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FREQUENTLY ASKED Q'S
Q. Why does the Millennium title image include two capital Ms?
A. In Roman numerals, M equals 1000. With the use of two Ms in the title, MillenniuM can make a reference to 2000 -- the millennium. It's also the reason why the show is abbreviated to MM in message forums, mailing lists, etc by fans. The other common abbreviation is 2k which is also stands for 2000.
Q. What is the snake-like image in the opening title sequence?
A. The snake image used in the opening title sequence of Millennium (which is biting it's own tail) is called an Ouroborus. It is the smybol of the Millennium Group. The Ouroboros lays at the edge of Pontus, the sea which surrounds the world. Surrounding the Universe, everything known and unknown is encompassed in the Ouroboros. It is first seen as early as 1600 years BC in Egypt. From there it moved to the Phonecians and then to the Greeks, who called it the Ouroboros, which means "Tail Eater". It is a symbol of the unending cycle of the universe. Some cultures see the image as a dragon rather than a snake, others as evil, or Satan.
In Chris Carter's own words: "The snake biting its own tail is called the Ouroboros. It has a lot of symbolism. It symbolizes the conflict of life devouring itself so it means both good and bad things. It's very pertinent to the show. It's a very powerful symbol, and I think appropriate to the show."
Q. Is there a connection to Dana Scully's tattoo of the Ourobouros (in The X-Files) and Millennium's use of the same symbol?
A. In The X-Files episode, Never Again, Scully had a tatoo of the Ourobouros on her hip/lower back/bottom [depending on your point of view]. According to Carter, "yes, there is an obvious connection there, it was purposeful."
Q. What do the phrases in the opening credits mean?
A. In the first season title sequence of the show, the phrases WAIT, WORRY, and WHO CARES? are flashed across the screen, similar to the phrases TRUST NO ONE and THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE in the title sequence of The X-Files. These phrases have significant meaning for Chris Carter. He explains, "It's really, who will care? Who is strong enough to care? Are we going to allow these things to run out of hand or are we going to take action?"
In the second season, these phrases were dropped in favor of THIS IS WHO WE ARE and THE TIME IS NEAR. The first is The Millennium Group motto that members use to greet each other. THE TIME IS NEAR is a general statement regarding the coming millennium.
The third season featured a combination of the above: WAIT, WORRY, and THE TIME IS NEAR.
Q. Why did Frank have his original house painted yellow?
A. According to Carter: "The hope is that there can be something we can do to stem the tide of what seems to be an ever-growing, worsening situation in the world. And that is what Frank is about, too. He wants his family to live in a safe place. It is no accident that he painted the house yellow. You paint away the darkness."
Interestingly enough, a notorious and especially vicious serial killer in the mid 1980s called Richard Ramirez had a preference to enter yellow houses. Either Carter missed this one or he has got an odd sense of humor.
Q. What was the address of Frank's original house?
A. The fictitous address of the house is 1910 Ezekiel Drive/Seattle WA/98924, but the real house is located on the corner of Fourth Street and Fourth Avenue in New Westminster, British Columbia.
Q. How happy were Frank and Catherine?
A. Many fans of the show speculated about the almost platonic nature of the Black marriage, mentioning that you rarely saw them touch or kiss, and not once had it been suggested that they had a healthy sexual life (with the exception of the bedroom scene in Paper Dove). In an issue of Rolling Stone magazine, Chris Carter addressed this issue: "My feeling is that the most powerful relationships you have in your life are...not sexual. You haven't seen Lance Henriksen and Megan Gallagher in a sexual situation on Millennium. Between them, love is understood. Love is gesture and feeling and trust, and all those other and it's not necessarily a physical thing."
The Black's marriage was strained by the death of Bob Bletcher in Lamentation. Catherine lamented that awful things always happen to them and not other families. After Frank's attack (and murder) of The Polaroid Guy in The Beginning and the End, Catherine felt unsure if Frank remained distanced from his work or if the darkness had enveloped him. In that episode, both Catherine and Frank moved out from the yellow house, and it stood deserted for months.
