If you want to see the best-acted episode of the x-files look no further than Small Potatoes. David Duchovny shows his true comedic ability throughout this episode. Duchovny plays Eddie Van Blundht playing Mulder so perfectly. Every one of his scenes as Eddie as Mulder are hilarious. Vince Gilligan, who penned this marvelous episode, reveals in the audio commentary that Duchovny ad-libbed many of the lines and mannerisms himself. He truly has a gift for comedy. Props also go to Gillian Anderson for playing a perfect straight(wo)man in this episode. Her playing it straight make the jokes all the funnier. Vince Gilligan also revealed in the commentary that a lot of the dialogue off screen was added through loop lines weeks later to spice up the dialogue. Which was also done quite effectively. The gag of Eddie being annoyed about the omission of the 'H' in his last name is quite funny, especially when the 'H' falls off his name on his house. Darin Morgan, who plays Van Blundht, was perfect for the part in his first "real" acting gig. Kudos again to Vince Gilligan in his first "humorous" episode. For me, this episode ranks second only to 'Bad Blood', also by Vince Gilligan. So, watch Small Potatoes, and treat yourself. I would if I were you.
14 Reviews
Did he have a light saber?
koalablue_199315 October 2008
Quite possibly the most hilarious X-Files episode ever. Darin Morgan comes back to the X-Files one last time, not as a writer but as an actor playing the shape shifting alien loser Eddie Van Blundht. This is the best episode in season four, and one of my all time favorites. The teaser is very funny and weird. Five babies are born with a tail and all because of Eddie Van Blundht who just wants to be loved. David Duchovny shows his comedic talents during the last act of this episode playing somebody else playing him. Vince Gilligan who wrote the episode really knows how to do great comedies. Unlike Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose this episode is not touching and it is completely mindless. But it is still great
I was just here. Where did I go?
Sanpaco1324 December 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Ah... Not only is Darrin Morgan one of the better episode writer's but he also portrays two of the better MOTWs in the famous Flukeman and Eddie Van Blundht. The teaser for the episode is very well written by Vince Gilligan. Another of those episodes that completely confuses you. A baby is born who's father is from "another planet" and the child has a tail. Not only that but the doctor who delivers the baby laments that there is another baby with a tail. Confused? Well turns out the father of the baby is Luke Skywalker. Yeah that Luke Skywalker. turns out all of the babies all have the same father. And the father is not actually Luke Skywalker but Eddie Van Blundht. But Eddie looks nothing like Luke Skywalker. I'm still confused are you? We find the father Eddie has a tail too and what's more... Eddie can shape shift! Oh so he made himself look like Luke Skywalker and the other women's husbands and they all had his children. Because Eddie can changed his appearance he is able to escape pretty easily and ends up locking Mulder up and returning to D.C. with Scully as Mulder. Right before Scully is about to do the wild thing with Eddie Van Mulder the real Mulder shows up and saves Scully. There is an interesting commentary at the end about Mulder being a loser by choice. There are a number of humorous moments in the episode that make it not only intriguing as to the plot but enjoyable and entertaining to watch. I give this episode an easy 10.
'Hilarious' is the perfect description
ametaphysicalshark22 April 2008
A lot of fans have a problem with The X-Files doing comedy. Myself, not so much. For me, it's all part of the diversity and creativity of the show, and I'd rather have comedy episodes that aren't brilliant than horror episodes ala season 1 which don't really deliver. Fortunately, "Small Potatoes" IS brilliant.
This is Vince Gilligan's first real comedy episode, and it works wonderfully. Written by one great X-Files writer and the lead guest actor in the episode is another great X-Files writer, Darin Morgan. You just have to love Darin Morgan as Eddie Van Blundht.
Just about all of "Small Potatoes" is hilarious. Outside of "Jose Chung's 'From Outer Space'" and "Bad Blood", it's by far the funniest X-File there has ever been and more than deserving of its highly respected status.
I can never look at Star Wars the same way.
10/10
This is Vince Gilligan's first real comedy episode, and it works wonderfully. Written by one great X-Files writer and the lead guest actor in the episode is another great X-Files writer, Darin Morgan. You just have to love Darin Morgan as Eddie Van Blundht.
