MILLENNIUM Virtual Season Four Episode review by 4Q2 Submitted 11-8-99 "Hostile Elements" #406 Original "Air" date: 8/20/99 Writer: Kevin Patterson In Brief: The sabotage of several flood levees in Iowa reunites Frank and Emma as they investigate one deranged man's obsession to bring about another Great Flood... which also attracts the eye of the Group. Overall Impression: Very reminiscent of the fantastic "Force Majeure" from the First Season, although the Millennium Group at one point seemed to be stumbling their way through this one. A definite "attention keeper." Details: One thought struck me as I read the last few sentences of Kevin Patterson's "Hostile Elements." There was almost a sense of deja vu that just wouldn't go away, and the previous effort "Blood and Water" came to mind. Yet another episode that dealt with an apocalyptic event that was overseen by a man who just *could not* ignore the destiny that apparently lay before him. And like "Blood and Water," it involved, well, water. The striking similarities here (as well as forthcoming factors) prevented me from giving this otherwise excellent story a perfect score. Again we had a young man driven only by the bolted-to-the-skull idea that he had been chosen by God to oversee an event foretold in in scripture. In this case, Michael Pellier assumes the role of John the Baptist. Now the twist that I liked here was that The Group was directly responsible for the creation of this modern-day John the Baptist. This was a move I had to convince myself of for a few minutes before remembering that this was a group that was capable of practically manufacturing serial killers. The way they influenced Pellier's revelation was a great idea, but seemed a little to easy, seemingly limited to a simple search for bomb parts over the internet (graciously provided by the group). I can believe that the Millennium Group had a hand in the creation of yet another human puppet, but it seems that their involvement was limited to the aformentioned bomb components and perhap they had even read a few of his books *beforehand*. So, unless I missed something, I do wonder if Pellier was going to start bashing in levees regardless of what the Group did. Emma, Emma, Emma... I did wonder (at the time I orginally read it) just when she would see that Finley is being just a little more than "less than forthcoming" when it comes to Group information. Hell, I'm surprised Frank didn't start making accusations outright when the tape was stolen and the Haskatee officer murdered. I knew pretty much right off the bat as soon as Finley said she was submitting a Group report that no good could come of it. And on that note, just how dense if Finley when it comes to the Group's master plan? This is a pretty bad case of denial on her part, and considering what potential crimes she was ready to commit in "Shophetim," it seems she is also suffering from a bit of an identity crisis. Now, I must address something that almost made me laugh out loud. Mabius's report to The Elder that Frank's "involvement was unanticipated?" Now, this is a group that monitors *billions* of people who buy a copy of the Bible, predicted (or caused) to the magnitude an earthquake in Seattle, and now posesses a piece of the cross on which Christ died. The idea that they wouldn't predict Frank's interference is quite as hard to swallow as the fact that they can't find where he lives (as far as we know). It made them seem a bit dumb, but then again evil has its dumb moments too (as everyone who has seen "End of Days" has told me) My final nitpick will come in the form of Pellier's ability to cover his tracks... which is to say he *has no ability*. This man, while completely *Planter's*, did not strike me as a careless or stupid individual. That was until of course he left the front door of his place unlocked and the plans for his little package of boom-boom right up on his computer. Now, one could argue that he was never aware of the fact that Frank and co. were closing in, and that he was so proccupied with giving his life for God that he just *didn't care* what Frank or anyone else might have found on his computer. Personal records kept on the desktop? I dunno about you folks, but I am a single bachelor living alone, and even *I* keep my "personal files" in a cryptically named folder a couple of directories deep on my hard drive. Yeah, yeah... insert "porno joke" here. G'wan, I dare ya! Now, despite the rather lengthy description of what irked me about "Hostile Elements," I still liked it *a lot*. The story was still compelling, the writing still tight and focused and, most important to me, everyone was in character for the most part. The "Millennium feel" was intact right up to the riveting conclusion on top of the flood wall. The idea of the Milennium Group driving a man to "tip the balance," while questionably executed, was still a very intriguing premise, keeping in perfectly with the determination of the Group to bring about an apocalypse of its own creation. Did The Opening Quote Seem Relevant To The Story? (Did 4Q2 get it?): The quote from the Book of Revelation reflects the promises and reassurance from Pellier to the poor folks whom would be impacted or killed by the impending flood he would cause. The faithful would be saved. TV Episode(s) that it most reminded me of: "19:19," "The Beginning and The End," "Force Majeure" Score: 9 (out of 10) Good story, great writing. A little too reminscent of A little too reminscent of "Blood and Water" and containing some questionable elements, but still damn fun and attention-holding. NEXT IN THE PIPELINE: 4Q2 is off an' runnin' to review "The First Prophet," "Twilight Years," "Our Own Flesh and Blood," "Akuma Odori," and the "Rapture" two-parter before sashaying off to Texas for Christmas vacation. Anybody want an Austin shot glass? Onward! -4Q2 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= "Hostile