X-Files Gave Us The Most Disgusting Episode In The History of Television
While still in the early years of the original run of The X-Files series, previous show writers Glen Morgan and James Wong were determined to produce the nastiest, most controversial episode ever.
Not only did they succeed in their task, but the result became episode 2 of season 4 titled 'Home'. To this day, it is still not only considered the most disturbing episode of the entire show but one of the most gruesome episodes in TV history.
[Warning: The following article contains themes of a sensitive nature.]
The disturbing plot of 'Home'
The episode sees FBI special agents Mulder and Scully visit a small town in Pennsylvania after the murdered body of a deformed infant is found. During the pair's investigation, they learn the deceased child was murdered by a family of rather disturbed brothers. And the child's deformities were caused by many generations of inbreeding.
Thinking that the household of inbred siblings may have a woman captured and raped, the team of investigators search the property. However, they instead discover not only was the mother of the baby also the mother of the brothers, but she was consensually birthing their children. The number of distressing scenes of gore and violence, combined with such controversial themes make it an episode that is difficult to forget.
Even showrunners thought the episode was too disturbing
As the only episode of the series to ever have a TV-MA rating, Home was clearly an episode that stood out from the others.
In fact, after its initial broadcast in October 1996, an executive at Fox supposedly saw the episode and furiously questioned how it ever got made to begin with.
Due to its controversial nature and some fan reactions, who questioned if they should continue with the series, Fox banned it from their network. The episode was not shown again on Fox until 1999 as a Halloween special.
What the fans think now
Yet the episode's unique gruesomeness did not hinder it for long. Although initially heavily criticised, Home has become one of the series' most memorable and well-regarded episodes. Often making critics' top ten list of best episodes from all 11 seasons, it is praised for its distinctiveness and for not "pulling any punches".
For many fans, it is the embodiment of TV marmite.
Some remember it still as especially grisly; and not an episode they would want to watch again soon. Others simply remember it as an overly insane narrative. Still questioning how it was ever allowed to air at the time. And anyone who has only heard of it is left with a morbid fascination. Not certain whether to brave the horror that Home presents over its 44-minute run time, or better leave it to their imagination.
What can be agreed upon among all fans though, is it was certainly an episode that left its mark on the show. And in some ways also, its audience, who will likely never forget it.