I don't think I've ever fully gotten over the cancellation of Millennium. Re-watching the old episodes on the FX channel, you can really see how well written most of the episodes were and the characters were all memorable and likeable. Right up until the very last season, where I personally feel the writers ruined the series. The two episodes, the cliffhanger before the last season, were incredibly well done, I'd even say masterpieces, titled "The Four Horsemen" and "The Time is Now". But they missed the point when they came back the next season. We were expecting to see the series go in the direction of Frank and his daughter trying to survive a holocaust and instead they copped out. We could have had an amazing survival story there. What a shame. But, I highly recommend watching the reruns of this series if you can. It really was so much better than the X Files. And it will forever be sorely missed. The character of Frank Black did guest star on an X File episode after Millennium was cancelled and I'm still hoping for at least one more appearance. It's so hard to let a good character go forever.
116 Reviews
Chris Carter does it again.
Middle-earthfan8423 November 2009
When Millennium first aired on television, I was 12 years old and a huge fan of The X-files. I didn't pay much attention to the series, I guess, because in a way, the series was different from The X-files. Recently I re-watched most of the episodes on cable TV for the first time in 10 years, and it caught my attention in a way that it hadn't before.
I can say that I re-discovered Millennium. It is undoubtedly a wonderful show, comparable to The X-files. The writing is superb, especially on season 2,my favorite season, the acting is great, the characters are totally likable, Mark Snow's score is wonderful as always. I think James Wong and Glen Morgan did a terrific job on season 2, with memorable episodes, such as: "The beginning and the end", "Monster", "The curse of Frank Black", "Midnight of the century", "The time is now", among others. And season 3 also has it's memorable episodes, such as: "Borrowed time" and "Antipas".
I think it's sad the show only lasted 3 seasons, in my opinion The X-files should have ended earlier, maybe on season 7, but Millennium had the potential to go on, I believe the series ended prematurely. Chris Carter created a masterpiece with The X-files, and he did it again with Millennium, creating another unique series on the history of TV, and a classic, no question about that.
I can say that I re-discovered Millennium. It is undoubtedly a wonderful show, comparable to The X-files. The writing is superb, especially on season 2,my favorite season, the acting is great, the characters are totally likable, Mark Snow's score is wonderful as always. I think James Wong and Glen Morgan did a terrific job on season 2, with memorable episodes, such as: "The beginning and the end", "Monster", "The curse of Frank Black", "Midnight of the century", "The time is now", among others. And season 3 also has it's memorable episodes, such as: "Borrowed time" and "Antipas".
I think it's sad the show only lasted 3 seasons, in my opinion The X-files should have ended earlier, maybe on season 7, but Millennium had the potential to go on, I believe the series ended prematurely. Chris Carter created a masterpiece with The X-files, and he did it again with Millennium, creating another unique series on the history of TV, and a classic, no question about that.
Totally underrated, underground gem
mothra216 July 2006
Now that all the three (3) season have been released on DVD, it's time to look into this Chris Carter show always overshadowed by The X-Files.
I always thought Millennium was always more realistic of the two. Sure, sometimes there was some paranormal stuff going on, but not in a way that in x-files. Millennium has more of a horror-thriller-like vibe, where The X-Files focuses on UFOs and extraterrestrial activity.
There IS a sort of a continuous storyline included, so i totally recommend getting at least the two first seasons, and watching as many episodes in a row as possible. Definitely darker, and more violent than the X-Files.
I always thought Millennium was always more realistic of the two. Sure, sometimes there was some paranormal stuff going on, but not in a way that in x-files. Millennium has more of a horror-thriller-like vibe, where The X-Files focuses on UFOs and extraterrestrial activity.
There IS a sort of a continuous storyline included, so i totally recommend getting at least the two first seasons, and watching as many episodes in a row as possible. Definitely darker, and more violent than the X-Files.
MILLENNIUM: season one
matta2k20 July 2004
Very few people understood what Millennium was about, but for its fans, it remains a very stirring drama. A lot of critics misrepresent Millennium as some kind of gloomy police drama, when the cases that Frank Black investigated during the course of season one were merely vehicles in which to explore the grayer shades of humanity.
Only about half of the twenty-two episodes during the first season were concerned with just serial killers--far less than critics like to think. Look closer and you'll see that episodes like the pilot, "Gehenna," "The Judge" and "Sacrament" had supernatural/apocalyptic elements to them, which make them far less mundane than some might initially think. ("Gehenna" even had visuals of a winged beast, or Legion as the fans dubbed him, descending from the sky.)
Regarding those other, say, eight or ten serial killer episodes, Millennium addressed the big questions: What made these men? What can society do to stop them? You won't hear the investigators on CSI or Law & Order ask these questions, unless in a glib, sarcastic way. Those programs are all about police procedure. To me, *that's* depressing. When Frank looked 'into the minds of killers,' he was trying to understand them, sometimes even sympathize with them. These killers weren't evil people. They were tragic people that did evil things--most were victims themselves. Millennium gave human faces to ghastly perpetrators.
The latter season one episodes stray from the serial killer motifs. "Force Majeure" involves a man in an iron lung who preaches about a planetary alignment that will have cataclysmic consequences. "Walkabout" sheds light on Frank's past when he participates in a clinical trial for an experimental drug that might suppress his 'gift.' "Maranatha" takes Frank to the Russian district of New York in pursuit of Yaponchik, who may be the Antichrist. And then there's the stunning "Lamentation"/"Powers, Principalities, Thrones and Dominions" two-parter, in which devils and angels aren't merely a concept, but physically exist alongside Frank and his colleagues!
Millennium also isn't relentlessly gory or downbeat. Look at the endings of "The Well Worn Lock," "Powers," or especially "The Wild and the Innocent"--still one of the most uplifting hours of television I've seen to this day. A lot of the show's early work is about criminals taking responsibility, victims learning to heal, and how Frank, and his family and friends, come to an understanding about Why Bad Things Happen. Don't be so dark, critics. Millennium--seriously!--is not.
Season two of Millennium is nothing short of brilliant, but the foundation is laid here. Strong scripts, talented actors, exceptional production values, and timeless themes (the tolls of work on family life, humanity's struggle with evil, temptations of the Devil, faith and religion, corruptions in governments and organizations) make all three seasons of Millennium a MUST BUY. Don't let mistaken critics, or lackluster DVD sets (a show this rich needs more commentary!), dissuade you from owning one of the best shows of the 90's, nay, of all time.
Only about half of the twenty-two episodes during the first season were concerned with just serial killers--far less than critics like to think. Look closer and you'll see that episodes like the pilot, "Gehenna," "The Judge" and "Sacrament" had supernatural/apocalyptic elements to them, which make them far less mundane than some might initially think. ("Gehenna" even had visuals of a winged beast, or Legion as the fans dubbed him, descending from the sky.)
Regarding those other, say, eight or ten serial killer episodes, Millennium addressed the big questions: What made these men? What can society do to stop them? You won't hear the investigators on CSI or Law & Order ask these questions, unless in a glib, sarcastic way. Those programs are all about police procedure. To me, *that's* depressing. When Frank looked 'into the minds of killers,' he was trying to understand them, sometimes even sympathize with them. These killers weren't evil people. They were tragic people that did evil things--most were victims themselves. Millennium gave human faces to ghastly perpetrators.
The latter season one episodes stray from the serial killer motifs. "Force Majeure" involves a man in an iron lung who preaches about a planetary alignment that will have cataclysmic consequences. "Walkabout" sheds light on Frank's past when he participates in a clinical trial for an experimental drug that might suppress his 'gift.' "Maranatha" takes Frank to the Russian district of New York in pursuit of Yaponchik, who may be the Antichrist. And then there's the stunning "Lamentation"/"Powers, Principalities, Thrones and Dominions" two-parter, in which devils and angels aren't merely a concept, but physically exist alongside Frank and his colleagues!
Millennium also isn't relentlessly gory or downbeat. Look at the endings of "The Well Worn Lock," "Powers," or especially "The Wild and the Innocent"--still one of the most uplifting hours of television I've seen to this day. A lot of the show's early work is about criminals taking responsibility, victims learning to heal, and how Frank, and his family and friends, come to an understanding about Why Bad Things Happen. Don't be so dark, critics. Millennium--seriously!--is not.
Season two of Millennium is nothing short of brilliant, but the foundation is laid here. Strong scripts, talented actors, exceptional production values, and timeless themes (the tolls of work on family life, humanity's struggle with evil, temptations of the Devil, faith and religion, corruptions in governments and organizations) make all three seasons of Millennium a MUST BUY. Don't let mistaken critics, or lackluster DVD sets (a show this rich needs more commentary!), dissuade you from owning one of the best shows of the 90's, nay, of all time.
A show way ahead of its time
Cherubim110 September 2005
The TV series Millennium is a highly intelligent and thought-provoking show about the nature of evil and how it manifests in consensus reality.
Spanning over three distinctive Seasons, Millennium dared to shock us with graphic imagery of serial killings, torture, mutilation, supernatural appearances and destruction. Yes, Millennium is dark and brooding from its initial start but the viewer should be aware that there is indeed light and hope embodied in each and every episode. This is often depicted metaphorically as a "yellow house" or simply being close to those that understand. It was this important element that kept Millennium from becoming a total gut-wrenching and depressing show.
Each episode of Millennium feels like a mini-movie thanks to the outstanding production qualities ascribed to the show. The characters in Millennium, especially Frank Black, were people one could really relate to - even so for the perpetrators themselves to some extent since many of them were simply misguided souls that were led astray by negative forces.
