One of Mulder and Scully’s earliest cases comes back to haunt them…

A two-part story by Joe Harris with Chris Carter is the basis for the second episode, which brings back the Flukeman from the very early second season instalment, Host. Once again, Dirk Maggs plays with the chronology of the comic to make the story flow as an audio, creating a very taut and effective tale that’s pretty much the running time of a standard episode of the TV show. Mulder and Scully are front and centre for this, with a few quick references to the ongoing investigations and a brief appearance by Deputy Director Skinner, and it really does feel like we’re back in those days before Gillian Anderson’s pregnancy sent the series careering in a different direction.

Hosts acts as both prequel and sequel to Chris Carter’s TV episode, filling in some of the gaps and heading into horror territory with a vengeance – there’s a scene where Scully is carrying out an autopsy that is likely to haunt your dreams for a few days after you hear it. Both David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson throw themselves into the incredible tale, as do the various guest stars, and there’s some suitably icky sound design (yes, icky is the right word!) to help sell the credibility.

Verdict: The Flukeman is back – and all’s wrong with its world. 9/10

Paul Simpson