All this episode needed was a little Samuel L. Jackson, and it would've been perfect. Signs & Wonders is a good religious-themed episode from season seven. It's the first religious-themed episode since 'All Souls' from season five. They do have one distinct parallel. That is, that the audience is misdirected into believing that the bad guy is really the good guy, and vice-versa. It's still a nice twist, because I still wasn't expecting it. It's interesting to see Mulder remark about the absence of a light switch in O'Connor's church, considering that there have been numerous times in the series that Mulder and Scully never bothered to even try available light switches. And, of course, they have their flashlights ready this time. Michael Childers does a fine job as Reverend Enoch O'Connor. I liked the parallel of the two different churches that are reading the same scripture but the atmosphere is completely opposite at the two places. The staple remover turning into a snake was a cool effect. I don't think I can look at a staple remover quite the same way again. Iris Finster's hairdo bugs like nothing else. What is up with her stylist? David Duchovny does some fine acting with the snakes. He looked to show a genuine repugnance and/or fear to them. One thing I found odd about the music was the "Dod Kalm-like" hollow pinging sound that was used throughout the episode. It doesn't seem to fit in the show. Signs & Wonders is a good, classic, dark x-file that is one of the better efforts of season seven.
12 Reviews
Reverend, do something about these snakes, please.
Sanpaco1328 May 2009
Warning: Spoilers
This is an interesting episode. I don't really quite know what I think about it. Just for the sake of synopsis, a guy appears to be running from something and gets into to his car to find multiple poisonous snakes which bite him and kill him. Mulder and Scully come to investigate and find out about a sort of feud going on between two churches, one traditional catholic (baptist?), and one some sort of new age snake charming Christian Pentecostals or something like that. The feud appears to be over just which church is evil or not. The main suspect in the boy's murder is of course the man who runs the snake charmer church and who is also somewhat of a religious nut. The girlfriend of the boy who was killed is a member of the baptist congregation and for whatever reason Mulder and Scully don't find out until late in the episode that she is actually the nut's daughter and she and her boyfriend had recently left snake charmer's anonymous. Why they wouldn't have known that she was snake nut's daughter much sooner I don't know. So all the evidence and fingers and signs and wonders are pointing to snake nut as the murderer. So he is arrested after attacking Scully and forcing her hand into a box with poisonous snakes in it. Man he was sure asking for all the false accusations wasn't he? If you're not guilty then why would you attack an FBI agent and threaten her life with the same mode that was used in the murders you are suspected of? Stupid guy. Anyway so then he is attacked by snakes and later escapes from the hospital with his pregnant daughter and the go to the church and she is purged of baby snakes from her womb. So I guess... she had an affair with the other reverend and her boyfriend found out so he was killed then as everyone else found out they got killed too? And then when Mulder confronts baptist sinister minister (I always wanted to say that hehe) a bunch of snakes show up and attack him too. In the end sinister minister gets away and eats a rat with his snake tongue.
Interesting episode with some strange twists and turns. The twists are pretty text book but they are executed nicely so that you still fall for it the first time you see it. I wouldn't list it as a favorite episode but I have to give credit to whoever came up with the original idea and story. I'll rate this one 7 out of 10.
Interesting episode with some strange twists and turns. The twists are pretty text book but they are executed nicely so that you still fall for it the first time you see it. I wouldn't list it as a favorite episode but I have to give credit to whoever came up with the original idea and story. I'll rate this one 7 out of 10.
Snake charming...?
mattressman_pdl10 July 2008
A man's body is found in a locked car...covered in snake bites. Even as Mulder and Scully dig deeper into the religious mania that holds the town, the snakes seem to choose more victims...but are the victims random or is this some kind of righteous cleansing? stay tuned.
A decent stand-alone episode, although the inclusion of religious mythology and of the relevance of snakes to theology should have come off more enjoyable and a little more entertaining. Mulder and Scully give the episode their best, dead-panning it all the way though, but it is the signature X-files twist that elevates the episode as the truth becomes skewered...and the true evil is revealed.
Overall, could have been better but most certainly could have been a lot worse.