Millennium itself is really nothing like the X-Files and any comparison between the two can't really be made. Millennium is a far more realistic and frightening show than the X-Files and doesn't have that "amateurish" feel which made the X-Files a bit tongue-in-cheek at times.
Millennium pioneered the "flashback" technique which showed glimpses of a killers thoughts as the main protagonist comes within the vicinity of a murder scene. Shows like CSI: Name Your City & Cold Case etc completely ripoff ideas such as this but fail in the delivery. These new crime shows are nowhere near as good as Millennium since they are designed to appeal to the bubble-gum and MTV generation. The ones with 5-sec attention spans and an eye for pretty people with no substance.
One final thing to say. The main character in Millennium - Frank Black, as played by Lance Henriksen, would have to be one of the greatest heroes in any TV show. I mean this from a true "hero" perspective - someone that is selfless and believes that the needs of society as a whole should be served first over one's individual agenda. Frank Black was this and more. A man who had been through hell and back yet never gave up despite insurmountable opposition and suffering.
Spanning over three distinctive Seasons, Millennium dared to shock us with graphic imagery of serial killings, torture, mutilation, supernatural appearances and destruction. Yes, Millennium is dark and brooding from its initial start but the viewer should be aware that there is indeed light and hope embodied in each and every episode. This is often depicted metaphorically as a "yellow house" or simply being close to those that understand. It was this important element that kept Millennium from becoming a total gut-wrenching and depressing show.
Each episode of Millennium feels like a mini-movie thanks to the outstanding production qualities ascribed to the show. The characters in Millennium, especially Frank Black, were people one could really relate to - even so for the perpetrators themselves to some extent since many of them were simply misguided souls that were led astray by negative forces.
Millennium itself is really nothing like the X-Files and any comparison between the two can't really be made. Millennium is a far more realistic and frightening show than the X-Files and doesn't have that "amateurish" feel which made the X-Files a bit tongue-in-cheek at times.
Millennium pioneered the "flashback" technique which showed glimpses of a killers thoughts as the main protagonist comes within the vicinity of a murder scene. Shows like CSI: Name Your City & Cold Case etc completely ripoff ideas such as this but fail in the delivery. These new crime shows are nowhere near as good as Millennium since they are designed to appeal to the bubble-gum and MTV generation. The ones with 5-sec attention spans and an eye for pretty people with no substance.
One final thing to say. The main character in Millennium - Frank Black, as played by Lance Henriksen, would have to be one of the greatest heroes in any TV show. I mean this from a true "hero" perspective - someone that is selfless and believes that the needs of society as a whole should be served first over one's individual agenda. Frank Black was this and more. A man who had been through hell and back yet never gave up despite insurmountable opposition and suffering.
Like Strong Dark Coffee
Venge7 December 2008
Warning: Spoilers
**MAJOR SPOILER ALERT!!!**
"Millennium" was one of the strongest dramas in the history of television. It went where no show had dared to go before. The acting was superb, the sets were remarkable and the writing was generally well above the norm. So what happened? The producers themselves admit that the show never knew what it wanted to become. Chris Carter's original vision led to the startling Season 1: the grisly crime scene, the etched face of Frank Black as he takes us into the mind of the killer, and the introduction of the mysterious "Millennium Group." It was an amazing first season.
The ratings, however, weren't that great, especially when compared to that pop sensation "X-Files", and Fox put on the pressure. So new people were put in charge of the direction of the show, and led us into Season 2, which many consider the best season, but I consider the season that led to the demise of the show.
I personally love the first half of the second season, with the emergence of Laura Means, the great depth of the Group, the strong contributions of Peter Watts, and the clearer lines between good and evil, heavenly and satanic.
Again, however, the ratings were disappointing, and the second half of the second season is turned on its head. The Millennium group becomes suspect, Laura Means goes insane, major characters are killed, and in the final episode it is suggested that 80% of the worlds population are going to die of plague.
Season 3 tries to bring the show back to where it began, but it was too late. The Black family chemistry is never the same, tho Jordan (Brittany Tipplady) continued to shine, Laura Means left a huge whole in the show when she left, Peter Watts is suddenly the bad guy, and the Millennium Group are now responsible for the worlds great evils. Chris Carter came back on board in Season 3, and in his own words says he didn't really know what to do with the pieces that pieces that were left.
That being said, Season 3 was still a very strong season, and contains some of my personal favorite episodes, in particular "Through a Glass, Darkly". Klea Scott (Emma Hollis) filled some of the vacuum left by those that were killed off in Season 2. The writing was superb, and except for a couple of weak episodes (ie. the notorious "KISS" episode!) the season stands up very well.
But again, it was the wavering of purpose and direction and leadership that finally put the hole in the waterline and sunk the show. If the producers and writers had only stayed true to the original purpose, and not buckled to the pressure being exerted by the network, the show might have seen its core audience grow and developed some longevity. There was certainly enough substance there for at least 6 or 7 seasons.
So many opportunities missed. The relationship of Lance Hendriksen and Peter Watts, the growing character of Laura Means, the unfolding of the "true" purpose of the Group, and even the continuing struggle of the Black family, of Frank and Catherine, to deal with Frank's "gift". Lucy Butler, Frank's nemesis, virtually disappears in Season 3, appearing in only 1 episode.
I own all 3 seasons and they hold a treasured place in my DVD collection, but its easy to get melancholy thinking about what might have been.
"Millennium" was one of the strongest dramas in the history of television. It went where no show had dared to go before. The acting was superb, the sets were remarkable and the writing was generally well above the norm. So what happened? The producers themselves admit that the show never knew what it wanted to become. Chris Carter's original vision led to the startling Season 1: the grisly crime scene, the etched face of Frank Black as he takes us into the mind of the killer, and the introduction of the mysterious "Millennium Group." It was an amazing first season.
The ratings, however, weren't that great, especially when compared to that pop sensation "X-Files", and Fox put on the pressure. So new people were put in charge of the direction of the show, and led us into Season 2, which many consider the best season, but I consider the season that led to the demise of the show.
I personally love the first half of the second season, with the emergence of Laura Means, the great depth of the Group, the strong contributions of Peter Watts, and the clearer lines between good and evil, heavenly and satanic.
Again, however, the ratings were disappointing, and the second half of the second season is turned on its head. The Millennium group becomes suspect, Laura Means goes insane, major characters are killed, and in the final episode it is suggested that 80% of the worlds population are going to die of plague.
Season 3 tries to bring the show back to where it began, but it was too late. The Black family chemistry is never the same, tho Jordan (Brittany Tipplady) continued to shine, Laura Means left a huge whole in the show when she left, Peter Watts is suddenly the bad guy, and the Millennium Group are now responsible for the worlds great evils. Chris Carter came back on board in Season 3, and in his own words says he didn't really know what to do with the pieces that pieces that were left.
That being said, Season 3 was still a very strong season, and contains some of my personal favorite episodes, in particular "Through a Glass, Darkly". Klea Scott (Emma Hollis) filled some of the vacuum left by those that were killed off in Season 2. The writing was superb, and except for a couple of weak episodes (ie. the notorious "KISS" episode!) the season stands up very well.
But again, it was the wavering of purpose and direction and leadership that finally put the hole in the waterline and sunk the show. If the producers and writers had only stayed true to the original purpose, and not buckled to the pressure being exerted by the network, the show might have seen its core audience grow and developed some longevity. There was certainly enough substance there for at least 6 or 7 seasons.
So many opportunities missed. The relationship of Lance Hendriksen and Peter Watts, the growing character of Laura Means, the unfolding of the "true" purpose of the Group, and even the continuing struggle of the Black family, of Frank and Catherine, to deal with Frank's "gift". Lucy Butler, Frank's nemesis, virtually disappears in Season 3, appearing in only 1 episode.
I own all 3 seasons and they hold a treasured place in my DVD collection, but its easy to get melancholy thinking about what might have been.
CSI before CSI
kingfishfilmco22 February 2009
I've been a fan of Lance for a long time, but since HBO came along I haven't seen many network series, so I missed this one. I would love to have Lance in my next film, so I've started watching it on the Chiller channel and it's great! This is CSI before CSI. Actually it's like Manhunter the series... Which as I've watched CSI, I've realized that's basically what it is. The lighting and tone of the shows is very similar as are the two leads. Lance's Frank Black is very reminiscent of William Peterson in Manhunter then of course CSI, but Millennium came before CSI.
Seems like this one was just a little too ahead of its time Great show! They should definitely make a film!
Seems like this one was just a little too ahead of its time Great show! They should definitely make a film!
Wait...Worry...The The Time Is Now...
antipas20004 June 2007
Warning: Spoilers
If someone were to come up to me and ask me: "What can you tell me about the TV series Millennium?" I could go on forever.
One of the nice effects about the series is that the overall dark plot of the series revolved around the end of the world coming in the year 2000. And it was produced before the year 2000. So the affect of making people wonder and turning heads worked well.
Firstly, I loved the dark atmostphere that is employed in the series. You had your conspiracy episodes revolving around the Millennium Group, who and what they are. There was so many questions going around and so many strange and painful events. The discovery of the Crucifixion cross, The Marbug Virus and the Prions, the death of Catherine Black, children being killed and going missing, the strange and undying evil of Lucy Butler. Oh my god....
Chris Carter started a legend with The X Files which I used to watch religiously, but then he went a step up and did something even better than X Files. Millennium.
