Follow TV Tropes

Following

History Recap / TheXFilesS04E20SmallPotatoes

Go To

OR

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* EvenTheGuysWantHim: Eddie gets some mileage out of morphing into Mulder.
-->'''Eddie''': You're a damn good-lookin' man!


Added DiffLines:

* FriendlyEnemy: Eddie to Mulder at the end.
* HiddenDepths: Eddie, at the end, has a surprisingly tender heart-to-heart with Scully. He opens up and admits his regrets, wishing he could go back and do it all differently. When Mulder interrupts the evening, he gives up without a fight and shrugs his shoulders resignedly.


Added DiffLines:

* LighterAndSofter: At the heart of it, the MonsterOfTheWeek is an understated dork who was impregnating married women trying to conceive by taking on the forms of their husbands and, uh, [[InsaneTrollLogic claiming to help the process along]]. (He also knocked up a ''Star Wars''-obsessed ex by morphing into Luke Skywalker.) When he takes Mulder's form, HilarityEnsues.
-->'''Skinner''': Which one of you wrote this?
-->'''"Mulder"''': I did, sir.
-->'''Skinner''': You spelled Federal Bureau of Investigation wrong.
-->'''"Mulder"''': … it was a typo.
-->'''Skinner''': ''[[EpicFail Twice]]''.


Added DiffLines:

* NotSoDifferent: After living in his shoes for a while, Eddie gradually concludes that Mulder – an emotionally distant conspiracy theorist with geeky friends, a hotline to a sex operator, and no real social life – is also a "loser", only one by choice instead of circumstance. Eddie even calls Mulder up in prison at the end and encourages him to open up and live a little.


Added DiffLines:

* RealityEnsues: Mulder very easily chases down and catches the somewhat out of shape Eddie, who [[DidntThinkThisThrough unwisely fancied his chances of escape]]. Funnily enough, he fares much better when masquerading as his elderly father, although it's implied that he immediately took on another form when he was out of sight.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


** Mulder's line "Birds do it, bees do it, even educated MDs do it" references the song "Let's Do It, Let's Fall In Love" by ColePorter.

to:

** Mulder's line "Birds do it, bees do it, even educated MDs do it" references the song "Let's Do It, Let's Fall In Love" by ColePorter.Music/ColePorter.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

** Mulder's line "Birds do it, bees do it, even educated MDs do it" references the song "Let's Do It, Let's Fall In Love" by ColePorter.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
from the main series page


* SawStarWarsTwentySevenTimes: The woman who believes she was impregnated by Luke Skywalker.

to:

* SawStarWarsTwentySevenTimes: The woman who believes she was impregnated by Luke Skywalker.Skywalker has seen ''Star Wars'' 368 times, and is hoping to break 400 by Memorial Day.

Added: 662

Changed: 802

Removed: 42

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Various formatting tweaks. This is not the fridge page. Tropes have to be listed by their actual names.


'''Season 4, Episode 20''':
!Small Potatoes



-->'''Mulder''': I have a theory, if you want to hear it.
-->'''Scully''': Van Blundht somehow physically transformed into his captor, and then walked out the door, leaving no one the wiser?
-->'''Mulder''': Scully, should we be picking out China patterns, or what?
* EpicFail: "Mulder" somehow managed to misspell "Federal Bureau of Investigation". '''Twice'''.

to:

-->'''Mulder''': -->'''Mulder:''' I have a theory, if you want to hear it.
-->'''Scully''':
it.\\
'''Scully:'''
Van Blundht somehow physically transformed into his captor, and then walked out the door, leaving no one the wiser?
-->'''Mulder''':
wiser?\\
'''Mulder:'''
Scully, should we be picking out China patterns, or what?
* EpicFail: EpicFail:
**
"Mulder" somehow managed to misspell "Federal Bureau of Investigation". '''Twice'''.



* {{Foreshadowing}}: When Mulder is questioning Amanda the second time, his responses to some of her answers about Eddie foreshadow the fact that it's not actually Mulder.

to:

* {{Foreshadowing}}: {{Foreshadowing}}:
**
When Mulder is questioning Amanda the second time, his responses to some of her answers about Eddie foreshadow the fact that it's not actually Mulder.