Just about all of "Small Potatoes" is hilarious. Outside of "Jose Chung's 'From Outer Space'" and "Bad Blood", it's by far the funniest X-File there has ever been and more than deserving of its highly respected status.
I can never look at Star Wars the same way.
10/10
I was born a loser, but you're one by choice
SleepTight6665 December 2008
Warning: Spoilers
A nice, quirky, well-written little episode with a great message behind it. Although it has never been one of my favorites, and I think that it's a little over hyped. I can imagine why there are so many people that adore it as much as it is.
One of the most charming aspects of the episode is Darin Morgan, he returns to the X-Files one more time only as an actor. He does a great job, he represents a loser that hasn't done anything with his life and everyone looks down upon. But once he shifts completely into another person, people actually treat him better than they treat the person he changes into.
It's unfortunate that many people treat others just by the way they look like. Scully was horrified by the fact that five women were impregnated by this man. But by the end of the episode, she appeared to have changed her mind.
I really loved the scene of Eddie and Scully bonding together, even though she thought it was Mulder. He had a point about him, Mulder hasn't done anything with his life. 'I was born a loser, but you're one by choice'.
FOUR stars for this episode. Not a favorite, but certainly hilarious and smart.
One of the most charming aspects of the episode is Darin Morgan, he returns to the X-Files one more time only as an actor. He does a great job, he represents a loser that hasn't done anything with his life and everyone looks down upon. But once he shifts completely into another person, people actually treat him better than they treat the person he changes into.
It's unfortunate that many people treat others just by the way they look like. Scully was horrified by the fact that five women were impregnated by this man. But by the end of the episode, she appeared to have changed her mind.
I really loved the scene of Eddie and Scully bonding together, even though she thought it was Mulder. He had a point about him, Mulder hasn't done anything with his life. 'I was born a loser, but you're one by choice'.
FOUR stars for this episode. Not a favorite, but certainly hilarious and smart.
Oh my days, this is awesome.
Sleepin_Dragon19 August 2022
Mulder and Scully are called in when several mothers give birth to children, with tails.
I'm speechless, but in a good way, this was an absolute hoot, very funny from start to finish, there was a good deal of tongue in cheek about this one. I can see that it may not be everyone's cup of tea, personally I loved every minute of it, it came as a bit of a change from what's been an excellent, but pretty heavy fourth series.
Initially I thought it wasn't going to be one that appealed, we've had the case of who's who before, but there is so much here to enjoy, it's perhaps not one for a casual viewer, but fans of the show, I think will absolutely love this one.
David Duchovny puts in one of my favourite performances, he's just brilliant here, he's playing Mulder as if for the first time, he's really quite wonderful.
That scene where Mulder and Scully share a bottle of wine, I loved it, talk about them doing something completely different, gave us an insight into Scully.
I enjoyed this one so much, I had to watch it twice, 10/10.
I'm speechless, but in a good way, this was an absolute hoot, very funny from start to finish, there was a good deal of tongue in cheek about this one. I can see that it may not be everyone's cup of tea, personally I loved every minute of it, it came as a bit of a change from what's been an excellent, but pretty heavy fourth series.
Initially I thought it wasn't going to be one that appealed, we've had the case of who's who before, but there is so much here to enjoy, it's perhaps not one for a casual viewer, but fans of the show, I think will absolutely love this one.
David Duchovny puts in one of my favourite performances, he's just brilliant here, he's playing Mulder as if for the first time, he's really quite wonderful.
That scene where Mulder and Scully share a bottle of wine, I loved it, talk about them doing something completely different, gave us an insight into Scully.
I enjoyed this one so much, I had to watch it twice, 10/10.
Absolutely blown away!
injury-6544721 May 2020
I watched this very late at night but it held my attention absolutely.
This is what I consider to be a perfect X-File episode. It balances all of the elements impeccably! Mwah! A work of art really.
An absolutely hilarious story & Duchovny's acting is SUPERB! The nuances in his performance are a thing of beauty and you can tell he is having so much fun being this character. It's truly a joy to watch his mischievous little smiles and shuffles. People who criticise him as an actor need to see this performance.