I watch all three of the series's all the time, and always put it on when I am writing or just in general. I never get bored of "Owls" and "Roosters" - the two part myth arc where the Millennium Group was split right down the middle when the cross of the Crucifixion was discovered and a battle for its possession soon began. Part of the reason is that the same dark music used from the two episodes "Patient X" and "The Red and the Black" from The X Files (5th season) were used as well. And that was the other nice thing. The same creator - two different series and you can find the same music in and around parts.
Another huge aspect I love about Millennium is the Family story within it as well. Frank and his daughter, Jordan. I love that despite everything that had happened to him, Frank was still there for his little girl. And in the third series episode "Borrowed Time", I nearly cried at all the emotions displayed and felt so sorry for Frank - a single father going through the possibility that he was close to losing his daughter (and he had already lost his wife). The family aspect is amazing and heart-warming to see. Lance Henriksen and Brittany Tiplady did some fantastic acting and performances.
Millennium is an experience that NO fiction, horror and thriller fan should EVER go without. It is a pity that no films have been made based on the series...
One of the nice effects about the series is that the overall dark plot of the series revolved around the end of the world coming in the year 2000. And it was produced before the year 2000. So the affect of making people wonder and turning heads worked well.
Firstly, I loved the dark atmostphere that is employed in the series. You had your conspiracy episodes revolving around the Millennium Group, who and what they are. There was so many questions going around and so many strange and painful events. The discovery of the Crucifixion cross, The Marbug Virus and the Prions, the death of Catherine Black, children being killed and going missing, the strange and undying evil of Lucy Butler. Oh my god....
Chris Carter started a legend with The X Files which I used to watch religiously, but then he went a step up and did something even better than X Files. Millennium.
I watch all three of the series's all the time, and always put it on when I am writing or just in general. I never get bored of "Owls" and "Roosters" - the two part myth arc where the Millennium Group was split right down the middle when the cross of the Crucifixion was discovered and a battle for its possession soon began. Part of the reason is that the same dark music used from the two episodes "Patient X" and "The Red and the Black" from The X Files (5th season) were used as well. And that was the other nice thing. The same creator - two different series and you can find the same music in and around parts.
Another huge aspect I love about Millennium is the Family story within it as well. Frank and his daughter, Jordan. I love that despite everything that had happened to him, Frank was still there for his little girl. And in the third series episode "Borrowed Time", I nearly cried at all the emotions displayed and felt so sorry for Frank - a single father going through the possibility that he was close to losing his daughter (and he had already lost his wife). The family aspect is amazing and heart-warming to see. Lance Henriksen and Brittany Tiplady did some fantastic acting and performances.
Millennium is an experience that NO fiction, horror and thriller fan should EVER go without. It is a pity that no films have been made based on the series...
We don't need another X-Files
R3ason15 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This three-season show was called off by Fox, ending with a cliffhanger. I think the reason behind this was that no one wanted another X-Files when it was still airing.
The show was made by Chris Carter and the scores were composed by Mark Snow, it is hard not to relate this show to X-Files. However, the first season felt completely different from X-Files. Almost every case was explicitly explained without supernatural phenomena and conspiracy theories, which were the main elements constructing X-Files. Additionally, they created a dark and depressing atmosphere for this show. The show was trying to ask and answer 'what the evil really is', resembling Stephen King's work where he was seeking for the nature of fear. In a word, season 1 was very distinguishing and truly a hidden gem.
At the end of the first season, the familiar X-Files-like seasonal ending just appeared. By saying this, I mean they made a cliffhanger but ended it with something trivial in the next season (no questions answered but more asked). Then here went season 2. Because of X-Files season 5's shooting, Chris left this show to two young producers. Although the subject of the show was unchanged, these two producers did something experimental in this season. I must mention episode 21 'Somehow, Satan Got Behind Me'. Although it is highly rated, I think it is contradictory to this show. This episode consists of four short stories with black humor, but not so humourous. In season 1, no humor was added because humor would spoil the atmosphere. Nevertheless, supernatural and conspiracy element came *back* into this show, making it more similar to X-Files. Apart from that, they tried to exploit the main character but ended up with a stereotype: a farher protecting his family. Most exploring on the main character began with a threat to his family. They surely could do more than this, because they had a main character who directly touched the evil, would this have any effect on him? The ending of season 2 was not well developed, either. But there was a reason for this. The producers concluded the story in limited time for fear of the cancellation of the show. And many people in their group was looking for new jobs due to the same reason, leaving the producers short of hands.
Season 2 was not the worst. Some episodes were as impressive as the ones in the first season. In addition, season 2 switched from the evil influenced by environment to the pure evil, and was at least in accordance with the first season.
Season 3 was a total failure, even the return of Chris Carter did not save this show. The subject of the show changed from the true nature of evil to the conspiracy of Milliennium Group. They even added a Scully for the Mulder in this show. Story patterns were also similar to X-Files. There were 'Monster of the week' episodes. In the meantime, people related to the Group showed up from time to time, reminding you about them and their conspiracies. Compared with the ones in former seasons, plots in some episodes deteriorated due to the lack of creativity. In the end, they made another X-Files-like ending of the season. The only thing that differentiates this show from X-Files in season 3, was that they always had a murder case to investigate and a criminal to chase.
Maybe Fox did not see the point of making another X-Files, maybe something else happened. They decided to end this show instead of ruining it. If they did ruin a show called millennium right before the millennium, it would be the hugest mistake ever made in TV history.
The show was made by Chris Carter and the scores were composed by Mark Snow, it is hard not to relate this show to X-Files. However, the first season felt completely different from X-Files. Almost every case was explicitly explained without supernatural phenomena and conspiracy theories, which were the main elements constructing X-Files. Additionally, they created a dark and depressing atmosphere for this show. The show was trying to ask and answer 'what the evil really is', resembling Stephen King's work where he was seeking for the nature of fear. In a word, season 1 was very distinguishing and truly a hidden gem.
At the end of the first season, the familiar X-Files-like seasonal ending just appeared. By saying this, I mean they made a cliffhanger but ended it with something trivial in the next season (no questions answered but more asked). Then here went season 2. Because of X-Files season 5's shooting, Chris left this show to two young producers. Although the subject of the show was unchanged, these two producers did something experimental in this season. I must mention episode 21 'Somehow, Satan Got Behind Me'. Although it is highly rated, I think it is contradictory to this show. This episode consists of four short stories with black humor, but not so humourous. In season 1, no humor was added because humor would spoil the atmosphere. Nevertheless, supernatural and conspiracy element came *back* into this show, making it more similar to X-Files. Apart from that, they tried to exploit the main character but ended up with a stereotype: a farher protecting his family. Most exploring on the main character began with a threat to his family. They surely could do more than this, because they had a main character who directly touched the evil, would this have any effect on him? The ending of season 2 was not well developed, either. But there was a reason for this. The producers concluded the story in limited time for fear of the cancellation of the show. And many people in their group was looking for new jobs due to the same reason, leaving the producers short of hands.
Season 2 was not the worst. Some episodes were as impressive as the ones in the first season. In addition, season 2 switched from the evil influenced by environment to the pure evil, and was at least in accordance with the first season.
Season 3 was a total failure, even the return of Chris Carter did not save this show. The subject of the show changed from the true nature of evil to the conspiracy of Milliennium Group. They even added a Scully for the Mulder in this show. Story patterns were also similar to X-Files. There were 'Monster of the week' episodes. In the meantime, people related to the Group showed up from time to time, reminding you about them and their conspiracies. Compared with the ones in former seasons, plots in some episodes deteriorated due to the lack of creativity. In the end, they made another X-Files-like ending of the season. The only thing that differentiates this show from X-Files in season 3, was that they always had a murder case to investigate and a criminal to chase.
Maybe Fox did not see the point of making another X-Files, maybe something else happened. They decided to end this show instead of ruining it. If they did ruin a show called millennium right before the millennium, it would be the hugest mistake ever made in TV history.
Imitated extensivley never attatined by all of the wannabes
mark_gossett26 May 2006
Ever since the pilot I knew this would be something special. Seeing Lance Henriksen in his own TV show was a dream come true. He was always a favorite and is my own personal favorite actor of all time. The Man with the Golden Voice. This show was too heavy for the era it came out. All the crap TV want to be's like profiler, CSI, closer, etc... what garbage. Even law and order took the two opening notes from millennium (wonder if Chris carter figured that out!). I have all the episodes and watch them constantly. I hate how the great shows get sent away then they come up with new crap (and crap it is) that isn't near as good and fails in every way. Millennium was the darkest and most intriguing show with the most intense character (henriksen) i've ever seen on TV. I wish people would take note of the crap they watch. I say go out and get what every crime show today has copied off of and will never be able to duplicate: Millennium. This Is Who We Are
second X
SnoopyStyle31 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Former FBI agent Frank Black (Lance Henriksen) is a celebrated crime solver with the ability to see through the killers' eyes. He retired early to bring his wife Catherine (Megan Gallagher) and daughter home to Seattle after someone seems to be stalking his family. Now he works with the mysterious private organization, the Millennium Group. He consults with local police and liaisons with Millennium operative Peter Watts (Terry O'Quinn).
