Season 1, Episode 12
Mulder is paid a visit by Phoebe Green (Amanda Pays), a Scotland Yard detective and former Oxford schoolmate/lover who believes members of the British aristocracy are being set on fire by a serial arsonist—that killer being Cecil L’Ively (Mark Sheppard), a stone cold psychopath with the ability to cause fires with his mind. A sort of reverse Charlie McGee from Firestarter, Cecil has full control of his pyrokinetic powers and uses them to target those he feels are unobtainable.
Between mixed feelings for Green’s return and a deep fear of fire, Mulder runs the emotional gauntlet, while Scully is bitten by the jealousy bug and feels like an outsider around Green. Despite its melodramatic subplot, “Fire” is a suspenseful episode with good performances by Sheppard and Pays, and some spectacular pyrotechnical work, especially during the climax.
Rating: 👽 👽 👽 👽
Note: “Fire” introduces what would become the standard Mulder office set up until the end of season five.
