A new FBI cadet with remarkable insight links two recent murders of young women with the death of Doggett's son, and John is determined to bring his child's murderer to justice.

As The X-Files nears its conclusion, it's good to see some closure being given to certain plotlines. This is a good case in point, a story that has no qualms about making Doggett centre stage, a place where Robert Patrick thrives, and following up on a plot point that would have been perfectly fine if left but is even more satisfying fully explained. The first question of how the deaths of two women could possibly relate to the death of a 7-year-old boy is very neatly explained at the end of the story, turning a tragic event into one even more so as it's pure random chance that Luke Doggett found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Robert Patrick gives it his all in this episode, communicating much with very little. His facial expressions are extremely telling, the anger, hatred and frustration barely suppressed within him. His relationship with his ex-wife is played out well too, helped by a guest turn from Patrick's own wife who lends the pair's scenes together some honest emotion and realism as both try to work through their feelings about Luke's death. Barbara's outburst to John about his ongoing obsession with Luke's death hits home perfectly, yet you know she wants an answer as much as he does.

Cadet Hayes is a fine creation in the best tradition of the more unusual humans this show has brought to the screen. A very intense performance brings out Hayes' inner turmoil and his inner strength of mind that is buried deep down. He's flawed but he still serves a vital function and is a commanding presence throughout the story. There may be a few too many coincidences between his showing up, being found, being released to the community and the arrival of something big, but we should allow a little latitude. The plot itself ends neatly, all the pieces falling into place, and a beautiful final scene between Doggett and Reyes really sets things off. It's also good to see more sides to Follmer, who finds himself up to his neck in trouble when his past actions come back to haunt him. His expression in his last scene of the episode says it all as he attempts to make up for what he's allowed to happen. It brings his character arc to a powerful conclusion and gives the viewer someone other than a faceless enemy to blame for the events uncovered. It also allows him to redeem himself for his earlier actions to some degree by killing a greater evil, helped by some superb acting from Cary Elwes. Extremely satisfying, something that the nature of The X-Files doesn't allow you to say very often.

****

Would you like to go to the X-Files Season Nine guide, head back to the main TV reviews page, read older reviews in the Reviews Archive or return to the front page?