The first season is a dark brooding police procedural. There are usually no twists or turns or mystery as the perps are shown from the very beginning. It's a straight up police investigation. The most memorable is the haunting opening with the slumping lady and ends with the words, "Who Cares?". It is the definition of sadness. The second season is the most intriguing. The story element takes off as the show becomes more serialized. It slowly uncovers the Millennium Group. It also helps to binge it. This new era of binging really helps make it compelling television. The third season goes back to episodic police procedural. There is more variety in the tone but it's a step back. The wife is dead which forces Frank to be a single dad. That becomes a problem of its own. It was probably a contract issue but it's still a mistake. The wife has more room to grow. Whatever the reason, the show does bring her back for an one episode cameo. They do a few episodes about the daughter which only reinforces my desire to have the wife back. Frank basically gets a new partner and the show abandons the unraveling of the group. Millennium becomes more or less an evil conspiracy. It's simplified and less interesting.
Creator Chris Carter created this after the iconic X-Files. During its original run, I watched a few episodes but the show's dark flatness drove me away. It has no story arc or it's pure darkness. It's playing the same note over and over again like Henriksen's monotone voice. The dark mood is interesting but it wore me out. Binging it today is a bit more compelling. One can quickly work through the flat first season and get to the interesting second season. The third season has a few interesting episodes. Overall, it's an interesting companion piece to X-Files and a must for those fans.
The first season is a dark brooding police procedural. There are usually no twists or turns or mystery as the perps are shown from the very beginning. It's a straight up police investigation. The most memorable is the haunting opening with the slumping lady and ends with the words, "Who Cares?". It is the definition of sadness. The second season is the most intriguing. The story element takes off as the show becomes more serialized. It slowly uncovers the Millennium Group. It also helps to binge it. This new era of binging really helps make it compelling television. The third season goes back to episodic police procedural. There is more variety in the tone but it's a step back. The wife is dead which forces Frank to be a single dad. That becomes a problem of its own. It was probably a contract issue but it's still a mistake. The wife has more room to grow. Whatever the reason, the show does bring her back for an one episode cameo. They do a few episodes about the daughter which only reinforces my desire to have the wife back. Frank basically gets a new partner and the show abandons the unraveling of the group. Millennium becomes more or less an evil conspiracy. It's simplified and less interesting.
Creator Chris Carter created this after the iconic X-Files. During its original run, I watched a few episodes but the show's dark flatness drove me away. It has no story arc or it's pure darkness. It's playing the same note over and over again like Henriksen's monotone voice. The dark mood is interesting but it wore me out. Binging it today is a bit more compelling. One can quickly work through the flat first season and get to the interesting second season. The third season has a few interesting episodes. Overall, it's an interesting companion piece to X-Files and a must for those fans.
The (Often Overlooked & Underrated) Saga of Frank Black
SilentDues1 July 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Millennium. A dramatic-thriller series which delves into a multitude of genres from serial killer investigations, government conspiracy, biblical prophecy, and even some supernatural elements. A quite dark series on top of that, created by Chris Carter and aired by Fox, a small-yet-incredible piece of The X-Files universe that stands on its own. Starring Lance Henrikson, his show differs from its sibling series' long run, being cut short at three seasons (with a 'coda' crossover episode). In its entirety, this is the story of Frank Black and his daughter Jordan. And you know what...
I absolutely love this show! I've only recently gotten into Millennium, with big thanks to the Chiller cable channel, and am now proud to say I own the series DVD set (showing both my love for the series and support for a future feature film). This mark in thriller television history took some most interesting and unexpected turns, overseen by different writers and figure-heads, but always given the blessing and support of its creator. Millennium is, as I view it, unique in that it's primarily a "family show" which happens to involve serial killer investigating and some rather blunt violence & realism, forcing me to suggest it just for adults.
As I'm quite sure others have pointed out, each season clearly has its own distinctive style and scope. Season 1, being the first year where the cast and writers have to find themselves, serves as a pure gritty (and at times shockingly violent) 'serial killer investigation' drama, being mostly stand-alone "killer of the week" while also supplying an underlaid over-all arc with a certain stalker of Frank's. Season 2 kicks things up a huge notch by exploring the mythology of the show's namesake Group in near-epic ways, where the conspiracy and biblical material the show can be known well for brings out all the stops. Then with Season 3, Millennium's main city venue makes the move from Seattle, Washington to Quantico, Virginia where Frank gets back to his roots and lets his feelings for the Group be very clear as he starts working with a new partner.
While I love Seasons 1 and 3, Season 2 may in fact by my favorite of the show. I know the story heads and main writers, Morgan & Wong, get a heck of a lot of flak for their new direction to the show, but dang... The stakes to Frank's journey are raised so considerably and the turns Millennium takes in its mythology exploration are downright breath-taking, displaying its best overall season arc IMHO. I'm not gonna knock off Season 3 though, while its own new direction may take some getting used to at first, it continues to elevate the rising stakes in a more subdued and yet continually intriguing manner as the clock to the year 2000 seriously ticks down. I also get a joy out of the complex Emma, whom while I don't like as much as Frank's wife Catherine, becomes a great partner to Frank and thus holds quite a shock in the series finale.
Other pivotal characters include, as already mentioned, Frank's wife Catherine. A more stunning and brilliant actress couldn't have been selected, 'nough said. The character of Peter Watts, whom ultimately goes from Frank's liaison to the group to his best friend, is in my view the most fascinating character of the series. While there's a considerable gap to his character development between the second and third seasons, his development and evolution proves to be extraordinary and for where his story ultimately ends up, it doesn't disappoint IMO. Frank and his perfectly-cute daughter, Jordan, serve as the two main characters from the very beginning to the very end, therefore I'd argue Millennium is just as much their story as anybody's, I'd say their relationship is one all fathers to young girls could admire.
On the whole and in the end, Millennium is a very dark series that like other fantastic shows such as Angel, Firefly, and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, was canceled in its prime long before its time. It really wasn't afraid to hold anything back, pulling no punches if ya' wanna put it that way, as any character could die. I am absolutely in love with it and would be on cloud 9 if a feature film were made, as there's always more room to explore. I always somehow get tears in my eyes, and yes I'm a guy, when watching the last few minutes of the series finale, "Goodbye to All That". Even though the show finishes months before the year 2000, "May 21st, 1999" to be exact, it's just such a poignant and beautiful moment during the final exchange between Frank and his little girl.
Luckily, while there aren't yet any feature film plans, we did get a sort of continuation and conclusion beyond the series finale. The X-Files Season 7 episode, appropriately titled "Millennium", features the return and final appearances of Frank Black (and his daughter Jordan, though really only a cameo in her case) approximately 7 months after the finale as the year 2000 is finally reached, a 'coda' crossover that's beautifully enough included on Season 3's last disc. Now this episode gets more than its fair share of flak IMO for how matters with Frank, or rather the Group mostly, are handled. However, I was surprisingly pleased, enjoying the episode on more than one viewing, even if it may be on a X-Files level of weirdness. It offers some decent enough closure beyond the show's finale in my view and that final scene between Frank and Jordan... it's just absolutely perfect to finally see them together, without the threat of the Group on them, and no longer having to go on the run.
The saga of Frank Black is not to be missed if you value unbelievably profound, beautiful, & gripping story telling. I fully recommend it, 10 stars~
I absolutely love this show! I've only recently gotten into Millennium, with big thanks to the Chiller cable channel, and am now proud to say I own the series DVD set (showing both my love for the series and support for a future feature film). This mark in thriller television history took some most interesting and unexpected turns, overseen by different writers and figure-heads, but always given the blessing and support of its creator. Millennium is, as I view it, unique in that it's primarily a "family show" which happens to involve serial killer investigating and some rather blunt violence & realism, forcing me to suggest it just for adults.
As I'm quite sure others have pointed out, each season clearly has its own distinctive style and scope. Season 1, being the first year where the cast and writers have to find themselves, serves as a pure gritty (and at times shockingly violent) 'serial killer investigation' drama, being mostly stand-alone "killer of the week" while also supplying an underlaid over-all arc with a certain stalker of Frank's. Season 2 kicks things up a huge notch by exploring the mythology of the show's namesake Group in near-epic ways, where the conspiracy and biblical material the show can be known well for brings out all the stops. Then with Season 3, Millennium's main city venue makes the move from Seattle, Washington to Quantico, Virginia where Frank gets back to his roots and lets his feelings for the Group be very clear as he starts working with a new partner.
While I love Seasons 1 and 3, Season 2 may in fact by my favorite of the show. I know the story heads and main writers, Morgan & Wong, get a heck of a lot of flak for their new direction to the show, but dang... The stakes to Frank's journey are raised so considerably and the turns Millennium takes in its mythology exploration are downright breath-taking, displaying its best overall season arc IMHO. I'm not gonna knock off Season 3 though, while its own new direction may take some getting used to at first, it continues to elevate the rising stakes in a more subdued and yet continually intriguing manner as the clock to the year 2000 seriously ticks down. I also get a joy out of the complex Emma, whom while I don't like as much as Frank's wife Catherine, becomes a great partner to Frank and thus holds quite a shock in the series finale.
Other pivotal characters include, as already mentioned, Frank's wife Catherine. A more stunning and brilliant actress couldn't have been selected, 'nough said. The character of Peter Watts, whom ultimately goes from Frank's liaison to the group to his best friend, is in my view the most fascinating character of the series. While there's a considerable gap to his character development between the second and third seasons, his development and evolution proves to be extraordinary and for where his story ultimately ends up, it doesn't disappoint IMO. Frank and his perfectly-cute daughter, Jordan, serve as the two main characters from the very beginning to the very end, therefore I'd argue Millennium is just as much their story as anybody's, I'd say their relationship is one all fathers to young girls could admire.
