Millennium - Season 2 [DVD] [1996]

The second season of Millennium, a dark and unsettling TV drama series starring Lance Henriksen, was notably different in tone, in style and in thematic content when compared to the first season. Whereas the first season looked at the evil acts committed by man usually in the form of a criminal investigations into serial murderers, the second had a more spiritual and supernatural feel to it. This was a purposeful move made by the show's new commanders, Glen Morgan & James Wong (creators of Space: Above & Beyond), and on initial viewing of these episodes after watching the first season, the changes are a little jarring.

However, once you've grown accustomed to the marginally lighter mood and the sporadic shifts in tone (as good as the comedy episodes are, they simply feel out of place), this is a highly commendable season. More time is taken to explore the shadowy motives of the Millennium Group that Frank Black consults for. Terry O'Quinn's character Peter Watts takes a more prominent role, and the edition of Kristen Cloke as Lara Means is welcome. Though Megan Gallagher is still on the opening credits for every episode, her appearances are few and far between this season.

The highlights in Millennium's middle season for me are "The Mikado" (a deeply suspenseful and nerve-shredding tale of how the internet can be abused), "A Room With No View" (the chilling return of evil-incarnate Lucy Butler), the "Owls" / "Roosters" two-part story (which explores a divide within the Millennium Group) and the climactic two-parter "The Fourth Horseman" / "The Time Is Now" (in which a lethal plague looks set to trigger the apocalypse).

For all of this season's strengths however, I felt that there were slightly more episodes that fell flat than in the first season. "The Pest House" has none of the show's usual intelligence or realism and "The Hand Of St. Sebastian" left me completely cold. But on the whole, once the initial uneasiness toward the show's new direction has worn off, Millennium Season Two is well-worth your money if the first season had you enthralled at all. It remains one of the most cinematic television shows ever made. Always, always beautiful, despite the frequent ugliness of it's content.

Unfortunately Glen Morgan & James Wong are noticeably absent from the Season Overview featurette, and neither of the commentaries are particularly enthralling.

The second season of 'Millennium' has divided the show's fans as to whether it develops the themes set up in Season 1 or destroys them entirely but I can only see this part of the saga as the moment when it became truly groundbreaking TV. Anchored by Lance Henriksen's incredible performance as Frank Black, new helmers Dan Morgan and James Wong develop the show into an unsettling, clever, twisted and adrenalin-soaked experience.

Don't get me wrong, Season 1 is powerful viewing, but Season 2 simply builds on the themes the show originally presented and creates a signature series that leaves you utterly stunned by its quality. Whatever your feelings on Season 1, it is surely obvious that it began recycling the same formula in each episode and the serial-killer-of-the-week format started becoming redundant by the middle part of the series. I honestly don't think the show could have continued in this vein as it would have become rather stale. Morgan and Wong introduced a story arc, which the show needed, developed the existing characters, built on the supernatural suggestiveness (think 'Force Majeur' from 1) and focused more attentively to the shady Millennium Group; all of which served to create a more exciting and urgent atmosphere as the countdown to the Millennium itself begins.

I also do not agree that Morgan and Wong betrayed the show's roots: the bleak atmosphere remains and episodes such as the brilliant 'The Mikado' disturb you long after viewing. The central theme of man's innate darkness is also more than evident, only The Group are now the example being held up for scrutiny. Oh, and The Millennium Group don't go 'evil' as some people clearly seem to think: there are factions within the Group with different ideologies which adds a far more complex (and, in my opinion, believeable) layer to an organisation that operate behind closed doors. I think most critics of this season cite the 'comedy' episodes as an example of the supposed failings but I just cannot comprehend this. They are outstanding creations of dark humour and, though different to the recognised style of the show, add a refreshing direction. The only standing crticisms I would agree with are the X-Files-conspiracy-feel (though it is pulled off effectively) and Brian Roedekker being an utterly pointless and supremely irritating character addition.

A bold and brave development of an exisiting format that builds to a nail-biting apocalyptic conclusion and I am only saddened that Morgan and Wong could not return to finish the show in their vision. Season 3 is still watchable (in Millennium's unique way!) and I would recommend taking a look if you're a fan but ultimately it's a let down after the heights of Season 2.

Season Two of Millennium develops the saga of the Black family. With the strains on Frank and Catherine's marriage and the burden on Catherine of Jordan's undeniable visions, her own abduction, Frank's descent into the manifestations of his visions (and not to mention the sullying of the 'yellow house'), the duplicity of the Group becomes ever more obvious - even to the dedicated Peter Watts. Enter Lara Leans (Kristen Cloke) as a non-romantic, sassy side kick who - with her own visions - shares Frank's doubts about the Group's intentions. A couple of great episodes from Darin Morgan, including a Frank-lite parody; the story-line of the Owls and the Rosters present the story arc in its full detail; and a sans-Frank episode where Catherine and Lara go head-to-head against the backdrop of Patti Smith, is a season highlight. Of course we love Morgan and Wong's episodes: This is Who We Are!