MILLENNIUM Virtual Season Four Episode review by 4Q2 Submitted 11-23-99 "Gestalt" #403 Original "Air" date: 7/16/99 Writer: Andrew Wyatt In Brief: The assassination of a US congressman sparks an investigation into the existence of an organization sworn to defeating the Millennium Group. Overall Impression: "Millennium" does the "X-Files"... only better. Seriously, the MM Group does seem to be on an irreversible path toward becoming the Well-Manicured Man's Consortium, dealing with the supernatural rather then alien colonists. I can look past this though as long as the resulting stories told keep me biting my nails. "Gestalt" does not disappoint. Details: First off, I made what in my book was a pretty thoughtless error with my recent review of "The Dawn of Nothing." While glowingly admiring Dan Owen for bringing that to us, I seemed to have shoved Andrew Wyatt into the wings when it was pointed out to me that Andrew had done the lion's share of the work. I quickly apologized and emphasized yet again, what a brilliant episode it was. It is now with immense pleasure I put the spotlight on his first work for the VS, "Gestalt." There was only one miniscule complaint I have of this episode... I had one heck of a time understanding the entire scheme, and I am not sure to this day if I still do. There is something to be said for not having the entire picture when the end credits roll, especially when it comes to something from the Chris Carter camp (and eveything cut directly from its cloth). Many times I would see either an XF or MM episode coming away with "What the heck happened there?" while a goofy grin was pasted to my face. I was confused, but I was enjoyably confused, wanting simply to see what would happen next. It was the endless plotting and counterplotting that made it enjoyable for me. This time was no different, but I still wanted a bit more clarity. Well, from what my feeble intellect could gather, this was more of a statement on the shortcomings of what we call our government, and the way it has become something of a private service available to the highest bidder... or the strongest arm. In one corner, the inevitable presence of the Millennium Group (primarily working closely with Congressman Turning). In the other, The Board (or Foundation), which while not having the lifespan of MM, still has its own set of fangs. And they are fangs dangerous enough for the MM to have all their files on the Board available to only its senior members. Now this was an idea that intrigued me so much, that the whole investigation into Turning's death suddenly became secondary to me. I just sat here, giggling insanely at the story possiblities that could arise from the presence of an "anti-Millennium Group." This was stuff that seemed more suited to a Season Three or Tour X-Files two-parter. But since that show has more or less gone to the dogs, I had no problem with accepting the idea here on MM, and even had faith in that it could be done BETTER here... and it was. Now as I said, the idea of two frighteningly powerful organizations dueling for governmental control was a fantastic one, but it should not have distracted me from a good investigation story. Great story, but one that had me immediately forgetting the brilliant opening teaser, as well as re-reading several paragraphs. Best Moment: I've always wanted to see a politician being called onto the carpet for the "gifts" bestowed upon them to win favor. This is a practice that has always churned my stomach and seeing Frank Black smack Plumberg right in her puffy face with it made my night. Great scene. Plumberg: There is nothing underhanded about it, Mr. Black. Frank: What else did they bestow? Your re-election? Tee-hee! Did The Opening Quote Seem Relevant To The Story? (Did 4Q2 get it?): The Rushdie quote seemed to suggest that humans (and especially the powerful ones) are capable of the kinds of evil we'd like to think we as humans could never do. TV Episode(s) that it most reminded me of: "Owls," "Roosters" Score: 9 (out of 10) The political machinations had me reading certain conversations over again, most notably where Frank and Ryan were digging through files trying to make sense of everything... which left ME trying to make sense as well. Still very well constructed. Kudos to Mr. Wyatt, and thanks so much for bringing back Ed! He definitely was the right man to have his finger on the pulse of this thing. NEXT IN THE PIPELINE: 4Q2 passes the "salt" Onward! - 4Q2 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= "Gestalt" review by Neil Anna PREAMBLE -------- Thanks to all who read my reviews of Genesis and Blood and Water. Thanks also to Dan Owen who responded to some of my criticisms in a confident and intelligent manner. Reviewing these episodes makes me realise what an easy job it is compared to writing them! APPRECIATING THE ARCHITECTURE ----------------------------- A very well put together episode... virtually every point covered, with great uses of drama, suspense, horror, intrigue and, to top it all off... ... a great title! Not knowing anything about it apart from what my wife (Social Worker) has told me in the past, I decided to look in my 1974 Webster's dictionary which defined the word as... "A configuration, form or pattern that, as a unified whole or a functional unit, has properties which cannot be derived by a summation of the separate parts." Armed with this new found knowledge, interpretation of the episode became quite simple. "The Board" is the unified whole/functional unit that uses its separate parts to do its bidding, but their reason for being cannot be determined by examining just the parts. And this is what is so frightening for our best loved omniscient homeless person Ed - the man who can see everything. Did anyone else