On the whole and in the end, Millennium is a very dark series that like other fantastic shows such as Angel, Firefly, and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, was canceled in its prime long before its time. It really wasn't afraid to hold anything back, pulling no punches if ya' wanna put it that way, as any character could die. I am absolutely in love with it and would be on cloud 9 if a feature film were made, as there's always more room to explore. I always somehow get tears in my eyes, and yes I'm a guy, when watching the last few minutes of the series finale, "Goodbye to All That". Even though the show finishes months before the year 2000, "May 21st, 1999" to be exact, it's just such a poignant and beautiful moment during the final exchange between Frank and his little girl.
Luckily, while there aren't yet any feature film plans, we did get a sort of continuation and conclusion beyond the series finale. The X-Files Season 7 episode, appropriately titled "Millennium", features the return and final appearances of Frank Black (and his daughter Jordan, though really only a cameo in her case) approximately 7 months after the finale as the year 2000 is finally reached, a 'coda' crossover that's beautifully enough included on Season 3's last disc. Now this episode gets more than its fair share of flak IMO for how matters with Frank, or rather the Group mostly, are handled. However, I was surprisingly pleased, enjoying the episode on more than one viewing, even if it may be on a X-Files level of weirdness. It offers some decent enough closure beyond the show's finale in my view and that final scene between Frank and Jordan... it's just absolutely perfect to finally see them together, without the threat of the Group on them, and no longer having to go on the run.
The saga of Frank Black is not to be missed if you value unbelievably profound, beautiful, & gripping story telling. I fully recommend it, 10 stars~
Overrated.
deloudelouvain2 March 2020
All I see and read on here are extremelly positive reviews for Millennium. I don't know if they wrote those in the nineties or now but I watched the first five or six episodes in 2020 and I'm really not impressed at all by it. I did like The X-Files when I was young and that's why I gave this show a shot. You can see Chris Carter's stamp on this one, the same sound or music tunes, the same one episode, one solution concept, that worked for The X-Files, not for Millennium. I don't even feel like growing into the show, I'm just going to give up on it, as for that there are dozens of better shows made in this decade. Maybe in the nineties I would have liked it but compared to the excellent shows we have now this feels weak and I'm not going to waste my time on it.
An Underrated Gem.
eamon-hennedy27 October 2003
Singers or rock bands will release an album. It may be their first and sometimes that album can be very successful selling copies by the bucketful and then when it comes to their follow up they disappoint. Sometimes the quality of that second album is higher than the first, but the case is the mainstream are either disappointed, or not interested. So it is with Chris Carter's Millennium, the second series he made after the mammoth success of his breakthrough series The X Files. Whereas The X Files is about how their is light at the end of that dark journey you may journey, Millennium was always about the opposite and thus the tone of the show was set and it may have led to the disappointing ratings and a sudden cancellation after three seasons. This is a shame as this was undeniably one of the finest television dramas ever created, giving us one of the best central performances in a television drama series and giving us sixty odd episodes of thought provoking if very disturbing drama.
Whereas The X Files gave the audience a quirky set of characters in the shape of Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, Millennium gave us the dark, secluded and world weary Frank Black, a man who investigated cases of serial killer using a unique, almost clairvoyant like ability to see what the killer was able to see. This set up was fantastic and like The X Files paved the way for over twenty mini movies a season. The stories were frequently clever and very well told and the main performance from Lancer Henriksen, the most underrated actor if there ever was one, was a sight to watch. The series was frequently disturbing, offering some of the most graphic images on mainstream network American television, the stories were hard hitting (incest and child molestation was dealt with at one point) and even the dip into X Files-esque waters worked as the paranormal element usually had something to do with the end of the world thus sometimes facilitating an explanation as to why so many bad things were happening in the world all of a sudden.
The thing was viewers were not prepared for this in light of The X Files. While both shows had the same creator and the same writers and directors, there was no break from the inherent darkness of Millennium. The X Files would counter balance the conspiracy and horror stories with episodes of light humor and whimsical comedy, but here there was not. Even the odd comedy episode had darker elements. A cross over with The X Files would see the character of Jose Chung appear. He was dead at the end of the episode he appeared in. It was story developments like these that let one know that this was not show of optimism and hope, even if the title sequence tried to tell us that. Nope, Millennium was dark, hideous and violent, but it was still a great show that was never given much of a chance. The critics outside of horror and science fiction circles didn't like it and audiences found it too much, but there was denying that this was a superb show.
Like The X Files the visual level and production values were superb and the moody Vancouver locations worked a charm, whilst there was rarely ever a bad episode. Here's hoping time will catch up with this fantastic show and that maybe some day an audience will appreciate it fully.
Whereas The X Files gave the audience a quirky set of characters in the shape of Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, Millennium gave us the dark, secluded and world weary Frank Black, a man who investigated cases of serial killer using a unique, almost clairvoyant like ability to see what the killer was able to see. This set up was fantastic and like The X Files paved the way for over twenty mini movies a season. The stories were frequently clever and very well told and the main performance from Lancer Henriksen, the most underrated actor if there ever was one, was a sight to watch. The series was frequently disturbing, offering some of the most graphic images on mainstream network American television, the stories were hard hitting (incest and child molestation was dealt with at one point) and even the dip into X Files-esque waters worked as the paranormal element usually had something to do with the end of the world thus sometimes facilitating an explanation as to why so many bad things were happening in the world all of a sudden.
The thing was viewers were not prepared for this in light of The X Files. While both shows had the same creator and the same writers and directors, there was no break from the inherent darkness of Millennium. The X Files would counter balance the conspiracy and horror stories with episodes of light humor and whimsical comedy, but here there was not. Even the odd comedy episode had darker elements. A cross over with The X Files would see the character of Jose Chung appear. He was dead at the end of the episode he appeared in. It was story developments like these that let one know that this was not show of optimism and hope, even if the title sequence tried to tell us that. Nope, Millennium was dark, hideous and violent, but it was still a great show that was never given much of a chance. The critics outside of horror and science fiction circles didn't like it and audiences found it too much, but there was denying that this was a superb show.
Like The X Files the visual level and production values were superb and the moody Vancouver locations worked a charm, whilst there was rarely ever a bad episode. Here's hoping time will catch up with this fantastic show and that maybe some day an audience will appreciate it fully.
Awesome Cult Classic
EricBosarge27 February 2009
This was by far one of my favorite shows in the late nineties. From the pilot which is one of he best ever made, as shows struggle to get their feet under them, this one came out blasting. I bought the DVD's last week and even thirteen years later, this show is still rocking. The story lines, the people, the themes, etc. were and still awesome. It went up against Profiler which was awesome in its own right. Chris Carter really put an awesome show together and even though it fizzled and ended after three years, it was still awesome. I wish Fox had put as much effort in this show as The X-files, it would have lasted longer. Lance Henrickson was great as Frank Black. Some of the episodes were very thought provoking, one of my favorites is the "Judge". Also, the one dealing with the Zodiac killer is a classic and should go down in the books as "Rocking". If you have not given this show a shot, DO IT!
Mysterium
soulassassinx13 January 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Basically this is about code breaking. All religions are the mother of theology is about breaking the codes. This is a show about breaking the codes shown in the cracks between profane life, the soul and the scrapheap antimatter in between.
It is a pity that this show followed after The X-Files and was compared to it.
Most criticism this show has gotten comes from people who don't seem to understand it. It's one of those shows you understand very little of if you don't see all episodes and that is just great.
Personally I can't stand TV-series with one evening resolutions like that godawful CSI or relentless crap like "lawyer shows".
Apart from all the brilliant TV-series made by HBO Millennium is one of those shows I real hate not being able to watch anymore. In fact it's so good and one of those shows you wish you never saw so you could see it anew.
I am a high school teacher and teach religion, I spent three and a half years in the theological faculty and wrote me bachelors degree about the end of the world, i.e. apokalytica. The studies about the myths of the end of the world.
Millennium digs down in the huge pile of myths and present a true and horryfying version of it set in modern society and really makes me remember the collective anxiety regarding the coming of the new millennia.
The illness of the world and what aisle the human psyche is constant in the show and it makes you feel uncomfortable. TV4 in Sweden, like most of the time managed, to screw this show up, by airing it on different times or around midnight workdays and changing the airing days - their trailer for the show said it was about a former cop hunting serial killers. It's not, it's about the hunt for the truth in the obscure and sometimes the bizarre. The Swedish public expected to see a cop show and soon turned away thus banning it to airing times 2 o'clock in the morning between a Monday and tuseday.
There are some episodes and elements that'll stick to you. As many others have said the episode namned The Curse of Frank Black is amazing. The scene in the lodge when the plague hits is also very good. Legion is a scary figure and sometimes it's presence makes me think of the best show ever on TV Twin Peaks.
The Millennium group and the webs of conspiracies leaves the viewer with intellectual speculation and that is how I want to be left after viewing a show and not with some damn fingerpointining and sugarcoated morality Hoartio Caine style.
Why this show was canceled is a damn shame but it's understandable. Most people are not into active viewing, they want sitcoms, reality shows and cop shows, but I tip my hat to the creators of Millennium and celebrate their work because we, who like to think for ourselves, should have som shows to watch too.
It is a pity that this show followed after The X-Files and was compared to it.
Most criticism this show has gotten comes from people who don't seem to understand it. It's one of those shows you understand very little of if you don't see all episodes and that is just great.