Any progress made toward reconciling was hampered by Frank's allegiance with The Millennium Group and his willingness to sacrifice his marriage for their cause. Despite everything, they managed to find some comfort at the end of The Time Is Now as they held each other, fearing death by plague.
Q. Who killed Bob Bletcher? Mike Atkins?
A. In Powers, Principalities, Thrones and Dominions (PPT&D), murder suspect Martin confessed to the killing of Frank's close friend Bletcher. Detective Giebelhouse found Bletch hanging in Frank's basement towards the end of the preceding episode Lamentation.
Although Frank had visions that offered some support towards this, it's more acceptable that with the involvement of the Legion-like characters, plus the fact that Bletcher clearly saw Lucy Butler (along with the Devil-like creature and a man with long black hair) at the top of Frank's stairs, that no ordinary man is responsible. In A Room With No View, Frank clearly believes Lucy Butler killed his friend.
Note that in reality, Bill Smitrovich chose to leave the series for personal reasons. It's rumored Lance and Bill did not get along well.
Although Al Pepper is never seen murdering Atkins in PPT&D, it's an accepted fact because Pepper was probably involved in two incidents that surrounded Atkin's death: firstly, the phone call from Frank Black that brought Atkins to Bellingham (Frank claims he never made that call), and secondly, the phone call from Mike Atkins to Frank Black summoning him to his hotel suite (a call Atkins probably didn't make).
Q. What was the name of the Black's dog and why was it pretty much ignored in the second season?
A. The dog is named Ben (and affectionately refered to as Benny), a gift Frank gave to his daughter in The Pilot. After the second season episode Beware of the Dog, Ben was dropped from the show because he became too difficult to handle. His disappearance was never acknowledged in the show.
Q. What happened to Roedecker at the end of season 2? Catherine? Lara Means? Peter Watts?
A. Roedecker is gone. The actor wanted to move on to theatre, and was written out towards the end of the second season. Frank provided some insight into the dissapearance of the character during The Fourth Horseman: He was disgruntled after the group fired him.
Horribly enough, Catherine became infected with The Marburg Virus in The Time is Now and said her goodbyes to her daughter and husband while they slept. In reality Megan Gallagher was never happy with her underused role as Catherine Black and asked to be written out. However, she herself explained that it is possible for Catherine to return - as a ghost, vision, memory, etc.
Shortly after becoming a group member in The Fourth Horseman, the emotionally unstable Lara Means could not handle the pressure of being one of the few survivors. In The Time is Now, she finally went insane and gave her vaccine to Frank. Frank then gave it to Jordan -- he himself already being injected by The Group. Although her death was never shown, rumors from the set indicate she did die and her character will never be resurrected.
As Frank listened on the phone to Peter Watts during The Time is Now, only a shout for help, sounds of a struggle, a gunshot and a car driving away was heard. It's quite possible that Peter's attackers were shot and he escaped, although the exact reason has never been alluded to in the third season 3.
Q. Didn't the world end in the season two finale? What about the worldwide plague reports?
A. If you listen to the radio reports they only list a few areas under quarantine conditions, not the entire world. There was also a faint hope throughout the show that the Marburg Virus would fade away as it had in the past.
As for the reports in Exegesis that the plague was only responsible for 70 some deaths, it's possible that The Millennium Group was panicking and began to think every strange occurrence in the world was related to the Marburg Virus. On a more realistic note, the season 3 producers claim all reports in the season 2 finale were exaggerated and inaccurate.
Q. Why was Frank's hair no longer gray as it was at the end of the season 2 finale?
A. Notice in season three that Frank's hair still has streaks of gray, especially around the ear area. Yet again, the totally gray Frank in The Time is Now can be explained either as a surreal image to reinforce that Frank became a broken man or as a vision of how Jordan saw her father after the shock of her mother's death.
