MovieChat Forums > The X Files (1993) Discussion > Excelsis Dei

Excelsis Dei

posted 7 years ago by panzermeyer44
6 replies | jump to latest

Just watched this episode and what I find a bit odd is that I don't see any connection between the story and the episode title. Translated from the Latin, "exclesis dei" means "higher than god". In the episode, the elderly patients are taking these mushroom-based drugs which heightens their supernatural awareness and thus can see spirits. So what exactly here is higher than a god?

[–] Wookieebitch 7 years ago

Wasn't it the name of the nursing home?

[–] panzermeyer44 7 years ago

Yes correct but why would a nursing home be called "higher than god"? LOL

[–] alphabase17 7 years ago

The expression does not mean "higher than god". It's more like a glorification of God(s).

[–] WhoToTrust 7 years ago

by panzermeyer44 » Yes correct but why would a nursing home be called "higher than god"? LOL

Maybe the mushrooms there were THAT good and they used the name for promotional purposes? 

[–] Dreamsville 7 years ago

The full Latin phrase usually heard is "Gloria in excelsis dei", which means "glory to God in the highest." It doesn't mean "higher than God". I don't think just the two words "excelsis dei" means anything at all actually - it needs to have at least "in" before it to make sense in Latin. But it was the name of the nursing home, which is why it was the episode title. I don't think it was intended as an oblique reference to getting high.

[–] panzermeyer44 7 years ago

Ok, that makes sense. Thanks for the proper translation. :-)