Personally I can't stand TV-series with one evening resolutions like that godawful CSI or relentless crap like "lawyer shows".
Apart from all the brilliant TV-series made by HBO Millennium is one of those shows I real hate not being able to watch anymore. In fact it's so good and one of those shows you wish you never saw so you could see it anew.
I am a high school teacher and teach religion, I spent three and a half years in the theological faculty and wrote me bachelors degree about the end of the world, i.e. apokalytica. The studies about the myths of the end of the world.
Millennium digs down in the huge pile of myths and present a true and horryfying version of it set in modern society and really makes me remember the collective anxiety regarding the coming of the new millennia.
The illness of the world and what aisle the human psyche is constant in the show and it makes you feel uncomfortable. TV4 in Sweden, like most of the time managed, to screw this show up, by airing it on different times or around midnight workdays and changing the airing days - their trailer for the show said it was about a former cop hunting serial killers. It's not, it's about the hunt for the truth in the obscure and sometimes the bizarre. The Swedish public expected to see a cop show and soon turned away thus banning it to airing times 2 o'clock in the morning between a Monday and tuseday.
There are some episodes and elements that'll stick to you. As many others have said the episode namned The Curse of Frank Black is amazing. The scene in the lodge when the plague hits is also very good. Legion is a scary figure and sometimes it's presence makes me think of the best show ever on TV Twin Peaks.
The Millennium group and the webs of conspiracies leaves the viewer with intellectual speculation and that is how I want to be left after viewing a show and not with some damn fingerpointining and sugarcoated morality Hoartio Caine style.
Why this show was canceled is a damn shame but it's understandable. Most people are not into active viewing, they want sitcoms, reality shows and cop shows, but I tip my hat to the creators of Millennium and celebrate their work because we, who like to think for ourselves, should have som shows to watch too.
This show can not be forgotten
lswallow-8883711 April 2016
Millennium is easily one of the best shows of the 90s, the fans still shout loud for a comeback and once you watch this series you can see why, it's dark but beautifully shot with a sense of dread and a sinister feeling running through which keeps you hooked, the acting is superb and it just keeps getting better episode by episode. You can feel the X- Files touch in this show but it always stands as its own creation.... Millennium is worth being in anyone's collection but with only three seasons it does leave you feeling like what could of been, but what we do have is a strangely haunting and dark show that just might make a comeback and if it does I for one will be extremely happy.
Perfect 10
harrisvm28 August 2006
I've recently purchased all 3 seasons. I am a huge horror/thriller fan, and this series has it all. It is legitimately scary, This show is great. Lance Henricksen plays his character to a T. The show has a lot of supernatural and religious connotations which only serve to drive the story forward. There are so many aspects of this show that can only be described as wonderful. I haven't been this pleased with a show in a long while. My sister actually told me about this show when it was on television and I had ignored her. My mistake !!! At least by buying the DVD's I won't miss one episode !!! The character development is top notch, as you come to care about them, even some of the conflicted killers. If you can pick Millennium one up I highly recommend them. You won't be disappointed.
An Excellent Series!
magboogdoog21 October 2006
I have only seen Series 1 of this series, but I must say that this is an excellent series. What is interesting about 'Millennium' is that it is set in the same time and space as the 'X-Files'. This is due to the Millennium Episode that is featured in X-Files Season 7 where the character Frank Black helps Mulder and Scully solve a case involving undead individuals who were members of the millennium group coming back to life.
But in the Millennium series, Frank Black helps the FBI investigate Serial Killers and Cult groups in a different location in America while Mulder and Scully who are FBI Agents investigate Paranormal and Horror etc in other locations.
But Millennium is a very dark series, much darker and disturbing than the X-Files with far more stronger and believable characters and far more stronger and believable story lines and really gripping music.
I strongly recommend this series to anyone who is a fan of the X-Files as you will not be disappointed.
Excellent.
But in the Millennium series, Frank Black helps the FBI investigate Serial Killers and Cult groups in a different location in America while Mulder and Scully who are FBI Agents investigate Paranormal and Horror etc in other locations.
But Millennium is a very dark series, much darker and disturbing than the X-Files with far more stronger and believable characters and far more stronger and believable story lines and really gripping music.
I strongly recommend this series to anyone who is a fan of the X-Files as you will not be disappointed.
Excellent.
This is who we are
Sanpaco1314 October 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Millennium is one of my favorite shows ever since I first watched it. I was initially drawn to it because I am an X-Files fan and remembered it being on back in the day. I had never watched it though because it seemed a lot scarier than X-Files and I was scared enough as it was by that show. But years and desensitization later I decided to give the show a try.
The Pilot episode is possible one of the most memorable pilots I have ever seen. It immediately lets you know that this is nothing like The X-Files. This show is going to be much darker and scarier. Frank Black is an ex-FBI profiler, who works as a consultant for the Millennium Group, providing profiles on criminal cases, especially serial violent offenders. The idea for the show, as explained by Chris Carter, came from three concepts. The episode "Irresitible" from The X-Files second season, the movie "Se7en", and an actual group of ex-law enforcement who actually do profiling consulting called Academy Group Inc. This show exposed me to many things that have since become part of my wide spectrum of interests, including true crime, science fiction, horror, and psychology. The production history of the show was somewhat disjointed and had some controversial drama behind the scenes. As such I think the show really needs to be judged by each season individually rather than as a whole.
Season 1 was very dark and followed a SKOTW (Serial Killer of the Week) format. It was similar to the show Criminal Minds with a bit of a paranormal twist, and was an early precursor to many of the true crime shows that are so popular today. The main character, Frank Black, is masterfully played by Lance Henriksen, and his friend and group mentor is Peter Watts, played by the wonderful actor Terry O'Quinn. Season 1 takes some time to build any deeper story arc but does introduce the audience to the recurring character Lucy Butler who will feature prominently in the series as Frank's nemesis, as well as involving an arc about a stalker who sends Frank candid Polaroids of his family. The highlights of season 1 for me are the Pilot, Blood Relatives, Force Majeure, and Lamentation. Chris Carter was originally closely involved in season 1 and his desire for the series was never to have much of a deep arcing story, but to keep the show more episodic and to focus on Frank's "ability" which is a physic/not-psychic ability to see into the mind of the killer through a series of flashes or visions.
In season 2, Chris Carter was taken away from the show to focus on The X-Files: Fight the Future movie and left the show in the care of Executive Producers Glenn Morgan and James Wong, two of my favorite tv developers. The pair had already been heavily involved in The X-Files and are responsible for some of the more memorable episodes, including the banned from television episode "Home". They have a dark sense of humor and are also known for including references and easter eggs that leave viewers always paying attention and guessing. In an attempt to spark more interest in the show and in response to complaints that season 1 was too dark for some viewers, they decided to delve deeper into the history of the MIllennium Group and began to set up a very interesting mythology based on religious philosophy surrounding the end of the world and the nature of good and evil. Season 2 produced some of the better episodes in my opinion, however, ratings dropped and they were under the impression that the show was going to be canceled. There were also rumblings that Chris Carter was displeased with they way they had gone against his vision to keep the show less about conspiracy and more about Frank's ability. Because of such they decided to end the season with an end of the world plague and then quit as show runners, which left the show in a strange position going into season 3. A few of my favorite episodes from season 2 are ones that get deeper into Frank's character and also added some sense of humor to the show such as Monster, The Curse of Frank Black, Jose Chung's Doomsday Defense (a sort of twin/crossover episode with The X-Files' Jose Chung's From Outer Space), Luminary, A Room With No View, and Somehow, Satan Got Behind Me.
Season 3. Morgan and Wong had now left the show and Chris Carter came back having little to no idea what kind of mythology they had been building or what their plans had been with it. Unfortunately this led to a lot of confusing and even boring plot lines. The plague that had supposedly killed most of humanity, was change into a minor outbreak in a remote area of Washington and an attempt was made to switch the show back to the SKOTW format. While this did produce some great episodes in the third season, including some very creepy Lucy Butler centric episodes, unfortunately the show suffered from a sporadically changing mythology. Frank's attempts in the third season at investigating and exposing the Millennium Group are mostly just frustrating and at times very uninteresting. The show ends on a cliffhanger type ending as Frank and his daughter drive off to who-knows-where leaving "all that behind". The end left this viewer quite dissatisfied and wanting a better wrap up or closure. Some of the better episodes of Season 3 are ...Thirteen Years Later, Antipas, and Saturn Dreaming of Mercury (an episode that actually gave me nightmares).
An attempt was made to conclude or pay homage to the series through a cross-over episode of the X-Files entitled "Millenium" in season 7. But despite having one of the show's better writers on the case (Vince Gilligan) he had no experience with the Millennium series. The co-writer Frank Spotnitz did but apparently not enough to realize that this was a poor homage to Frank Black. It works quite well as an X-Files episode. But it is terrible as a Millennium episode.
The hope among many fans at one time was that Millennium would get a movie tribute, especially after the resurgence of The X-Files: I Want to Believe and seasons 10 and 11, but despite interest from fans and cast members, it doesn't appear that Chris Carter has been interested in taking on such a project. I would have been very interesting to see both franchises get a movie in 2012, each to explain and wrap up their end of the world mythologies in accordance with the ending of the Mayan calendar, but the opportunity has passed. Even with its flaws and tragic history that led to its demise after three short seasons, this is a show worth checking out and has a very strong cult fan-base that make learning more about the show very interesting and rewarding. I give the series a 10 out of 10.