* IdiotBall: Scully notices that "Mulder" is behaving a bit weird, but fails to connect this with the disappearance of their recent shape-shifting suspect (who was using his ability to essentially rape women by impersonating men they were attracted to). {{Fridge Brilliance}} suggests that she likes this new Mulder too much to admit her suspicions.

to:

* IdiotBall: IdiotBall:
**
Scully notices that "Mulder" is behaving a bit weird, but fails to connect this with the disappearance of their recent shape-shifting suspect (who was using his ability to essentially rape women by impersonating men they were attracted to). {{Fridge Brilliance}} suggests that she likes this new Mulder too much to admit her suspicions.to).



* OhCrap: When the husband Eddie is impersonating arrives while he's in the bathroom.

to:

* OhCrap: OhCrap:
**
When the husband Eddie is impersonating arrives while he's in the bathroom.



* [[SawStarWarsTwentySevenTimes Saw Star Wars 368 Times]]: The woman who believes she was impregnated by Luke Skywalker.
* ShoutOut: Invoked by Eddie when he gets Angie pregnant by pretending to be [[Film/StarWars Luke Skywalker]].

to:

* [[SawStarWarsTwentySevenTimes Saw Star Wars 368 Times]]: SawStarWarsTwentySevenTimes: The woman who believes she was impregnated by Luke Skywalker.
* ShoutOut: ShoutOut:
**
Invoked by Eddie when he gets Angie pregnant by pretending to be [[Film/StarWars Luke Skywalker]].



-->'''Eddie:''' I just think it's funny. I was born a loser, but you're one by choice.
-->'''Mulder:''' On what do you base that astute assessment?
-->'''Eddie:''' Experience. You should live a little. Treat yourself. God knows I would if I were you.

to:

-->'''Eddie:''' I just think it's funny. I was born a loser, but you're one by choice.
-->'''Mulder:'''
choice.\\
'''Mulder:'''
On what do you base that astute assessment?
-->'''Eddie:'''
assessment?\\
'''Eddie:'''
Experience. You should live a little. Treat yourself. God knows I would if I were you.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* RedHerring: The teaser suggests that the case with be connected to alien abductions and medical rapes and impregnations as Amanda said the father of her child is not from this planet. However, it deals with babies having tails.

to:

* RedHerring: The teaser suggests that the case with will be connected to alien abductions and medical rapes and impregnations impregnations, as Amanda said the father of her child is not from this planet. However, it deals with babies having tails.tails (she meant he's [[Film/StarWars Luke Skywalker]]).
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* VoluntaryShapeshifting: Eddie.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* ArousedByTheirVoice: Chantal misses Mulder's sexy voice. Considering that she's a phone sex operator, one must take it with a pinch of salt.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* PlumbersCrack: We see Eddie's when he's under a sink.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* TitleDrop : Eddie's father says that without a tail, Eddie is just small potatoes.

to:

* TitleDrop : TitleDrop: Eddie's father says that without a tail, Eddie is just small potatoes.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* BaitAndSwitch: Apparently, after attacking Mulder from the ceiling, he up and escaped, meaning the case is closed and Mulder and Scully can leave... until the ''actual'' Mulder is revealed to be locked in Eddie's janitor closet.

to:

* BaitAndSwitch: Apparently, after attacking Mulder from the ceiling, he Eddie up and escaped, meaning the case is closed and Mulder and Scully can leave... until the ''actual'' Mulder is revealed to be locked in Eddie's janitor closet.



-->'''Mulder''': Scully, should we be picking out china patterns, or what?

to:

-->'''Mulder''': Scully, should we be picking out china China patterns, or what?

Added: 1740

Changed: 306

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* AlmostKiss: Between Scully and Mulder!Eddie. Mulder busts through the door just in time to put a kibosh on it.

to:

* AlmostKiss: Between Scully and Mulder!Eddie. "Mulder". Mulder busts through the door just in time to put a kibosh on it.it.
* BaitAndSwitch: Apparently, after attacking Mulder from the ceiling, he up and escaped, meaning the case is closed and Mulder and Scully can leave... until the ''actual'' Mulder is revealed to be locked in Eddie's janitor closet.



