Zero Sum is the second Skinner-oriented episode in the x-files. Avatar was the first and the story for this episode continues on the theme from Avatar, of Skinner being blackmailed by the cigarette smoking man. The storyline, however, continues on from Memento Mori, dealing with Scully's cancer. Scully(Gillian Anderson), actually takes a break from this episode and we never see her. Mulder says that she is undergoing testing in the hospital. An episode just isn't the same without her. Even so, Zero Sum is a tight, suspenseful episode, leaving you on the edge of your seat, wondering whether Agent Mulder will discover Skinner's part in the cover-up of the x-file. The music by Mark Snow sets the mood very well. Mitch Pileggi does an excellent job when asked to take on the bulk of the acting. He's doing unethical things in order to help out Scully. The cigarette smoking man also has a larger part in this episode. It is quite interesting to see the slow deterioration in his relationship with the syndicate. You see it begin in earlier mythology episodes, and it continues in Zero Sum, which leads to certain events in a later mythology episode. I like to see continuity like that. It's not often that you see the cigarette smoking man rattled, but Skinner manages to do that to him. Overall, Zero Sum is carried well by Skinner and Mulder with absence of Scully, helping us delve even deeper into the mind of Skinner, and see what lengths he'll go to to help out his friends.
10 Reviews
Great Episode Despite No Scully
ddeboer18 July 2009
I am not exactly a huge fan of the arc only because they can be slow moving, depressing, and they tend to add more elements than they solve. Nevertheless, we take a break from clones, bounty hunters, and black oil to return to the killer bees. Infestation is one of the staple X Files themes although not one of the more common ones and they work it quite well in this episode. Skinner who usually just shows up to look crabby and pinched gets to be in full range here (like he was in Avatar) and we also get a nice view of him in his tighty whities....who knew he had a killer bod? It's nice watching Mulder get closer and closer to the truth because you know from the get go that this is one major act of betrayal. We have a few more cold blooded deaths of innocents (pray you never find yourself an innocent bystander in an X File episode), gruesome looking cadavers, and Marita Covarrubias looking and talking as seductively as ever (was she a perfume model in the past?). Great episode for an arc without Scully in it.
"A man digs a hole, he risks falling into it."
classicsoncall28 June 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The dynamic between Skinner (Mitch Pileggi) and the Cigarette Smoking Man (William B. Davis) really intensifies in this episode, and the story line explores just how far the Smoking Man will go to blackmail the Assistant Director in pursuit of his agenda and that of the Syndicate. Skinner always gets just that close to the edge with the shadowy figure before backing off, this time because Scully's life is on the line with her cancer treatment and Smoking Man presumably has the means to save her. We shall see.
I also enjoy seeing the Smoking Man called on the carpet by the head honcho of the Syndicate, called the First Elder in the cast credits, even though I've never heard that term used in connection with the character. One begins to wonder how Smoking Man is allowed to continue operating in his capacity through various blunders that have occurred during the series run. If the First Elder had been as heartless as Smoking Man himself, the Smoking Man would have been a goner by now.
One nit-pick I'll have to allow myself in the story has to do with those killer bees. They're actually yellow jackets, and though they closely enough resemble bees and are often called by that name, they're actually wasps. If you've ever had the misfortune of getting stung by one you'll know it immediately. I like to describe their sting as liquid fire, as that's what immediately crosses my mind when getting bit by one. Can you imagine getting stung by an entire swarm like the teacher in the story? It would feel like your entire body is in flames before you passed out and died. A nasty way to go.
A major reveal in the story takes place near the end when Marita Covarrubias (Laurie Holden) shows up and manages to put Skinner in the hot seat as well, much like the Syndicate with Smoking Man. Skinner shows he's adept at keeping his lies straight in order to pacify Mulder and maintain his loyalty to Scully's cause, but the kicker here is the relationship we discover between Covarrubias and the Smoking Man. If there's any stand alone episode of the X-Files that comes to a conclusion looking like it should have been a two-parter, this is the one.
