Millennium (season 2)

The second season of the serial crime-thriller television series Millennium commenced airing in the United States on September 19, 1997, concluding on May 15, 1998 after airing twenty-three episodes. It tells the story of retired FBI Agent Frank Black (Lance Henriksen). Black lives in Seattle, Washington with his wife Catherine (Megan Gallagher) and daughter Jordan (Brittany Tiplady). He works for a mysterious organization known as the Millennium Group, investigating murders using his remarkable capability of relating to the monsters responsible for horrific crimes. After killing a man who stalked and kidnapped Catherine, Black faces tension within his family while simultaneously being drawn deeper into the sinister Group.

Millennium
Season 2
Season 2 DVD cover
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodes23
Release
Original networkFox
Original releaseSeptember 19, 1997 (1997-09-19) –
May 15, 1998 (1998-05-15)
Season chronology

The season began with "The Beginning and the End", which marked the first episode of the series helmed by new co-executive producers Glen Morgan and James Wong, who would remain in charge for the full season. Accolades earned by the season include a Bram Stoker Award nomination for Darin Morgan's "Somehow, Satan Got Behind Me", a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for "Jose Chung's Doomsday Defense" guest star Charles Nelson Reilly and a Young Artist Award win for Tiplady.

Production

The second season saw series creator Chris Carter step down as executive producer, being replaced by the team of Glen Morgan and James Wong.[1] Morgan and Wong had previously written episodes for the series in its first season,[2] and had worked with Carter on his first television series The X-Files.[3] Morgan and Wong left similar positions on The X-Files to take up the Millennium roles, with Fox president Sandy Grushow saying that "with Chris writing and producing X-Files' fifth season, as well as the feature film, it was critical that we identify exec producers who could enable Millennium to grow".[4]

Discussing plans for the season, Morgan noted that "the Millennium Group is a much deeper organization" than seen in the first season, adding that "they're considering [Frank Black] for a candidate for the group (and) trying to show him that at the millennium there's going to be an event - either fire and brimstone or harmonic convergence". Wong spoke about how the character of Catherine Black changed, saying "there's a different relationship between Frank and his family this season because of the separation ... I think that will not only bring some kind of heartfelt drama but humor into it".[1] Wong also stated "we don't want to have the audience expect to see a serial killer every week. ... We would like to make it so that it's a surprise to them, just like it is a surprise when you watch The X-Files".[5]

Producer John Peter Kousakis has noted that the first and second seasons, and the third season after those, were markedly different, crediting each season's differing approach to the changes in leadership behind the scenes; Kousakis felt that the character of Frank Black remained the main constant throughout the series.[6] Fellow producer Ken Horton felt that the change in focus for season two arose as the first season's focus on serial killers had "overpowered" its storytelling, making it necessary to focus attention elsewhere instead; the focus switched from external forces and villains to the internal workings of the Millennium Group.[7] The series' musical supervisor Mark Snow found that Morgan and Wong brought another new element to the series—the music of Bobby Darin, which has been a hallmark of the duo's work. Darin's music accompanied Snow's scores in a number of episodes, often as diegetic music being listened to by Lance Henriksen's character. Snow believed this gave the character a down-to-earth, everyman feel.[8]

Cast
A man with white hair, wearing glasses
Series star Lance Henriksen

Starring

Also starring

Guest starring

Reception

Accolades
See also: List of accolades received by Millennium

The second season earned several awards and nominations for those associated with the series. Tiplady and "Monster" guest star Lauren Diewold earned nominations at the 1998 Young Artist Awards, with Tiplady winning in the category Best Performance in a TV Comedy/Drama – Supporting Young Actress Age Ten or Under.[9] Henriksen earned a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actor in a Television Series Drama, losing out to Anthony Edwards as ER's Mark Greene[10] At the Primetime Emmy Awards, the series earned two nomination. Charles Nelson Reilly earned an acting nod for his guest role in "Jose Chung's Doomsday Defense", losing out to The Practice's John Larroquette.[11] Millennium also earned a nomination for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series, losing the award to ER.[12] The season also produced a Bram Stoker Award nomination in 1999, for Darin Morgan's episode "Somehow, Satan Got Behind Me"; the award was won jointly by Bill Condon for Gods and Monsters and Alex Proyas, David S. Goyer and Lem Dobbs for Dark City.[13]

