"
Orison" is the seventh episode of the
seventh season of the
science fiction television series The X-Files. It premiered on the
Fox network in the United States on January 9, 2000. It was written by
Chip Johannessen, directed by
Rob Bowman, and featured guest appearances by
Nick Chinlund. The episode is a
"Monster-of-the-Week" story, unconnected to the series' wider
mythology. In addition, "Orison" serves as a sequel, and brings closure, to the
second season episode "
Irresistible", with Chinlund reprising his role as Donnie Pfaster. "Orison" earned a Nielsen household rating of 9.4, being watched by 15.63 million people in its initial broadcast. The episode received mixed reviews from critics, with several heavily criticizing the final scene featuring Scully killing Pfaster, calling it a betrayal of characterization.