The X-Files: Season 4 (1996 - 1997)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.