I also enjoy seeing the Smoking Man called on the carpet by the head honcho of the Syndicate, called the First Elder in the cast credits, even though I've never heard that term used in connection with the character. One begins to wonder how Smoking Man is allowed to continue operating in his capacity through various blunders that have occurred during the series run. If the First Elder had been as heartless as Smoking Man himself, the Smoking Man would have been a goner by now.
One nit-pick I'll have to allow myself in the story has to do with those killer bees. They're actually yellow jackets, and though they closely enough resemble bees and are often called by that name, they're actually wasps. If you've ever had the misfortune of getting stung by one you'll know it immediately. I like to describe their sting as liquid fire, as that's what immediately crosses my mind when getting bit by one. Can you imagine getting stung by an entire swarm like the teacher in the story? It would feel like your entire body is in flames before you passed out and died. A nasty way to go.
A major reveal in the story takes place near the end when Marita Covarrubias (Laurie Holden) shows up and manages to put Skinner in the hot seat as well, much like the Syndicate with Smoking Man. Skinner shows he's adept at keeping his lies straight in order to pacify Mulder and maintain his loyalty to Scully's cause, but the kicker here is the relationship we discover between Covarrubias and the Smoking Man. If there's any stand alone episode of the X-Files that comes to a conclusion looking like it should have been a two-parter, this is the one.
The Bees! Aaaahhh They're In My Eyes!!!!
injury-6544721 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
It's the return of the "killer" bees. It's been awhile since they were mentioned so luckily the episode gives a little recap about that mysterious plantation up in Canada that Mulder discovered. So it seems they're shipping these nasty bees down for a little Smallpox 2.0 experiment, but unfortunately a package got damaged in transit and killed a sassy chubby postal worker by accident. The mess needs to be cleared up so let's get Skinner to do it (he's made a deal with the Devil aka CSM to save Scully). Test his loyalty and threaten to frame him for the murder of an innocent detective as well.
It feels like a spy thriller for sure, trying to keep track of each character's motivations and loyalties and who's betraying who! Like watching Mission:Impossible with an X-Files skin on top. But it doesn't get unbearably convoluted which is nice. Sometimes mythology episodes get too confusing. Marita! Naughty girl. Wonder what'll happen with that character. She plays the character well, sultry and steamy. She could jump into a film noir afterwards.
I love the fact they unleash the bees on a kids playground. I guess to highlight how despicable and lacking in compassion the Sydicate is. Great scene with the teacher flailing around in the playground while she gets stung to death as the kids look on. Bold choices and I'm glad the show wasn't afraid to target small children. It's just more mwahahahaha evil this way! Although they left the actual death to the adult, I guess they didn't want to go too far.
The major wow I guess is that despite Scully being absent and Skinner taking the leading Man hat, the episode is still totally enjoyable and you don't really miss the usual M&S dynamic. It's a different spin on the show and it's fun to see. It's good that the show doesn't depend too heavily on any one crucial thing, and can work in a variety of styles and with a variety of characters.
Walter Skinner is great to watch. The first ten minutes are basically just him getting up to some spy style shenanigans and it's a hoot. He does a fine job of keeping his cool later in the episode when it's becoming evident that his goose is about to be cooked.
CSM has his usual level of presence. What a badass. But if he isn't afraid to die why did he care about getting his lung cancer healed eh? Eh? Methinks it's all bluster and he definitely isn't ready to go yet! The grand plans are just starting after all ! What are the plans? Bees? Mutant smallpox? Kill all the humans? Reign as supreme overlords with the Grays? Hopefully the show will provide answers.
So overall - I wouldn't consider this an essential episode and I don't know how crucial this episode is to understanding the eventual unfolding of the grand mythology- but it's a fine episode on its own anyway.
It feels like a spy thriller for sure, trying to keep track of each character's motivations and loyalties and who's betraying who! Like watching Mission:Impossible with an X-Files skin on top. But it doesn't get unbearably convoluted which is nice. Sometimes mythology episodes get too confusing. Marita! Naughty girl. Wonder what'll happen with that character. She plays the character well, sultry and steamy. She could jump into a film noir afterwards.