* TheCameo: All we see of Skinner is when "Mulder" and Scully meet with him after Eddie (supposedly) escapes.



* EarlyBirdCameo: We first see Eddie among the crowd watching the newborns near the start.



* EpicFail: "Mulder" somehow managed to misspell "Federal Bureau of Investigation". '''Twice'''.
** While Mulder is looking over Eddie Sr.'s corpse, Scully mentions how good it is that it's intact... ''immediately'' before Mulder snaps the tail off. He then distracts Scully long enough to try and fix it, "try" being the key word.



** More subtle is when Mulder and Scully arrive at Eddie Sr.'s house. Specifically, when [[VisualGag the "H" on the "Van Blundht" sign on the house falls]] after ''Mulder'' walks past it.



* INeverToldYouMyName: "Eddie Sr." accidentally outs himself when he calls Mulder my name.

to:

* INeverToldYouMyName: "Eddie Sr." accidentally outs himself when he calls Mulder my by name.



** Less forgivable, however, are the unnamed husband and wife who buy "Mulder"'s story of chasing Eddie into their bathroom, having to get people to come and dust fingerprints, and also needing one of the husband's suits. ''Especially'' jarring since the wife saw "Mulder" enter the bathroom... '''as "her husband"'''.
* KnowWhenToFoldEm: After Mulder bursts in during Scully and "Mulder"'s kiss, Eddie simply reverts to his normal form and gives up.



* MonsterOfTheWeek: Of the humorous kind.

to:

* MomentKiller: "Mulder" and Scully's kiss is ruined... by Mulder bursting into Scully's apartment.
* MonsterOfTheWeek: Of the humorous kind.kind in the form of shapeshifter Eddie Van Blundht.



** Similarly, when he leaves Angie's room as Mulder... and almost bumps into Mulder, who's looking for said room.



* [[SawStarWarsTwentySevenTimes Saw Star Wars 368 Times]]: The woman who believes she was impregnated by Luke Skywalker
* ShoutOut: To ''Film/StarWars'' and ''Film/TaxiDriver''.
* SuperLoser: Eddie.

to:

* [[SawStarWarsTwentySevenTimes Saw Star Wars 368 Times]]: The woman who believes she was impregnated by Luke Skywalker
Skywalker.
* ShoutOut: To ''Film/StarWars'' and ''Film/TaxiDriver''.
Invoked by Eddie when he gets Angie pregnant by pretending to be [[Film/StarWars Luke Skywalker]].
** After doing his "FBI" bit, "Mulder" asks the mirror [[Film/TaxiDriver if it's talking to him]].
* SuperLoser: Eddie. Ironic emphasis on "Super".



* WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds: Downplayed. Eddie stops at deceiving people.

to:

* WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds: Downplayed. Eddie stops at deceiving people.people.
* WhateverHappenedToTheMouse: How in the ''hell'' did Mulder break out of Eddie's janitor closet?
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* [[SawStarWarsTwentySevenTimes Saw Star Wars 368 Times]]: The woman who believes she was impregnated by Luke Skywalker
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* INeverToldYouMyName: "Eddie Sr." accidentally outs himself when he calls Mulder my name.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* Foreshadowing: When Mulder is questioning Amanda the second time, his responses to some of her answers about Eddie foreshadow the fact that it's not actually Mulder.
* Humanshifting: Eddie's ability.

to:

* Foreshadowing: {{Foreshadowing}}: When Mulder is questioning Amanda the second time, his responses to some of her answers about Eddie foreshadow the fact that it's not actually Mulder.
* Humanshifting: {{Humanshifting}}: Eddie's ability.

Added: 559

Changed: 444

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* AlmostKiss: Between Scully and Mulder!Eddie. Mulder busts through the door just in time to put a kibosh on it.



* CaptureAndReplicate: Eddie pulls this on Mulder halfway through the episode.



* {{Humanshifting}}: Eddie's ability.

to:

* {{Humanshifting}}: Foreshadowing: When Mulder is questioning Amanda the second time, his responses to some of her answers about Eddie foreshadow the fact that it's not actually Mulder.
* Humanshifting:
Eddie's ability.