Q. Why did Frank decide to go back to the FBI? Why the new characters?
A. It makes sense that Frank would return to a job he has a history with. He needs the income to support Jordan now that he's a single parent. Although the FBI has numerous field offices, the move to Washington, D.C was a method of firmly establishing Frank's new FBI work and lightening the tone of the show.
New characters were added to inject new life into Millennium after its disappointingly rated two seasons. Also, with the absence of Catherine, Lara Means, and The Millennium Group, Frank would need new supporting characters to become involved with.
Q. What is the difference between an Owl and a Rooster?
A. Both factions of The Millennium Group, the Owls and the Roosters, basically share the same belief -- that the world is coming to an end -- but they believe that the cause of this distruction will come from very different quarters.
The Owls believe that before Earth was created, a collision between two neutron stars sent out a shockwave of extreme energy. Tearing through the fabric of space itself, the shockwave will reach our solar system in roughly 60 years or so from now (around 2050-2060) and a new universe will be created. They believe armageddon can only be avoided through the use of applied science.
The Roosters believe that the end of the world is near. That is, on January 01, in the year 2000, we face the apocalypse. They believe that this threat will come from something beyond the understanding of man. No one really knows what this threat is, but it will probably either be the wrath of God, the Devil, or both.
Q. What are the pass-phrases for The Millennium Group members?
A. Every Millennium Group candidate/member are allocated a vocal "phrase" to use upon logging into the Group's intranet database. During season 2, Brian Roedecker assigned these phrases, taking their origins from science-fiction movies.
FRANK BLACK
"Soylent Green is People." A famous line from the 1970s apocalyptic film "Soylent Green" that starred Charlton Heston.
LARA MEANS
"Open the Pod Bays Doors, Please, Hal." This phrase is taken from Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey" and is spoken by Dave to the insane computer HAL.
THE OLD MAN
"The Time is Near." Taken from the opening passage in The Bible's "Book of Revelation," this is a phrase often quoted by The Millennium Group. It's also a tagline used in the opening credits of both season 2 and 3.
Q. Is there anything like The Millennium Group in real life?
A. Carter was inspired by the real-life Academy Group, a Manassas-based consulting firm of four behavioural science profilers who used to work for the FBI. After several months of phone calls and letters, Carter finally received word from the Academy Group and did a little research. He described them as "the investigators after the investigation."
After Academy Group members saw The Pilot, they were impressed. "They think I took a little bit of dramatic license with the vision, but they think it is accurate to the characterizations of these men.", Carter later said. Now, the former behavioral science profilers work as consultants on the show. "They felt we were approaching this in a way that was responsible and interesting to them. I think it's going to give the show its believability, its honesty and the gravity that I hope will make it the show I've imagined." Visit The Academy Group online for more information.
However, as the series progresses, The Millennium Group is drifting from its real life inspiration. No longer is The Group simply a law enforcement agency. It has a rich history and important role to play in worldwide events.
If you're interested in reading more about some of the behaviorial experts who work for the Academy Group, check out the article "Dead End" at: The Tuscon Weekly.
For information on the Behavioral Science Unit, where all of the consultants who formed The Academy Group originated from, go to: The FBI Academy.
Q. What is the connection between The X-Files and Millennium?
A. Both shows are produced and based on original ideas by Chris Carter and they have made use of the same crew and guest cast. However, the two series deal with entirely different themes and there is little in common between them.
One connection was the crossover of the Jose Chung character (from The X-Files episode Jose Chung's From Outer Space) in the episode Jose Chung's Doomsday Defense.
In Lamentation, Frank returned to the Behavioural Science Unit at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. As he was talking to Peter Watts on some stairs outside the Unit's offices, two figures that seemed to have an uncanny resemblance to Fox Mulder and Dana Scully were seen walking down the stairs behind him. The actors who played these characters, in this particular scene, were not David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson but their standins.
