Home > The X-Files > Season 4 « TV Series Page The X-Files: Season 4 (1996 - 1997) SEASON: Season 4 Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4 Season 5 Season 6 Season 7 Season 8 Season 9 Season 10 Season 11 Want to see Episode List Season 4 The X-Files Critics Consensus No consensus yet. 100% TOMATOMETER Critic Ratings: 6 96% Audience Score User Ratings: 169 See score details Rate And Review Submit review Want to see Edit Submit review Super Reviewer Verified Super Reviewer Verified Edit Super Reviewer Rate this season Oof, that was Rotten. Meh, it passed the time. It’s good – I’d recommend it. Awesome! So Fresh: Absolute Must See! What did you think of this tv season? (optional) Submit Continue Super Reviewer Step 2 of 2 How did you buy your ticket? Let's get your review verified. Submit By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie. You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket. Super Reviewer Rate this season Oof, that was Rotten. Meh, it passed the time. It’s good – I’d recommend it. Awesome! So Fresh: Absolute Must See! What did you think of this tv season? (optional) Submit How did you buy your ticket? Submit By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie. Episodes 1. Herrenvolk Air date: Oct 4, 1996 The first episode of The X-Files' fourth season, "Herrenvolk," concluded the two-part story begun in the third-season cliffhanger finale, "Talitha Cumi." Having located Jeremiah Smith (Roy Thinnes), an alien with miraculous healing powers, Mulder hopes to save the life of his comatose mother. But first, Smith has a "long and complicated story" to tell Mulder -- one which leads inexorably to the agent's perennial opponent, the Cigarette Smoking Man (William B. Davis). Meanwhile, in her ongoing quest to help Mulder expose the truth of alien existence, Scully exposes herself to danger in the form of a bounty hunter (Brian Thompson) who has already targeted Mulder for termination. Written by X-Files creator Chris Carter, "Herrenvolk" was originally telecast October 4, 1996. View Details 2. Home Air date: Oct 11, 1996 The near-idyllic community of Home, PA, is transformed into a bloody killing ground. The catalyst for all the carnage is the Peacock family, a group of inbred, deformed deviants. Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) put their own lives on the line to rescue a young woman who has been kidnapped for the purposes of spawning the latest monstrosity for the Peacock clan. (Inside joke alert: The name of the local law enforcement officer is Andy Taylor.) Written by Glen Morgan and James Wong, "Home" aired October 11, 1996. View Details 3. Teliko Air date: Oct 18, 1996 A missing persons case in Philadelphia takes a grim turn when the body of a black man is discovered. The victim's body had been drained of all pigment, in the same manner as other corpses that had been located a few months earlier. Wondering why the earlier homicide had never been fully investigated, Mulder and Scully investigate -- and in so doing are obliged to mix practical science with ancient African folklore. Originally broadcast October 18, 1996, "Teliko" was written by X-Files co-producer Howard Gordon. View Details 4. Unruhe Air date: Oct 27, 1996 The X-Files moved to its soon-to-be-familiar Sunday-night slot with the October 27, 1996, episode "Unruhe." Investigating the disappearance of a Michigan woman, Mulder has only the woman's passport photo to go by. Instead of showing a picture of the woman, the photo displays nightmarish, demonic images. In concert with Scully, Mulder soon determines that the grotesque images were spawned by the tortured imagination of the psycho killer (Pruitt Taylor Vince) who holds the missing woman prisoner. "Unruhe" was written by Vince Gilligan. View Details 5. The Field Where I Died Air date: Nov 3, 1996 Although they have conducted an exhaustive search, the bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms is unable to locate Vernon Ephesian (Michael Massee), leader of a Jonestown-like cult. Amazingly, Mulder succeeds where the ATF fails -- but is unable to explain why. With Scully's assistance, Mulder probes into his own psyche...and discovers that he may have experienced several previous lives. First broadcast November 3, 1996, "The Field Where I Died" was written by Glen Morgan and James Wong. View Details 6. Sanguinarium Air date: Nov 10, 1996 A Chicago-based