Can Scully smoke out the killer?

Not everyone believes the law caught the real culprit when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

In fact, who does?

But that's the background to the latest bizarre tale from The X Files, which goes under the equally odd title of Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man.

The episode concentrates on a creepy character known as Cancer Man, and his past invol-vement in key assassinations, including those of JFK and the American civil rights leader Martin Luther King.

Another shadowy figure, Frohike, describes events to special investigators Fox Mulder and Dana Scully.

In a flashback to 1962, a young Army Captain - Cancer Man - is given highly classified orders... kill the President.

Later, he befriends Lee Harvey Oswald, then betrays him - thus accomplishing his mission.

Frohike's tale then moves on to 1967, when the same Cancer Man decides Martin Luther King must die to stop the spread of communism. Appointing himself judge, jury and executioner, he gets a rifle from the notorious James Earl Ray...

Another death, and another fall guy. Or so it's claimed.

The final flashback is to 1991, when Cancer Man learns about an alien that has been captured alive. He decides that it, too, must be eliminated. But as Mulder and Scully (David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson) listen to the continuing story, the deadly assassin is not only eavesdropping, but has Frohike in his gunsights.

Well, they do say cigarettes are bad for you!

(Sky One, 9pm)