Voodoo is the main feature of this classic x-files episode.Suspicious incidents linked to ongoing tensions at a immigration processing center are occurring.The army run the center and a hardline,brutal stance is enforced by Colonel Wharton(Daniel Benzali).He believed the Haitian immigrants to be troublemakers. Relations between the guards and inmates are intense and Colonel Wharton is quick to deny any wrong doing on his behalf when Mulder and Scully investigate. An original take on voodoo,an excellent performance from Daniel Benzali and quality directing makes this a definite must see for any x-files fans. The ending is simply stunning.From to start to finish your hooked
13 Reviews
When in Rome...
Sanpaco1319 August 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Fresh Bones the Limerick:
A trap made of some thorny plant
Causes Scully to prick her own hand
From a scar that does linger
Out comes a finger
And the rest of a man comes out and chants
Fresh Bones. Where shall I begin. The beginning is as good as any. The teaser of this episode isn't quite as intriguing as some. The only part of the teaser that I can ever remember is that poor kid that starts crying after McAlpin shouts at the table. I can guarantee that that wasn't fake crying. But from there most of the episode is rather boring if you ask me up until the last 15 minutes or so. There are some good moments throughout however such as Mulder's "the few, the proud, the dead" comment, the introduction of Col Wharton, the dog corpse in the morgue, etc. Everything takes a huge turn as soon as Private Dunham is killed. Starting off with the awesome dead body floating in the tub. Then Mulder's "when in Rome" comment which makes us realize (in case you hadn't figured it out by that point) that Col Wharton is the one that has been killing people and not Beauvais. The next great scene in Col Wharton's office at night and finding the bones and chicken feet. And finally possibly my favorite X-Files moment ever! Voodoo guy coming out of Scully's scar! Ha! First time I saw that I was knocked down flat in my seat. All I could think was "how does she get out of this and make her hand OK again if that guy just made the hole a whole lot bigger?" Add in some bloody ham, a scene with X and a man being buried alive and you have a great episode. By the way one little comment about X, I thought it was great how Mulder was able to decipher so seemingly effortlessly the message in the 10 of diamonds card. I mean he may as well have gotten a note saying "Hey Fox, meet me on highway 10 by that diamond shaped sign in a bit. Catch ya then. X-meister." Oh last thing I want to mention is about Chester. I just thought it was funny how they made that into one of those "but he's been dead for 6 weeks" kind of stories with the kid. I'm reminded of ghost stories I used to hear when I was 10 about the kid getting a ride home and leaving his coat in the car and when the stranger takes the coat back to the house the parents answer and tell the stranger that the kid got hit by a car 5 years ago but confirm that the coat is the same one that the kid was wearing when he was hit. Boo! It's also kind of ironic that the only person still alive at the end of the episode is Pvt McAlpin whose death is the reason they were out investigating in the first place. I only give this one a somewhat lower score because there is a lot of dragging on before we finally get to the point. This could also be attributed to the fact that I have seen the episode numerous times already though and it has lost some of the suspense it used to have.
A trap made of some thorny plant
Causes Scully to prick her own hand
From a scar that does linger
Out comes a finger
And the rest of a man comes out and chants
Fresh Bones. Where shall I begin. The beginning is as good as any. The teaser of this episode isn't quite as intriguing as some. The only part of the teaser that I can ever remember is that poor kid that starts crying after McAlpin shouts at the table. I can guarantee that that wasn't fake crying. But from there most of the episode is rather boring if you ask me up until the last 15 minutes or so. There are some good moments throughout however such as Mulder's "the few, the proud, the dead" comment, the introduction of Col Wharton, the dog corpse in the morgue, etc. Everything takes a huge turn as soon as Private Dunham is killed. Starting off with the awesome dead body floating in the tub. Then Mulder's "when in Rome" comment which makes us realize (in case you hadn't figured it out by that point) that Col Wharton is the one that has been killing people and not Beauvais. The next great scene in Col Wharton's office at night and finding the bones and chicken feet. And finally possibly my favorite X-Files moment ever! Voodoo guy coming out of Scully's scar! Ha! First time I saw that I was knocked down flat in my seat. All I could think was "how does she get out of this and make her hand OK again if that guy just made the hole a whole lot bigger?" Add in some bloody ham, a scene with X and a man being buried alive and you have a great episode. By the way one little comment about X, I thought it was great how Mulder was able to decipher so seemingly effortlessly the message in the 10 of diamonds card. I mean he may as well have gotten a note saying "Hey Fox, meet me on highway 10 by that diamond shaped sign in a bit. Catch ya then. X-meister." Oh last thing I want to mention is about Chester. I just thought it was funny how they made that into one of those "but he's been dead for 6 weeks" kind of stories with the kid. I'm reminded of ghost stories I used to hear when I was 10 about the kid getting a ride home and leaving his coat in the car and when the stranger takes the coat back to the house the parents answer and tell the stranger that the kid got hit by a car 5 years ago but confirm that the coat is the same one that the kid was wearing when he was hit. Boo! It's also kind of ironic that the only person still alive at the end of the episode is Pvt McAlpin whose death is the reason they were out investigating in the first place. I only give this one a somewhat lower score because there is a lot of dragging on before we finally get to the point. This could also be attributed to the fact that I have seen the episode numerous times already though and it has lost some of the suspense it used to have.