The story itself is completely nuts but it works so well as a not-to-be-taken-Seriously comedy or farce episode. I just feel like all of the actors were having a lot of fun with this stellar script. I wish they did more episodes based on those bizarre "news of the world" tabloid stories!
By a complete coincidence I watched This after watching Tim Burton's "Ed Wood" and the two really work together with wacky sci fi subject material and tongue in cheek humour. Great pairing.
Who cares if the science of shape shifting man's abilities doesn't really add up, it's meant to be a laugh, and it so so so is.
Shocked that Darin Morgan wasn't the writer! It has his fingerprints all over it! And there he is in person onscreen, what a treat.
The relationship dynamic between Mulder & Scully is played so well in the final scenes! What a madcap delight.
The "H" is silently HILARIOUS!
AudioFileZ24 May 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Wow! This is a landmine of non-sequiturs of the deadly funny kind. Yeah, it makes no sense that a man is a regular guy, an alien shape-shifter (sans changeable wardrobe skills, well...sometimes), and a universal sperm donor...But, this is X-Files and it is one of the comic relief episodes. And, brilliantly, it is a killer one.
Apparently there is no rest for the love lorn shape-shifting tail wagging hybrids...ha! Eddie Van Blunght (the h is silent and don't forget it) is just that hybrid. Eddie might not have a conventional love life as he is labeled "loser" by one former paramour, but he finds a way around it. Yes, Eddie is the father to no less than five offspring commonly unified through a fertility doctor's clinic that he has co-oped in a most original way. Eddie "tags" certain women who long to have children and he shape-shifts into their husbands and when their fertility treatments turn into successful births nobody is the wiser. Uh, except that these children all have vestigial tails. Strange! Enter Scully and Mulder when the last birth triggers an investigation. Seems the last birth may not have a link to the fertility doctor, but after DNA analysis shows a common male sperm donor.
No need to tell more as the ride is the fun here, but there's a bittersweetness to the whole journey. That would be when Mulder says "yeah, but I'm no Eddie Van Blundht either"! That's a direct allusion to the romantic tension that never consummates between Mulder and Scully. The fact that Eddie Van Blundht gets closer to it than Mulder ever did speaks volumes. Otherwise this episode just entertains comedic-ally...both in dialog and sight gags. Excellent, a must see!
Apparently there is no rest for the love lorn shape-shifting tail wagging hybrids...ha! Eddie Van Blunght (the h is silent and don't forget it) is just that hybrid. Eddie might not have a conventional love life as he is labeled "loser" by one former paramour, but he finds a way around it. Yes, Eddie is the father to no less than five offspring commonly unified through a fertility doctor's clinic that he has co-oped in a most original way. Eddie "tags" certain women who long to have children and he shape-shifts into their husbands and when their fertility treatments turn into successful births nobody is the wiser. Uh, except that these children all have vestigial tails. Strange! Enter Scully and Mulder when the last birth triggers an investigation. Seems the last birth may not have a link to the fertility doctor, but after DNA analysis shows a common male sperm donor.
No need to tell more as the ride is the fun here, but there's a bittersweetness to the whole journey. That would be when Mulder says "yeah, but I'm no Eddie Van Blundht either"! That's a direct allusion to the romantic tension that never consummates between Mulder and Scully. The fact that Eddie Van Blundht gets closer to it than Mulder ever did speaks volumes. Otherwise this episode just entertains comedic-ally...both in dialog and sight gags. Excellent, a must see!
You think the fall killed him?
bombersflyup27 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Small Potatoes is about Mulder and Scully traveling to a small town, when there are reports of five babies born with tails.
The episode's laughs a minute, with superb writing and Darin Morgan golden as Eddie. The general opinion here's that the high-point of the episode's when Eddie becomes Mulder, with him locked up, though that's where it wavers a bit for me. Still love it though, there are so many funny lines.
Mulder: I admit the photo's a little over the top, but uh, what do you think Scully? Scully: No, seriously.
Eddie: They spelled my name wrong. It's Van Blundht with a silent "H". B-l-u-n-d-H-t. Mulder: Oh, we'll get right on that. Eddie: Lots of people spell it wrong. It's like Dutch or something. Can I go now?
