Zero Sum

The episode begins with Skinner covering up the murder of a woman by a swarm of bees. While he is stealing the evidence, he identifies himself as Special Agent Mulder. Skinner was ordered to commit this crime by Cigarette Smoking Man, who also has a detective killed. The officer was last seen with Skinner on a security camera. Mulder investigates the stolen body, the man who possed as him, and the killer bees. He eventually discovers that the person who stole the evidence was Skinner. They find out that the bees are carring a heightened variation of the small pox virus. In this episode, it is revealed to viewers that Marita Covarrubias (a.k.a. Unblonde), who helps Mulder by giving him information, is actually working with the Cigarette Smoking Man. Down point: This is an Anderson-less episode due to the excuse that Scully is in the hospital recieving treatment for her cancer.

Below, is a key conversation that took place in the episode and the ratings submitted by XFEOS members. They are followed with the comments and opinions on "Zero Sum".

Cigarette Smoking Man: "You know, this isn't the first gun that's been pointed in my face. I'm not afraid to die. But, if you kill me now, you'll also kill Agent Scully."
Skinner: "You have no intention of saving her. You never did."
CSM: "You certain? I saved her life once before when I had her returned to Agent Mulder. I may save her life again."

Name                Rating

Jamie B...................10
Spencer A.................10
Kathleen B.................9
Lisa K.....................9
Ryan D.....................9
Eric R.....................8
Seth W.....................8
Christina O................7
Colleen C..................7
Sean A.....................7
Jamie C....................6
Julie C....................6
Dena C.....................5
Michael B..................4

Average Rating        7.5

"I don't know, but this episode did not appeal to me, probably because I'm not a Skinnerist. Yes, Skinnerist is a word. I have to give Mitch Pileggi credit for his acting. He is an excellent actor, and this episode proved it. Why my low rating you may ask. First, I cannot rate any episode very high if a main character is missing (In this case, Scully) Secondly, I HATE Marita Covarrubies! I HATE HER! (Not Laurie Holden, just her character) This episode saw a lot of her! Thirdly, the bee thing is getting old. After Herrenvolk we had enough of the bees, and while this episode did an excellent job explaining what Skinner is doing for the CSM, there was no explanation given for the bees except that they carried smallpox, and honestly, I wanted to learn more from the episode. Definetly not one of the best episodes."
-Christina O.-

"This was definitely a 'Skinner Episode'. Although Scully didn't appear in this episode, it completely revolves around her and her illness. 'Zero Sum' proved how far Skinner and Mulder would go to save Scully and find a cure for her cancer. Skinner got himself really deep into the dark by working for the Cigarette Smoking Man but he didn't do this for himself but someone else. This showed us a more emotional and human side of Skinner and I think it was great. Skinner should have shot the Cigarette Smoking Man and now we know that Mulder's informant has connections with the Cigarette Smoking Man."
-Lisa K.-

"This one is for the ladies out there who are lusting after Skinner. Skinner strips down to his BVDs. Satisfied yet? Or do you want to see his bare anus? Keep in mind.. Skinner's anus doth not an episode make. Although some die hard Skinnerettes would love to have an hour of that alone. Not much substance here... a little bit of plot advancement...that's about it. I love the way the X-Files uses insects. They fit well within the context of the show. Insects are nice harbringers of paranoia."
-Michael B.-

"This is a pretty good episode, but I didn't like it as much without Scully. It was a good Skinner episode, though. He's a briefs man. This episode brings up controversey about Marita, whether she is good or evil, when she's talking to CSM on the phone. Is she working with him, or is she really planning to tell Mulder about CSM's scheming? And who is that faded out person in the background behind Marita, listening in on the phone conversation!?!"
-Julie C.-

"I loved the episode, you get to see the other side of Skinner, and you get to know him better. Also we find out that Mulder's new correspondant is not who she seems. I only wish Skinner had killed CSM."
-Spencer A.-

"I thought it was a good episode but I wish that Skinner had killed CSM"
-Kathleen B.-

© 1998 -This page was created on October 2, 1997.

It was created and is maintained by XFEOS.

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page