Beware Of Voodoo
Muldernscully14 April 2006
Fresh Bones has a major creep-out element to it. Voodoo is a very interesting subject in itself. What I like about this episode is that it shows a different aspect of voodoo. When I think of voodoo I think of sticking pins in dolls. Fresh Bones didn't have any of that, so it was a fresh spin on classic voodoo stories. Colonel Wharton is a very convincing bad guy. I also like the little boy who played Chester Bonaparte. Fresh Bones features atmospheric music that fits the mood of the episode. Towards the end of the episode, there's a very scary and intense scene involving Scully. And the end scene is quite chilling. Fresh Bones is a good scare that will make you not want to visit Haiti any time soon.
In case you haven't noticed, Agent Mulder, the Statue of Liberty is on vacation. The new mandate says if you're not a citizen you'd better keep out.
alexandercappelli12 February 2016
Warning: Spoilers
"In case you haven't noticed, Agent Mulder, the Statue of Liberty is on vacation. The new mandate says if you're not a citizen you'd better keep out." – Mr. X.
Episode 15, 'Fresh Bones', original air date February 3rd, 1995. Written by Howard Gordan, directed by Rob Bowman. Monster of the week episode count, 27. Inspired by the reported suicides of two U.S servicemen in Haiti, during Operation Uphold Democracy, which was successful in restoring peace to the region. Gordon originally wanted this episode to be set in Haiti itself, though this proved infeasible and the story was shifted to focus on Haitian refugees on American soil instead. The episode deals with both the supernatural concept of voodoo curses while at the same time acting as a social commentary on the inhumane treatment of refugees in holding camps. It's unfortunate that this social and political element of the episode is just as relevant today, if not more so, than when this episode aired 20 years ago. First world country's policies on asylum seekers is still a very thorny issue that fuels endless debates among politicians and the public, and due to this being a central theme that frames the story for this week, there is a particular poignancy to the episodes subject matter. Howard Gordon's scripts are almost unrecognisable when compared to the pedestrian effort that he and writing partner Alex Gansa were producing in early season 1. In simply tracking the progression of his scripts alone we can clearly chart a significant growth in the shows complexity and sophistication regarding story telling.
Mulder and Scully are contacted by the wife of recently deceased soldier, Private McAlpin (Kevin Conway), who refuses to believe that his death was the result of suicide. Her child has recently unearthed a sea shell that is inscribed with some type of ceremonial symbol, which was also found at the site of both her husband's death and another soldier. When Scully attempts to perform an autopsy on the body of Private McAlpin, they find instead the corpse of a dog in his place. The agents then discover McAlpin wandering the roads, dazed and confused, but nonetheless alive. Another soldier, Private Harry Dunham (Matt Hill), warns Mulder and Scully that they're in danger. He is convinced that the Haitian refugees, led by the charismatic Pierre Beauvais (Bruce Young) is cursing the solders as retaliation for their mistreatment. Beatings are being ordered by Colonel Wharton (Daniel Benzali) and the refugees are fighting back with their own supernatural brand of justice. The episode progresses steadily with the investigation into the soldier's claims until it comes to close in a climactic third act that sees Wharton ultimately punished for his crimes in a particularly grisly fashion, buried alive.
