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Summary:
The discovery of human ashes in a flowerbed brings Frank Black to San
Francisco, where the Millennium Group investigates a controlling cult
linked to a telemarketing firm.
On DVD,
On Video,
On Audio,
In Print
Full Transcript Available
Quote:
"I smell blood and an era of prominent madmen." —W.H. Auden
Synopsis: San Francisco. A pack of clean cut young
men cruise the night in their black BMWs. At a dark abandoned factory,
they turn on one of their own. They feed him LSD, terrorize him and leave
him there to become the prey of a savage half-seen, half-human beast. When
a disturbingly large amount of human ashes is discovered in a San Francisco
park, Frank joins the other members of the Millennium Group in the investigation
of this multiple homicide. Frank can sense that the killer has burned his
victims alive to feed on their suffering. Chemical traces in the remains
lead them to the abandoned factory, where Frank catches horrifying glimpses
of the Beast and his crimes; and makes a grisly discovery: a set of human
teeth.
Meanwhile, a shadow outside the house spooks Catherine
while she's home alone with Jordan. Is it only her imagination..? She tells
Frank's friend Bob Bletcher that she must never let Frank suspect she and Jordan
are in danger or Frank may remain home to guard them, and never use his
gift again. She is still unaware that the stalker from their past has followed
the family to Seattle. Back in San Francisco, Frank's colleague Mike Atkins
tells him that it is probable the objective of the person stalking his
family is terrorizing Frank. At this point, he believes the danger to Frank's
family is minimal.
The break in the investigation comes when dental
records lead them to a young Russian immigrant who disappeared six months
ago. They discover he had become a member of a mysterious apocalyptic cult
— who threaten to destroy their faithless in the fires of Gehenna (Biblical
Hebrew for "hell").
Inside a cavernous office, the brainwashed cult
members
—
all young, all male
—
telemarket hair products while Orwellian
slogans strobe by on a screen. One young man is singled out as the next
victim. This time instead of running into the arms of the Beast, the victim
runs into someone unexpectedly waiting, Frank. The young man is taken
into custody and questioned. Crazed by psychedelics and fear, the young
man's ravings reveal the terrifying hold this bloodthirsty cult has over
its members. He warns Frank that no one can escape the power of the Beast.
Frank realizes this case is like nothing he's ever seen before when his
prisoner literally wills himself to die.
Back in Seattle with his family, Frank goes online
and uncovers the San Francisco address of Gehenna Industries. Atkins investigates,
discovering a storehouse of doomsday weapons. The Beast lures Atkins inside
a giant industrial microwave...where he had immolated his previous victims.
Luckily, Frank realizes the danger, and sends the police after Atkins.
The rescue team arrives just in time to save Atkins' life, but not before
serious injury could be inflicted upon Atkins by the deadly microwaves.
The cult is smashed. The leader is captured. But Frank knows that
evil will always survive. |
Photographs:
- Atkins discovers an industrial microwave
- Atkins searches Gehenna International
- The cult leader watches Atkins in the dark
- The night vision goggles of the cult's leader
- A glimpse of the cult's techniques
- A human ear discovered amongst the ash
- Atkins, about to be burned alive
- Frank and Peter discuss the case
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Media Reviews:
"An unrelentingly dark, disturbing
vision of crime in America... Carter has developed a television show
that feels, looks and delivers like a feature film. With superb
writing, acting and directing, Millennium is perhaps the best
new program of the season (and may even be better than its
predecessor)." —Alex Garcia,
The Daily Trojan
"Frank
and friends go after a murderous cult with connections to the gang
that terrorized Japan with poison gas. There's just enough bizarre
reality to make Millennium the season's most chilling drama."
—John J. O'Connor, The New York Times
"The
only show with the chutzpah to mix W.H. Auden with LSD. The second
episode, written by Carter, commenced with a quote from Auden and
featured villains who drop acid and work part-time for some sort of
satanic version of Amway; in this context, a shot of a severed ear
seemed quaint. Although Millennium hasn't quite found its tone, it's got great
visuals and a commanding performance by Henriksen, whose tired eyes
and rumbly voice are mood enhancing."
—Ken Tucker, Entertainment Weekly
Trivia:
The telemarketing sales methods
employed by cult members in this episode were specifically chosen by
Chris Carter as a means of expressing a theme regarding fear and
modern communications. Carter once commented in an interview,
"The idea that evil could be carried out over the telephone is also a
very scary idea and one that I think is all too real and common these
days. People can reach right into your homes in so many ways now, by
fax, over the telephone, through your computer, and I think this is
one of the ways that we're scared these days. This is something I was
trying to communicate."
Guest star Bob Wilde, who portrays
devilish cult leader Ricardo Clement in this episode, should have a
hauntingly familiar face for Millennium fans. The actor
would return to the series during the third season to fill the
recurring role of the mysterious Mr. Mabius, although he would never
utter a word on the series.
Director David Nutter recorded an audio
commentary regarding "Gehenna" for Fox Home Entertainment's DVD
release of Millennium: The Complete First Season.
Death Toll:
2
Title:
"Gehenna" is a Hebrew word
meaning hell, the abode of damned souls and any
place of great torment or suffering.
In the episode it is also the name of Gehenna International, the
corporation that serves as a legitimate front for the cult's
activities. The company's name seems appropriate considering the
fate of its rejected employees.
Soundtrack:
"Hits From the Bong" by Cypress Hill
"Insane in the Brain" by Cypress Hill
"I Wanna Get High" by Cypress Hill
Starring:
Lance Henriksen as Frank Black
Megan Gallagher as Catherine Black
Terry O'Quinn as Peter Watts
Brittany Tiplady as Jordan Black
Bill Smitrovich as Lt. Bob Bletcher
Guest Starring:
Robin Gammell as Mike Atkins
Chris Ellis as Jim Penseyres
Sam Khouth as Dylan
Don MacKay as Jack Meredith
George Josef as Mr. Bolow
Stephen Holmes as Eedo
Chris Bradford as Driver
Henry Watson as Detective
Don McWilliams as Park Guy
Nina Persachi as Mrs. Bolow
Bob Wilde as Ricardo Clement
Production
Credits:
Production #4C01
Music by Mark Snow
Production Designer Sheila Haley
Director of Photography Robert McLachlan
Associate Producer Jon-Michael Preece
Consulting Producer Ted Mann
Consulting Producer James Wong
Consulting Producer Glen Morgan
Co-Producer Ken Dennis
Co-Producer Chip Johannessen
Co-Producer Frank Spotnitz
Co-Executive Producer Jorge Zamacona
Co-Executive Producer Ken Horton
Co-Executive Producer John Peter Kousakis
Executive Producer Chris Carter
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