24. LITTLE GREEN MEN
WRITERS: MORGAN/WONG
DIR.: NUTTER
The mothballing of the X-Files banishes Scully to a teaching
assignment at Quantico and Mulder to a dreary wiretapping
detail. He soon goes AWOL after learning of a
satellite-monitoring station in Puerto Rico that has just made
contact. Historic moment: First depiction of the abduction of
Mulder's sister, recalled in a flashback; Skinner grudgingly
starts to concede that Mulder has some credibility. (Personal
aside: a noticeably pregnant Anderson was the real reason for
Scully's banishment to FBI headquarters.) Critique: Powerfully
depicts both Mulder's gnawing sense of defeat and his bond with
Scully, strangely growing stronger with separation. Otherwise,
fairly standard. B
25. THE HOST
WRITER: CARTER
DIR.: SACKHEIM
A Russian freighter carrying radioactive debris from the
Chernobyl meltdown jettisons a parasitic worm man (Fluke Boy, to
you) who seeks human victims/hosts in American sewers. Creative
casting: Series writer Glen Morgan's brother Darin (who will go
on to write some of the series' best episodes) as the creature. Critique: A refreshing instance of a fully and satisfactorily
resolved episode — like a perfect meal, although you definitely
don't want to eat during this one. A+
26. BLOOD
WRITERS: MORGAN/WONG
STORY: DARIN MORGAN
DIR.: NUTTER
The government is at it again, this time sanctioning experimental
insecticide spraying in a sleepy Pennsylvania community. When
the chemical, called LSDM, is combined with fear-triggered
adrenaline, it compels extreme homicidal behavior via electronic
digital displays (ATMs, cell phones, etc.). Creative casting: Porn star (Kimberly) Ashlyn Gere plays an afflicted housewife;
William Sanderson (Newhart's Larry) as a really disgruntled
postal worker. Critique: Convoluted premise pays off in
white-knuckle tension. B+
27. SLEEPLESS
WRITER: GORDON
DIR.: BOWMAN
With Scully still at Quantico, Mulder is saddled with new
partner Alex (''Ratboy'') Krycek. The two investigate Vietnam vets
who were part of a government ''sleep eradication'' experiment,
which succeeded in turning them into killing machines.
Twenty-four years later, one of them has acquired the power to
kill through his waking dreams. Creative casting: 21 Jump Street grad Steven Williams as recurring character X, Deep Throat's
much less patient successor. Critique: Tony Todd's performance
as Augustus Cole — the wrathful insomniac — elevates a just-good
story into a great one. B+
28. DUANE BARRY
WRITER: CARTER
DIR.: CARTER
Centered on a gripping hostage siege in a travel agency, this is
the first of a two-part story leading to Scully's abduction.
Duane Barry, the culprit, is a former FBI agent, alleged
psychotic, and multiple abductee (with the implant scars to
prove it). Historic moment: The most fleshed-out depiction of an
abduction so far as Barry relates his experiences to Mulder.
More important: Mulder in a Speedo! Creative casting: Steve
Railsback (Helter Skelter's Charles Manson) gives another
mangily manic performance. Critique: A rough ride for Scully,
about to get rougher. A
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