There are a lot of unexplained elements to this story. Just what was the true nature of the child, Chester Bonaparte, who sells Scully the protection charm that ultimately seems to saves her life. How did Beauvais orchestrate the killing of the soldiers and what exactly was Wharton after when he was interrogating him. These questions however, did not seem to detract from my enjoyment of the episode. I would attribute this willingness to accept the unexplainable by the fact that the whole story is framed around voodoo magic, which is in itself mysterious in nature and arguably unexplainable by logic. I was happy to be taken on the ride and simply become swept up in the metaphysical power of voodoo magic. I particularly enjoyed the scene in which Scully hallucinates a man emerging from the sore on her hand and attacking her in the car. This was a really creepy concept with the man violently chanting French while strangling her and the black contact lenses they used to make Gillian Anderson's eyes appear diluted were very effective. The political element of the episode regarding the mistreatment of refugees is not pushed as an agenda by the writer, rather it simply grounds the episode in a believable reality. It's an obvious undercurrent to the story that's deserves to be recognised but I was glad that it didn't derail the story. This is after all science fiction, not a political drama.
Mr. X makes a brief appearance in order to tell Mulder that the government may actually be sanctioning Colonel Wharton's revenge on the Haitians due to some of his men being killed while in the country. As with Deep Throat, Mr. X is sometimes used a key plot device to the propel the story in a certain direction, and other times, like this one, he's simply used to deliver some quick exposition that neither detracts nor really adds anything of great value to the episode. I suppose though it's good to remind the audience that he's there, behind the scenes keeping an eye of Mulder's work, ready to intervene if necessary.
Mulder doesn't really have great deal of understanding regarding Haitian voodoo and this is one of those episodes where both agents appear out of their depth, dealing with forces they don't fully understand. It's good that the writer's didn't fall in to the trap of having Mulder be an expert in all things supernatural. While he certainly has an extensive and varied range of knowledge regarding supernatural concepts, he does at times get it wrong or simply encounter something he has not had a great deal of experience in. This is the sort of stuff that makes characters more interesting, having them sometimes get it wrong or make bad decisions. It endears us to them because they appear more human and therefore relate-able to an audience. The development of the shows two lead characters and their captivating performances played a huge part in the success of the series and it's fascinating to analyse their progress over the nine year run.
Episode 15, 'Fresh Bones', original air date February 3rd, 1995. Written by Howard Gordan, directed by Rob Bowman. Monster of the week episode count, 27. Inspired by the reported suicides of two U.S servicemen in Haiti, during Operation Uphold Democracy, which was successful in restoring peace to the region. Gordon originally wanted this episode to be set in Haiti itself, though this proved infeasible and the story was shifted to focus on Haitian refugees on American soil instead. The episode deals with both the supernatural concept of voodoo curses while at the same time acting as a social commentary on the inhumane treatment of refugees in holding camps. It's unfortunate that this social and political element of the episode is just as relevant today, if not more so, than when this episode aired 20 years ago. First world country's policies on asylum seekers is still a very thorny issue that fuels endless debates among politicians and the public, and due to this being a central theme that frames the story for this week, there is a particular poignancy to the episodes subject matter. Howard Gordon's scripts are almost unrecognisable when compared to the pedestrian effort that he and writing partner Alex Gansa were producing in early season 1. In simply tracking the progression of his scripts alone we can clearly chart a significant growth in the shows complexity and sophistication regarding story telling.
Mulder and Scully are contacted by the wife of recently deceased soldier, Private McAlpin (Kevin Conway), who refuses to believe that his death was the result of suicide. Her child has recently unearthed a sea shell that is inscribed with some type of ceremonial symbol, which was also found at the site of both her husband's death and another soldier. When Scully attempts to perform an autopsy on the body of Private McAlpin, they find instead the corpse of a dog in his place. The agents then discover McAlpin wandering the roads, dazed and confused, but nonetheless alive. Another soldier, Private Harry Dunham (Matt Hill), warns Mulder and Scully that they're in danger. He is convinced that the Haitian refugees, led by the charismatic Pierre Beauvais (Bruce Young) is cursing the solders as retaliation for their mistreatment. Beatings are being ordered by Colonel Wharton (Daniel Benzali) and the refugees are fighting back with their own supernatural brand of justice. The episode progresses steadily with the investigation into the soldier's claims until it comes to close in a climactic third act that sees Wharton ultimately punished for his crimes in a particularly grisly fashion, buried alive.
