Season One

Pilot Episode (100)
Writer: Chris Carter
Director: David Nutter
A good way to kick off the series, introducing the characters quite well, except for Peter Watts appearance, which seems a little pointless. I was relieved to see that we weren't in for any Space Precinct-style family scenes, where the wife and child moan at the dad because of his job. It's handled from a different, and far more mature angle. Catherine actually understands the importance of Frank's job, and doesn't give him a sour face when he has to attend to something important, like a serial killer. Sensible, compared to Space Precinct's "I know that there's a serial kiler on the loose, but can't you just let him be and spend some time with your family?". Anyway, enough Precinct-trashing. The plot of this episode concerns a serial killer (just for a change) who mutilates his victims and then buries them alive. There are some disturbing images in this episode, and through most of the series, leading many to shout it down. Personally, I think it's these images which make the series work. They really help set the tone, and really help illustrate the mind of a killer.

Gehenna (101)
Writer: Chris Carter
Director: David Nutter
Displaying a little more life than last episode, Black gets called out to San Francisco when ashes are discovered to be the remains of human bodies. The victims are found to have been killed by something, but questions remain. How did a human ear survive the bodies' cremation? Why were they maimed? Who by? And who is the stalker who has followed the family here from Seattle? We also get to learn a little of Frank's history, in some scenes which at first seem a little like padding, but do give some insight into his motivations. The main plot does seem to move at a snail's pace and isn't pushed too heavily, so the emphasis is spread a little more among the plot threads. The grittiness of the series lends it a startling realism, and giving the series the atmosphere the served Se7en so well. As the plot unfolds, all the characters get to flesh out a little more and become a hell of a lot more likeable then their X Files counterparts.

Dead Letters (102)
Writer: Glen Morgan & James Wong
Director: Thomas J Wright
The episode opens with our man Black having a bad dream. Of course, his sleep is interrupted by his beeper thing going off. And so another case kicks off. Frank is covinced a serial killer has left a message at the scene of the crime, but he can't find it. Meanwhile, he is asked to check out a James Horn who is being considored for the Group. Horn turns out to be a rather paranoid man, but togther they set out on the killer's trail. The killer dismembers his victims, but very little carnage is shown on-screen, with much left, rather cleverly, to the imagination. As with previous episodes, there's a fair dose of characterisation, again focussing on the stress of seeing so many dead bodies, and having being exposed to such chilling ideas. Lance Henrikson again excels in his portrayal of Frank Black, and the rest of the cast also do an excellent job. Full marks to the cast and crew for making an engrossing hour's viewing.

Kingdom Come (103)
Writer: Jorge Zamacona
Director: Winrich Kolbe

The Judge (104)
Writer: Ted Mann
Director: Randy Zisk
This episode suffers slightly because it is such a change of tone from the other episodes. It is about a judge who metes out his own brand of justice, and while the plot is intriguing enough, it somehow doesn't quite gel. We are used to seeing more overtly disturbed people on this show, so the baddie of the week this time seems a little too normal, if such a word could be applied to a serial killer. Still, the regulars hold their end up, and the pace is kept steady throughout, making for a tense, but dull episode.

522666 (105)
Writer: Glen Morgan & James Wong
Director: David Nutter
Scary. A bomber terrorises a city, and Black is put on his trail. A very well scripted episode, showing off just how damn good Black is at his job. The family angle is played nicely, yet again, and this series is proving to be an excellent ride.

Blood Relatives (106)
Writer: Chip Johannessen
Director: James Charleston

The Well Worn Lock (107)
Writer: Chris Carter
Director: Ralph Hemecker

Wide Open (108)
Writer: Charles Holland
Director: James Charleston

Weeds (109)
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The Wild and the Innocent (110)
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Loin Like a Hunting Flame (111)
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Force Majeure (112)
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The Thin White Line (113)
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Sacrament (114)
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Walkabout (115)
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Covenant (116)
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Lamentation (117)
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Powers, Principalities, Thrones and Dominions (118)
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Broken World (119)
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Maranatha (120)
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Paper Dove (121)
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