Elements" review by Neil Anna APPRECIATING THE ARCHITECTURE ----------------------------- One of the more intriguing questions about the Millennium Group mythos concerns their often contradictory activity - on one hand they represent the forces of good, but on the other they seem as evil as any group with too much power. This particular problem has plagued the group's portrayal from season 2 onwards. The original writers of Millennium may have erred by giving the MG a dark side, as it appears to have set up numerous continuity errors, especially in the context of season 1, and the latter half of season 2 where the group seems to know things beyond human understanding (like predicting earthquakes). The writers of the Virtual Season are to be commended for their continual use of the contradictory nature of the M. This episode, however, lets us into the secret of the Millennium Group... I think. I'll go out on a limb here and propose that the character of Pellier is a human representation of the Millennium Group - a man convinced by his faith, willing to do anything for his God, but led astray by dark forces masquerading as angels of light. The tragedy of Pellier is that he realises his mistake too late - he is killed by the forces of evil before he can make amends. Could this be a veiled forerunner of how the series will end - with the Millennium Group redeeming itself at the moment of its death, with apocalypse narrowly being averted? I'm happy to wrong about this, but it really does embody the confusion surrounding the MG - effectively portrayed by the Emma-Finley and Finley-Elder dialogues. Moreover, it does give a neat, simple yet easily portrayed metaphor doesn't it? The use of the flood as the means of destroying the world is again here at the fore - as with a number of earlier VS episodes, it seems as though the preferred method of apocalyptic destruction is not fire, but water. This is ironic considering that God said to Noah that he would not again destory the world by water. Perhaps this explains the "Bright Light" and the failure of the explosive devices to operate. STRUCTURAL FLAWS ---------------- Pleasantly enough, this VS episode has very few major flaws. I have included Nit Picks below though. GOLDEN MOMENTS -------------- * Finley and Emma having it out in the carpark. Emma presses Finley, but Finley stands firm. This is made even more delicious when we realise that Finley has her own doubts and suspicions, which are expressed at the end of the episode. * Frank and Pellier discussing faith and divine revelation on top of the flood wall, as police and helicopters whirl about. A great climactic scene. * Frank's visions, including a further examination of the flies. Lord of the Flies anyone? NIT PICKS --------- * Tom Black answers the phone, he calls to Frank that Ryan is on the phone. Why on earth does Frank say "Hi Ryan, it's Frank?" How about "yeah!," or "Hi Ryan," or just "Ryan?" * Okay, Frank again goes off by himself on a hunch from Ryan. When are they actually going to get together and formally make a crime-fighting crimescene-consulting contract? I've already complained about this, so I won't continue!! * Pellier drives his Truck UP a hill to reach the levee. I didn't really think that major rivers flowed on tops of hills. * Why would the Levee building team leave the site after completing the sandbagging? I always thought it was commonsense to stay around a while to make sure nothing happens (like some guy driving up in a truck). * Frank, Emma, Finley and Delaney are in a speedboat travelling to the crime scene. How do they manage to converse over the noise of the motor? It wouldn't sound great on TV. * Surely the forensic team could at least work out what sort of printer Pellier was using? I'm fairly sure that each printer has a unique "fingerprint" when it prints (either a dot matrix, inkjet or Laser). * The scenes of floodwaters roaring past the Durant's house would be expensive to film and/or create using computers. * Frank, Emma, Finley and Delaney travel from the Haskatee Police Crime Lab to Pellier's house, which is inside Delaney's juristiction. Given that Haskatee is 45 minutes drive from the Delaney police station, we can assume that it would take probably longer than 10 minutes for them to get to Pellier's house from Haskatee. Given that this is true, why does Delaney choose to let Emma, Finley and Frank know about the Liturgical Publishing lead only AFTER they arrived at Pellier's house? If you're going to be realistic, he would've explained it in in the police cruiser... then we could cut to the scene where they arrive at pellier's house. Otherwise, we're stuck with the implicit picture of the four of them in the police cruiser travelling to Pellier's house either not talking at all, or not talking about the case. ("Let's count dead animals!") * I have to say again that Frank's "gift" is treated a bit too lightly and familiarly. "You think he really sees things... like you do?" Keeping his gift hidden, obtuse and private makes it more mysterious. * Not being American, I have to ask... why is the ATF involved in the flood wall standoff? Surely it would be a regular police/FBI matter. * Stamer, of the ATF, walks up to one of the explosives and nudges it with his foot. Is this REALLY part of ATF proceedure? No wonder they lost at Waco! Surely the bomb squad would've come in and taken over... FAVOURITE LINE -------------- Frank: "It was a lie, told by those who stand opposite everything you believe in" - the critical phrase. GRADING ------- 8.5 out of 10. No major flaws; good use of characters; well written dialogue; plot-driven storyline that offers more than enough room for character development; intriguing ending. APPENDIX -------- * If this VS episode ever gets filmed, it would be great to intersperse the song "When the Levee Breaks" by Led Zeppelin. "Crying won't help you, Praying will do you no good..." etc.