I love the fact they unleash the bees on a kids playground. I guess to highlight how despicable and lacking in compassion the Sydicate is. Great scene with the teacher flailing around in the playground while she gets stung to death as the kids look on. Bold choices and I'm glad the show wasn't afraid to target small children. It's just more mwahahahaha evil this way! Although they left the actual death to the adult, I guess they didn't want to go too far.
The major wow I guess is that despite Scully being absent and Skinner taking the leading Man hat, the episode is still totally enjoyable and you don't really miss the usual M&S dynamic. It's a different spin on the show and it's fun to see. It's good that the show doesn't depend too heavily on any one crucial thing, and can work in a variety of styles and with a variety of characters.
Walter Skinner is great to watch. The first ten minutes are basically just him getting up to some spy style shenanigans and it's a hoot. He does a fine job of keeping his cool later in the episode when it's becoming evident that his goose is about to be cooked.
CSM has his usual level of presence. What a badass. But if he isn't afraid to die why did he care about getting his lung cancer healed eh? Eh? Methinks it's all bluster and he definitely isn't ready to go yet! The grand plans are just starting after all ! What are the plans? Bees? Mutant smallpox? Kill all the humans? Reign as supreme overlords with the Grays? Hopefully the show will provide answers.
So overall - I wouldn't consider this an essential episode and I don't know how crucial this episode is to understanding the eventual unfolding of the grand mythology- but it's a fine episode on its own anyway.
The Killer Bee storyline is one of my favorite parts of the Mythology
SleepTight6666 December 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Perhaps a bit slow moving and moody (which can be tiresome, especially if you're already tired). But still, it's one of the many strong episodes of Season 4.
The Killer Bee storyline is one of my favorite parts of the Mythology, I find it much more interesting than alien colonization and bounty hunters etc.
The bee attacks were some excellent scenes, they were very well executed and looked quite real. I like the idea behind the small pox disease being carried by the bees.
Skinners part of the episode is also very strong, this is probably the best Skinner-centric. I respect the guy, especially after scaring the Cancer Man. I just loved CSM's face after he was shot upon.
FOUR stars for this one, strong and well done.
The Killer Bee storyline is one of my favorite parts of the Mythology, I find it much more interesting than alien colonization and bounty hunters etc.
The bee attacks were some excellent scenes, they were very well executed and looked quite real. I like the idea behind the small pox disease being carried by the bees.
Skinners part of the episode is also very strong, this is probably the best Skinner-centric. I respect the guy, especially after scaring the Cancer Man. I just loved CSM's face after he was shot upon.
FOUR stars for this one, strong and well done.
Details are everything. Much more important than your vague assurances.
bombersflyup18 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Zero Sum is about Walter Skinner covering up a murder caused by bees carrying smallpox, as part of his arrangement with the Smoking Man.
Engrossing and well written. Skinner's evidently capable of carrying an episode and the Smoking Man has a substantial role here, always a plus. Mulder takes a backseat, he's busy chasing Skinner's tail, while Scully's absent entirely. Skinner erasing the file in the dark, then as he leaves the door opens casting a light on the plaque of Fox Mulder. A nice touch. Skinner gets to see firsthand how good Mulder is at his job, that he's already ahead of the game. The Smoking Man gets to see that Skinner's not to be taken lightly as he carries out the criminal act and pulls the trigger. An underappreciated, quality episode.
Smoking Man: A man digs a hole, he risks falling into it. :)
Engrossing and well written. Skinner's evidently capable of carrying an episode and the Smoking Man has a substantial role here, always a plus. Mulder takes a backseat, he's busy chasing Skinner's tail, while Scully's absent entirely. Skinner erasing the file in the dark, then as he leaves the door opens casting a light on the plaque of Fox Mulder. A nice touch. Skinner gets to see firsthand how good Mulder is at his job, that he's already ahead of the game. The Smoking Man gets to see that Skinner's not to be taken lightly as he carries out the criminal act and pulls the trigger. An underappreciated, quality episode.