Scully: But what are you saying, that that Van Blundht is an alien? Mulder: Not unless they have trailer parks in space. This is something different.
The episode's laughs a minute, with superb writing and Darin Morgan golden as Eddie. The general opinion here's that the high-point of the episode's when Eddie becomes Mulder, with him locked up, though that's where it wavers a bit for me. Still love it though, there are so many funny lines.
Mulder: I admit the photo's a little over the top, but uh, what do you think Scully? Scully: No, seriously.
Eddie: They spelled my name wrong. It's Van Blundht with a silent "H". B-l-u-n-d-H-t. Mulder: Oh, we'll get right on that. Eddie: Lots of people spell it wrong. It's like Dutch or something. Can I go now?
Scully: But what are you saying, that that Van Blundht is an alien? Mulder: Not unless they have trailer parks in space. This is something different.
"Good Lord, not another one!"
classicsoncall28 June 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Well, this is a strange tale indeed - or is that 'tail'? I love the comedy driven X-Files stories taking Mulder and Scully out of their normal, serious type investigations. I read a few of the other reviewers for this episode and was left puzzled by a couple of them who called Eddie Van Blundht (Darin Morgan) an alien shape shifter. I guess it's a logical mistake because we've seen them in the past, but Eddie WAS born on this planet, contrary to Amanda Nelligan's (Chrisyine Cavanaugh) assertion. He inherited his carny Dad's vestigial tail at birth but had it removed. I could see how that might be a turn-off in the romance department.
I also love it when the writers are allowed to get away with a line that might have been banned during an earlier era. When discussing the possibility that Eddie might have used a date rape drug to get five women pregnant, Scully allows that he might have slipped her the drug in an alcoholic drink. To which Mulder replies - "Yeah, but when would he have had the opportunity to slip it to them?" a double entendre masterstroke from the writers that could easily blow by if one is not paying attention.
I think the best scene in this episode occurred when Eddie, in the guise of Mulder, returned to his office once he and Scully arrived back in Washington. David Duchovny's impersonation of Eddie impersonating Mulder has to be one of the great comic spoofs of all time. The only thing that could have topped that scene would have had Eddie/Mulder hitting himself in the head with his gun as he twirled it like a cowboy. That would have been the icing on the cake.
So, to follow up on Mulder's own suggestion to Scully earlier about picking out china patterns, Eddie puts the move on Scully in her apartment and quite possibly might have closed the deal if the real Mulder hadn't shown up. I can't picture Scully having a baby with a tail, so I guess Mulder arrived just in the nick of time. Though it did look like Mulder took it to heart when Eddie told him he was a loser by choice. The episode was called 'Small Potatoes', but in this case, it looked like Mulder had his served mashed.
I also love it when the writers are allowed to get away with a line that might have been banned during an earlier era. When discussing the possibility that Eddie might have used a date rape drug to get five women pregnant, Scully allows that he might have slipped her the drug in an alcoholic drink. To which Mulder replies - "Yeah, but when would he have had the opportunity to slip it to them?" a double entendre masterstroke from the writers that could easily blow by if one is not paying attention.
I think the best scene in this episode occurred when Eddie, in the guise of Mulder, returned to his office once he and Scully arrived back in Washington. David Duchovny's impersonation of Eddie impersonating Mulder has to be one of the great comic spoofs of all time. The only thing that could have topped that scene would have had Eddie/Mulder hitting himself in the head with his gun as he twirled it like a cowboy. That would have been the icing on the cake.
So, to follow up on Mulder's own suggestion to Scully earlier about picking out china patterns, Eddie puts the move on Scully in her apartment and quite possibly might have closed the deal if the real Mulder hadn't shown up. I can't picture Scully having a baby with a tail, so I guess Mulder arrived just in the nick of time. Though it did look like Mulder took it to heart when Eddie told him he was a loser by choice. The episode was called 'Small Potatoes', but in this case, it looked like Mulder had his served mashed.
Beautifully written episode.
devonbrown-9064917 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The x files writers explore a shape shifting tail bender. Who uses his special muscles to woo the ladies under the guise of a man they trust and hold close.
