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"Behind the Script of The First Prophet" by Dan Owen
This episode was the first one specifically written for VS4, but purposefully strayed away from anything too "season specific", which is why we had to change Jordan's grandparents to Tom and Helen at a later date.
A worrying problem for Millennium, especially in season 1, was the reliance on serial killers and dark city locations. I always found "The Hand Of Saint Sebastian" to be a worthwhile departure from that "norm", so wanted to craft my own story which took Frank away from America's suburbs.
Still unsure whether Peter Watts would return for VS4, although suspecting strongly that he wouldn't, I created Alexander Le Saux. In essence, an enigmatic foreigner with secrets, and a style of character I've always enjoyed in movies. A mysterious stranger who opens a door to adventure.
Unlike the reality-based research of "Blood & Water", much of "The First Prophet" is pure fantasy with some fact-based elements. There really is a world-famous Chauvet Cave in France, but it doesn't hold prophetic cave paintings drawn by a prehistoric visionary. I think.
Once the "high concept" premise was established and lightly researched, the episode was backed up by a return to another favorite Millennium subplot of mine: Jordan's gift.
Fans have always wanted to see where her ability would evolve to, so I decided to make it a more thoughtful and expressive outlet for her, and not a rigorous attack on the senses like Frank's. Basically, it would seem the Black family must share an ancestry with "The First Prophet" caveman.
Another definite highpoint for this script was the long overdue return to the Owl and Rooster factions of the Millennium Group. By this stage in VS4 some long-term goals were being established - concerning Mabius, The Elder and the Owls/Roosters.
So, "The First Prophet" was the obvious choice to start this arc. Ever since the Group became "bad" - or misguided - in season 3 it seemed ridiculous to me that the scientific and logical Owls wouldn't notice the change. This episode was a way in which, with Le Saux's help, it became clear the Owls may not just be sitting back and watching their society stoop to low depths. Or maybe they just fear being proved wrong...
Visually, this is another strong instalment, I think. Obviously, relocating the action to the gorges of Southern France brings its own richer palette if this script was ever filmed, but the use of flashbacks and cuts in the final moments was also very enjoyable to write and visualise. I just hope other people's imaginations match up, or surpass, my own vision.
My love of "Indiana Jones"-style escapades was another basis for the episode, including the Nazi teaser, and together with the new facet of Jordan's artistic tendencies and a smattering of humour and injokes, I'm very pleased with how this episode turned out. A more refreshing and entertaing version of Millennium on a lot of levels.
TRIVIA:
- The Group archaeologist Linda Croft was a sort of "fictional sister" for Lara Croft - the video game heroine from the "Tomb Raider" series.
- The Chauvet Cave in France really exists, and is world-famous. The book "La Grotte Chauvet à Vallon-Pont-d'Arc", by Jean-Marie Chauvet, Eliette Brunel-Deschamps and Christian Hillaire, is also a real title.
- Frank flew to France on Flight 180 (a reference to the Glen Morgan & James Wong film "Flight 180", later renamed "Final Destination").
- Another reference to Morgan and Wong appears in the scene where Frank searches for a book title on the internet. The name of the website there is 'Swissky's Bookstore'; Swissky being a main character in their failed TV pilot for "The Wonder Cabinet".
- Frank's password, which only appears in the script as '*********', is 'catherine', in case you were wondering.
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