cosmetic surgeon causes a tragedy when he operates on the wrong patient, literally sucking the blood out of his victim during liposuction. Arrested by the authorities, the surgeon insists that he was "possessed" during the fatal procedure. Investigating, Mulder and Scully follow the trail of clues to yet another manifestation of paranormal phenomena, this time tied in with the occult. Richard Beymer guest stars as the charismatic Dr. Jack Franklyn. Written by Vivian Mayhew and Valerie Mayhew, "Sanguinarium" originally aired November 10, 1996. View Details 7. Musings of a Cigarette-Smoking Man Air date: Nov 17, 1996 At long last, the secrets behind the ubiquitous Cigarette Smoking Man (William B. Davis) are revealed -- well, most are revealed, at any rate. Lone Gunman member Frohike (Tom Braidwood) presents his findings to Mulder and Scully pertaining to the agents' most persistent opponent -- while CSM listens in on the conversation...with a rifle in his hand. In the course of this epochal X-Files episode, the viewer discovers that CSM was involved in virtually every major conspiracy hatched during the 20th century -- and as a bonus, the mystery of why the Buffalo Bills consistently lose the Super Bowl is finally solved! A heady combination of suspense and self-satire, "Musings of a Cigarette-Smoking Man" was written by Glen Morgan, and was first telecast during sweeps week on November 17, 1996. View Details 8. Tunguska Air date: Nov 24, 1996 Part one of a two-part X-Files drama, "Tunguska" was originally broadcast November 24, 1996. Mulder has disappeared, and a congressional committee wants to know why. Only Scully seems to have the answers, but she's not talking -- and she's willing to go to prison rather than reveal her secret. Meanwhile, the Cigarette Smoking Man (William B. Davis), his superior, the Well-Manicured Man (John Neville), and rogue agent Krycek (Nicholas Lea) are pursuing a sinister agenda of their own. "Tunguska" was written by Frank Spotnitz and Chris Carter. View Details 9. Terma Air date: Dec 1, 1996 First broadcast December 1, 1996, "Terma" was the conclusion of a two-part X-Files drama that began with the previous week's "Tunguska." Mulder is still missing, and Scully refuses to reveal his whereabouts to a congressional committee. It's all part of a plan to trap a clever smuggler of deadly toxins, a plan that hinges upon the reluctant cooperation of rogue agent Krycek (Nicholas Lea). Also involved is the sinister Well-Manicured Man (John Neville), who has his hands full with a recently reactivated KGB assassin. Like "Tunguska," "Terma" was written by Frank Spotnitz and Chris Carter. View Details 10. Paper Hearts Air date: Dec 15, 1996 Acting upon clues which appeared in a dream, Mulder recaptures wily serial killer John Lee Roche (Tom Noonan). Even in captivity, however, Roche gets the upper hand, exerting a bizarre influence over the FBI agent. Mulder could resist, but doesn't: after all, Roche may hold the key to the mystery surrounding the long-ago disappearance of Mulder's sister. Written by Vince Gilligan, "Paper Hearts" first aired December 15, 1996. View Details Show More Episodes The X-Files: Season 4 Photos View All Photos (23) Tv Season Info Season four of The X-Files begins with the Syndicate suspecting that Fox Mulder and Dana Scully are having information passed to them by one of their members, and so they attempt to find the leak. Scully is given some bad news regarding her health, and Mulder becomes convinced that her condition has been caused by her previous abduction. In order to find a cute, he decides to try and infiltrate The Pentagon, as great risk. Stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson. Genre: Network: FOX Premiere Date: Oct 4, 1996 Cast & Crew Gillian Anderson David Duchovny FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder Mitch Pileggi Asst. Dir. Walter Skinner William B. Davis CIA Agent Brendan Beiser Agent Pendrell Laurie Holden Marita Covarrubias Rebecca Toolan Teena Mulder Morris Panych Dr. Simon Auerbach Brent Stait Tom Braidwood Melvin Frohike Bruce Harwood John Fitzgerald Byers Rick Dobran Sergeant Armondo Gonzalez Scott Bellis Max Fenig John Neville Well-Manicured Man Nicholas Lea Dean Aylesworth Young Bill Mulder Vanessa Morley Young Samantha Mulder Jerry Schram Larold Rebhun Chris Owens Jeffrey Spender Greg Michaels Scott Garrett Chris Carter Kim