The Pilot episode is possible one of the most memorable pilots I have ever seen. It immediately lets you know that this is nothing like The X-Files. This show is going to be much darker and scarier. Frank Black is an ex-FBI profiler, who works as a consultant for the Millennium Group, providing profiles on criminal cases, especially serial violent offenders. The idea for the show, as explained by Chris Carter, came from three concepts. The episode "Irresitible" from The X-Files second season, the movie "Se7en", and an actual group of ex-law enforcement who actually do profiling consulting called Academy Group Inc. This show exposed me to many things that have since become part of my wide spectrum of interests, including true crime, science fiction, horror, and psychology. The production history of the show was somewhat disjointed and had some controversial drama behind the scenes. As such I think the show really needs to be judged by each season individually rather than as a whole.
Season 1 was very dark and followed a SKOTW (Serial Killer of the Week) format. It was similar to the show Criminal Minds with a bit of a paranormal twist, and was an early precursor to many of the true crime shows that are so popular today. The main character, Frank Black, is masterfully played by Lance Henriksen, and his friend and group mentor is Peter Watts, played by the wonderful actor Terry O'Quinn. Season 1 takes some time to build any deeper story arc but does introduce the audience to the recurring character Lucy Butler who will feature prominently in the series as Frank's nemesis, as well as involving an arc about a stalker who sends Frank candid Polaroids of his family. The highlights of season 1 for me are the Pilot, Blood Relatives, Force Majeure, and Lamentation. Chris Carter was originally closely involved in season 1 and his desire for the series was never to have much of a deep arcing story, but to keep the show more episodic and to focus on Frank's "ability" which is a physic/not-psychic ability to see into the mind of the killer through a series of flashes or visions.
In season 2, Chris Carter was taken away from the show to focus on The X-Files: Fight the Future movie and left the show in the care of Executive Producers Glenn Morgan and James Wong, two of my favorite tv developers. The pair had already been heavily involved in The X-Files and are responsible for some of the more memorable episodes, including the banned from television episode "Home". They have a dark sense of humor and are also known for including references and easter eggs that leave viewers always paying attention and guessing. In an attempt to spark more interest in the show and in response to complaints that season 1 was too dark for some viewers, they decided to delve deeper into the history of the MIllennium Group and began to set up a very interesting mythology based on religious philosophy surrounding the end of the world and the nature of good and evil. Season 2 produced some of the better episodes in my opinion, however, ratings dropped and they were under the impression that the show was going to be canceled. There were also rumblings that Chris Carter was displeased with they way they had gone against his vision to keep the show less about conspiracy and more about Frank's ability. Because of such they decided to end the season with an end of the world plague and then quit as show runners, which left the show in a strange position going into season 3. A few of my favorite episodes from season 2 are ones that get deeper into Frank's character and also added some sense of humor to the show such as Monster, The Curse of Frank Black, Jose Chung's Doomsday Defense (a sort of twin/crossover episode with The X-Files' Jose Chung's From Outer Space), Luminary, A Room With No View, and Somehow, Satan Got Behind Me.
Season 3. Morgan and Wong had now left the show and Chris Carter came back having little to no idea what kind of mythology they had been building or what their plans had been with it. Unfortunately this led to a lot of confusing and even boring plot lines. The plague that had supposedly killed most of humanity, was change into a minor outbreak in a remote area of Washington and an attempt was made to switch the show back to the SKOTW format. While this did produce some great episodes in the third season, including some very creepy Lucy Butler centric episodes, unfortunately the show suffered from a sporadically changing mythology. Frank's attempts in the third season at investigating and exposing the Millennium Group are mostly just frustrating and at times very uninteresting. The show ends on a cliffhanger type ending as Frank and his daughter drive off to who-knows-where leaving "all that behind". The end left this viewer quite dissatisfied and wanting a better wrap up or closure. Some of the better episodes of Season 3 are ...Thirteen Years Later, Antipas, and Saturn Dreaming of Mercury (an episode that actually gave me nightmares).
An attempt was made to conclude or pay homage to the series through a cross-over episode of the X-Files entitled "Millenium" in season 7. But despite having one of the show's better writers on the case (Vince Gilligan) he had no experience with the Millennium series. The co-writer Frank Spotnitz did but apparently not enough to realize that this was a poor homage to Frank Black. It works quite well as an X-Files episode. But it is terrible as a Millennium episode.
The hope among many fans at one time was that Millennium would get a movie tribute, especially after the resurgence of The X-Files: I Want to Believe and seasons 10 and 11, but despite interest from fans and cast members, it doesn't appear that Chris Carter has been interested in taking on such a project. I would have been very interesting to see both franchises get a movie in 2012, each to explain and wrap up their end of the world mythologies in accordance with the ending of the Mayan calendar, but the opportunity has passed. Even with its flaws and tragic history that led to its demise after three short seasons, this is a show worth checking out and has a very strong cult fan-base that make learning more about the show very interesting and rewarding. I give the series a 10 out of 10.
Forgettable police procedrual drama
treborbasset5 June 2021
I am completely baffled by all the favourable reviews for Millennium. I started watching it because I love the X-Files and it's made by the same creators, but I don't know how the same people managed to mess up so badly. I completely understand why critics panned it and why it's mostly forgotten. It's not good television.
At its core, Millennium is little more than yet another police procedural drama, and a boring one at that. Almost nothing happens in any episode. The writing is awful and none of the main cast are fleshed out properly. I couldn't even tell you any of their names or anything about them besides Frank.
One thing that's good about the X-Files is how well it's aged. Despite being made in the 90s, it still stands up today, and in some episodes, you could even believe you are watching a modern show. The scripts are tight, well-written, and well-directed, with good pacing. Millennium is the exact opposite. Despite being made in the 90s, it feels like a show from the 70s. The production values are low, acting wooden, lighting bad, dialogue difficult to hear, and the scripts are just mindless drivel. The criminals are never fleshed out or their motives revealed.
In a typical episode of Millennium, barely anything happens for 40 minutes, there is no suspense, and you don't care what happens to anyone since the characters are hollow and nobody seems to have any real motivations for what they are doing. Then in the last 5 minutes, they find the killer and reveal nothing about him, or maybe they don't even find him, he just dies for some reason, and it's unresolved.
The actress playing Frank's wife cannot act very well. In every scene she tries to do brooding or worried looks, but ends up over-acting. It feels like watching a 70s soap opera, and I half expect to hear a studio audience.
I forced myself to watch this show because I like the X-Files, but I could not continue. It's a waste of time. I had hoped to at least reach season 2, because I heard that's when it has a change of tone and a story arc about a conspiracy, but I couldn't get through season 1.
Millennium is a mediocre, boring show in which very little happens. I would say it's a product of its time, but there were plenty of good shows from the 90s, it just seems that Millennium was made in the style of much older shows.
At its core, Millennium is little more than yet another police procedural drama, and a boring one at that. Almost nothing happens in any episode. The writing is awful and none of the main cast are fleshed out properly. I couldn't even tell you any of their names or anything about them besides Frank.
One thing that's good about the X-Files is how well it's aged. Despite being made in the 90s, it still stands up today, and in some episodes, you could even believe you are watching a modern show. The scripts are tight, well-written, and well-directed, with good pacing. Millennium is the exact opposite. Despite being made in the 90s, it feels like a show from the 70s. The production values are low, acting wooden, lighting bad, dialogue difficult to hear, and the scripts are just mindless drivel. The criminals are never fleshed out or their motives revealed.
In a typical episode of Millennium, barely anything happens for 40 minutes, there is no suspense, and you don't care what happens to anyone since the characters are hollow and nobody seems to have any real motivations for what they are doing. Then in the last 5 minutes, they find the killer and reveal nothing about him, or maybe they don't even find him, he just dies for some reason, and it's unresolved.
The actress playing Frank's wife cannot act very well. In every scene she tries to do brooding or worried looks, but ends up over-acting. It feels like watching a 70s soap opera, and I half expect to hear a studio audience.
I forced myself to watch this show because I like the X-Files, but I could not continue. It's a waste of time. I had hoped to at least reach season 2, because I heard that's when it has a change of tone and a story arc about a conspiracy, but I couldn't get through season 1.
Millennium is a mediocre, boring show in which very little happens. I would say it's a product of its time, but there were plenty of good shows from the 90s, it just seems that Millennium was made in the style of much older shows.
The Blood Plague
robotman-12 November 2001
Warning: Spoilers
Lance Henrikson's Frank Black characterization is probably one of the greatest acting jobs one is likely to see. Not only was "Millennium" the most realistic, thought-provoking series ever produced (especially the second season), but Henrikson as Frank Black created a living, breathing human to counterbalance the paranormal aspects of it: strength and intelligence in his work as an investigator, loyalty and protective care above all to his wife and his child...sustained through the first two seasons, when Morgan and Wong wrote a huge chunk of the series, lost forever when the 3rd season began.
The second season set up a scenario in which Frank Black comes into direct conflict with the private agency he contracts for, the Millennium Group and his contact Peter Watts whose ambiguous role reveals the true warring factions behind all the borderline paranormal activities Black has encountered. The waring factions, both anticipating the Biblical endtimes, are the Owls and the Roosters, differentiated by their beliefs in the coming Apocalypse (Owls remain watchful, ready, protective of the mundane world faced with the building supernatural forces, while the Roosters are reactionary militarists zealously assured that the Apocalypse has already begun, and only they have prepared...). Frank Black's discoveries culminate in one of the most horrible living nightmares ever suffered by a fictional character in any medium, as a biological weapon is released in Washington state, a wind-carried plague similar to ebola, only more severe and instantaneous in its effects.