* LogicalWeakness: After Eddie is incarcerated, he's given muscle relaxants to keep him from shapeshifting.



* RedHerring: The teaser suggests that the case with be connected to alien abductions and medical rapes and impregnations as Amanda said the father of her child is not from this planet. [[spoiler: However, it deals with babies having tails.]]

to:

* PowerIncontinence: It's implied that Eddie has trouble holding another form for a long period of time.
* RedHerring: The teaser suggests that the case with be connected to alien abductions and medical rapes and impregnations as Amanda said the father of her child is not from this planet. [[spoiler: However, it deals with babies having tails.]]



* VisualPun: When Mulder and Scully go to Eddie's father's house to look for him, the letter 'h' in the Van Blundht name outside the door falls off.

to:

* VisualPun: VisualGag: When Mulder and Scully go to Eddie's father's house to look for him, the letter 'h' in the Van Blundht name outside the door falls off.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* Humanshifting: Eddie's ability.

to:

* Humanshifting: {{Humanshifting}}: Eddie's ability.

Added: 506

Changed: 464

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


!!Tropes:

to:

!!Tropes:'''Season 4, Episode 20''':
!Small Potatoes

Following an unexplained spate of babies being born with tails in a small town, Mulder and Scully search for a man who possesses the ability to change form.

-----
!! Tropes present in this episode:



* FreezeFrameBonus: When Mulder and Scully go to Eddie's father's house to look for him, watch what happens to the letter 'h' in the Van Blundht name outside the door...

to:

* FreezeFrameBonus: When Mulder EngagingConversation
-->'''Mulder''': I have a theory, if you want to hear it.
-->'''Scully''': Van Blundht somehow physically transformed into his captor,
and Scully go to then walked out the door, leaving no one the wiser?
-->'''Mulder''': Scully, should we be picking out china patterns, or what?
* Humanshifting:
Eddie's father's house to look for him, watch what happens to the letter 'h' in the Van Blundht name outside the door...ability.



* RunningGag: Eddie van Blundht's name " The h is silent"

to:

* RunningGag: Eddie van Blundht's name " The h name. "The 'h' is silent"silent."



* TitleDrop : Eddie's father says [[spoiler: that without a tail,.]] Eddie is just small potatoes

to:

* TitleDrop : Eddie's father says [[spoiler: that without a tail,.]] tail, Eddie is just small potatoes potatoes.



* WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds: Downplayed. Eddie stops at deceiving people.
----

to:

* VisualPun: When Mulder and Scully go to Eddie's father's house to look for him, the letter 'h' in the Van Blundht name outside the door falls off.
* WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds: Downplayed. Eddie stops at deceiving people.
----
people.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* RedHerring: The teaser suggests that the case with be connected to alien abductions and medical rapes and impregnations as Amanda said the father of her child is not from this planet. However, it deals with babies having tails.]

to:

* RedHerring: The teaser suggests that the case with be connected to alien abductions and medical rapes and impregnations as Amanda said the father of her child is not from this planet. [[spoiler: However, it deals with babies having tails.]]]

Added: 98

Changed: 1

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


-->'''Eddie:''' Experience. You should live a little. Treat yourself. God knows I would if I were you.

to:

-->'''Eddie:''' Experience. You should live a little. Treat yourself. God knows I would if I were you. you.
* TitleDrop : Eddie's father says [[spoiler: that without a tail,.]] Eddie is just small potatoes

Added: 57

Changed: 1

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* RedHerring: The teaser suggests that the case with be connected to alien abductions and medical rapes and impregnations as Amanda said the father of her child is not from this planet. However, it deals with babies having tails.

to:

* RedHerring: The teaser suggests that the case with be connected to alien abductions and medical rapes and impregnations as Amanda said the father of her child is not from this planet. However, it deals with babies having tails.]
* RunningGag: Eddie van Blundht's name " The h is silent"

Added: 154

Changed: 77

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* RedHerring: The teaser suggests that the case with be connected to alien abductions and medical rapes and impregnations as Amanda said the father of her child is not from this planet. [[spoiler:However, it deals with babies having tails.]]
* {{Shout Out}}: To {{Star Wars}} and {{Taxi Driver}}.

to:

* RedHerring: The teaser suggests that the case with be connected to alien abductions and medical rapes and impregnations as Amanda said the father of her child is not from this planet. [[spoiler:However, However, it deals with babies having tails.]]
tails.
* {{Shout Out}}: ShoutOut: To {{Star Wars}} ''Film/StarWars'' and {{Taxi Driver}}.''Film/TaxiDriver''.



