Conspiracy Theory

Even with Mulder headed for parts unknown, the ''X-Files'' (Sunday, 9 p.m.) is getting crowded this year. The two-part season debut guest stars Lucy Lawless (''Xena: Warrior Princess'') as a lethal mystery woman and Cary Elwes (''The Princess Bride'') as a by-the-book FBI bigwig. But even if there are several new kids on the block, including last year's newbies Robert Patrick (Doggett) and Annabeth Gish (Agent Monica Reyes), fans shouldn't fear that ''The X-Files'' will totally lose the spirit of David Duchovny, who left last year. ''It's becoming a real ensemble, but Mulder's DNA is all over this show,'' says Patrick (''Terminator 2: Judgement Day''). ''Doggett, who's starting to feel like an island within the FBI himself, is closer to Mulder right now than almost anybody else.''

Like Mulder before him, Doggett will find himself knee deep in conspiracy in the season opener. ''We needed to make this a two-parter, almost like a movie, because of the way last season ended,'' says Patrick. ''We had to deal with the birth of Scully's baby, and we got into the super soldiers.'' Though viewers will get some answers about Scully's spawn and the genetically modified warriors, fans wondering what happened to Duchovny's character won't get any clues in the season premiere. Scully, the key to Mulder's whereabouts, is keeping her mouth firmly shut. ''It'll come up later,'' Patrick promises. ''It's classic Chris Carter [the show's creator], keeping you on the edge of your seat.''

Though the new season's plots will dig into the series' familiar mythology, the office romances afoot are brand new. Elwes character, Asst. Director Brad Follmer, is an old boyfriend of Agent Monica Reyes (Gish). ''He has this past with Reyes and he's interested in rekindling it,'' explains Elwes. But don't expect another ''Love Cruise.'' Considering Follmer's bureaucratic style, he will inevitably clash with his ex as she investigates and questions the FBI hierarchy.

Meanwhile, if you suspected that a crush had been kindled between Scully and Doggett last season, you may be onto something. ''Doggett's been impressed with her from the moment she threw water in his face,'' says Patrick. ''He loves her in a gentlemanly way, but knows that she's spoken for, so he's laid back.'' Mulder's absence may provide an opportunity for his X-files successor, but the sparks flying between Scully and Doggett in the first episode are fractious ones. ''It's a shocking thing for my character,'' says Patrick. ''Her behavior's so odd, so not Scully.''

As for Lawless, her character may provide a crucial clue about the ''X-Files,'' but the greater mystery is whether she'll be returning after the series two-parter. ''I'm not at liberty to say right now, but I'm certain the door's been opened,'' hints Patrick. Hey, when has a silly door ever stood in the way of a warrior princess?

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