feel chilled when Ed admits that he doesn't know what the Board is doing? Here is the guy who can see every separate part - every single line of information - but when he puts it all together he can't understand it... because The Board is a Gestalt, and can't be defined this way. And this is the answer behind the "Foundation for American Stewardship and Prosperity." This organisation acts as one the board's arms, but, when examined further, quickly disappears. Even poor Bridges, being tortured in a Reservoir Dogs type scene ("The Camera pans from Mabius' face into the darkness of the room.. Bridges begins howling in pain...") is no more than a cog in the Board's machine. While "Blood and Water" watered down Frank and Ryan (pun intended), "Gestalt" gave these two, as well as Emma, some great roles... especially Emma. I understand that Emma became more "interesting" as season 3 progressed so it is great to see her develop further here. It is almost as though, by becoming alienated from Frank, she gains more of her own personality (which is, incidentally, probably the reverse of Peter Watts in season 3... he seemed to diminish by being Frank's enemy). The two scenes where Frank and Emma meet are rich with tension, frustration, anger and, to be honest, bitterness. Frank and Ryan never leave each other's side throughout this episode (okay, maybe once or twice) and I am warming to their teaming together. Their rudeness to that poor Congresswoman was a great scene! It was also great for Ryan to discover the lead through hard police work, while Frank, though capable of ordinary investigative processes, is obviously gifted/cursed elsewhere. The re-appearance of Ed was a masterstroke, especially in the context of this new and dangerous threat. Moreover, his monologue was rich, yet tempered by borderline insanity. The "channel-changing" openings to each act were great. A fragment of a TV show viewed, but no idea of what the whole segment meant - again, the Gestalt coming to the fore. The idea of the flawed Millennium Group coming up against an omnipresent foe like The Board sets up the rest of the Virtual Season nicely. The Board seem a worthy foe, and one wonders what their role is with "Odessa" and "The Family?" I wait in eager expectation! STRUCTURAL FLAWS ---------------- Okay, so Ryan and Frank are working together now are they? When did this happen? It is almost as if it is assumed that the viewer will realise this. But Frank has just ridden off into the sunset with Emma, his future uncertain. Now he is with Ryan, doing the same sort of things he was doing before... but this time outside the FBI network? There needed to be a scene where Ryan makes an offer to Frank to work with him. Ryan is a PI, and Frank gives him a powerful, and profitable, new partner. Remember, both Ryan and Frank have "fallen from Grace." Frank especially. He was, with the FBI, at the top of his profession. When he was approached by the MG he was given the chance to go even higher. Then he left the group, and now the FBi have fired him. That is a BIG drop in professional reputation... and Frank should now have to face the prospect of having a job that is not a secure, not as glamorous, and not as well paid. Okay, he has a good reputation as a profiler, but word would get around that FB was fired from the highly reputable FBI. Dan Owen posted me at Broken World to tell me that Ryan and Frank were now consulting together... but the scripts say nothing about this. This is a bit of a continuity problem... from reading the scripts alone we should get the picture of what is happenning. Mind you, this is a problem for the whole series, and not just for "Gestalt." Okay, other things. Jerry is Turning's aide, and admits that "Alan and I were friends." Yet Jerry's reaction to their presence and his boss/friend's demise is neutral. I can't really believe that they were friends. Jerry should've had a lump in his throat, make some rash angry comment, cry bitterly or whatever it took to show that he and Turning were actually friends. His dialogue with Ryan and Frank is slickly professional, nothing like that of a friend. And what's the point of Emma asking her next door neighbour about the key? Okay, I might be outa line here and this scene may be taking a season 3 ep. a bit further, but I just don't see the point of Emma asking her neighbour what the key is for. GOLDEN MOMENTS -------------- * Emma and Frank outside Turning's house and outside the acadamy. The Tension between them, and their desire to be professional and communicate anyway, was wonderful. * Frank and Ryan in a room full of files and paper... welcome to an investigation of the government! * Whenever The Mysterious Figure turns up. * Emma lying to McLaren about the videotape, right after she blows Frank up for not being as "accomodating or straightforward" as the MG. * Bridges being tortured in a Tarantino style scene. NIT PICKS --------- * What sort of person in their mid 50s smokes cigars while listening to Aphex Twin naked? * The phrase "Smoke and Mirrors" spoken by Frank, then by Emma, in different scenes but on the same page of the script. * Dashing Man: "But I suspect that unanswered questions lead to with these two. Especially one of them." A word or two is missing from this line, making it incoherent. * Photos taken through a telescopic rifle sight as a means of frightening someone? A bit corny I think. FAVOURITE LINE -------------- Frank: "Public Record doesn't necessarily denote easy access." GRADING ------- 9.0 out of 10. Fantastic effort. APPENDIX -------- I've been told that Emma's MG voice activation phrase is a line from "Psycho." I don't want to read too much into it, but could Emma be the helpless, vulnerable woman that will suddenly and viciously be killed at some point?