War of the Coprophages

War of the Coprophages(say that 10 times fast) is another gem from the pen of Darin Morgan. He just knew how to write Mulder & Scully. This episode is also brilliantly directed by Kim Manners. The use of the roach going across the screen is creative and a bit surprising the first time. The shot from the sink pipe into Mulder's and the sheriff's faces is original and funny. When Mulder is typing at the end and his computer freezes on the word "technology" is funny. David Duchovny voices that by saying, "tech-, tech-, tech-," hits the computer, "technology". It's interesting to see Scully cleaning her gun and then cleaning her dog on her time off. Also, I love the shot of the roach's view when Mulder grabs one and gives it a greeting from planet Earth. I like the transition of Mulder telling the sheriff that he was getting off the phone with his "drug dealer"(Scully) and then the scene shifts straight to the meth lab. Another great part of the episode is that Dr. Bambi's UFO theory and Dr. Ivanov's alien theory both debunk Mulder's beliefs about UFOs and aliens. It's funny to see his reaction to these two theories. War of the Coprophages is just pure comic genius from the classic Mulder/Scully dialogue to the hilarious guest performances. Well done, Darin Morgan!

One of the funniest episodes ever, very snide and very funny in a Family Guy (small, unnecessary, but hilarious details) kind of way. and at the same time one of the most gross. The toilet scene is funny as the cockroaches appear to be stealing the toilet paper before the attack. Then watch the scene in the store very carefully. While everyone else panics and grabs survival essentials, there is a sailor who is only grabbing chocolate bars and women's tights, as per the gifts they gave to women in Europe during the Second World War. Scully and Bambi's face off is spot on, too. The aftermath of the methane explosion is predictable, but still funny.

i love how scully seems almost bored with the going ons and has an offhand explanation for each death, but as soon as dr. bambi enters the picture she is raring to go (she gets dressed mighty quickly).

loved the phone conversations. mulder is unusually accepting of scully's more down to earth theories abut the mysterious deaths.

the mass panic is hilarious (how great is the 'die bug die' insect spray?!) and a nice foil to second season episode 'f. emasculata'. so *this* is what would have happened if they hadn't kept the outbreak secret.

love gillian anderson's very real reaction to the (non scripted and unplanned) mini car crash in front of the convenient store just as she enters it. and her facial expression when the guy bumps in her. did anybody else flash back to the cricket eating scene in 'humbug' when she casually pops one of the spilled sweets people mistook for roaches int her mouth? great script - absolutely absurd and hilarious but not lacking content and quite thought provoking at times.

as usual excellent direction by the late great kim manners a.k.a. the roach-whisperer.

10/10

I am going back and watching all the seasons before the new movie comes out and I must say that in the first three seasons this episode stands out like no other. It's a throwback to old science fiction movies and the playful banter between Scully and Mulder is reminiscent of early season one. This episode was funny and a nice depart from the myth/arc episodes and the MOTW episodes. I always love the dynamic between Mulder and Scully and it's really showcased here. It's meant to be a light-hearted venture rather than the serious intense episodes of late or even some of the weaker MOTW episodes. Kick back and relax. I give it 10/10 for being a much welcomed surprise.

Probably the funniest "X-Files" episode so far, "War of the Coprophages" is a hilarious (and disgusting if you don't like cockroaches) affair from second one.

Mulder is taking a break from his UFO searching when he gets wind of a series of deaths that seem to be related to cockroaches. He goes to investigate, while constantly calling Scully for help. Scully keeps giving him logical and sound reasons for the different deaths, but Mulder is not sold on her reasoning and continues to investigate.

Everything in the episode is great. The pace is high, the direction keeps things happening non-stop, and the plot is full of funny twists and great one liners. It helps that everyone is in on the game, especially David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, who deliver their dialogue with great glee, their constant banter bringing laughs the the viewer. And Mulder's infatuation with entomologist Bambi is hilarious, with Duchovny's face being the expression of awestruck. Just seeing him looking at Bambi will bring a smile to the viewer.

It is all played with so much tongue-in-cheek that it is impossible not to enjoy this episode.