October 24 2000: Cast List:

Gillian Anderson as Agent Dana Scully
Robert Patrick as Agent Doggett
Mitch Pileggi as Assitant Director Walter Skinner
James Pickens, Jr. as A.D. Kersh
Tom Braidwood as Frohike
Dean Haglund as Langly
Bruce Harwood as Byers
James Pickens, Jr. as Deputy Director Alvin Kersh
Kevin McClatchy as James Leeds
Lawrence Lejohn as Angus Stedman
Mary Ostrow as Nurse
Kirk B.R. Woller as FBI Agent Gene Crane
Keith Szarabajka as Anthony Tipet
Wayne Alexander as Senior Agent
Wayne A. King as Homeless Man
Grant Heslov as Andre Bormanis
Christopher Jacobs as E.R. Doctor

October 26th 2000: Credits:

Written By:

Frank Spotnitz

Directed By:

Tony Wharmby

Air Date: December 10 2000

December 16 2000: From FOX:

"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."

December 10 2000: From Anonymous source:

"When Doggett asks Scully if he should pick her up or meet her at the airport he is informed she can't go on the case due to a 'personal matter'. The script direction, from the early draft of the script, explains this is 'weird' due to the urgent nature of the assignment. When asked, Scully says, again in the early draft, that she's 'fine'. The direction states that there's a lot she's not saying--a lot she doesn't want Doggett to know. While Skinner and Doggett investigate the case, Doggett and Skinner end up at the same hospital as Scully. Doggett, not Skinner, at least in the info that we have, see's that 'Dana Scully' has been admitted at '4:10 am' with 'acute abdominal pain' to room '1102'. At first the direction calls for him to be suprised at seeing her name, and then 'deeply concerned.' In the early draft script, Kersh calls Doggett, and Skinner, on the carpet for not having more success during the case."

November 26 2000: From Mod!Kim:A Lengthy Q&A on 'Via Negativa':

Question: What are they wearing?

Answer: Scully's wearing this longer coat... snazzy looking. Dark grayish-greenish. Cool. That's in one of the final scenes taking place in Doggett's bedroom. And, she's wearing a hospital gown and robe in another. And, she's wearing a green coat in another...in the emergency room area.

Question: Why is she in Doggetts bedroom?

Answer: She's there to wake him up...he's asleep.

Question: Do we learn who the father is in this ep?

Answer: Not that I've seen.

Question: How'd she get into his apartment?

Answer: "The front door was unlocked"

Question: Tell me about Doggett's bedroom!

Answer: Think the opposite of Mulder's.... I liked it. Very light and airy. I think there's a Feng Shui thing happening there...I feel it. And... Doggett sleeps in a long-sleeved gray t-shirt. It doesn't remind you of Mulder...it's a Doggett thing. It's okay.

Question: JUST a long-sleeved gray t-shirt?

Answer: I didn't see his bottom half...could be ;)

Question: Why is Scully in the ER? Is it the baby?

Answer: Yeah...I think it's baby related. :: sigh ::

Question: Ionalove, do they mention Mulder much? Specifically, do we see Scully reference him or any scenes where she's dealing with the loss of him?

Answer: No mention of Mulder that I have seen.

Question: Iona, what was your fav part of these spoilers?

Answer: I loved that when she entered Doggett's bedroom she was uncomfortable...made a move to turn around a few times...and addressed him as "Agent Doggett" when she tried to wake him. And, did all of it WITHOUT touching him.

Question: Does Scully mention Mulder at all?

Answer: Not that I have seen...but I've only seen... parts of about 5 scenes.

Question: Does Doggett learn of the baby in this eppy?

Answer: I don't think so, but he finds out she's in the hospital...she kept this from him.

Question: Iona, is Scully still with child at the end? And if she is, does she find out something good *or* bad about the baby and/or the baby's health/future?

Answer: I have NO idea.

Question: What is the status of D and S's relationship?

Answer: I would term it professional. He's concerned for her. She's concerned for him. But I would only term it of a professional nature.

Question: What causes her concern?

Answer: The case they're working on...Doggett's working on really...and Skinner...and the Lone Gunmen are referenced. All the boys are busy on this one, I think. She hears something in Doggett's voice in a message he leaves on her machine.

