The X Files / Humbug / Notes

What seems to be a creature attacking the Alligator Man and Michael J Anderson's trailer park proprietor is actually drunk Vincent Schiavelli's "appendage brother", able to "disengage" from him in the hopes of finding a new brother. It seems Schiavelli was dying of liver cirrhosis and why would his "little brother" want to stay attached to him? Unfortunately, "Leonard" doesn't quite know how to go about it. Mulder's appearance in the episode cracks me up because those that live there look at him with disdain, not out of jealousy but because he's just a dull, average human going through life. Particularly Blockhead finds Mulder to be unfortunately the future, without as much genetic mutation or an alternative to him. Blockhead embraces his outsider lifestyle, rejecting what society considers normality. He'd rather hammer nails into his nose or a spike into his chest. And the fish-eating Enigma happens to be in the right place at the right time when Leonard leaps at him...no need for Scully and Mulder to stop Leonard, considering he became lunch. When Mulder passes by Blockhead's car as he is about to drive off, Enigma's The Conundrum seems nauseous, asking him what was wrong..."It must have been something I ate." Perfect way to end such a unique episode. Yes, the episode features those that once appeared on carnival circuits as "human oddities", and Scully even speaks to someone in a museum with a story about Siamese twins with his own external skin condition disguised or briefly seen due to camera angles and mirrors. Anderson's Mr. Nutt taking Mulder to task for assuming he was a member of the carnival is a highlight to me...not just because he was such a distinctive character on "Twin Peaks". And I just like that connection with Duchovny, also on "Twin Peaks". Schiavelli's sad, droopy face, features, and disposition is just perfect for his Lanny; he always looks like he could collapse into a fetal position and weep at any time. So Leonard's efforts for a new brother might stem from Lanny being such a sad sack.