A decent stand-alone episode, although the inclusion of religious mythology and of the relevance of snakes to theology should have come off more enjoyable and a little more entertaining. Mulder and Scully give the episode their best, dead-panning it all the way though, but it is the signature X-files twist that elevates the episode as the truth becomes skewered...and the true evil is revealed.
Overall, could have been better but most certainly could have been a lot worse.
TOTALLY Unexpected Twist
andyetris24 October 2006
Warning: Spoilers
When a young man is found dead of a hundred snakebites Mulder and Scully follow a trail leading to an Evangelical cult of rattlesnake handlers. But when the dead man's wife turns out to be the cult leader's daughter, the question of paternity leads Mulder to a confrontation with someone who may be the devil himself!
It BAFFLES me that this episode gets such low marks!?! I never saw the twist coming, and when it arrives the theme of the entire episode is revealed - some of the best plotting of the entire series!!! The gross-out effects are good, the acting is perfect - what more can I say?!? The final scene caps the plot adroitly... I would rate this episode the best of season 7 - maybe the best of the past three seasons!
It BAFFLES me that this episode gets such low marks!?! I never saw the twist coming, and when it arrives the theme of the entire episode is revealed - some of the best plotting of the entire series!!! The gross-out effects are good, the acting is perfect - what more can I say?!? The final scene caps the plot adroitly... I would rate this episode the best of season 7 - maybe the best of the past three seasons!
Killer snakes? Oh no, call the FBI!
lnvicta4 August 2015
Signs & Wonders is another ridiculous X-Files episode about animals, this time it's snakes. None of the X-Files revolving around animals have worked in the past - Fearful Symmetry, Teso dos Bichos, Alpha - they're probably the worst episodes in the series, but lo and behold Signs & Wonders tries yet again with another crazy premise: killer snakes. That's not even the worst part because this is also a heavily religious episode, so half the time we're listening to religious zealots rant about God knows what and yelling nonsensical chants over and over. The two worst aspects of the series rolled up into one Signs & Wonders.
There are some admittedly creepy parts, like giving birth to snakes is an inherently disgusting thought, and there are a couple moments of suspense near the end. Unfortunately, the case itself just isn't interesting. It's hard to care about what Mulder and Scully are doing when there's no intrigue or nothing at stake. It's not the worst episode, but Signs & Wonders is certainly one you can skip.
There are some admittedly creepy parts, like giving birth to snakes is an inherently disgusting thought, and there are a couple moments of suspense near the end. Unfortunately, the case itself just isn't interesting. It's hard to care about what Mulder and Scully are doing when there's no intrigue or nothing at stake. It's not the worst episode, but Signs & Wonders is certainly one you can skip.
10
fil-nik0929 January 2018
Why this has such a low rating?
Well, the answer is because of snakes in it. I can not see any other reason as this is one of the best X Files episodes. You have a story and a real twist - unexpected - at the very end.
I know people do not like snakes - I do - and that influence their judgement, but really ... this episode is so much better than the rating.
Pure 10 from me. The ending was awesome!
Well, the answer is because of snakes in it. I can not see any other reason as this is one of the best X Files episodes. You have a story and a real twist - unexpected - at the very end.
I know people do not like snakes - I do - and that influence their judgement, but really ... this episode is so much better than the rating.
Pure 10 from me. The ending was awesome!
Annoying Message
dunken6910 February 2011
Warning: Spoilers
This episode works well on one level - it's well made and well acted, entertaining, has funny moments that are such a hallmark for the show, and it has a twist at the end. However, it's the twist that makes me dislike this episode. So the progressive priest is really Satan, while the mad, snake-handling preacher is really just trying to save everyone. What is the message here? Modern, open-minded Christians are actually falling for Satan's tricks? We'd all be better off if we just went along with the evangelical crazies who take every word in the good book literally?
Sure, you could say "Relax, it's just a TV show, don't take it so seriously!" But I cannot help it, things like this drive me up the wall.
Sure, you could say "Relax, it's just a TV show, don't take it so seriously!" But I cannot help it, things like this drive me up the wall.
Why such low ratings?? I loved it.
