode. Definitely one of the most 'icky' comedies.
I, for one, am not a fan of Roaches and is glad not to have them anywhere near me. I'm not a fan of any insects for that matter.
The creep factor of this episode was definitely high. Especially the scene where roaches were crawling in and out of the stoner dude. That actually made me go 'eew'.
The comedy factor is even better. Scully's skepticism is actually very well used in this episode. Her phone conversations with Mulder were highly entertaining, and her jealousy towards 'Bambi' was incredibly fun.
I'm giving this episode FOUR stars. Definitely a great comedy episode. but I still prefer the creepy-dramatic ones.
I, for one, am not a fan of Roaches and is glad not to have them anywhere near me. I'm not a fan of any insects for that matter.
The creep factor of this episode was definitely high. Especially the scene where roaches were crawling in and out of the stoner dude. That actually made me go 'eew'.
The comedy factor is even better. Scully's skepticism is actually very well used in this episode. Her phone conversations with Mulder were highly entertaining, and her jealousy towards 'Bambi' was incredibly fun.
I'm giving this episode FOUR stars. Definitely a great comedy episode. but I still prefer the creepy-dramatic ones.
Killer Bs
chaos-rampant19 July 2013
With Clyde Bruckmann, this is the goofiest, funnest, most inventive storytelling in the show.
It takes a new and unusual approach like this to illustrate what an absurdly narrow experience it has all been so far. By this point, we've had about 45 hours of the same thing: our pair enter a sci-fi movie, have a few strange encounters and leave with some generally unambiguous glimpse of more cosmic machinations. Then we cleanly start anew in the next one swapping say the werewolf with a telepathic killer or mysterious virus, except of course in the sporadic myth arch which features a different set of laws.
Adolescently conceived and targeted, we have precious little about the overall world, the time and urges of these people outside a case, because apparently that would be boring whereas sewage monsters and vampire cults 'thrill'. Put that aside a second and imagine: Mulder and Scully come and go daily from their office, and the only person that we know is onedimensional Skipper doing the same disapproving frown.
Anyway, this isn't great but it registers because it bends the norm. Every story element is memorable, that's for sure. The overall thrust is silly, deliberately so: killer roaches. This branches off in several directions, all skewering the sexlessness, seriousness, and paranoia of previous stuff.
The house with 'flowing' walls and sexy (almost a bimbo) entomologist in shorts who Mulder hits on. The suspicion of a secret government experiment shrugged off for practical reasons. The on and off talks with Scully on the phone. The sense of a weary acceptance in Mulder as he runs from one incredulous death to the other. The sedentary crippled scientist and his robots. Scully finally entering the case to find a small town gripped in mass hysteria. The roaches tied (of course!) to alien space travel. It ends with our pair covered in dung and Mulder telling Scully that she smells.
It takes a new and unusual approach like this to illustrate what an absurdly narrow experience it has all been so far. By this point, we've had about 45 hours of the same thing: our pair enter a sci-fi movie, have a few strange encounters and leave with some generally unambiguous glimpse of more cosmic machinations. Then we cleanly start anew in the next one swapping say the werewolf with a telepathic killer or mysterious virus, except of course in the sporadic myth arch which features a different set of laws.
Adolescently conceived and targeted, we have precious little about the overall world, the time and urges of these people outside a case, because apparently that would be boring whereas sewage monsters and vampire cults 'thrill'. Put that aside a second and imagine: Mulder and Scully come and go daily from their office, and the only person that we know is onedimensional Skipper doing the same disapproving frown.
Anyway, this isn't great but it registers because it bends the norm. Every story element is memorable, that's for sure. The overall thrust is silly, deliberately so: killer roaches. This branches off in several directions, all skewering the sexlessness, seriousness, and paranoia of previous stuff.
The house with 'flowing' walls and sexy (almost a bimbo) entomologist in shorts who Mulder hits on. The suspicion of a secret government experiment shrugged off for practical reasons. The on and off talks with Scully on the phone. The sense of a weary acceptance in Mulder as he runs from one incredulous death to the other. The sedentary crippled scientist and his robots. Scully finally entering the case to find a small town gripped in mass hysteria. The roaches tied (of course!) to alien space travel. It ends with our pair covered in dung and Mulder telling Scully that she smells.
"It's beyond my comprehension" cue cockroach!
devonbrown-906491 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
A great episode that explores a more relaxed intellectual mulder Chasing his curiosity and seeing where it takes them. The idea of alien cockroaches with metal exoskeletons was amazing writing and kept me thoroughly entertained.