That second season ended with Frank Black and his family taking to the hills, cutting themselves off from humanity as this Blood Plague consumed the cities. When the final episode ended, the full unrelenting horror of Frank Black's existence was unforgettably etched: he had lost one of his most loved to the plague, and he was slack-faced, hair turned white, isolated in a cabin with the whole world succumbing to this unstoppable disease. This was the most devastatingly shocking thing imaginable, not a hallucination, not a dream. Real was the horror, and everlasting.
Then Morgan and Wong left the show with this impossible scenario to either solve, deal with, or simply ignore by cancelling the show altogether. There was no way to go back. Truly, this cataclysmic ending to the second season was the most uncompromising, gutsy move ever, on television especially. Of course, considering the fact that the huge audience for Morgan and Wong's other affiliation, "X-Files", did not watch "Millennium", nor did anyone else, it really was not a gutsy move to end the second season with a full-blown Apocalypse, since this wasn't Fox Mulder watching Scully's blood explode from her body through her pores as Plague devoured her. The public never would stand for an Apocalypse, a change so radical, in something so popular as "X-Files", though many would argue that's exactly what "X-Files" needed and still needs..
"Millennium" did not survive its own Apocalypse, for the greatest cop-out in any film or series occurred when the execreble 3rd season began, and the Blood Plague became an isolated event, Frank's loss bypassed by "six months" in which he'd spent under psychiatric care. Gone was the Millennium Group, Peter Watts, Lara Means, the Apocalypse...replaced by bad writing, cliche stock characters, and a complete loss of any kind of respect for the complex themes and issues of the human condition raised in the first two years.
This series came along and revealed truths about human motivations and monstrosity, as well as the depths of loyalty and deception, centered around one of the most well-crafted, solid series protagonists to be found in fiction. To this day, and probably as long as I live, I will be haunted by the questions raised during that last episode of the second year, concerning a non-existant character in a television series who had been shattered by events he could not avoid, left clutching what remained while all the demons and monsters he'd always feared and fought against slowly and inexorably engulfed the Earth. The effect of Frank Black and this series cannot be measured, personally. But the second season is as close to a legitimate masterpiece of writing, acting, and direction to be released in the last twenty years, in film or television, in my mind.
The second season set up a scenario in which Frank Black comes into direct conflict with the private agency he contracts for, the Millennium Group and his contact Peter Watts whose ambiguous role reveals the true warring factions behind all the borderline paranormal activities Black has encountered. The waring factions, both anticipating the Biblical endtimes, are the Owls and the Roosters, differentiated by their beliefs in the coming Apocalypse (Owls remain watchful, ready, protective of the mundane world faced with the building supernatural forces, while the Roosters are reactionary militarists zealously assured that the Apocalypse has already begun, and only they have prepared...). Frank Black's discoveries culminate in one of the most horrible living nightmares ever suffered by a fictional character in any medium, as a biological weapon is released in Washington state, a wind-carried plague similar to ebola, only more severe and instantaneous in its effects.
That second season ended with Frank Black and his family taking to the hills, cutting themselves off from humanity as this Blood Plague consumed the cities. When the final episode ended, the full unrelenting horror of Frank Black's existence was unforgettably etched: he had lost one of his most loved to the plague, and he was slack-faced, hair turned white, isolated in a cabin with the whole world succumbing to this unstoppable disease. This was the most devastatingly shocking thing imaginable, not a hallucination, not a dream. Real was the horror, and everlasting.
Then Morgan and Wong left the show with this impossible scenario to either solve, deal with, or simply ignore by cancelling the show altogether. There was no way to go back. Truly, this cataclysmic ending to the second season was the most uncompromising, gutsy move ever, on television especially. Of course, considering the fact that the huge audience for Morgan and Wong's other affiliation, "X-Files", did not watch "Millennium", nor did anyone else, it really was not a gutsy move to end the second season with a full-blown Apocalypse, since this wasn't Fox Mulder watching Scully's blood explode from her body through her pores as Plague devoured her. The public never would stand for an Apocalypse, a change so radical, in something so popular as "X-Files", though many would argue that's exactly what "X-Files" needed and still needs..
"Millennium" did not survive its own Apocalypse, for the greatest cop-out in any film or series occurred when the execreble 3rd season began, and the Blood Plague became an isolated event, Frank's loss bypassed by "six months" in which he'd spent under psychiatric care. Gone was the Millennium Group, Peter Watts, Lara Means, the Apocalypse...replaced by bad writing, cliche stock characters, and a complete loss of any kind of respect for the complex themes and issues of the human condition raised in the first two years.
This series came along and revealed truths about human motivations and monstrosity, as well as the depths of loyalty and deception, centered around one of the most well-crafted, solid series protagonists to be found in fiction. To this day, and probably as long as I live, I will be haunted by the questions raised during that last episode of the second year, concerning a non-existant character in a television series who had been shattered by events he could not avoid, left clutching what remained while all the demons and monsters he'd always feared and fought against slowly and inexorably engulfed the Earth. The effect of Frank Black and this series cannot be measured, personally. But the second season is as close to a legitimate masterpiece of writing, acting, and direction to be released in the last twenty years, in film or television, in my mind.
Too Ugly for Fox? The Home of When Animals Attack Charles Barkley.
grafspee21 March 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Millennium was a great television show in a bygone era when substance meant something, before Reality Television, the Writer's Strike and Youtube's prominence. But was it too dark and ugly for network television? My answer is no, of course not.
Criminal Minds, CSI, ER, and many others have presented difficult subject matter with high and low budget art direction and production. FOX had great success with the X-Files, Married with Children and In-Living Colour, which at the time were met with a constant barrage of attacks for their crude, irreverent and controversial material. The charge was led by people like Tipper Gore and Jerry Falwell among others, but their ratings and popularity prevailed to silence the 'never watched it but fear it' haters.
Millennium was a show, like Homicide, that was uncompromising with a sense of direction (it was not always clear what it was) and vision for a different darker and colder world, where most of us don't like to admit that we live.
Lance Henriksen, Terry O'Quinn, Kirsten Cloke, and the series of guest stars made this show remarkable, a critical success, a cult favorite and ultimately canceled due much in part to its Friday airtime and fearful advertisers, not wanting to alienate what they believed was middle America.
The ugly was presented in an interesting manner, as part of some building linear storyline with the secret-society, Nazis and the Demons which Frank Black sees. This was Lance Henriksen's best role, he gave his best performances to date, and has cemented his cult status as the greatest character actor since Brad Dourif and Slim Pickens.
And yes, I watched When Animals attack Charles Barkley. The clip when he wrestles a bear for going through his garbage was as good as when he fell over racing that NBA referee at the All-Star Game. If the show ever existed.
Criminal Minds, CSI, ER, and many others have presented difficult subject matter with high and low budget art direction and production. FOX had great success with the X-Files, Married with Children and In-Living Colour, which at the time were met with a constant barrage of attacks for their crude, irreverent and controversial material. The charge was led by people like Tipper Gore and Jerry Falwell among others, but their ratings and popularity prevailed to silence the 'never watched it but fear it' haters.
Millennium was a show, like Homicide, that was uncompromising with a sense of direction (it was not always clear what it was) and vision for a different darker and colder world, where most of us don't like to admit that we live.
Lance Henriksen, Terry O'Quinn, Kirsten Cloke, and the series of guest stars made this show remarkable, a critical success, a cult favorite and ultimately canceled due much in part to its Friday airtime and fearful advertisers, not wanting to alienate what they believed was middle America.
The ugly was presented in an interesting manner, as part of some building linear storyline with the secret-society, Nazis and the Demons which Frank Black sees. This was Lance Henriksen's best role, he gave his best performances to date, and has cemented his cult status as the greatest character actor since Brad Dourif and Slim Pickens.
And yes, I watched When Animals attack Charles Barkley. The clip when he wrestles a bear for going through his garbage was as good as when he fell over racing that NBA referee at the All-Star Game. If the show ever existed.
Brilliant show
ajkbiotech1 May 2021
Millennium was a brilliant show shot around 1998-2000 starring Lance Hendrickson as Frank Black, a retired FBI serial killer profiler also involved with the Millennium Group.
The show intertwined these two aspects of Frank's background and wove an intense psychological and analytical dramatic approach to each episode that was connected from episode to episode.
The show was brilliantly written, expertly acted and pioneered all sorts of plot aspects that were years ahead of their time.
An amazing show.
The show intertwined these two aspects of Frank's background and wove an intense psychological and analytical dramatic approach to each episode that was connected from episode to episode.
The show was brilliantly written, expertly acted and pioneered all sorts of plot aspects that were years ahead of their time.
An amazing show.
Brilliant absolute brilliant
MrMovieReviewer12 February 2020
It's a dam shame This was overshadowed by the XFiles..
This is such a brilliantly written show.. Yes the last season wasn't as good as the first but it was still awesome...
This show stood on its own and in some eyes was better then the XFILES
I personally loved both but this show was absolutely brilliant
This show especially the first season is so dark it was at times eerily creepy..
I mean it's was an honor to watch it I can not stress this enough WATCH I T...
You won't regret it if you love shows like the XFiles Medium and so on you'll absolutely love this
Watch it you will be asking yourself why the hell haven't I watched this before
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