Question: What news brings S to Doggett's?

Answer: She gets a message from him...on her machine.. She thinks he doesn't sound right...something's wrong.

Question: Is there any reference to Scully's mom?

Answer: NO! DARN IT! I WANT MAGGIE!

Question: What's this case seem to be about?

Answer: A cult...the surveillance of a cult following a practice of reaching God through the negative...or the via negativa. This was another way of reaching God...thinking of negatives and God must be the opposite of all that. From the case, the surveilling FBI agent is killed. There's a connection between sleeping and dreams and the killing.

Question: Are there any sweet mother/ baby moments... such as scully touching her tummy?

Answer: Not that I've seen.

Question: Does the cult get a hold of Doggett?

Answer: The ideas of it...yeah, I would think so.

Question: Is Doggett affected when he calls Scully?

Answer: Doggett's asleep when Scully comes over... she wakes him up. He feels she saved his life. It's the whole sleep/dream/via negativa thing...the practice of the cult.

Question: The Oficial Magazine talks about a tense dialogue between Scully and Doggett. Do you know something about?

Answer: No, but I haven't seen the whole thing.

Question: How are Skinner and the LGM involved?

Answer: Skinner works with Doggett on the case... from what I'm understanding. And, Scully or Skinner call the LGM for some info....also from the references made.

Question: Any idea how the LGM and Doggett interact?

Answer: No, but it makes me giggle thinking about it.

Question: Is this ep a pure standalone?

Answer: I wouldn't think so if Scully is having medical problems.

Question: How does S explain her hospital stay to Doggett?

Answer: She doesn't. Initially, she keeps it from him and only thanks him for covering for her. He finds out she's in the hospital because he brings someone into the ER and sees her name on the ER sheet. I think...could be wrong...but he doesn't let her know he knows. There's a scene where he goes up to her hospital room door...peeks in with concern but doesn't intrude.

Question: Is S awake when he peeks in?

Answer: She's turned away. I dunno.

Question: Big Brother/Scorned Lover?

Answer: Doggett? Neither. Partner.

Question: Does Scully say the word "baby"?

Answer: She doesn't that I know of.

Question: Would you consider this ep Scully lite from what you've seen, since Scully is in the hospital and Skinman and LGM are involved? Or just regular involvement with more characters in the mix?

Answer: Gosh, I dunno. I think we might learn some stuff about Scully's ordeal. Whatever it is has led her to the ER and needing to "Lie down" according to the doctor. And she has a phone conversion with Doggett....twice, I think. Doggett sees her there without her knowing. And then I have the end scene... So...I think Scully and Doggett's immediate involvement will be light...but I think we'll have two stories going on. The Case and Scully's stuff.

Question: Does Doggett have a Scully fixation?

Answer: Theef, what are you implying? Doggett's not having negative dreams about Scully!

Question: I guess what I'm getting at-is it alluded to that Doggett's "feelings" for Doggett are more then "partnerly:-and if they are-does Scully realize it-and if she does what is her reaction?

Answer: I see only a man concerned about his partner.

Question: Does Scully actually rescue Doggettt? And if she does, does this action put her pregnancy at risk?

Answer: If the dream/sleep/killing thing is real... she does save his life. No...the pregnancy is not at risk with this.

Question: Does Scully almost lose the baby?

Answer: I have no idea.

Question: Is the baby's possible distress related to the case?

Answer: I don't think so... No.

Question: Any Scully!Angst or Scully!Emotion?

Answer: I think she shows concern about being in the hospital. She seems serious.

Question: So would you classify that as *protective* of baby?

Answer: I think I would term it be worried about your baby... a normal mother reaction.

Question: What is the nature of her health concerns?

Answer: I'm guessing they're baby related.. She's been ordered to "lie down." Sounds like a pregnancy thing to me.

Question: Does Scully do anything in the hospital.... besides lying around in bed? Look at records? Take a walk? Write in a journal? Have some introspection? Anything at all? Is she doing anything (other than turning away) when Doggett looks in on her?

Answer: She talks to Doggett on the phone...twice. To stay updated on the case.

Question: Is there any dialogue you could give?

Answer: None that I would give... I don't think.

Question: Any amusing outtakes?