Critical reception

Writing for Slant magazine, Keith Uhlich gave the season an overall rating of three-and-a-half stars out of five, finding that the appointment of Morgan and Wong was "an inspired choice that led to, arguably, the finest episodic run ever produced under [series creator Chris] Carter's Ten-Thirteen Productions banner". Uhlich found that the season was torn between episodes remaining true to the Carter-led first season's "serial killer of the week" format and make-it-up-as-you-go-along approach to storytelling", and Morgan and Wong's attempt to introduce a continuous story arc which lent a "sealed-off feel" to the season, finding that the latter approach lead to a "compulsively watchable" but largely dated end result.[14] DVD Talk's Bill Gibron rated the season overall four-and-a-half stars out of five, finding that the new thematic direction was "right on the money". Gibron felt that the season "was truly ahead of its time. It predates and predicts such fashionable fads as The Da Vinci Code, the omens of terrorist evil and the slow erosion of the citizenry's faith in the Federal Government".[15] Emily VanDerWerff, writing for The A.V. Club, wrote that "the second season of Millennium is some sort of work of weird genius". VanDerWerff added that the season "moves like a series with a new purpose, with a new sense of meaning. Morgan and Wong start tossing ideas at the wall with a thrilling abandon, almost as if they were pretty sure they’d never work in Hollywood again".[16]

Robert Shearman and Lars Pearson, in their book Wanting to Believe: A Critical Guide to The X-Files, Millennium & The Lone Gunmen, rated several episodes across the season highly, awarding five stars out of five to "The Curse of Frank Black", "Jose Chung's Doomsday Defense", "Midnight of the Century", "A Room with No View", "The Fourth Horseman" and "The Time Is Now". However, several episodes rated poorly, with "Beware of the Dog", "A Single Blade of Grass", "The Hand of St. Sebastian", "Roosters", "In Arcadia Ego" and "Anamnesis" being seen as particularly poor. In all, Shearman singled out the season's climactic two-part episodes "The Fourth Horseman" and "The Time Is Now" as the highlight of the season, finding that Morgan and Wong took a considerable risk with the storyline as they believed the series would be cancelled at the end of the season, but believing that the episodes gained from this additional level of attempted closure.[17]

