Never Again (The X-Files)

"Never Again" is the thirteenth episode of the fourth season of the American science fiction television series The X-Files. It originally aired on February 2, 1997, on the Fox network. The episode was written by Glen Morgan and James Wong, and directed by Rob Bowman. "Never Again" is a "Monster-of-the-Week" story, unconnected to the series' overarching mythology.

The episode focuses on Dana Scully, who, feeling disillusioned with her work on the X-Files, takes a vacation to San Diego. While there, she meets a man named Ed Jerse who has a tattoo of a woman named Betty on his arm. The tattoo has become sentient and is communicating with Ed, compelling him to commit destructive acts. Scully becomes drawn to Ed and finds herself in a dangerous situation as the tattoo's influence over him grows.

"Never Again" is notable for exploring Scully's character development and her growing sense of isolation. It is also known for its dark and unsettling tone. The episode received generally positive reviews, with critics praising its direction, performances (especially Gillian Anderson's), and its exploration of Scully's internal struggles. It is often cited as one of the stronger standalone episodes of the series.