Mulder and Scully head to Saudi Arabia – but yet another face from the past returns. Is he here to help or hinder?

The final, feature length adventure in this first set of X-Files audio adventures (at Comic-Con it was confirmed that a second is on the way) derives from Joe Harris’ equally epic five part comic that sorted out a lot of the questions that had been raised by the first dozen issues while still telling a pretty self-contained story. The black oil, the purity virus, the Cigarette Smoking Man, the Syndicate are all involved – as is Alex Krycek, Nicolas Lea’s character from the early days of the series who was killed by Assistant Director (as he was then) Walter Skinner… who, you may not be too surprised to learn, isn’t overly impressed to meet up with him again!

Dirk Maggs’ adaptation once again keeps things moving at an impressive pace (and interestingly, as it’s done throughout the series, refers to Spender’s superior as the Prime Elder rather than who it was initially…) yet allowing time for key scenes (such as Scully with the patient in hospital) to breathe. Throughout the series, the direction and sound design have been excellent, and alongside the music, have helped make this feel very much like a continuation of the series.

Verdict: With a cliffhanger that will make you desperate for the next instalment, this sends this first set out in style. 9/10

Paul Simpson