There is a great episode of Star Trek titled "The Devil in the Dark" that is eerily similar in premise to "Firewalker." Both have the main characters go to caves of some sort and investigate a death or deaths. Silicon based lifeform turn out to be the culprit, but the way The X-Files takes it is distinctly different. "The Devil in the Dark" becomes a sharing is caring episode whereas the "Firewalker" turns into a horrifying ordeal for Mulder and Scully, not unlike "Ice."
Unfortunately, "Firewalker" falls sort of both "Ice" and "Firewalker" and originality and memorability. No single moment stands out and the science is done in broad strokes. Because Scully's first case back, there is slight tilt in her direction. She is the one who is almost infected in the end and struggles mightily to save herself.
Another downside to the episode is a lack of debriefing and more reaction from Scully, further pushed away by the 1 month decontamination period. I kind of want to see more of what goes on with Scully since her abduction, but the writers apparently didn't want to do down that route.
Score: 8.6/10