Manners Frank Spotnitz Rob Bowman James Wong Howard Gordon Glen Morgan John Shiban Vince Gilligan R.W. Goodwin James Charleston Michael Lange Tucker Gates Vivian Mayhew Valerie Mayhew Vince Gillian David Greenwalt Cliff Bole Show all Cast & Crew News & Interviews for The X-Files: Season 4 The Scariest TV Episodes Ever Definitive Gillian Anderson Roles As Animated GIFs 10 TV Shows You Should Binge-Watch This January View All The X-Files: Season 4 News Episodes 1. Herrenvolk Air date: Oct 4, 1996 The first episode of The X-Files' fourth season, "Herrenvolk," concluded the two-part story begun in the third-season cliffhanger finale, "Talitha Cumi." Having located Jeremiah Smith (Roy Thinnes), an alien with miraculous healing powers, Mulder hopes to save the life of his comatose mother. But first, Smith has a "long and complicated story" to tell Mulder -- one which leads inexorably to the agent's perennial opponent, the Cigarette Smoking Man (William B. Davis). Meanwhile, in her ongoing quest to help Mulder expose the truth of alien existence, Scully exposes herself to danger in the form of a bounty hunter (Brian Thompson) who has already targeted Mulder for termination. Written by X-Files creator Chris Carter, "Herrenvolk" was originally telecast October 4, 1996. View Details 2. Home Air date: Oct 11, 1996 The near-idyllic community of Home, PA, is transformed into a bloody killing ground. The catalyst for all the carnage is the Peacock family, a group of inbred, deformed deviants. Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) put their own lives on the line to rescue a young woman who has been kidnapped for the purposes of spawning the latest monstrosity for the Peacock clan. (Inside joke alert: The name of the local law enforcement officer is Andy Taylor.) Written by Glen Morgan and James Wong, "Home" aired October 11, 1996. View Details 3. Teliko Air date: Oct 18, 1996 A missing persons case in Philadelphia takes a grim turn when the body of a black man is discovered. The victim's body had been drained of all pigment, in the same manner as other corpses that had been located a few months earlier. Wondering why the earlier homicide had never been fully investigated, Mulder and Scully investigate -- and in so doing are obliged to mix practical science with ancient African folklore. Originally broadcast October 18, 1996, "Teliko" was written by X-Files co-producer Howard Gordon. View Details 4. Unruhe Air date: Oct 27, 1996 The X-Files moved to its soon-to-be-familiar Sunday-night slot with the October 27, 1996, episode "Unruhe." Investigating the disappearance of a Michigan woman, Mulder has only the woman's passport photo to go by. Instead of showing a picture of the woman, the photo displays nightmarish, demonic images. In concert with Scully, Mulder soon determines that the grotesque images were spawned by the tortured imagination of the psycho killer (Pruitt Taylor Vince) who holds the missing woman prisoner. "Unruhe" was written by Vince Gilligan. View Details 5. The Field Where I Died Air date: Nov 3, 1996 Although they have conducted an exhaustive search, the bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms is unable to locate Vernon Ephesian (Michael Massee), leader of a Jonestown-like cult. Amazingly, Mulder succeeds where the ATF fails -- but is unable to explain why. With Scully's assistance, Mulder probes into his own psyche...and discovers that he may have experienced several previous lives. First broadcast November 3, 1996, "The Field Where I Died" was written by Glen Morgan and James Wong. View Details 6. Sanguinarium Air date: Nov 10, 1996 A Chicago-based cosmetic surgeon causes a tragedy when he operates on the wrong patient, literally sucking the blood out of his victim during liposuction. Arrested by the authorities, the surgeon insists that he was "possessed" during the fatal procedure. Investigating, Mulder and Scully follow the trail of clues to yet another manifestation of paranormal phenomena, this time tied in with the occult. Richard Beymer guest stars as the charismatic Dr. Jack Franklyn. Written by Vivian Mayhew and Valerie Mayhew, "Sanguinarium" originally aired November 10, 1996. View Details 7. Musings of a Cigarette-Smoking Man Air date: Nov 17, 1996 At long last, the secrets behind the ubiquitous Cigarette Smoking Man (William B. Davis) are revealed -- well, most are revealed, at any rate. Lone Gunman