Smoking Man: A man digs a hole, he risks falling into it. :)
You'll find it's not that easy to walk away from, Mr. Skinner.
Sanpaco134 July 2009
Warning: Spoilers
What a wonderful episode. Zero Sum is a very unique episode for two reasons. Not only is it one of only two episodes in the entire series that does not have Scully in it at all. But it is also one of only two episodes that are centric to the character of Walter Skinner. I think that's right as far as numbers. I'm pretty sure Scully is in all but this and "3". And the only Skinner centric episodes I can think of are this and "Avatar". I enjoy this one because of the mystery in the beginning of the episode. We are shown about 11 minutes of Skinner cleaning up evidence from a crime scene and posing as Fox Mulder. Ultimately we learn that he is working for the Smoking Man who uses Skinner's weapon to murder a police officer who was asking questions. The case that this all pertains to is all about bees and the secret smallpox testings that the syndicate have been secretly testing on the public. As Skinner deals with his duties to the Smoking Man, he is at the same time trying to hide from Mulder the fact that he has been the one covering his tracks and he also is carrying out his own investigation trying to figure out the story behind the bees. The scene at the elementary school is very haunting to me. Scenes like this convince me that the Syndicate is just completely wrong in everything they do. CSM can smooth talk all he wants, they are bad. They heartlessly unleash a swarm of bees onto a group of children playing at recess who watch as their teacher is attacked and killed by the bees. I also love watching Mulder's reaction when he learns that Skinner is the one who was posing as him. Its almost like Skinner was the last person he ever thought would betray him and he is so deeply disturbed in that moment. Oh and I LOVE the scene where CSM is taunting Skinner to shoot him or leave and Skinner unloads three rounds and it takes the camera about 20 seconds to pan around and show us that all three rounds went into the wall just past CSM's head. And he just stands there peeing his pants as the phone continues to ring. Awesome! Well I think that is at least a confetti of a review. I give the episode a 10 out of 10.
Bees seldom sting, here they do.
Sleepin_Dragon19 August 2022
A Postal worker is killed in quite brutal fashion whilst at work, by a swarm of killer bees.
Yet another high quality episode from this quality fourth series. After the humorous, lighter tone of the previous episode, it's a return to more of a horror vibe.
We've seen bees before, I'm wondering if there's a connection, or if it's an entirely new story. A chilling concept to think of bees being used in such a sickening way.
Nice to see Mitch Pileggi taking such a big role, obviously taking up the time that would have been allocated to Anderson, despite her absence, he and Duchovny deliver.
We get to learn a little more about the beautiful Marita, and just where her loyalties lay.
Nice production values once again, made back in 1997, it always managed to defy its production date.
Very interesting, 9/10.
Yet another high quality episode from this quality fourth series. After the humorous, lighter tone of the previous episode, it's a return to more of a horror vibe.
We've seen bees before, I'm wondering if there's a connection, or if it's an entirely new story. A chilling concept to think of bees being used in such a sickening way.
Nice to see Mitch Pileggi taking such a big role, obviously taking up the time that would have been allocated to Anderson, despite her absence, he and Duchovny deliver.
We get to learn a little more about the beautiful Marita, and just where her loyalties lay.
Nice production values once again, made back in 1997, it always managed to defy its production date.
Very interesting, 9/10.
Zero Sum
lassegalsgaard24 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Walter Skinner was one of those characters that really had to grow on me after his first few appearances on this show. He came across as the typically skeptical boss character who would constantly be a thorn in the side of our heroes as they were trying to uncover this conspiracy throughout the show. However, the writers decided to go a different route and surprise and probably a lot of other viewers as they began to really develop Skinner into one of the show's most important supporting characters. That has been done through the mythology episodes, but with a couple of Skinner-focused episodes, used to provide some real character development to him and show him from a different angle. This episode comes off the heels of a decision that he made a couple of episodes ago and the entire thing is basically showing the consequences of that decision and the deal that he ultimately made. And while the episode's relevance to the overarching mythology can be debated, it shouldn't be up to debate whether or not this episode is awesome or not, because the simple answer there is that it is, easily beating out the previous season's Skinner-focused episode in pacing and in its tension.