Like man x files the cockroaches killing spree is still left unexplained. The causes of death may say otherwise but as a true X filer I want to believe in alien insect probes. I guess I will never look at insects the same way. Haha.
Did I see some jealously from scully. She seemed all too happy when bambi went off with Ivanov. I wonder if this is the subtle start of a romance between mulder and scully.
Like man x files the cockroaches killing spree is still left unexplained. The causes of death may say otherwise but as a true X filer I want to believe in alien insect probes. I guess I will never look at insects the same way. Haha.
Did I see some jealously from scully. She seemed all too happy when bambi went off with Ivanov. I wonder if this is the subtle start of a romance between mulder and scully.
A good episode that could have been more!
peter_nilsson8812 April 2020
This Is Not The X-Files, Very Poor
Alexand_er29 February 2024
I have no idea why this episode is rated and reviewed highly - the sophrages episode especially. I enjoy the humour episodes prior to this (Humbug, Bruckman etc) but this is so off piste it embarrasses the show and makes a mockery of characters and atmosphere the show built around the core story of x-files. I can only imagine viewership must have slumped and they wanted more in season 3 to build it up or to attract a female audience by pushing the Mulder Scully relationship suddenly.
Not sure what happened in season 3, some great episodes then it goes really strange, almost as if the mainstream audience got on board and demanded over the top humour episodes.
Not sure what happened in season 3, some great episodes then it goes really strange, almost as if the mainstream audience got on board and demanded over the top humour episodes.
El psycongroo
oliverporo17 April 2024
What can I say.
This is the first time I've seen The X-Files, some episodes are very good and memorable and others are more normal but entertaining.
But this has undoubtedly been the most fun so far.
I found myself constantly laughing out loud at Molder and Scully's conversations and then Bambi showed up and things got even better.
At the end of the chapter when the bug appeared I thought that Molder would spare his life and not kill him just because he could... and then I realized that he only stopped because he didn't want to destroy his plate and Molder killed him at the end, that was a good finishing touch to the funniest chapter so far.
This chapter was cinema 🚬🗿
This is the first time I've seen The X-Files, some episodes are very good and memorable and others are more normal but entertaining.
But this has undoubtedly been the most fun so far.
I found myself constantly laughing out loud at Molder and Scully's conversations and then Bambi showed up and things got even better.
At the end of the chapter when the bug appeared I thought that Molder would spare his life and not kill him just because he could... and then I realized that he only stopped because he didn't want to destroy his plate and Molder killed him at the end, that was a good finishing touch to the funniest chapter so far.
This chapter was cinema 🚬🗿
FBI Agents Bugging Out!
Aegelis3 March 2024
If you have entomophobia (fear of insects), this is NOT the episode for you. Interesting that cockroaches in particular are singled out as I recall one of our college biology labs had tanks full of them in some sort of study. Naturally, being an X-Files episode, we are drawn in to find out why these roaches are somehow associated with murder.
Beyond the typical weirdness we see a bit of jealously from Agent Scully. Mulder is his usual deadpan self while he tries to make sense of the bugs and a pair of researches in love with...science. Just when events couldn't possibly get weirder, a nice plot twist around the roach origin explodes. Mix in some tongue-in-cheek humour sprinkled about and you have a rather fantastic episode.
Very close to a perfect score for me, but would've been nice of there was more of a tie-in to the overarching plot of the series and some writers just cannot help but hit the 'reset' button at the end when TV show episodes are involved as opposed to a book or movie. Ah well, entertaining fun nonetheless.
Beyond the typical weirdness we see a bit of jealously from Agent Scully. Mulder is his usual deadpan self while he tries to make sense of the bugs and a pair of researches in love with...science. Just when events couldn't possibly get weirder, a nice plot twist around the roach origin explodes. Mix in some tongue-in-cheek humour sprinkled about and you have a rather fantastic episode.
Very close to a perfect score for me, but would've been nice of there was more of a tie-in to the overarching plot of the series and some writers just cannot help but hit the 'reset' button at the end when TV show episodes are involved as opposed to a book or movie. Ah well, entertaining fun nonetheless.