Episodes
See also: List of Millennium episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		US viewers
(millions)
231"The Beginning and the End"Thomas J. WrightGlen Morgan & James WongSeptember 19, 1997 (1997-09-19)5C017.15[18][nb 1]
After Catherine Black goes missing in the Seattle Airport in the previous episode, Frank Black desperately searches for his wife, who has been abducted by a cunning stalker who is luring him into a trap.
242"Beware of the Dog"Allen CoulterGlen Morgan & James WongSeptember 26, 1997 (1997-09-26)5C026.37[19]
As Frank's marriage begins to crumble, a pack of vicious dogs terrorises a small town, and as Frank investigates he discovers several truths about the Millennium Group.
253"Sense and Antisense"Thomas J. WrightChip JohannessenOctober 3, 1997 (1997-10-03)5C036.59[20]
Frank aids in the search for a man who is supposedly carrying a highly contagious virus and discovers the secret behind the Human Genome Project.
264"Monster"Perry LangGlen Morgan & James WongOctober 17, 1997 (1997-10-17)5C045.88[21]
In rural Arkansas, Frank investigates the owner of a daycare center accused of child abuse, only to be accused himself.
275"A Single Blade of Grass"Rodman FlenderKay Reindl & Erin MaherOctober 24, 1997 (1997-10-24)5C056.57[22]
In Manhattan, Frank Black and an anthropologist link a bizarre, ritualistic slaying to a lost tribe of Native Americans who follow apocalyptic prophecies.
286"The Curse of Frank Black"Ralph HemeckerGlen Morgan & James WongOctober 31, 1997 (1997-10-31)5C075.59[23]
On Halloween, Frank experiences eerie visions and strange events that spark flashbacks to his youth—and a telling encounter with a troubled World War II veteran.
297"19:19"Thomas J. WrightGlen Morgan & James WongNovember 7, 1997 (1997-11-07)5C065.98[24]
In southeastern Oklahoma, Frank races against time to locate a busload of abducted children, whom a crazed visionary has entombed in an abandoned quarry.
308"The Hand of St. Sebastian"Thomas J. WrightGlen Morgan & James WongNovember 14, 1997 (1997-11-14)5C086.57[25]
In Germany, Frank Black and his driven companion Peter Watts seek the Millennium Group's secret origins, which are steeped in dark intrigue dating to the first millennium.
319"Jose Chung's Doomsday Defense"Darin MorganDarin MorganNovember 21, 1997 (1997-11-21)5C095.49[26]
An apostate member of a pop religion is murdered, leading Frank to co-investigate with a flamboyant writer.
3210"Midnight of the Century"Dwight LittleKay Reindl & Erin MaherDecember 19, 1997 (1997-12-19)5C115.19[27]
Eerie visions that haunt Black at Christmastime hark back to his troubled youth and lead to a fateful reunion with his estranged father.
3311"Goodbye Charlie"Ken FinkRichard WhitleyJanuary 9, 1998 (1998-01-09)5C105.49[28]
Serial murders in the guise of assisted suicides stymie Frank, whose primary suspect is a charismatic hospice nurse. Frank and Lara investigate to determine if it is murder.
3412"Luminary"Thomas J. WrightChip JohannessenJanuary 23, 1998 (1998-01-23)5C125.59[29]
In defiance of the Millennium Group, Frank Black sets off on his own into the Alaska wilderness to search for a missing teen who may have gotten in harm's way.
3513"The Mikado"Roderick PridyMichael R. PerryFebruary 6, 1998 (1998-02-06)5C135.29[30]
Frank Black, Peter Watts, and Brian Roedecker track a possibly long-dormant serial killer who is now broadcasting his murders over the Internet.
3614"The Pest House"Allen CoulterGlen Morgan & James WongFebruary 27, 1998 (1998-02-27)5C155.59[31]
Gruesome killings linked to urban myths are committed near a psychiatric hospital, where Frank and Peter conduct an intensive investigation that yields multiple suspects.
3715"Owls"Thomas J. WrightGlen Morgan & James WongMarch 6, 1998 (1998-03-06)5C145.39[32]
Mystery and murder surround a search for a piece of the Crucifixion cross that sparks infighting among the Millennium Group.
3816"Roosters"Thomas J. WrightGlen Morgan & James WongMarch 13, 1998 (1998-03-13)5C165.29[33]
A venerable Millennium Group member links the schism within the organization to the actions of an underground Nazi clique.
3917"Siren"Allen CoulterGlen Morgan & James WongMarch 20, 1998 (1998-03-20)5C175.68[34]
The seizure of a ship smuggling Chinese immigrants draws Frank Black into a mystery surrounding another passenger: an enigmatic seductress.
4018"In Arcadia Ego"Thomas J. WrightChip JohannessenApril 3, 1998 (1998-04-03)5C185.39[35]
In Idaho, Black tracks two escaped female prisoners, one of whom is pregnant and believes it to be a virgin birth.
4119"Anamnesis"John Peter KousakisKay Reindl & Erin MaherApril 17, 1998 (1998-04-17)5C195.2[36]
A sensitive high-school girl in Washington state claims to have religious visions in a case that raises controversial issues and builds to violence in a classroom.
4220"A Room with No View"Thomas J. WrightKen HortonApril 24, 1998 (1998-04-24)5C204.7[37]
Clues in the disappearance of a bright, outgoing teenage boy point to Frank Black's nemesis: the unearthly, seductive woman who killed Bob Bletcher.
4321"Somehow, Satan Got Behind Me"Darin MorganDarin MorganMay 1, 1998 (1998-05-01)5C215.59[38]
Four demons assemble overnight at a doughnut shop and reflect on the havoc they have wreaked on humanity.
4422"The Fourth Horseman"Dwight LittleGlen Morgan & James WongMay 8, 1998 (1998-05-08)5C224.61[39]
Frank Black takes a stand against the Millennium Group over its intensified secrecy and its involvement with a deadly contagion to which he has been exposed.
4523"The Time Is Now"Thomas J. WrightGlen Morgan & James WongMay 15, 1998 (1998-05-15)5C234.8[40]
The spread of a virulent disease coupled with mysterious Millennium Group operations kindle crises that beset Frank Black's friend Lara Means and his own family.

