The X-Files revisit’s the subject of voodoo in “Theef.” it is a topic that has been done hit and miss over the seven year run thus far. “Theef’ winds up as a typical monster of the week story. It is not bad, but it is not particularly memorable, either. A notable highlight is character actor Billy Drago, whom you will definitely recognize by appearance if not by name, as grieving father out for revenge Peattie.
Mulder and Scully are called in to investigate the unexplained murders of people associated with a wealthy doctor. They discover the murders are being committed by a backwoods West Virginia voo doo practitioner who is seeking revenge on the doctor for euthanizing his suffering, dying daughter. Peattie is angry because his voodoo could have saved his daughter.
The thing about “Theef” is that hardly anyone doubts it. Even Scully, who suffers from peattie’s voodoo at one point, admits to mulder there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamed of in philosophy. She says for the first time maybe one can find answers in something beyond science. Why her change of heart gets buried in an ordinary monster of the week episode is beyond me. I am particularly baffled the voodoo here gets to her after all the other things she has experienced over the years. But I digress. Even the doctor who euthanized the girl defends himself by saying Peattie was not there, so it is not his fault his daughter died.
I am curious if Wiccans got as upset with “Theef” as they did ”Sanguinarium.” several seasons ago. Both revolve around science v. black magic, and both present black magic as evil. “Theef” might be even worse, considering Peattie is such an ignorant man. It is arguable he is a good, but misguided man. He is motivated to his actions by his daughter’s death. What grieving parent would not fault the doctor in a kneejerk response? Still, practitioners of the black arts come across looking evil and dumb, even though the powers are considered legitimate. The X-Files has peaked in popularity at this point. Maybe no one cares anymore.
“Theef” is entertaining. It is very creepy in places, which is enough to make it a worthwhile view. But there is nothing much special about it. It is a paint by numbers revenge story with voodoo thrown in to fit within the demands of the series. You have seen and heard it all before. Seriously, Peattie’s bad spelling prompts a Dan Quayle joke. In 2000. Now that is some lazy writing.
Rating: *** (out of 5)
The X-Files revisit’s the subject of voodoo in “Theef.” it is a topic that has been done hit and miss over the seven year run thus far. “Theef’ winds up as a typical monster of the week story. It is not bad, but it is not particularly memorable, either. A notable highlight is character actor Billy Drago, whom you will definitely recognize by appearance if not by name, as grieving father out for revenge Peattie.