Another injoke was during The Time is Now when Peter Watts stumbled upon a Morley cigarrette lying on the ground.
As Emma Hollis was walking through an apartment building in the episode Human Essence, Agent Scully's voice was heard on a resident's television. The episode was Kill Switch.
Q. Did Terry O'Quinn play Peter Watts in The X-Files movie?
A. Peter Watts was not in The X-Files movie. Terry played an FBI agent named Darius Michaud.
Q. Does the Millennium movie have anything to do with the show?
A. The Millennium movie, which started Kris Kristofferson as an investigator who analysed airplane crash debris for reasons behind the accident, is not linked in any way to the show.
Q. Why are Fox closing down X-Files and Millennium fan web sites?
A. The legal people at Fox have noticed that people all over the net are using copyrighted pictures, sound files, etc without their permission and have decided to take measures to prevent this. Many have said that this is unnecessary because the sites are (or should be) non-profit and actually offer free promotion for the show. The most well known case is that of Gil Trevizo, who had his university account closed two years ago due to pressure by Fox (they threatened to sue unless the site was removed). Recently, Fox has been somewhat quiet with regard to this issue.
Q. Why did Frank wear sunglasses throughout A Room With No View?
A. In no other episode had Frank worn sunglasses as often as in A Room With No View. It's speculated that it represented Frank shielding himself from the evil he felt in Lucy Butler's presence. However, no sunglasses were worn in Antipas.
Q. What does the title Gehenna mean? Force Majeure? Lamentation? Maranatha? Luminary? In Arcadia Ego? Anamnesis? Exegesis? Teotwawki? Ometra?
A. Gehenna: Hebrew for "Hell."
Force Majeure: The expression "un cas de force majeure" refers to a situation so out of the ordinary and/or so bad that it warrants use of extreme measures, that would not be acceptable in normal circumstances. In legal terms it refers to an "act of God."
Lamentation: An act of grief, sorrow or mourning.
Maranatha: Actually, "Maranatha" is a distinct sentence consisting of two Aramaic words. Possible translations include: "Our Lord is come," "Our Lord comes," "O our Lord, come!," "Let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!," and "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!"
I Cor. 16:22: "If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be A-nath'e-ma Mar'a-nath'a."
Rev. 22:20: "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."
Generally, it is said as part of a phrase: anathema maranatha is said as a curse to those who do not follow the word of God. The following is an extract from: Robert Ingersoll's interviews with Rev. Talmage.
This curse, the foundation of the Anathema maranatha; this curse, used by the pope of Rome to prevent the spread of thought; this curse used even by the Protestant Church; this curse born of barbarism and of infinite cruelty, is now said to have issued from the lips of an infinitely merciful God. One would suppose that Jehovah had gone insane; that he had divided his kingdom like Lear, and from the darkness of insanity had launched his curses upon a world.
Luminary: 1. Heavenly body. 2. A person of prominence or brilliant achievement. 3. A celestial body that gives light.
In Arcadia Ego: Translates to "Even in earthly paradise, I (death) exist."
Anamnesis: According to Plato, it's the recollection of ideas which the soul had known in a previous existence. Also, in Eucharistic services, it's a prayer that recalls the Passion, Resurrection and Ascension of Christ.
Exegesis: An explanation or critical interpretation of text.
Teotwawki: It's simply an acronym for "The End of the World As We Know It."
Omerta: A "code of silence" which is either a reference to the mafia (and Eddie Gianini) or the existence of Lhasa and Rose.
Q. What does the title Dead Letters refer to? Powers, Principalities, Thrones and Dominions? Sense and Antisense? 19:19? Siren? Borrowed Time? Antipas? Forcing the End? Via Dolorosa?
A. Dead Letters: The section of the post office for lost or misplaced mail. It could be a reference to those people who have lost direction in their lives.
Powers, Principalities, Thrones, and Dominions: These are various entities that operate on the hierachy directly below God Himself.
