The Rogue's Eye View
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M I L L E N N I U M
115. WALKABOUT

Written by Chip Johannessen and Tim Tankosic
Directed by Cliff Bole
Original Air Date: March 28, 1997


Brief summary: When he is found with retrograde amnesia after mysteriously disappearing, Frank believes that he was an unwilling participant in a bizarre chemical trial.

Rogue's Review: Who was David Marx, and how does he fit into Frank's disappearance and memory loss? That is the central question asked in "Walkabout," easily one of those most disturbing episodes of MILLENNIUM to date because it reveals to us a side of Frank Black that is hard to reconcile with the loving family man and dedicated lawman we have previously scene.

With an opening sequence reminiscent of FIRESTARTER's Lot 6 experiment, we see Frank locked in a room with a group of people obviously suffering from some sort of delusionary psychotic break - fighting, women removing their clothing, screams, a man blinding himself with his thumbs...

Things move fast after that. Peter comes to Catherine, explaining that Frank failed to turn up at a crime scene where he was expected. Catherine in turn explains that about five years earlier, Frank went through a period where he would disappear for awhile, checking into hotels under the pseudonym David Marx - the name of a childhood friend of Frank's who died as a boy. And when Frank turns up bloodied and bandaged in Yakima, he seems to have no memory of where he's been. We're plunged into the mystery of the last couple weeks along with him, as he seeks to regain the memories that have been stolen from him.

Chip Johannessen scores yet again, cowriting this episode with Tim Tankosic, as we slowly come to realize that Frank was acting upon the events of previous eps (most recently "Sacrament"), seeking to find some scientific answer, and perhaps a cure, for the psychological "gift" he obviously has passed on to his daughter. What he discovers is a shocking plot to use mind-altering hallucinogens for a grand apocalyptic scheme against a sinful world - and he had unwittingly become a victim of that plot.

The episode also uncovers an interesting subcult of society - human guinea pigs who travel from city to city, getting involved in experimental drug tests for money. Hard to imagine, but very realistically illustrated in "Walkabout."

It was also a nice change of pace to see Peter jump down Frank's throat because of Frank's evasiveness and the fact that he put Peter's credibility on the line with the Group and forced him to frighten Catherine so badly. Peter's character at this point had become so full realized, such a wonderful counterpart to the laconic protagonist... such a shame early Season Two episodes put that growth into a tailspin for awhile.

The shocking finale, and the personal truths Frank discovers as he seeks to avert further tragedy, work on so many levels - not only do we get a new glimpse into Frank's quest to make some sense of his gift, but we're hit with a harsh indictment of mood-altering drug therapy turned commercial moneymaker. The proliferation of Prozac and other drugs, which we pop like M&Ms to steady our stressed-out lives, is to a degree helping to put our nation to sleep emotionally. Like the traveling guinea pigs, we seek out new ways to dull ourselves to disorder... and the results can be devastating.

One problem with this episode - Frank comes away with a new conviction to be honest with his wife: "No secrets," he says. They will work together to care for their gifted child, they agree. And yet Frank still has not been honest with Catherine about the existence of the Polaroid Stalker. Even at his most determined and loving... there are still secrets Frank Black can't be totally honest about. And it's gonna cost him. [Rating: 8/10]

"I got drawn into these trials because I wanted to find out something. A few weeks ago, when Helen was abducted, something happened that made me wonder... if Jordan has this thing... that I have." -- Frank Black


reviews by Rick Smith (1996 - present) and website by Matt Asendorf (2004)
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