RELEASED ON
Monday March 25, 1996
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218
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2024-08-20 07:31:11
PAGE VERSION
Version 3
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TYPE
VHS
DESCRIPTION
File 2: Tooms is the second European VHS tape from The X-Files, which includes both episodes from season 1: Squeeze and Tooms.
"Squeeze" (Season 1, Episode 3)
Original Air Date: September 24, 1993
"Squeeze" is one of the most iconic episodes of The X-Files, introducing viewers to one of the series' most memorable monsters, Eugene Victor Tooms, and establishing the show’s unique blend of horror and science fiction.
The episode begins with a series of murders in Baltimore, Maryland. Each victim is found in a locked or otherwise sealed room with their liver extracted, but with no apparent point of entry or exit for the killer. FBI Agent Dana Scully is called to consult on the case by a former colleague, Tom Colton, who is baffled by the strange circumstances. Seeking insights into the bizarre nature of the murders, Scully brings the case to her partner, Agent Fox Mulder, who immediately identifies a connection to several unsolved cases dating back decades.
Mulder discovers that identical murders have occurred every 30 years since 1903, with each set of victims having their livers removed. The pattern is unsettling, suggesting that the same killer has been active for nearly a century. Mulder hypothesizes that the killer is not human in the conventional sense but a genetic mutant who can stretch and contort his body to fit through impossibly small spaces, allowing him to enter and exit locked rooms without detection.
The investigation leads Mulder and Scully to Eugene Victor Tooms, a quiet and seemingly unremarkable man who works as an animal control officer. Tooms' physical appearance is unnerving, with a pale, almost inhuman quality to his eyes and skin. Mulder's theory is confirmed when they discover that Tooms has been living in the same apartment for decades, maintaining his youth and vitality by consuming the livers of his victims. The agents also uncover a horrifying nest hidden within the walls of Tooms’ apartment, constructed from newspaper and bile—a cocoon where Tooms hibernates between his killing sprees.
Despite Mulder’s compelling evidence, including fingerprint analysis that matches Tooms to the murders across decades, the case is dismissed in court. Without a concrete explanation that fits within the bounds of conventional science, the authorities release Tooms, who returns to his routine, preparing for his next kill. Mulder is frustrated but determined to stop Tooms, knowing that he is a relentless and inhuman predator.
The episode culminates in a tense confrontation as Tooms targets his next victim, but Mulder and Scully manage to track him down just in time. They find Tooms in the act, contorting his body to fit through an air duct. After a struggle, Tooms is captured and institutionalized, but Mulder remains uneasy, aware that Tooms is merely biding his time, waiting for his next opportunity.
"Squeeze" is significant for several reasons. It was the first episode to deviate from the show's initial focus on government conspiracies and alien phenomena, introducing the "monster-of-the-week" format that would become a staple of The X-Files. The episode also deepened the partnership between Mulder and Scully, showing how they complement each other’s strengths—Mulder’s openness to the bizarre and Scully’s grounding in rational science. Eugene Victor Tooms, played by Doug Hutchison, would return later in the season, further cementing his place as one of the show’s most unforgettable villains.
"Tooms" (Season 1, Episode 21)
Original Air Date: April 22, 1994
"Tooms" is the highly anticipated sequel to "Squeeze," bringing back the terrifying figure of Eugene Victor Tooms for a final showdown. This episode continues to explore the dynamic between Mulder and Scully while delving deeper into the psychological and supernatural elements that make The X-Files so compelling.
The episode picks up several months after the events of "Squeeze," with Tooms undergoing a psychological evaluation at a state-run institution. Despite his violent history and the supernatural nature of his crimes, the authorities are considering releasing him, believing that with proper medication and therapy, he poses no further threat to society. This decision deeply troubles Mulder, who is convinced that Tooms is still dangerous and will inevitably kill again if given the chance.
As Tooms’ parole hearing approaches, Mulder begins his own investigation, determined to prove that Tooms is too dangerous to be released. He visits Tooms' old nesting site, uncovering more evidence of his horrific past, and tracks down information on his earlier victims. Mulder's obsession with the case strains his relationship with Scully, who is under pressure from her superiors to distance herself from Mulder's unconventional methods.
In a parallel subplot, Mulder comes under scrutiny from the FBI's internal affairs, particularly from Assistant Director Walter Skinner, who is introduced in this episode. Skinner represents the bureaucratic forces within the FBI that view Mulder's work on the X-Files with suspicion and disdain. Skinner is joined by the mysterious Cigarette Smoking Man, whose presence hints at the larger conspiracy that looms over the series.
Despite Mulder's efforts, Tooms is released on parole, under close supervision, with a new job and a new apartment. However, it quickly becomes clear that Tooms is resuming his old habits. He begins stalking new victims, and Mulder, with Scully's reluctant assistance, keeps a close watch on him, hoping to catch him in the act before he can claim another life.
The tension escalates as Tooms begins to target Mulder, viewing him as a threat that must be eliminated. Tooms' ability to contort his body and squeeze through tight spaces makes him a formidable opponent, capable of striking from the most unexpected places. In one of the episode's most memorable scenes, Tooms attempts to enter Mulder's apartment through a vent, leading to a terrifying close encounter.
The final act of the episode takes place at an abandoned building where Tooms has constructed a new nest. Mulder and Scully track him down just as he is about to hibernate again, ensuring his survival for another 30-year cycle. The climactic confrontation is intense, with Mulder and Scully barely managing to overpower Tooms before he can escape. In a last-ditch effort to evade capture, Tooms is crushed to death in an escalator, ending his life and his reign of terror once and for all.
"Tooms" is a powerful conclusion to the story arc that began in "Squeeze." It further develops the themes of obsession and the nature of evil, while also expanding the mythology of the series with the introduction of Skinner and the Cigarette Smoking Man. The episode also cements the bond between Mulder and Scully, showcasing their growing trust and mutual reliance as they confront the horrors of the unknown together. Eugene Victor Tooms remains one of The X-Files' most iconic villains, and his two appearances are among the most memorable and chilling in the series' history.
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HISTORY
2024-08-20 07:31:11 -
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Added the home video type.
2024-08-20 07:17:09 -
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2024-08-20 07:14:43 -
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Added a VHS cover.
2024-08-20 07:10:59 -
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New home video added.