Answer: A cute moment I'll share a bit of insight.

Question: Does Doggett say "Muldah"?

Answer: No, but you gotta dig that voice.

Question: From the scenes you've viewed, are you seeing a Scully feeling lost and alone? I guess what I'm asking is: How the heck is Scully doing at this stage of the game emotionally?

Answer: Um.,...she seems something.... she seems a bit off. I can't explain it. Reminds me of how she was in "Patience". She's...just...off. She seems as if she's not complete...seriously.

Question: Will we have bad dreams about this ep?

Answer: I dunno but some people on the show did.

Question: Does Scully still have great hair?

Answer: Thank GOD! She DOES! BUT... there is the one scene when she has gone to the ER. Her little hair is up in a clippy thing....God love her heart. It looks like how you look on Saturday or late in the night when no one should see you :) Come to think of it...it looks exactly like it would look if you had to go to the ER.

Question: So does she go alone out of concern for the baby?

A: She's alone. That's all I know for sure.

Question: What alerts S to go to the ER? Bleeding?

A: I don't know.

Question: I know you said there was no mention of Mulder...but is there anything at ALL that might refer to Mulder? Even indirectly?

Answer: No mention, but I don't think that's a negative.

Now, for the behind the scenes stuff.... GA and RP have what seems to be a very easy working relationship. At one point they high-fived at the end of a scene. Actually, it kinda looked like a fella wanting a high-five and the little tomboy coming up and rearing her arm back to attack his hand. She looked very cute and scrappy. They seemed to be enjoying themselves. I always like to see that."

"And on a professional note... RP read his phone lines off camera to GA while she did the takes. There was no mistaking THAT voice. That, my friends, is the work of a professional...not many leads do that for their co-actors. Usually you just leave that to the squirrely script guy who can't act worth spit. I was very much impressed."

September 25 2000: From T Lynn:

"The presence of Kersh and Skinner is explained by the fact that two victims of the MOTW who appear in the teaser are FBI agents who were already on the case. The big brass tends to sit up and take notice when their own are killed. I saw absolutely nothing that would indicate a mytharc type story. I'm curious about where the Lone Gunmen figure in; I suspect it has more to do with the Scully end of the story than Doggett's investigation of the X-File.

"The scenes with Scully do seem to be regarding her pregnancy--I think that it's why she can't investigate. I'm sorry---I know that sounds cryptic, but I don't have enough information about the exact nature of Scully's scenes to be more clear. I just wouldn't necessarily rule out the possibility that we'll learn more about her pregnancy in this ep."

"In one scene, Skinner and Doggett seem to be covering for Scully where Kersh is concerned. Doggett just doesn't know why, and he's not happy about that, since he thinks Scully is probably the agent with the most insight and experience to solve the case. Skinner won't tell him what's up with Scully, though. But toward the end, Doggett gets a clue. And that's really all I can say about it. I'm sorry. "

September 24 2000: From Autumn:

"This episode has to do with a cult called the Ibogan Temple Cult that believe that the path of darkness leads to a higher plane of being. The FBI has this cult under surveillance."

September 22 2000: From The Official X-Files Website:

"Frank Spotnitz writes the script for 'Via Negativa,' his first lone work since 1997's 'Detour' (5X04). The Latin phrase refers to the darkest path taken en route to enlightenment. Skinner, Kersh and the Lone Gunmen all appear in the episode set to air on 12/10. Tony Wharmby directs."

September 19 2000: From E!'s interview with William B. Davis:

"Definitely take this with a grain of salt (although he said CC told him this in a meeting). WBD said that he and DD would be in episode 7 (8X07). He said that CSM would appear in the episode either alive or dead, no dreams or flashbacks. Meaning that if CSM is dead, we'd see his body, and otherwise he's still alive. What he said is that Chris Carter, Frank Spotnitz, and David Duchovny are writing the episode. Also this can't be part 1 of 2 because according to the OS, 'Redrum' airs the week after 8X07. Let's wait and see if this turns out to be true. Also the Ten Thirteen staff got more promotions this year. It is certain that Kim Manners and John Shiban are now co-executive producers, and that David Amann is a producer. I'm not sure, but possibly Vince Gilligan is a full executive producer now and Paul Rabwin a supervising producer. "




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