Episode cast overview, first billed only: | |||
David Duchovny | ... | ||
Gillian Anderson | ... | ||
William B. Davis | ... | ||
Nicholas Lea | ... | ||
Mitch Pileggi | ... | ||
Mimi Rogers | ... | ||
Floyd 'Red Crow' Westerman | ... |
Albert Hosteen
(as Floyd Red Crow Westerman)
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Murray Rubinstein | ... |
Dr. Steven Sandoz
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Michael Chinyamurindi | ... |
Dr. Solomon Merkmallen
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Michael Ensign | ... | ||
Sheila Tousey | ... |
Native American Nurse
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Warren Sweeney | ... | ||
Chet Grissom | ... |
Detective
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Bill Dow | ... | ||
Marty Zagon | ... |
Landlord
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An artifact with strange engravings on it is found off of the coast of Africa. When a rubbing of these engravings is shown to Mulder, confusing noises happen inside his head. The agents look to uncover the origin of this mysterious artifact and to find out why it is having a singular effect on Mulder. Written by Muldernscully
Strange artifacts have been discovered on the African coast and a local professor (Michael Chinyamurindi) brings them to the U.S. for further study. When both the professor and the artifacts disappear Mulder and Scully look into the case. Strangely, even depictions of the artifacts cause violent seizures in Mulder! With Mulder increasingly incapacitated Scully goes for answers to Navajo medicine man Albert Hosteen, who is hospitalized himself. Meanwhile the Cigarette Smoking Man's secret agent in the FBI, Diana Fowley, reappears as does the villainous Alex Krycek. Finally Scully's pursuit of the source of Mulder's illness leads her to the source of the artifacts on the African coast, where she makes an astounding discovery.
This, the season 6 cliffhanger finale, is a solid episode that offered X-Files viewers hopes of a new beginning for the show's UFO mythology. The sense of urgency has returned as Chris Carter took a leaf from the books of 'alien genesis' theorist Erich von Daniken; the show seemed to be moving towards a new explanation of humanity's place on earth - although not one much consistent with the ideas previously explored!