Notes
  1. Each ratings point represented 980,000 households during the 1997–1998 television season.[18]

Footnotes
  1. Soloman, Harvey (September 18, 1997). "Fall Watch; 'Millennium' takes new turn". The Boston Herald. Archived from the original on November 11, 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2012. (subscription required)
  2. Millennium: The Complete First Season (booklet). David Nutter, et al. Fox.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. Harry Longstreet (director); Glen Morgan & James Wong (writers) (September 24, 1993). "Squeeze". The X-Files. Season 1. Episode 3. Fox.
  4. Flint, Joe (July 11, 1997). "On the Air: July 11, 1997". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 10, 2012.
  5. Owen, Rob (July 29, 1997). "ABC Encourages Us to Open up and Love Television". Albany Times Union. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2012. (subscription required)
  6. Turn of the Tide, 01:02–01:54
  7. Turn of the Tide, 04:10–05:20
  8. Turn of the Tide, 15:01–15:35
  9. "19th Annual Awards". Young Artist Foundation. Archived from the original on March 2, 2009. Retrieved July 10, 2012.
  10. "HFPA – Awards Search – Best Actor Television Series Drama". Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Archived from the original on July 26, 2012. Retrieved July 10, 2012.
  11. "John Larroquette | Emmys.com". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 10, 2012.
  12. "Primetime Emmy Awards nominations for 1998 – Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 10, 2012.
  13. "Horror Writers Association – Past Bram Stoker Award Nominees & Winners". Horror Writers Association. Archived from the original on January 13, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2012.
  14. Uhlich, Keith (January 12, 2005). "Millennium: The Complete Second Season". Slant. Retrieved July 10, 2012.
  15. Gibron, Bill (January 3, 2005). "Millennium: Season 2: DVD Talk Review of the DVD Video". DVD Talk. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  16. VanDerWerff, Emily (March 19, 2011). ""Redux"/"The Beginning and the End" | The X-Files/Millennium | TV Club". The A.V. Club. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  17. Shearman & Pearson 2009, pp. 145–163.
  18. Bauder, Dave (September 25, 1997). "NBC Holds off Charge By CBS". Rocky Mountain News. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2012. (subscription required)
  19. Bauder, Dave (October 2, 1997). "'ER'. 'Seineld' Help NBC Remain on Top". Rocky Mountain News. Denver Newspaper Agency. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved July 16, 2012. (subscription required)
  20. "Nielsen: Big Three nets each say goodbye to 1 million viewers". San Francisco Chronicle. October 8, 1997. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  21. "Game 2 of Series Slides into Top 10". Rocky Mountain News. Associated Press. October 23, 1997. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved July 11, 2012. (subscription required)
  22. Bauder, Dave (October 31, 1997). "Strong Series Finish Boosts NBC". Rocky Mountain News. E. W. Scripps Company. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved October 5, 2012. (subscription required)
  23. "'Cinderella' sizzles on ABC". San Francisco Chronicle. November 5, 1997. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  24. Bauder, Dave (November 13, 1997). "'Angel' Helps CBS Tie in Ratings Race". Rocky Mountain News. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved October 8, 2012. (subscription required)
  25. Bauder, Dave (November 20, 1997). "CBS Squeals Past NBC". Rocky Mountain News. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved October 6, 2012. (subscription required)
  26. ""Mafia" shoves CBS into top spot". San Francisco Chronicle. November 26, 1997. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  27. "Easy win for NBC". San Francisco Chronicle. December 24, 1997. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  28. "NBC returns to head of the pack". San Francisco Chronicle. January 14, 1998. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  29. "NBC enjoys a super Sunday in ratings". San Francisco Chronicle. January 28, 1998. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  30. Bauder, Dave (February 13, 1998). "Olympics are Gold for CBS". Rocky Mountain News. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved July 7, 2012. (subscription required)
  31. Bauder, Dave (March 6, 1998). "CBS' Grammys Show Gives NBC a Good Run". Rocky Mountain News. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved July 16, 2012. (subscription required)
  32. Bauder, Dave (March 12, 1998). "WB Beats Its Own Record". Rocky Mountain News. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved October 5, 2012. (subscription required)
  33. McLean et al. 2012, p. 486.
  34. ""Seinfeld" double-dose boosts NBC to top". San Francisco Chronicle. March 25, 1998. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  35. "CBS on top with NCAA". San Francisco Chronicle. April 8, 1998. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  36. "Prime time Nielsen ratings". Associated Press. April 22, 1998. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2012. (subscription required)
  37. "Prime time Nielsen ratings". Associated Press. April 29, 1998. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2012. (subscription required)
  38. Bauder, Dave (May 9, 1998). "NBC Pulls a Top-7 'Sweeps' Sweep". Rocky Mountain News. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved July 13, 2012. (subscription required)
  39. ""Seinfeld" sets ratings record". San Francisco Chronicle. May 13, 1998. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  40. "Prime-rime Nielsen ratings". Associated Press. May 19, 1998. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved October 20, 2012.

References
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