There are a lot of unexplained elements to this story. Just what was the true nature of the child, Chester Bonaparte, who sells Scully the protection charm that ultimately seems to saves her life. How did Beauvais orchestrate the killing of the soldiers and what exactly was Wharton after when he was interrogating him. These questions however, did not seem to detract from my enjoyment of the episode. I would attribute this willingness to accept the unexplainable by the fact that the whole story is framed around voodoo magic, which is in itself mysterious in nature and arguably unexplainable by logic. I was happy to be taken on the ride and simply become swept up in the metaphysical power of voodoo magic. I particularly enjoyed the scene in which Scully hallucinates a man emerging from the sore on her hand and attacking her in the car. This was a really creepy concept with the man violently chanting French while strangling her and the black contact lenses they used to make Gillian Anderson's eyes appear diluted were very effective. The political element of the episode regarding the mistreatment of refugees is not pushed as an agenda by the writer, rather it simply grounds the episode in a believable reality. It's an obvious undercurrent to the story that's deserves to be recognised but I was glad that it didn't derail the story. This is after all science fiction, not a political drama.
Mr. X makes a brief appearance in order to tell Mulder that the government may actually be sanctioning Colonel Wharton's revenge on the Haitians due to some of his men being killed while in the country. As with Deep Throat, Mr. X is sometimes used a key plot device to the propel the story in a certain direction, and other times, like this one, he's simply used to deliver some quick exposition that neither detracts nor really adds anything of great value to the episode. I suppose though it's good to remind the audience that he's there, behind the scenes keeping an eye of Mulder's work, ready to intervene if necessary.
Mulder doesn't really have great deal of understanding regarding Haitian voodoo and this is one of those episodes where both agents appear out of their depth, dealing with forces they don't fully understand. It's good that the writer's didn't fall in to the trap of having Mulder be an expert in all things supernatural. While he certainly has an extensive and varied range of knowledge regarding supernatural concepts, he does at times get it wrong or simply encounter something he has not had a great deal of experience in. This is the sort of stuff that makes characters more interesting, having them sometimes get it wrong or make bad decisions. It endears us to them because they appear more human and therefore relate-able to an audience. The development of the shows two lead characters and their captivating performances played a huge part in the success of the series and it's fascinating to analyse their progress over the nine year run.
It was a nice, flawed little episode
SleepTight66627 July 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Woah, this episode is just as dark as the previous two. I forgot how dark and utterly disturbing Season 2 was.
However, the episode wasn't as good. It had several flaws, the acting wasn't entirely great. And I didn't buy the plot twist. I'm glad that the Colonel turned out to be bad and got what he deserved, but him doing all that voodoo felt a bit forced.
However, there are also plenty of good things about this episode. Like I said, some really creepy moments. I think that the bloodbath inspired Season 4's 'Leonard Betts'. Very cool. Also loved the final showdown with Scully having that guy coming out of her hand.
My favorite part of the episode were probably the character aspects, and that little boy that could turn into a cat.
It was a nice, flawed little episode. *** stars.
However, the episode wasn't as good. It had several flaws, the acting wasn't entirely great. And I didn't buy the plot twist. I'm glad that the Colonel turned out to be bad and got what he deserved, but him doing all that voodoo felt a bit forced.
However, there are also plenty of good things about this episode. Like I said, some really creepy moments. I think that the bloodbath inspired Season 4's 'Leonard Betts'. Very cool. Also loved the final showdown with Scully having that guy coming out of her hand.
My favorite part of the episode were probably the character aspects, and that little boy that could turn into a cat.
It was a nice, flawed little episode. *** stars.
Voodoo people, magic people.
Sleepin_Dragon1 October 2020
Marines based at an immigration detention Centre are committing suicide, Mulder and Scully are on the case.