POWERS
Vital to heavens defense, the first angels to be created. These are heavenly peace-keepers, responsible for security like a celestial CIA. A dark force, the secret activities of this choir are a complex blend of good and evil, for the Powers are the front line in a a deadly struggle for the soul and believe that the end justifies the means.
PRINCIPALITIES
Protectors of religion and very orthodox in their beliefs, they rule the nations of the earth, its kings and cities and dabble in earthly power politics.
THRONES
Burning beings of fire and flesh, they have substance in a way the higher choirs do not. They are the transport, the vessels of the higher choirs and of God himself, and it is matter from these beings that is offered for the creation of mankind. Their king is Raphael.
DOMINIONS
Channels of mercy and regulators of angel activities, celestial civil servants that speak fire and live among the celestial letters of the holy name.
Sense and Antisense: The two sides of the double helix (DNA).
19:19: Refers to the Bible passage Revelations 19:19: "And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army."
Siren: Refers to the beautiful creatures in Homer's "The Odyssey" that sung seductively to sailors and lured them to their deaths upon hidden rocks.
Borrowed Time: Those that have near death experiences are living on "borrowed time" to ensure they fulfill God's agenda.
Antipas: Antipas was the bishop of Pergamos, one of the seven churches of the Apocalypse, during the reign of Emperor Domitian in 83. His name means "against all" which could represent that he was standing alone against the forces of evil.
Forcing the End: Purposely bringing upon armageddon.
Via Dolorosa: "The Way of Sorrows." Almost immediately after the crucifixion of Christ, followers retraced his steps and the nine stations of the cross.
Q. What does the title 522666 stand for?
A. 522666: The numbers correspond to the word "Kaboom" on a telephone. Fitting, since the episode delt with a mad bomber.
Q. Where does the title Loin Like a Hunting Flame come from? Goodbye Charlie? The Mikado? Matryoshka? Bardo Thodol?
A. Loin Like a Hunting Flame: It's from a Dylan Thomas poem called "The Ballad of the Long-Legged Bait." The poem is online at: Reflections of Leon Malinofsky.
Goodbye Charlie: Originally a broadway flop, Goodbye Charlie was reincarnated in 1964 as a movie starring Tony Curtis, Pat Boone, Walter Matthau and Debbie Reynolds. It bombed again.
The Mikado: "The Mikado" was a Gilbert and Sullivan comedical opera written in 1885. The Mikado is political figure dedicated to "family values." His remarkable sense of purity leads him to make any form of flirting a capital offense. Yet his ruthless advocacy of "law and order" is merely a device to suppress everything he doesn't like. (His list of sinners includes amateur tenors!) His pious intent "to let the punishment fit the crime" is merely a facade for his delight for abusing those who offend him - this is his "source of innocent merriment." For more information, visit: Mikado Web Opera Overture.
Matryoshka: Matryoshkas are the wooden Russian dolls which contain smaller versions of themselves.
Bardo Thodol: The Bardo Thodol is a sacred Tibetan religious text that is read to a person for forty-nine days after their death. It describes the series of visions that pass through the awareness of the deceased during that period and helps them realize where they are, keeping them focused during the transformation between bodies.
Q. What was the song featured in Anamnesis? The Fourth Horseman? The Time is Now? Darwin's Eye?
A. Anamnesis: The song in question, which plays during the teaser, is "Dancing Barefoot" by Patti Smith.
The Fourth Horseman: The song playing at the beginning of the first "prion discussion" scene is Zager & Evans' "In the Year 2525."
The Time Is Now: The song during Lara Means' "insanity sequence" is Patti Smith's "Land." The second song, heard as the episode fades to executive producer credits, is Zager & Evans' "In the Year 2525."
Darwin's Eye: The song featured in the teaser was "Trimm Trabb" by Blur.
For an extensive listing of songs, samples, and information on purchashing CDs, visit: http://www.paperstreetprod.com/compendium/merchandise/
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