-->'''EDDIE''': I just think it's funny. I was born a loser, but you're one by choice.
-->'''MULDER''': On what do you base that astute assessment?
-->'''EDDIE''': Experience. You should live a little. Treat yourself. God knows I would if I were you.

to:

-->'''EDDIE''': -->'''Eddie:''' I just think it's funny. I was born a loser, but you're one by choice.
-->'''MULDER''': -->'''Mulder:''' On what do you base that astute assessment?
-->'''EDDIE''': -->'''Eddie:''' Experience. You should live a little. Treat yourself. God knows I would if I were you.
* UmbrellaOfTogetherness: Mulder and Scully share an umbrella as they walk toward Van Blundht's house. Funnily though, the weather looks sunny. ShipTease!
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* FreezeFrameBonus: When Mulder and Scully go to Eddie's father's house to look for him, watch what happens to the letter 'h' in the Van Blundht name outside the door...
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* BedTrick: Eddie's shape-shifting abilities allow him to pull this on women.


Added DiffLines:

* ShapeshiftingSeducer: Eddie, repeatedly and rather successfully.


Added DiffLines:

* WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds: Downplayed. Eddie stops at deceiving people.

Added: 489

Changed: 237

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* RedHerring: The teaser suggests that the case with be connected to alien abductions and medical rapes and impregnations as Amanda said the father of her child is not from this planet. [[spoiler:However, it deals with babies having tails.]]



* RedHerring: The teaser suggests that the case with be connected to alien abductions and medical rapes and impregnations as Amanda said the father of her child is not from this planet. [[spoiler:However, it deals with babies having tails.]]

to:

* RedHerring: The teaser suggests TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Mulder gets a short but poignant one from Eddie.
-->'''EDDIE''': I just think it's funny. I was born a loser, but you're one by choice.
-->'''MULDER''': On what do you base
that the case with be connected to alien abductions and medical rapes and impregnations as Amanda said the father of her child is not from this planet. [[spoiler:However, it deals with babies having tails.]]astute assessment?
-->'''EDDIE''': Experience. You should live a little. Treat yourself. God knows I would if I were you.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* OhCrap: When the husband Eddie is impersonating arrives while he's in the bathroom.

Added: 349

Changed: 20

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* IdiotBall: Scully notices that "Mulder" is behaving a bit weird, but fails to connect this with the disappearance of their recent shape-shifting suspect (who was using his ability to essentially rape women by impersonating men they were attracted to). {{Fridge Brilliance}} suggests that she likes this new Mulder too much to admit her suspicions.



* {{Shout Out}}: To {{Star Wars}}.

to:

* {{Shout Out}}: To {{Star Wars}}.Wars}} and {{Taxi Driver}}.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* MyNaymeIs: Played with. The unusual spelling of Eddie's name is real, but his insistence on the proper spelling and irritation when it's misspelled certainly fit. He probably makes such a big deal out of it because the spelling makes him feel special.
* {{Shout Out}}: To {{Star Wars}}.
* SuperLoser: Eddie.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* RedHerring: The teaser suggests that the case with be connected to alien abductions and medical rapes and impregnations as Amanda said the father of her child is not from this planet. [[series:However, it deals with babies having tails.]]

to:

* RedHerring: The teaser suggests that the case with be connected to alien abductions and medical rapes and impregnations as Amanda said the father of her child is not from this planet. [[series:However, [[spoiler:However, it deals with babies having tails.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

!!Tropes:
* MonsterOfTheWeek: Of the humorous kind.
* RedHerring: The teaser suggests that the case with be connected to alien abductions and medical rapes and impregnations as Amanda said the father of her child is not from this planet. [[series:However, it deals with babies having tails.]]
----

Top