War of the Coprophages
lassegalsgaard26 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
There's nothing in this world that scares me as much as the natural things that could potentially kill us. I don't have arachnophobia, but the idea that there are huge spiders that could kill a person is something that scares me more than the possibility of a nuclear war. These are creatures that are right on our doorsteps and for some people, inside their homes. Luckily, I live in a country where the closest animal that could do major harm is behind bars in a zoo, but nature is still full of things that we don't fully understand. The idea that this is the thing that centers this "X-Files" episode may be what makes it one of the scariest episodes of the show so far. This episode is a totally comprehensible episode about killer cockroaches, which sounds insanely stupid if it had been the premise of any other show, but for a show that balances the strange with the scary so well, it makes for a horrifying storyline. The episode fully explores our relationship with the natural world and the fears we have for what it could do to us, which ends up in kind of a riot that spreads across a small town, and it also makes for an incredibly terrific hour of television. This is another Darin Morgan episode, which means that it's full of some campy moments mixed in with genuine and terrifying scares that puts the threats we face right in the middle of something that we know all too well.
What worked so well about his previous installment in this third season was how he used the idea of memory and knowledge as the threat. Here, he decides to make the threat a physical thing, but a thing that we face almost every day. He crafts this familiar dread and speaks to our natural fears of pretty much everything. Cockroaches are not inherently scary, but if you suddenly give them the ability to kill you in many different ways, it'd make someone look more than twice whenever they find one or see one, which is crazy but also very effective.
The episode is full of Morgan's campy touch with running jokes, including one where Mulder constantly calls Scully, only to be told that he is wrong and hanging up. It's great to know that this show is also able to see the absurdity of its storyline and make a little fun of how serious it takes itself. This episode is definitely not an attempt to show the serious side of the show, and it more importantly puts a focus on the camp, despite the very natural and terrifying threat that it portrays, making it the best of both worlds.
The episode also ends on a more unclear note. While some could see this as lazy writing, it may also simply be a commentary on the fact that we don't always get to know the aspects of nature. There's no such thing as clear answers when it comes to the things that we live around everyday. We get used to it being one way, so when it changes, it can be scary. However, sometimes, nature just changes and there's nothing that we can do about it; although we'd hope that it changes in a way that would still keep us alive.
It's interesting to see where this show is taking its leads. They seem to be more and more at odds with each other, constantly challenging each others' beliefs. That probably comes from the bomb that was dropped a few episodes ago which brought back Mulder's entire system, but also in the last episode where Scully's more religious beliefs came to the surface. There's a clear rift between them here, and it's going to be fascinating to see how they make up for that, and if they ever will have the same relationship that we fell in love with originally.
"War of the Coprophages" is not only a clever title, but a very clever episode that makes the threat something that we know too well. It's a mix of brilliant terror and fun camp that makes this an unforgettable episode and one that actually understands what this show is and should be going forward.
What worked so well about his previous installment in this third season was how he used the idea of memory and knowledge as the threat. Here, he decides to make the threat a physical thing, but a thing that we face almost every day. He crafts this familiar dread and speaks to our natural fears of pretty much everything. Cockroaches are not inherently scary, but if you suddenly give them the ability to kill you in many different ways, it'd make someone look more than twice whenever they find one or see one, which is crazy but also very effective.
The episode is full of Morgan's campy touch with running jokes, including one where Mulder constantly calls Scully, only to be told that he is wrong and hanging up. It's great to know that this show is also able to see the absurdity of its storyline and make a little fun of how serious it takes itself. This episode is definitely not an attempt to show the serious side of the show, and it more importantly puts a focus on the camp, despite the very natural and terrifying threat that it portrays, making it the best of both worlds.
The episode also ends on a more unclear note. While some could see this as lazy writing, it may also simply be a commentary on the fact that we don't always get to know the aspects of nature. There's no such thing as clear answers when it comes to the things that we live around everyday. We get used to it being one way, so when it changes, it can be scary. However, sometimes, nature just changes and there's nothing that we can do about it; although we'd hope that it changes in a way that would still keep us alive.
It's interesting to see where this show is taking its leads. They seem to be more and more at odds with each other, constantly challenging each others' beliefs. That probably comes from the bomb that was dropped a few episodes ago which brought back Mulder's entire system, but also in the last episode where Scully's more religious beliefs came to the surface. There's a clear rift between them here, and it's going to be fascinating to see how they make up for that, and if they ever will have the same relationship that we fell in love with originally.
"War of the Coprophages" is not only a clever title, but a very clever episode that makes the threat something that we know too well. It's a mix of brilliant terror and fun camp that makes this an unforgettable episode and one that actually understands what this show is and should be going forward.
See also
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