Absolutely love this episode ,from the beginning it seemed the there was a mystery mutant impregnating as many women as possible for some alien government programme. But it was all the muse of Eddie van blundth or however you spell it. His character development was excellent and his trickery was next level. Although mulders whit and intuition defeated him on multiple occasions.
Would have love to see scully be fully seduced by Eddie but mulder saves the day. And now hold a hint of subtle jealously as Ed brands mulder a loser just like him.
Absolutely love this episode ,from the beginning it seemed the there was a mystery mutant impregnating as many women as possible for some alien government programme. But it was all the muse of Eddie van blundth or however you spell it. His character development was excellent and his trickery was next level. Although mulders whit and intuition defeated him on multiple occasions.
Would have love to see scully be fully seduced by Eddie but mulder saves the day. And now hold a hint of subtle jealously as Ed brands mulder a loser just like him.
Sci-fi about sci-fi.
n-town-smash17 June 2008
Warning: Spoilers
"Small Potatoes" got many plaudits on airing. It was called the best episode of any TV show ever by some magazine or other. It's.. it's just not.
The episode is by no means bad. Its premise - five babies, born to different mothers, all with tails - is actually pretty good and interesting. But what you're very aware of, right from the off, is that this one is a comedy. Now there's nothing wrong with that. The show has always had little gags, even in its darker episodes, and some episodes have stood out as being more ironic or quirky than others. But I'll admit, that's kind of my issue with "Small Potates"; whereas the impeccable "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose" manages to be damn funny one minute and crushingly tragic the next, this story of a woman impregnated by a fat nerdy janitor who disguises himself as Luke Skywalker is, funnily enough, not much of a tear jerker.
Now I'm done slagging it off, I'll freely admit: it's still very good. Darin Morgan does some nice acting (after playing the Flukeman in season 2) as the touchingly pathetic Eddie, and Duchovny is particularly surprising in his ability to play someone else pretending to be him. The scenes with Eddie as Mulder are the real moneyshot of this episode; there's something very fan-fiction about it, hardly surprising given the Star Wars references and in-jokes and general geekery on display throughout.
So yes. It's actually okay. Just not the best. Comedy is great and everything, but the show can do comedy fantastically, and has done before this, without resorting to farce.
The episode is by no means bad. Its premise - five babies, born to different mothers, all with tails - is actually pretty good and interesting. But what you're very aware of, right from the off, is that this one is a comedy. Now there's nothing wrong with that. The show has always had little gags, even in its darker episodes, and some episodes have stood out as being more ironic or quirky than others. But I'll admit, that's kind of my issue with "Small Potates"; whereas the impeccable "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose" manages to be damn funny one minute and crushingly tragic the next, this story of a woman impregnated by a fat nerdy janitor who disguises himself as Luke Skywalker is, funnily enough, not much of a tear jerker.
Now I'm done slagging it off, I'll freely admit: it's still very good. Darin Morgan does some nice acting (after playing the Flukeman in season 2) as the touchingly pathetic Eddie, and Duchovny is particularly surprising in his ability to play someone else pretending to be him. The scenes with Eddie as Mulder are the real moneyshot of this episode; there's something very fan-fiction about it, hardly surprising given the Star Wars references and in-jokes and general geekery on display throughout.
So yes. It's actually okay. Just not the best. Comedy is great and everything, but the show can do comedy fantastically, and has done before this, without resorting to farce.
Outrageously funny outing for our duo....
stevenjlowe827 October 2023
This episode was an absolute hoot from beginning to end and had such a unique energy about it. I could tell instantly that all involved on this episode had an absolute ball when making it as you could just feel it emanating off the screen, particularly with the 2 leads.
The X Files can be decidedly dark and lore heavy at times so I can see why when they do veer off in a different tone the cast embrace it and really go for it, particularly with comedy. Admittedly this doesn't always work for me but in this instance it absolutely did.
Again the well written and well cast of side characters really helped sell this episode even more, everybody committed and it showed. This is most definitely top tier comical X Files at it's best.
