Directed by Fred Gerber. Written by Kenneth Biller and Chris Brancato.
RATING: ***1/2
A man is found in his backyard dead as a result of hypovolemia...over 75% of his blood had been drained. An examination of the body also reveals evidence of digitalis, a heart stimulant. The victim's daughter, Teena (Sabrina Krievins) was the last to see him alive but says she saw nothing. Mulder suggests that the death could possibly be the result of aliens, as similar deaths are found on the notorious cattle mutilation cases. Learning of an identical death at the exact time in San Francisco, the agents travel to the second crime scene...and a started to meet a girl who looks exactly like Teena...Cindy (Erika Krievins), daughter of the second victim. Throwing aside the aliens theory, Mulder and Scully learn that both Teena and Cindy were conceived through vitro fertilization at the Luther Stapes Center For Reproductive Medicine in S.F. What's more, the doctor was Dr. Sally Kenderick (Harriet Harris), who was intent on creating a series of super-intelligent clones...that unfortunately turned out evil and psychotic.
'Eve' is a subtle episode that doesn't have any elaborate FX, gore or action sequences. It is, however, one of the standouts of the first year. Everything is underplayed, and, as a result, the chills and surprises sneak up on you. Much of the credit goes to director Gerber who builds a lot of tension, even in unexpected places. He keeps the camera slowly moving successfully, including a strangely compelling where we pan around a backyard crime scene. The finale, involving the girls, our agents and poison at a diner is extremely nail biting.
Although the cloning scenario is familiar (and echoes the Ira Levin novel, and later film, The Boys From Brazil), the script makes it constantly interesting. For the first few minutes, it seems like aliens or vampires (though not mentioned) could be what's behind the deaths. The Krievins twins are extremely effective as Cindy and Teena; they're pretty enough, but there's something awesomely unsettling about them. Annette Benig-ish Harris is also terrific as the brilliant yet deranged Kendrick, not to mention her clones.
A cross between Parent Trap and The Omen, 'Eve' is an excellent piece of work.
Chris Carter on 'Eve': "I think this is a very terrifying episode. And it alludes to what we all know, which is that the government has had the power to conduct bizarre experiments and mess with people's lives and then spend years covering the whole thing up. From the first moment, the teaser where the little girl is hugging her teddy bear out in the street and the joggers come by and find her daddy slumped in the swing set, drained of blood, we're on edge. It's one of the episodes that has no particular special effects, but is a supremely creepy idea, rendered very creepily."
Directed by Larry Shaw. Written by Chris Carter.
RATING: **1/2
Mulder is contacted by an old flame, Phoebe Green (Amanda Pays), a Scotland Yard detective, to enlist his help in a strange series of arsons and bombing, targeted at British members of parliament, and the killer has been sending letters to their widows. One of the intended victims, Sir Malcolm Marsden (Dan Lett), narrowly escaped being fried himself, and Mulder, Scully and Green must protect him and his family at Cape Cod. The villain, Cecil L'Ively (Mark Sheppard) still wants to finish the job...and has the pyrokenetic abilities to do it.
'Fire' is a technically well crafted show with a script that is alternately intriguing and bewildering. Director Shaw deserves credit for turning in some potent fire sequences, most notably the climax involving pretty much the entire cast of the episode. The pyrotechnics are extremely well done throughout. There's one creepy moment where L'Ively shocks a horny barfly by setting his own arm alight. It's a memorable moment, but unfortunately also doesn't make any sense. There's no logical reason why the character would do what he does in this scene, and he does several other such pointless things for the duration of the show. Sheppard himself is quite good in the role...he has a gleefully twisted manner that makes him unpredictable. Pays, veteran of the groundbreaking series Max Headroom and the decent superhero show The Flash, starts off as a witty, playful yet highly competent operative, but by the end, she seems more like an opportunistic slut. Still, she does provide some funny situations between she and the agents, and her presence sheds more light on Mulder's past.