This episode is the payoff of an entire season's setup with the first episode introducing us to this bee farm, which starts wreaking havoc in this episode. At first, Skinner finds himself on the side of trying to cover up any involvement by the Smoking Man and his cabal. As the episode ends, he realizes what side he is standing on and makes a decision that could have fatal consequences. The episode is full of great tension and the writing is truly excellent as it flawlessly furthers the character development of Skinner, while also adding small things to the mythology.
While the previous season's episode focused on Skinner and his relationships, this is an episode that really shows how lonely this man is at his core. He is caught in this situation that he has put himself in and there's no one who can help him. He doesn't have anyone living at home with him anymore and he's also working in the field alone. Skinner is a very tragic character who is getting more and more light shone on him and all the things that make him sympathetic. He's had a long way, but it's one that we truly appreciate.
Mitch Pileggi is an actor who didn't really get the praise he deserved for this role, but he really is a core part of this show's conscience. He's the voice of reason whenever Mulder and Scully go off on their missions, and while we like to follow them and root for them, it's difficult to not see Skinner's perspective. Pileggi has done a phenomenal job showing this man's versatility, and while he doesn't get a moment as emotional as his previous solo episode, he truly plays into the character's inherent anger, which prompts some truly great moments from this man.
"Zero Sum" is light on Mulder and Scully, but heavy on tension and great payoffs to season-long mysteries and storylines that were set up earlier. It focuses, again, on Skinner and continues to develop a character who has really grown into one of the show's most valuable players, not in the least because of Pileggi's portrayal.
This episode is the payoff of an entire season's setup with the first episode introducing us to this bee farm, which starts wreaking havoc in this episode. At first, Skinner finds himself on the side of trying to cover up any involvement by the Smoking Man and his cabal. As the episode ends, he realizes what side he is standing on and makes a decision that could have fatal consequences. The episode is full of great tension and the writing is truly excellent as it flawlessly furthers the character development of Skinner, while also adding small things to the mythology.
While the previous season's episode focused on Skinner and his relationships, this is an episode that really shows how lonely this man is at his core. He is caught in this situation that he has put himself in and there's no one who can help him. He doesn't have anyone living at home with him anymore and he's also working in the field alone. Skinner is a very tragic character who is getting more and more light shone on him and all the things that make him sympathetic. He's had a long way, but it's one that we truly appreciate.
Mitch Pileggi is an actor who didn't really get the praise he deserved for this role, but he really is a core part of this show's conscience. He's the voice of reason whenever Mulder and Scully go off on their missions, and while we like to follow them and root for them, it's difficult to not see Skinner's perspective. Pileggi has done a phenomenal job showing this man's versatility, and while he doesn't get a moment as emotional as his previous solo episode, he truly plays into the character's inherent anger, which prompts some truly great moments from this man.
"Zero Sum" is light on Mulder and Scully, but heavy on tension and great payoffs to season-long mysteries and storylines that were set up earlier. It focuses, again, on Skinner and continues to develop a character who has really grown into one of the show's most valuable players, not in the least because of Pileggi's portrayal.
The darkness looks back into skinner
devonbrown-9064917 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Bombshell of an episode that reveals some great plot developments. Scully is back in hospital and skinner has made a deal with the devil to heal scully. Skinners unwise decisions is catching up with him as we see his detective prowess deduce that there's something sinister going on with small pox and bees.
Mulder also is using his powers to find out who is at the centre of the cover up and it leads right back to skinner. It seems CSM man is toying with mulder his superiors and information sources. At this rate mulder has no chance to heal scully and find out the centre of elaborate conspiracy that the syndicate is running.
Mulder also is using his powers to find out who is at the centre of the cover up and it leads right back to skinner. It seems CSM man is toying with mulder his superiors and information sources. At this rate mulder has no chance to heal scully and find out the centre of elaborate conspiracy that the syndicate is running.
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