I did enjoy this episode very much, I am so impressed by the variety of the episodes, we're treated to sci fi, horror, and here voodoo and mysticism, it's a very impressive balance.
I loved the visuals, and enjoyed the implications surrounding death and visions. I liked the unexpected twist.
Made at a time when America seemed to the world to be supportive of immigration, I understand why some of the ideas may upset a few, but would say it is a TV show.
I'm not sure why Scully after recent events has instantly gone back to believing everything out there is black and white, I thought she'd gone beyond that mindset.
Very good. 8/10.
I did enjoy this episode very much, I am so impressed by the variety of the episodes, we're treated to sci fi, horror, and here voodoo and mysticism, it's a very impressive balance.
I loved the visuals, and enjoyed the implications surrounding death and visions. I liked the unexpected twist.
Made at a time when America seemed to the world to be supportive of immigration, I understand why some of the ideas may upset a few, but would say it is a TV show.
I'm not sure why Scully after recent events has instantly gone back to believing everything out there is black and white, I thought she'd gone beyond that mindset.
Very good. 8/10.
"He who does evil, evil he will see."
classicsoncall31 May 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Since that young kid Chester Bonaparte (Jamil Walker Smith) turned out to be an apparition, dead for at least six weeks when Scully and Mulder meet him for the first time, how's this for a thought? While waiting things out for voodoo practitioner Pierre Bauvais (Bruce Young) to exact his revenge on Colonel Wharton (Daniel Benzali), do you think he might have made a side trip to New Hampshire while the FBI agents were investigating the school teacher cult in 'Die Hand Gie Verletzt' to collect some of those green frogs that fell out of the sky? I guess you can't blame the writers for incorporating that element into the story if they still had some of those hoppers hanging around from the prior week's episode. Anyway, it's something I noticed so I thought I'd mention it.
This story was a nice little entry into the world of voodoo, and I particularly liked the Bauvais description of 'loco-miroir' - the crossroads between two worlds where one must confront the truth about one's self. Interestingly, both Bauvais and Mulder's mysterious FBI contact, Mr. X (Steven Williams) essentially had the same advice for Mulder. Bauvais: "They will only warn you once. After that, no magic can save you". While Mr. X advises Mulder that the military is sanctioning a blackout of the Folkstone refugee processing center within twenty four hours, so again, if he and Scully aren't out of there, no earthly magic will save them.
The creative team really came up with a cool effect here with Scully's vision of a guy coming through her hand; that was creepy and scary both. You have to know we've come a long way since the days of the Production Code of the Thirties and Forties when bad guys couldn't be shown coming out on top or government agents made to look foolish. That ending with the Colonel being buried alive was as bizarre an X-Files resolution as any in the series, fitting perhaps, but hideous enough to give one pause.
This story was a nice little entry into the world of voodoo, and I particularly liked the Bauvais description of 'loco-miroir' - the crossroads between two worlds where one must confront the truth about one's self. Interestingly, both Bauvais and Mulder's mysterious FBI contact, Mr. X (Steven Williams) essentially had the same advice for Mulder. Bauvais: "They will only warn you once. After that, no magic can save you". While Mr. X advises Mulder that the military is sanctioning a blackout of the Folkstone refugee processing center within twenty four hours, so again, if he and Scully aren't out of there, no earthly magic will save them.
The creative team really came up with a cool effect here with Scully's vision of a guy coming through her hand; that was creepy and scary both. You have to know we've come a long way since the days of the Production Code of the Thirties and Forties when bad guys couldn't be shown coming out on top or government agents made to look foolish. That ending with the Colonel being buried alive was as bizarre an X-Files resolution as any in the series, fitting perhaps, but hideous enough to give one pause.
Don't know how you do the voodoo that you do.
bombersflyup29 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Fresh Bones is about Mulder and Scully investigating the death of a Marine working at a Haitian refugee camp.
It's okay, the standout moment at the end, of the guy coming out of Scully's hand, inflates the opinion of this episode though. This Chester kid not really being there, just doesn't work for me. He's eating food, moving things and they're conversing in front of people. It's voodoo, I need more.
It's okay, the standout moment at the end, of the guy coming out of Scully's hand, inflates the opinion of this episode though. This Chester kid not really being there, just doesn't work for me. He's eating food, moving things and they're conversing in front of people. It's voodoo, I need more.