Umarfilmgeek24 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I think I know why it has low ratings.
It's a holy and righteous looking Christian man that ends up being the devil, and the becrazed, extremist weirdo "Christian" is the one who is trying to save everyone.
Yes, father O'connor is weird and not really a Christian with the stuff he does, but that's the whole point. The twist is magnificent and there's some truly disgusting parts like giving birth to snakes. Eww!
A thoroughly enjoyed episode during my covid re-watch of x files. As a man of belief in God, I loved the twist.
It's a holy and righteous looking Christian man that ends up being the devil, and the becrazed, extremist weirdo "Christian" is the one who is trying to save everyone.
Yes, father O'connor is weird and not really a Christian with the stuff he does, but that's the whole point. The twist is magnificent and there's some truly disgusting parts like giving birth to snakes. Eww!
A thoroughly enjoyed episode during my covid re-watch of x files. As a man of belief in God, I loved the twist.
A lot has changed in 21 years.
alfstadj22 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Progressive priest is the devil. Although literally 0 suspicious messaging till the twist.
Advocate for sticking your hand in front of poisonous snakes to show your devotion to god is the "good guy".
Kidnapping your "rebel" adult daughter because she doesn't know what's good for her. A-OK. (Did this lady not get an ultrasound?).
Faith Healing shown to work despite ignoring conventional treatment. Regular treatment was available. Show has dabbled with this in the past but usually as hand waved alien medicine or a last ditch effort when modern medicine has failed.
With how popular this show was I wonder how much this momentum carried through to the current anti-vax/anti common sense that's been prevalent during COVID.
Advocate for sticking your hand in front of poisonous snakes to show your devotion to god is the "good guy".
Kidnapping your "rebel" adult daughter because she doesn't know what's good for her. A-OK. (Did this lady not get an ultrasound?).
Faith Healing shown to work despite ignoring conventional treatment. Regular treatment was available. Show has dabbled with this in the past but usually as hand waved alien medicine or a last ditch effort when modern medicine has failed.
With how popular this show was I wonder how much this momentum carried through to the current anti-vax/anti common sense that's been prevalent during COVID.
Who needs sleep anyway.
Sleepin_Dragon22 September 2022
A young fearful young man gets into his car to escape something, but is bitten over a hundred times by different snakes.
The low score for this one surprises me somewhat, I always watch first, review, then read what others have written, and I suppose in this instance, it depends on one or two things, where you sit with tangible threats, and whether or not you're scared of snakes.
Personally, I went cold many times, I really dislike snakes, especially volumes of them, so I thought this really did have the chill factor, as did both Mulder and Scully. I also like the idea of them having to battle nature's threats again, we've had a run of monster of the week episodes, nice to see something that's home grown.
It's well paced, beautifully made, and some of those camera angles....those were done clearly for maximum effect.
Michael Childers and Randy Oglesby were both excellent in my opinion, such contrasting, but equally strong performances, they did their job perfectly, you'd have been conflicted as to who's point of view you bought into.
This one's going to keep me awake tonight, 9/10.
The low score for this one surprises me somewhat, I always watch first, review, then read what others have written, and I suppose in this instance, it depends on one or two things, where you sit with tangible threats, and whether or not you're scared of snakes.
Personally, I went cold many times, I really dislike snakes, especially volumes of them, so I thought this really did have the chill factor, as did both Mulder and Scully. I also like the idea of them having to battle nature's threats again, we've had a run of monster of the week episodes, nice to see something that's home grown.
It's well paced, beautifully made, and some of those camera angles....those were done clearly for maximum effect.
Michael Childers and Randy Oglesby were both excellent in my opinion, such contrasting, but equally strong performances, they did their job perfectly, you'd have been conflicted as to who's point of view you bought into.
This one's going to keep me awake tonight, 9/10.
Distasteful in many ways
MoviesRT13 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
This was a wild goose chase. As you can tell I didn't like it. This is by far the worst rating I've ever given an X-File episode.
In this episode - despite the "twist" - both sides were wrong. I guess it's popular to make people fear the Bible these days but that must be Chris Carter's way of showing us how the Devil works very well in people pretending to be worshiping God.
