10. EVE
WRITERS: KENNETH BILLER/CHRIS BRACATO
DIR.: FRED GERBER
The aftermath of a government-sponsored Cold War cloning project gone horribly wrong finds Mulder and Scully responsible for babysitting two incredibly bad seeds. Creative casting: Harriet Harris (Frasier's agent) plays Dr. Sally Kendrick. Critique: The X-Files meets The Trouble With Angels in this tidy, satisfying, and suspenseful installment. But then, how can you lose with those horror staples, evil kids? B+

11.FIRE
WRITER: CARTER
DIR.: SHAW
The arrival of Scotland Yard detective Phoebe Green, an old flame of Mulder's, sparks an investigation into pyromaniac serial killer Cecil L'ively, and jealousy in Scully. When Mulder claims to be ''extending her a professional courtesy,'' Scully replies, ''Oh, is that what you were extending?'' Historic moments: Shades of 007 as Mulder wears a tux, kisses a woman, and dances. Creative casting: A sizzling performance from Mark Sheppard as L'ively. Critique: Above-average special effects (including several nicely toasted corpses) and a terrific villain, but Amanda Pays' annoying Green keeps any real sparks from flying. B

12. BEYOND THE SEA
WRITERS: MORGAN/WONG
DIR.: NUTTER
One of the series' best episodes begins with the passing of Scully's father. When two teenagers are kidnapped soon after, death row inmate and Silence of the Lambs refugee Luther Lee Boggs claims his psychic powers can help the agents find them. For once, the believer is Scully, for Boggs is offering the grieving agent the chance to speak to her father one last time. Historic moment: We learn that Scully believes her dad — Captain William Scully (Don Davis) — was disappointed in her for trading medicine for FBI work. Creative casting: Brad Dourif's oddball intensity finds its perfect outlet in Boggs. Critique: The episode humanizes Scully, poking a hole in her nearly pathological skepticism. Her confrontation with Boggs is spine-tingling — one of Anderson's finest moments. A+

13. GENDERBENDER
WRITERS: LARRY BARBER/PAUL BARBER
DIR.: ROB BOWMAN
A group of aliens masquerading as an Amish-like community (the Kindred) can kill humans through sex. When a deviant member of the group goes on a sex/killing spree, Witness meets Looking for Mr. Goodbar. Historic moment: Nicholas Lea — soon to be Alex Krycek (episode 27) — cameos as one of the alien's disco pickups. Critique: A clever idea is undermined by a bushel of burning questions. Like, why are the aliens here in the first place? And what's up with that hive thing in the barn? B-

14. LAZARUS
WRITERS: GANSA/GORDON
DIR.: NUTTER
In a psychic transference that occurs as they are dying on the operating table, the body of FBI agent Jack Willis is inhabited by the bank robber-murderer he has relentlessly pursued for nearly a year. Complicating matters: Willis is Scully's former boyfriend. Critique: Solid supporting cast, but otherwise this is about as exciting as Scully's taste in men (not very). C+

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