IMDb user comments for
"The X Files" Via Negativa (2000)

15 out of 20 people found the following comment useful :-
Don't fall asleep while watching this episode!, 30 August 2007

Author: Sanpaco13 from Sandy, UT, United States

I need to write this down once and for all so I don't have to rewatch this and try and remember my thoughts on the episode. I really like this episode. I will start by saying that I have actually never really seen this episode from beginning to end before without falling asleep. I always fall asleep during both of Doggett's dream sequences and then I get startled awake when he does. At first I would rewind so I could watch what I missed but I would always fall asleep again. So finally as I watched this again recently and the same thing happened, I decided the next day that I would watch just the dream scenes so I could see them unsegmented. Turns out I have never seen the part with Dogget with the ax in Scully's room and the strobing blue light. Wow what an awesome creepy scene! If only for that dream this episode deserves a high rating. I also enjoy the fact that this is probably the first one where the main actors are not either Mulder or Scully. Doggett and Skinner are now the main agents and they do a great job of not seeming out of place. I feel bad that Doggett got such a bad rap from fans because he does a very good job on the show. I give this episode a 9 out of 10.

7 out of 10 people found the following comment useful :-
Third Eye Blind, 2 September 2007

Author: Muldernscully from Washington Terrace, Utah

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

"Nightmare on Elm Street" meets "The X-Files" is what we are given in Via Negativa. Written by Frank Spotniz, Via Negativa has people meeting a violent demise while in their sleep behind locked doors. Of course, it's not Freddy Krueger this time killing off horny teenagers, it's Anthony Tipet, leader of a religious cult.

Via Negativa is a good, creepy episode, with Doggett wondering whether he is awake or asleep. Skinner surprises us in the beginning of the episode by giving Kersh an x-files explanation for the murders much to Kersh's chagrin.

Doggett works this case alone while Scully is in the hospital, due to some complications with her pregnancy (we assume). Although, she still hasn't told Doggett yet that she's pregnant, not trusting him completely yet. So, instead, she refers Doggett to the Lone Gunmen to assist Doggett with the case. Surprisingly, the Lone Gunmen appear to be very cocky when they first meet Doggett. He humbly accepts their help and offers up a theory that he himself does not believe in.

Now, where the episode loses some points with me is with how confusing it is. Doggett works out the theory that Tipet has achieved the Third Eye through the use of hallucinogenic drugs. But by going through the Via Negativa (path of darkness), Tipet has become a murderer. And that's the only explanation given. Bormanis states how Tipet is the only one who was able to go on the "trips" into the higher consciousness, yet somehow Doggett gains the Third Eye as well, without using hallucinogenic drugs and Tipet instructs him to kill Scully. Maybe the episode is supposed to be all confusing and mixed up, just like a real dream is. But it left me a little too puzzled.

Tony Wharmby, who directed the episode, does a fine job conveying a creepy, dark atmosphere, especially in the final scene of Doggett approaching Scully with the ax. The scene is flashing blue and has a totally surreal feel to it.

Via Negativa has a great premise and is very interesting to watch, but fails to deliver to its full potential due to its perplexing nature. After watching this episode, you might end up having a nightmare on "your" street.

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