Kersh sends Scully to investigate several deaths for which a crime scene photographer is the prime suspect.
This has to rank amongst the odder episodes of The X-Files, and again it's a chance for Scully to see with her own eyes something extremely odd going on. Although the episode is quite slow moving, with very little happening, it manages to hold the viewer's attention throughout with the well-drawn world-weary lead character. It throws up some important questions: if you had the ability to tell when someone would die, what would you do? The answer is: nothing. And how depressing would it be if you managed to cheat death itself, but were unable to prevent it in others?
This cruel and unusual punishment makes for fascinating discussion, and when Scully seems marked for death, it leaves you wondering how Vince Gilligan can write himself out of the situation again. What is most effective is that by the end of the episode, it is possible that Clyde Bruckman's Season Three prediction that Scully doesn't die could now be a reality.
Mulder also gets something of a look in. There are some fantastic one-liners as the agent gets to grips with his new, dull job, and he gets to take a back seat, allowing Scully to come to terms with what she is discovering. The pair are expertly written for here, with their teamwork showing even across a long phone distance.
It's a thoughtful and intelligent script again from Gilligan, and nicely acted by all concerned, making it something of a surprise hit.
****
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