The X-Files
Australian Conne-X-ion
Episode Guide
"Via Negativa"


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Episode 8ABX07

Title: Via Negativa

First screened in Australia: 21 March, 2001
First screened in the USA: 20 December, 2000

Credits: Director: Tony Wharmby
Writer: Frank Spotnitz Starring: Guest Stars: Plot:
With Agent Scully in the hospital for reasons she does not disclose to her partner, Agent Doggett investigates the mysterious deaths of 20 cult members and two FBI agents, all of whom died in identical fashion.
Fox Press Release
My Rating: 6/10
I certainly had mixed feelings about this episode. Agent Doggett gets his chance to shine in a Scully-lite episode and he does a good enough job, assisted by Skinner an an appearance from The Lone Gunmen. The plot though just didn't grab me. There were good special affects as always but overall it seemed a little flat and I don't have any great urge to re-watch the episode which immediately casts the episode into the also-ran pile.

Where Have I Seen That Face Before?
Keith Szarabajka (Anthiny Tipet) has appeared in the movies "Missing", "Billy Galvin","A Different World" and "Andre". On TV he's starred in quite a few shows, mostly flops, including "Profit", "Spy Game", "Xyber9: New Dawn", "Max Steel" and "The Equalizer". He's also done voice work on a number of video games and has appeared on episodes of "Roswell', "Star Trek Voyager", "Becker", "Law And Order" and "Early Edition".

Wayne Alexander (Senior Agent) appeared (as possibly the same character ... named there as Older Agent) in the episode "Monday" and also appeared in "The Beginning" (As an FBI Assistant Director). He's starred in the TV series "Otherworld" and "Babylon 5" and has appeared in the movies "Spaced Invaders" and "Mr Wrong".

Kirk B R Woller (Agent Gene Crane) appeared as the same character in Within [see that episode for details] and Without.

Kevin McClatchy (Leeds) has had roles on the soaps "One Life To Live", "Another World" and "The Guiding Light". He also appeared in the movie "The Curse" and an episode of "That 70's Show".

Lawrence LeJohn (Stedman) appeared on the "Seinfeld" episodes "The Fire" and "The Face Painter"; plus episodes of "Babylon 5", "Everybody Loves Raymond", "Beverly Hills 90210" and "City Of Angels" (5). His movie roles include "Phat Beach" (arguably one of the worst movies ever made) and "Codename: Silencer".

Trivia and Research:
"Via Negativa" means "by way of negation." It is the method, originating in Neo-Platism, of understanding God by listing predicates or attributes that are not God's. Opposite of "via affirmativa," which means "by way of affirmation."

Tabernanthe iboga is an ordinary-looking shrub found in a small area of West Africa. Despite its common appearance, in those few nations that know of it, the plant is worshipped as the source of spiritual knowledge and as a tool for accessing the wisdom of the ancestors. The root bark -- scraped off, ground into powder and eaten -- contains one of the most powerful, long-lasting and mysterious psychedelic agents. The tribal religion associated with iboga is called Bwiti and exists in only two equatorial countries, Gabon and Cameroon. When Bwiti shamans eat iboga, they believe they are granted the power to see the future, to heal the sick and to speak with the dead. Over the last decades, iboga has developed a following in the United States and in Europe, where it is known as ibogaine. In the West, the psychedelic is being promoted as a potential cure for treating addiction to heroin and other drugs. Some researchers believe that ibogaine has the ability to "reset the switches" of addiction, freeing addicts from withdrawal symptoms and all drug cravings for up to six months.

The eye and the pyramid shown on the reverse side of the one-dollar bill are in the Great Seal of the United States. The Great Seal was first used on the reverse of the one-dollar Federal Reserve note in 1935. The Department of State is the official keeper of the Seal. They believe that the most accurate explanation of a pyramid on the Great Seal is that it symbolizes strength and durability. The unfinished pyramid means that the United States will always grow, improve and build. In addition, the "All-Seeing Eye" located above the pyramid suggests the importance of divine guidance in favor of the American cause. The inscription ANNUIT COEPTIS translates as "He (God) has favoured our undertakings," and refers to the many instances of Divine Providence during our Government's formation. In addition, the inscription NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM translates as "A new order of the ages," and signifies a new American era.

Andre Bormanis was named after Writer Frank Spotnitz's childhood friend. Bormanis went on to become a science consultant for Star Trek:Voyager and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

From The Official X-Files Web Site.



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