Series:	The X-Files
Original Airdate:	May 16, 1999
Production Number:	6ABX22
Date(s):	Unknown
Written by:	Chris Carter & Frank Spotnitz
Directed by:	Rob Bowman

Mulder believes that metallic objects discovered in Africa are proof that life originated elsewhere in the universe.

Contents 1 Summary 2 Background Information 2.1 This episode includes archive footage from The X-Files Movie. The footage features two Primitives running through snowy terrain and appears near the start of this episode. The same footage would later appear in "The Truth", the series finale of The X-Files and the concluding story in its ninth season. 3 Notes 4 Goofs 5 Allusions 6 Links and References 6.1 Guest Stars 6.2 References 7 Comments

SummaryEdit

A metallic artifact covered with strange letters is found on the West African coast. A Dr. Merkmallen, who possesses a similar artifact finds that the two fuse with each other when brought near one another. He heads to

the U.S. to meet with a Dr. Sandoz who has found a similar object, but is killed by Dr. Barnes, who claims to be Sandoz. Skinner brings agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) on the case, providing them with a rubbing of the artifact. Mulder says that both men espoused a theory known as 'Panspermia' that theorizes that life originated off of Earth. While heading to the basement Mulder suffers from a headache and has a hard time hearing Scully. The agents visit with Dr. Barnes at the University who claims not to believe in the theories of the now missing Dr. Sandoz. Mulder once again feels strange when near the rubbing. The agents meet with Chuck Burks, who tells them that the symbols on the artifact is Navajo. Mulder, who continues to feel strange declines Scully's recommendations to go to the hospital and tells Scully that he believes Barnes murdered Merkmallen. The agents head to Dr. Sandoz's apartment and find a picture of him with Albert Hosteen. They find the body of Merkmallen in his garbage disposal. Mulder and Scully report to Skinner on the case. Mulder believes that Sandoz is being framed and that the artifact emits radiation. He also thinks that someone else is involved on the

case, which Skinner denies. After the agents leave Skinner provides a video tape of their conversation to Alex Krycek. Krycek later provides the tape to Dr. Barnes. Scully discovers that Albert is dying of cancer. Mulder heads back to the University but passes out in the stairwell. Scully finds Sandoz at the hospital and confronts him. He claims that Albert was helping him translate the pieces of the artifact that he and Merkmallen had and that it included passages from the Bible. Scully heads to New Mexico with Sandoz and contacts Mulder, who is resting at home. Mulder believes that the artifact proves that humanity was created by aliens. Diana Fowley takes care of Mulder and contacts the Cigarette Smoking Man. A healing ceremony is held for Albert, but Scully is forced to leave when Skinner contacts her, telling her Mulder is in the hospital. Mulder is being held in a padded cell and is displaying

abnormal brain activity. Scully, after learning that Skinner knows about their earlier conversation with Burks calls him and Fowley liars and leaves. Scully is about to find a surveillance camera in the X-Files office when she is called by Sandoz telling her that the artifact contains information on human genetics. Sandoz is killed by Krycek shortly afterwards. Scully heads to the West African Coast where she discovers that the artifact is part of a large spacecraft partially buried in the ocean.

Background InformationEdit

This episode includes archive footage from The X-Files Movie. The footage features two Primitives running through snowy terrain and appears near the start of this episode. The same footage would later appear in "The Truth", the series finale of The X-Files and the concluding story in its ninth season.Edit

NotesEdit

Although X-Files management was prepared to suspend filming to accommodate the birth of David Duchovny's first child, it proved to be unnecessary. Madelaine West Duchovny was born on April 24, 1999; two days after the filming of Fox Mulder's final scene in this season finale.

GoofsEdit

When Mulder and Scully are examining the artifact in his office, there are pencils hanging from the ceiling tile over Mulder's desk in the background. Presumably this is a habit that Mulder has had at least since the episode, "Chinga," although they cannot be the same pencils since the office burned down at the end of season 5.

The establishing outside shot of the Hospital Mulder went to was also used that same year as San Francisco Memorial Hospital on the show Charmed. In this episode, the hospital is supposed to be in Georgetown.

AllusionsEdit

Links and ReferencesEdit

Guest StarsEdit

• Ayo Adeyemi as First African Man
• Michael Chinyamurindi as Dr. Solomon Merkmallen
• William B. Davis as Cigarette Smoking Man
• Bill Dow as Dr. Charles Burks
• Michael Ensign as Dr. Barnes
• Chet Grissom as Detective
• Nicholas Lea as Alex Krycek
• Samuel Kwaku Minta as Yelling Man
• Benjamin Ochieng as Second African Man
• Mitch Pileggi as Assistant Director Walter Skinner
• Mimi Rogers as Agent Diana Fowley
• Murry Rubinstein as Dr. Steven Sandoz
• Warren Sweeney as Dr. Geoff Harriman
• Sheila Tousey as Native American Nurse
• Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman as Albert Hosteen
• Mary Zagon as Mr. Coeben

ReferencesEdit

Ivory Coast; Africa; American University

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