The Rogue's Eye View
http://www.mmreviews.cjb.net



M I L L E N N I U M
104. THE JUDGE

Written by Ted Mann
Directed by Randy Zisk
Original Air Date: November 15, 1996


Brief summary: A self-proclaimed judge who uses ex-cons to sentence the "guilty" through a court of mad justice, reveals his true nature to Frank and makes the profiler a disturbing offer.

Rogue's Review: I was initially disappointed in this episode when it aired – but after a season's worth of story development, it must now be viewed as the prologue to the ongoing "Legion" storyline, and thus its odd conclusion reconsidered in that light.

I don't care to spoil the surprises of "The Judge" for first-time viewers, but in this first real glimpse of supernatural forces at work in MILLENNIUM, we meet the unique title character (played by Marshall Bell, a talented actor I've always enjoyed, most recently seen in STARSHIP TROOPERS). The Judge is his own self-appointed agent of justice, enlisting the aid of sociopathic killers to exact the punishments he metes out on those who have done wrong – and subsequently escaped human justice for their crimes, despite hard evidence of their guilt. Frank and Bletcher step in to stop this mercenary executioner and his minions, and Frank is surprised to find himself of particular interest to the Judge... not as a victim, but as a tool of his dark brand of justice.

So much of "The Judge" is a real thrill – the episode brilliantly depicts the frustrating impotence of our judicial system, which is so easily evaded by criminals and slick, soulless lawyers. Despite the cruelty of the Judge's verdicts, we can sympathize with the concept of punishment fitting a crime (he orders the extraction of a tongue from a transgressor whose false testimony in court led to the conviction of an innocent man). But the real chills of this outing come from the Judge's cold, calculating offer of a job to Frank Black, who is bewildered to hear this man he has never met speaking knowledgeably of Frank's fears for his family... and offering a way to ensure their safety forever, if only Frank will join him. [Rating: 8/10]

"My name is 'Legion.' When Jesus of Nazareth expelled demons from a herd of enchanted hogs, story has it that the demons told him their name was 'Legion.' ... How would you like to work for me?" -- The Judge


reviews by Rick Smith (1996 - present) and website by Matt Asendorf (2004)
all material property of Paper Street Productions ~ http://www.paperstreetprod.com