Best episode since "Duane Barry" & "Ascension"
joshi_359225 October 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Best episode since "Duane Barry" & "Ascension". I really liked this, the previous episodes have been far from good or interesting. Some exceptions, but neither any special. I liked this because it had the whole X-Files mystery feel to it, where nothing is really a 100% understood. Also the ending is great, and a bit chilling.
The whole Voodo theme is new to the X-Files which makes this a very original episode. It also has that scary religious/magic feel to it, without going as far as the previous episode "Die Hand Die Verletzt" which I felt was a little exaggerated. The whole people coming back from the dead, animals being where a person just was, Voodo markings and lucky charms, it may sound a little clichéd, but I really liked it. When I think about X-Files without aliens or the weekly monster, I think about the episodes in this genre.
After a series of not so interesting episodes, and good original story with a very creepy ending, I give this episode a 10/10.
The whole Voodo theme is new to the X-Files which makes this a very original episode. It also has that scary religious/magic feel to it, without going as far as the previous episode "Die Hand Die Verletzt" which I felt was a little exaggerated. The whole people coming back from the dead, animals being where a person just was, Voodo markings and lucky charms, it may sound a little clichéd, but I really liked it. When I think about X-Files without aliens or the weekly monster, I think about the episodes in this genre.
After a series of not so interesting episodes, and good original story with a very creepy ending, I give this episode a 10/10.
Voodoo refugees
Halfang23 October 2006
I know that the summary is not very impressive, but this chapter is. At the beginning of this chapter, a soldier working on a refugee camp crashes after watching some disturbing images of himself.
This would seem like a suicide of a paranoid soldier, or drug addiction, or something similar. But a voodoo-related symbol marked in the tree the soldier crashed on leads to thing into something else.
The refugee camp is being commanded by some international rights law-breaking militar, and the Haitians there are taking it's revenge.
Finally, Mulder and Scully are having to bypass some serious hazardous situations, including the fact that they'll have to fight agains the same symbol found in the tree.
This would seem like a suicide of a paranoid soldier, or drug addiction, or something similar. But a voodoo-related symbol marked in the tree the soldier crashed on leads to thing into something else.
The refugee camp is being commanded by some international rights law-breaking militar, and the Haitians there are taking it's revenge.
Finally, Mulder and Scully are having to bypass some serious hazardous situations, including the fact that they'll have to fight agains the same symbol found in the tree.
When mysticism beats science and freedom fighter mulder
CursedChico26 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
It was haitian vodou. All episode we saw miracles of it. The dead kid came a lot of times. The dead guy killed the commander.
Even scully saw it.
Military would come and would vanish all but fortutanely, mulder and scully stopped it and let people go back to their country.
Why was USA in haiti? The local people defended themselves. And in the refugee camp, they treated badly so most of the soldiers deserved what they got.
What i dont understand is why the dead haitian give secret to commander before he died?
Even scully saw it.
Military would come and would vanish all but fortutanely, mulder and scully stopped it and let people go back to their country.
Why was USA in haiti? The local people defended themselves. And in the refugee camp, they treated badly so most of the soldiers deserved what they got.
What i dont understand is why the dead haitian give secret to commander before he died?
Fine line between the dead and living.
devonbrown-9064918 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Excellent episode exploring voodoo and how it's can be investigated. Scully was instrumental in this episode she identified that there's toxins that can be used to make people zombie like. It makes me think all of the mysical charms and potions have things in them that are logical but science doesn't have the means to explain.
In the end scully was saved Chesters seemingly unscientific charm that mulder bought. Ironic mulder is always saving scully somehow, In this case indirectly.
The story line was great I enjoyed how the dynamic between Bauvais and warthon. Warthon really was fighting fire with fire. He must have learned the way and betrayed his teachers. Both had great character development making a great episode.
In the end scully was saved Chesters seemingly unscientific charm that mulder bought. Ironic mulder is always saving scully somehow, In this case indirectly.
The story line was great I enjoyed how the dynamic between Bauvais and warthon. Warthon really was fighting fire with fire. He must have learned the way and betrayed his teachers. Both had great character development making a great episode.
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