member Frohike (Tom Braidwood) presents his findings to Mulder and Scully pertaining to the agents' most persistent opponent -- while CSM listens in on the conversation...with a rifle in his hand. In the course of this epochal X-Files episode, the viewer discovers that CSM was involved in virtually every major conspiracy hatched during the 20th century -- and as a bonus, the mystery of why the Buffalo Bills consistently lose the Super Bowl is finally solved! A heady combination of suspense and self-satire, "Musings of a Cigarette-Smoking Man" was written by Glen Morgan, and was first telecast during sweeps week on November 17, 1996. View Details 8. Tunguska Air date: Nov 24, 1996 Part one of a two-part X-Files drama, "Tunguska" was originally broadcast November 24, 1996. Mulder has disappeared, and a congressional committee wants to know why. Only Scully seems to have the answers, but she's not talking -- and she's willing to go to prison rather than reveal her secret. Meanwhile, the Cigarette Smoking Man (William B. Davis), his superior, the Well-Manicured Man (John Neville), and rogue agent Krycek (Nicholas Lea) are pursuing a sinister agenda of their own. "Tunguska" was written by Frank Spotnitz and Chris Carter. View Details 9. Terma Air date: Dec 1, 1996 First broadcast December 1, 1996, "Terma" was the conclusion of a two-part X-Files drama that began with the previous week's "Tunguska." Mulder is still missing, and Scully refuses to reveal his whereabouts to a congressional committee. It's all part of a plan to trap a clever smuggler of deadly toxins, a plan that hinges upon the reluctant cooperation of rogue agent Krycek (Nicholas Lea). Also involved is the sinister Well-Manicured Man (John Neville), who has his hands full with a recently reactivated KGB assassin. Like "Tunguska," "Terma" was written by Frank Spotnitz and Chris Carter. View Details 10. Paper Hearts Air date: Dec 15, 1996 Acting upon clues which appeared in a dream, Mulder recaptures wily serial killer John Lee Roche (Tom Noonan). Even in captivity, however, Roche gets the upper hand, exerting a bizarre influence over the FBI agent. Mulder could resist, but doesn't: after all, Roche may hold the key to the mystery surrounding the long-ago disappearance of Mulder's sister. Written by Vince Gilligan, "Paper Hearts" first aired December 15, 1996. View Details Show More Episodes Critic Reviews for The X-Files Season 4 All Critics (6) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (6) | Rotten (0) The X-Files remains in a class by itself. Oct 25, 2017 | Full Review… Eric Mink New York Daily News Top Critic It's a great kickoff for season four. Oct 14, 2017 | Full Review… Ira Madison III New York Magazine/Vulture Top Critic The X-Files' fourth season has been very uneven, with a few superb episodes propping up weak ones. Jan 5, 2015 | Rating: B+ | Full Review… Ken Tucker Entertainment Weekly Top Critic Season four of The X-Files contains some of the show's absolute finest hours and quite a few of those episodes are blatantly experimental. But it also contains some jaw-droppingly awful episodes. Jan 5, 2015 | Rating: B- | Full Review… Emily VanDerWerff AV Club Top Critic [Dana Scully] is the perennial hero of this show and I am in awe of her patience and courage, but I'm starting to find it irritating that she has to spend so much time watching out for him this way. It'd be nice if it weren't so repetitious. Oct 14, 2017 | Full Review… Grace Duffy The Mary Sue To be sure, Season Four does have some pretty spectacular moments and some of the most beloved X-Files shows to date... Sep 27, 2017 | Rating: 8/10 | Full Review… Steven Horn IGN Movies View All Critic Reviews (6) Audience Reviews for The X-Files: Season 4 Sep 15, 2018 The Truth has never been closer than it is in Season 4 of The X-Files. Mulder discovers the bee farms being cultivated by the Syndicate along with their experiments at creating a vaccine for the Black Oil; meanwhile Scully learns that she's developed a life threatening illness. Additionally, the season features the notorious episode "Home" that was banned in a lot of markets, and the fan favorite "Small Potatoes," which gave Mulder/Sully shippers some red meat. Also, the Cigarette-Smoking Man's past is revealed in "Musings of a Cigarette-Smoking Man," and the fate of Mulder's sister comes into question in "Paper Hearts." Several named guest stars