The "snake handlers" - the ones that supposedly followed the Bible too strictly - were not following God or the Bible at all. I never understood how anyone could think that handling snakes is something a Godly person would do. I'm pretty sure this is not practiced anymore except maybe in the far North Amish country areas of the USA.
The "progressive" preacher was wrong too in that he believed all religions and beliefs were valid. This is how Satan works - not taking a side was what made him the evil one in this case. So it wasn't really a twist after all. (I won't tell you how it ends though...)
It's easy to tell that Chris Carter had a hatred for religions of all kinds, except for the religion of evolution which was often quoted by Scully and Mulder when something unusual occurred (re: the intro to Sixth Extinction).
Sadly this episode took such a weird turn that it was not enjoyable at all.
I like the episodes that seem like modern Twilight Zones. People with strange powers is my favorite genre.
This one was more like a horror occult movie. I like those, but don't think they belong on the X-Files.
In this episode - despite the "twist" - both sides were wrong. I guess it's popular to make people fear the Bible these days but that must be Chris Carter's way of showing us how the Devil works very well in people pretending to be worshiping God.
The "snake handlers" - the ones that supposedly followed the Bible too strictly - were not following God or the Bible at all. I never understood how anyone could think that handling snakes is something a Godly person would do. I'm pretty sure this is not practiced anymore except maybe in the far North Amish country areas of the USA.
The "progressive" preacher was wrong too in that he believed all religions and beliefs were valid. This is how Satan works - not taking a side was what made him the evil one in this case. So it wasn't really a twist after all. (I won't tell you how it ends though...)
It's easy to tell that Chris Carter had a hatred for religions of all kinds, except for the religion of evolution which was often quoted by Scully and Mulder when something unusual occurred (re: the intro to Sixth Extinction).
Sadly this episode took such a weird turn that it was not enjoyable at all.
I like the episodes that seem like modern Twilight Zones. People with strange powers is my favorite genre.
This one was more like a horror occult movie. I like those, but don't think they belong on the X-Files.
"When the devil aims to test you, you best be ready."
classicsoncall5 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Uh-oh, I know someone with such an aversion to snakes they would never have made it past the teaser. I also know a snake handler who used to milk rattlesnakes for fun and profit, and he told me how one got loose in his car one day while he was driving. Now I'm getting a little nervous, sorry I brought it up.
It makes sense the X-Files would tackle a story about a snake handling preacher and his religious followers; some of them still exist in parts of the Deep South if I'm not mistaken. The twist here is that the evil preacher we're introduced to is not the main villain in the story once it goes around the block. Up until the final reveal, I had this one pegged as the second most disturbing story to appear as an X-File, the first being that 'Home' episode with the decrepit mother underneath the floorboards. Even so, when Gracie O'Connor (Tracy Middendorf) gave birth to (hatched?) those baby snakes, I could only shake my head in disbelief at what the writers thought they could pull off.
But if you stick around until the end, you'll behold the most unbelievable sight in an X-File ever, notwithstanding UFO's, extraterrestrials and shape shifting aliens. I'm tempted to give it away, but if you've seen it, you already know what it is. And if you haven't, well, you wouldn't believe it if I told you anyway.
It makes sense the X-Files would tackle a story about a snake handling preacher and his religious followers; some of them still exist in parts of the Deep South if I'm not mistaken. The twist here is that the evil preacher we're introduced to is not the main villain in the story once it goes around the block. Up until the final reveal, I had this one pegged as the second most disturbing story to appear as an X-File, the first being that 'Home' episode with the decrepit mother underneath the floorboards. Even so, when Gracie O'Connor (Tracy Middendorf) gave birth to (hatched?) those baby snakes, I could only shake my head in disbelief at what the writers thought they could pull off.
But if you stick around until the end, you'll behold the most unbelievable sight in an X-File ever, notwithstanding UFO's, extraterrestrials and shape shifting aliens. I'm tempted to give it away, but if you've seen it, you already know what it is. And if you haven't, well, you wouldn't believe it if I told you anyway.
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