DON'T WRITE OFF 'FILES' JUST YET.

Byline: Rob Lowman Entertainment Editor

Lucy Lawless in a slinky black cocktail dress. Lucy Lawless in water. Lucy Lawless kicking butt.

If that isn't enough to entice you into tuning into the season premiere of ``The X-Files,'' then there's also the deepening mystery of FBI agent Dana Scully's baby.

But before you think ``same old, same old,'' think again. Series creator Chris Carter and his staff have managed to breathe new life into the ongoing conspiracy, move forward with new characters.

At the conclusion of last season, Scully (Gillian Anderson) finally had her perfect baby, a little too perfect considering she wasn't supposed to be able to conceive. Since her longtime partner, agent Fox Mulder (David Duchovny), has moved on, we may never know the father.

In tonight's episode - the ironically titled ``Nothing Important Happened Today'' written by Chris Carter and Frank Spotnitz - there is a lot of activity that seems connected to baby William, including a mystery lady (Lawless) luring an EPA agent to his death.

Now, if you think there will be a neat conclusion to this ``X-Files'' episode, then you haven't been watching the series unfold with its Byzantine logic for eight years. But what the show has done well over that time is develop an intriguing mythology while establishing a growing relationship between Scully and Mulder. When Duchovny opted to limit his appearances on the series last year, Robert Patrick stepped in as Scully's new partner, agent John Doggett. Also brought on board occasionally was Annabeth Gish as agent Monica Reyes.

But with Mulder's shadow looming throughout the first half of last season, the series never achieved a rhythm. Now with everyone not worrying about Mulder (OK, they worry about him a little bit), the series seems revitalized.

It's evident that Doggett and Reyes are going to be the primary duo on this series, as Scully stays home a lot to play mom. Doggett and Reyes don't have the chemistry of Mulder and Scully, but brought into the mix to add spice is Cary Elwes (``Princess Bride,'' ``Kiss the Girls'') as assistant director Brad Follmer, who had been romantically involved with Reyes.

(There is probably some symmetry here. Mulder seemed to have a bit of a kinky sex life, while Scully was wrapped up in her job. Straight-shooter Doggett comes across as a monk, and Reyes comes as someone with a life.)

Back also are Mitch Pileggi as assistant director Walter Skinner and James Pickens Jr. as Deputy Director Alvin Kersh, as opposite poles in the FBI. Lawless is only listed as a guest star, but you get the feeling you haven't seen the last of her.

So if the first two episodes are any indication, the conspiracy and new characters will grow in interesting ways, Scully's baby will grow (probably in strange ways) and, who knows, if ``The X-Files'' makes all these changes work, it may even grow some new fans.

``THE X-FILES''

What: The ninth season premiere of the conspiratorial-based series, sans David Duchovny and his spooky character, Fox Mulder: a two-part episode called ``Nothing Important Happened Today.''

The stars: Gillian Anderson, Robert Patrick, Annabeth Gish, Mitch Pileggi, Cary Elwes, James Pickens Jr., with Lucy Lawless.

Where: Fox (Channel 9).

When: 9 tonight and Nov. 18.

Our rating: Three and one half stars

CAPTION(S):

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Photo:

Annabeth Gish, left, Gillian Anderson and Robert Patrick star in the season opener of ``The X-Files'' tonight on Fox.