make appearances, such as Tom Noonan and Judie Foster, as well as a number of up and comers, like Michael Massee, Joe Spano, and Christine Cavanaugh. And, the intense and suspenseful season finale cliffhanger leaves the audience on the edge of their seats. With a clear end in sight (the coming X-Files movie, Fight the Future), Season 4 ramps up the alien conspiracy and raises the stakes for Mulder and Scully. Dann M Super Reviewer Sep 30, 2020 This had some really good episodes but they weren't strong enough to save it in its entirety. Travis M Jun 03, 2020 The season of The X-Files is possibly the best one yet (though I still think I'd give the edge to season 3...just my opinion). There's the consistency of the two leads' chemistry, the attention-grabbing cinematography and the spooky atmosphere but where it really shines is in its darker tone, the courage to explore deeper themes and having MOTW episodes such as "Paper Hearts" and "Leonard Betts" feel less disconnected from the series' overarching story by having elements from the mythology episodes show up. Another great season of an iconic series. Jacob B Jan 14, 2020 Another great season and I heard it's the best. Jeffrey S Mar 15, 2019 Continually good with more good meat to the mythos being added. Andrew J Mar 11, 2019 This is one of the best shows of all history. Cannot recommend it enough! D M Mar 09, 2018 Another strong season, but the mythology starts to get a little overly convoluted. a lot of mythology episodes comprise conversations like "there's so much more you must see, so that you might understand" etc., but no one actually says anything of value. most of The stand alone episodes are pretty good, including the chilling and outstanding episode "Home". Albert C Dec 30, 2017 This is where the conspiracy episodes were at their best and not frustrating as they would become. Season 4 has a couple of duds but is a consistent season. Containing one of the most disturbing episodes ever in Home. The writers were in their element and hitting it out of the park. Anthony G Feb 28, 2017 The Fourth Season of the X-Files continues to develop the "mythology" plot points of earlier season, while also churning out quality "stand-alone" episodes. Let's examine the three types of episode formats that the X-Files showcases: 1. Mythology: During this season, a Mars rock turns out to be something more than just terrestrial, the Russians begin experimenting with an alien virus, Max Fenig (Scott Bellis), last seen in Season 1, makes a return appearance, and Mulder (David Duchovny) again must choose what to believe surrounding the events of his sister's disappearance. Though the "Tempus Fugit"/"Max" two-part episode falls a bit flat, the other mythology episodes this season are as strong as ever. Perhaps the most important mythological development of this season, however, is Agent Scully's (Gillian Anderson) contraction of a deadly disease which may have been given to her by outside forces. 2. Stand-Alone: Despite a few clunker episodes, this season continued to produce compelling hour-long stories. "Unruhe" focuses on a genuinely terrifying pyschopath, "Home" is so scary that it almost wasn't shown at all, and "Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man" sheds some light on the shadowy figure's younger years. 3. Comedic: While "Never Again" is very hit-or-miss depending on who you ask, "Small Potatoes" is a hilarious romp that also serves to provide the first hints (however small) of a possible Mulder-Scully romantic relationship. Overall, the Fourth Season of the X-Files continued to give fans what they wanted...more mythology to endlessly debate online, spooky paranormal creatures, and a few hearty laughs. Also, though I am no expert in this department, the show seemed to have been shot on better film starting this season, as the picture is more crisp and the special effects more incredible. Update (12/2015) -Upon a recent re-watch, I now consider this to be my favorite single season of this show. Everything is "on point" here: all actors are fully engaged, the mythology is at its peak (especially towards the end of the season), and nearly all of the standalones are very enjoyable. In terms of storytelling and plot, this is the last really tight season of the show. Zach K Feb 05, 2016 One of the best shows and seasons of all time. 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