The X Files can be decidedly dark and lore heavy at times so I can see why when they do veer off in a different tone the cast embrace it and really go for it, particularly with comedy. Admittedly this doesn't always work for me but in this instance it absolutely did.
Again the well written and well cast of side characters really helped sell this episode even more, everybody committed and it showed. This is most definitely top tier comical X Files at it's best.
Small Potatoes
lassegalsgaard24 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
It's not that unusual for people to be born with defects, but some people are just lucky to have them in a way that they can't be seen. It's a little different when you're actually born with a tale, and people are able to make out that there's something visibly wrong with you. That's sure to create some problems for you and the relationships that you form with people. In "The X-Files," that is used as a source of weird comedy in an episode that feels a lot like some of the best Darin Morgan-penned episodes from the previous seasons. And therefore, it's only fitting that Morgan himself is actually in this episode, making his first appearance as an actor on the show as this week's main antagonist. The episode itself was actually written by Vince Gilligan, who shows a different skill set than what he has used before, writing an episode that is almost purely comedic. And it is one of the very best of this season, mostly because of how weird and strange it is, but also because of the amazing chemistry between its lead actors, which reaches a new height in this episode and gets a great comedic performance from David Duchovny.
At the core of this episode lies a very thorough look at what makes Mulder into the character that we know and love. It's clear that his personality is a big plus for us, because even though it was Duchovny's face, he plays the mannerisms so differently when he's playing the antagonist Eddie Van Blundht, really showcasing why this character is so inept with us. Blundht's version of the character really lacks that, and through this, Gilligan has given us a great look at what makes Mulder such a great character and such a favorite with the audience and fans.
This episode feels like the most inconsequential and unimportant the show has ever been, but it's so refreshing as the show has really kicked up its mythology this season. To have an episode that doesn't really care about furthering any kind of storyline or character arc is not just refreshing, but it's needed. This feels like an episode that Morgan would have written if he was still on the show, but sprinkled in with that Gilligan dialogue that we all know and love, and really feeling patient and sympathetic towards these characters, finding it important to show a different side.
This further proves that this show is so great and diverse in terms of its storytelling. It doesn't have to simply be one thing, nor does it have to rely heavily on its mythology to further the story. This kind of episode is the perfect example of the versatility that these writers have, bringing a completely unique and hilarious tone to a show that excels whenever it does something different. It's not the only comedy episode this show has had, but it's one of the best that shows how important it is to be able to contribute different things sometimes.
"Small Potatoes" is a perfect example of how to work different tones into this show and how this show excels when it changes up the formula. Gilligan's writing is sharp and profound, with the episode's premise being utterly ridiculous, yet continuing to fully show why we love these characters and the things that make them.
At the core of this episode lies a very thorough look at what makes Mulder into the character that we know and love. It's clear that his personality is a big plus for us, because even though it was Duchovny's face, he plays the mannerisms so differently when he's playing the antagonist Eddie Van Blundht, really showcasing why this character is so inept with us. Blundht's version of the character really lacks that, and through this, Gilligan has given us a great look at what makes Mulder such a great character and such a favorite with the audience and fans.
This episode feels like the most inconsequential and unimportant the show has ever been, but it's so refreshing as the show has really kicked up its mythology this season. To have an episode that doesn't really care about furthering any kind of storyline or character arc is not just refreshing, but it's needed. This feels like an episode that Morgan would have written if he was still on the show, but sprinkled in with that Gilligan dialogue that we all know and love, and really feeling patient and sympathetic towards these characters, finding it important to show a different side.
This further proves that this show is so great and diverse in terms of its storytelling. It doesn't have to simply be one thing, nor does it have to rely heavily on its mythology to further the story. This kind of episode is the perfect example of the versatility that these writers have, bringing a completely unique and hilarious tone to a show that excels whenever it does something different. It's not the only comedy episode this show has had, but it's one of the best that shows how important it is to be able to contribute different things sometimes.
"Small Potatoes" is a perfect example of how to work different tones into this show and how this show excels when it changes up the formula. Gilligan's writing is sharp and profound, with the episode's premise being utterly ridiculous, yet continuing to fully show why we love these characters and the things that make them.
See also
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