It's a very strange, and very compelling, life-or-death theme night on Friday's best TV series. On "The X-Files," Scully (Gillian Anderson) has her life threatened by a practitioner of voodoo. On "Homicide: Life on the Street," three officers fight for their lives in surgery and post-op, while the hunt for their assailant continues. And on "Picket Fences," Carter the coroner (Kelly Connell) becomes romantically involved with a nightclub singer -- after pronouncing her dead. (Trust me on this one.)
* "Tales From the Crypt" (8 p.m.-9 p.m., Channel 45) -- These two "Crypt" episodes are from a relatively recent batch on HBO, and feature actors who have since landed series roles on CBS. The first story stars Peter MacNicol, now of "Chicago Hope," as one attorney defending another (Catherine O'Hara) in an especially unpredictable court of law. The second features Teri Polo, now of "Northern Exposure," as a woman who helps blind people get revenge on their cruel landlord (Anthony Zerbe). The latter story was dramatized originally, and better, in the original 1972 film version of "Tales From the Crypt," but the former one is delightful. Fox.
* "The X-Files" (9 p.m.-10 p.m., Channel 45) -- The most recent "X-Files" episode, about covens, was effectively creepy, so I'll be watching this new episode about voodoo -- and I suggest yoodoo. Fox.
* "Homicide: Life on the Street" (10 p.m.-11 p.m., Channel 11) -- One of the common complaints about TV violence is that it never deals with repercussions. That's certainly not the case here, as Bolander (Ned Beatty), Howard (Melissa Leo) and Felton (Daniel Baldwin) -- shot last week, respectively, in the head, heart and neck -- hover on or near the critical list. It's another terrific "Homicide" episode, with dramatic twists and turns every step of the way. NBC.
* "Picket Fences" (10 p.m.-11 p.m., Channel 13) -- This, too, is a strong episode, mostly because it provides some romantic moments for several of the show's supporting characters -- specifically, the coroner, the deputies and the district attorney. But here, as on "Homicide," neither the events nor the results are easy to predict. CBS.
Cable
* "Dennis Miller Live" (10 p.m.-10:30 p.m., HBO) -- Not live, really, but a good repeat: Jim Carrey is the guest star.
* "Live From the House of Blues" (midnight-1 a.m., TBS) -- Not live, either, but a taped show worth watching: the Neville Brothers are the featured performers.