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AIRED ON
December 19, 1997
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2024-08-29 00:39:16
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SUMMARY
During the Christmas season, Frank is haunted by visions of his deceased mother and unresolved family issues. As he reconnects with his estranged father, the episode explores themes of forgiveness, loss, and the emotional toll of Frank’s work with the Millennium Group.
STORY
"Midnight of the Century" is the tenth episode of the second season of *Millennium*. Originally airing on December 19, 1997, this episode is deeply emotional and reflective, exploring themes of loss, memory, and the supernatural as it delves into Frank Black's personal history and his relationship with his late mother.
### Episode Overview:
*Title*: "Midnight of the Century"
*Season*: 2, Episode 10
*Director*: Dwight Little
*Writer*: Erin Maher & Kay Reindl
### Full Story:
**Opening Scene:**
The episode begins in the days leading up to Christmas, a time traditionally associated with joy and celebration. However, for Frank Black, the holiday season brings a sense of melancholy and reflection. The episode opens with a flashback to Frank's childhood. In the flashback, young Frank is seen experiencing a vision of an angelic figure, which leaves him both fascinated and frightened. His mother, Linda Black, also had similar experiences, and it is implied that these visions have been passed down through the family.
**Frank's Struggles:**
In the present day, Frank is struggling with his feelings as Christmas approaches. The episode takes place on the anniversary of his mother’s death, a day that has always been difficult for him. His memories of her are bittersweet, filled with both love and pain. Frank’s daughter, Jordan, senses her father’s sadness and tries to comfort him, but Frank remains withdrawn, haunted by the memories of his past.
Throughout the episode, Frank is visited by visions of his mother, which are tied to the concept of "Midnight of the Century," a symbolic time representing the darkest hour before the dawn. These visions are ethereal and filled with a sense of otherworldly calm, but they also force Frank to confront unresolved issues from his past.
**The Meeting with His Father:**
One of the central events of the episode is Frank’s decision to visit his estranged father, Henry Black. The relationship between Frank and his father is strained and distant. Henry, a retired police officer, never understood or accepted the visions that both Frank and his mother experienced, dismissing them as delusions or signs of mental illness. This disbelief created a rift between father and son, which only deepened after Linda’s death.
Frank’s visit to his father is filled with tension, as both men struggle to communicate their feelings. Henry is a stern and proud man, unwilling to show vulnerability, while Frank is weighed down by the pain of their shared history. The scenes between them are charged with emotion, as they grapple with their inability to connect and the unresolved grief over Linda’s death.
**Jordan's Visions:**
Meanwhile, Frank’s daughter, Jordan, begins to experience her own visions. She sees an angelic figure, much like the one Frank saw as a child. Jordan’s experiences are depicted as innocent and pure, yet they echo the burden that Frank and his mother carried. Frank is deeply concerned for Jordan, fearing that she may inherit the same struggles that plagued his family.
The episode presents Jordan’s visions as a manifestation of the spiritual gifts that run in the Black family. However, Frank is conflicted about whether these visions are a blessing or a curse. His protective instincts as a father come into play, as he worries about what the future holds for Jordan.
**The Confrontation with the Past:**
As the episode progresses, Frank is forced to confront his memories of his mother and the circumstances surrounding her death. It is revealed that Linda Black was institutionalized due to her visions, which were misunderstood and feared by those around her, including Henry. Frank’s guilt over not being able to help his mother weighs heavily on him.
In a pivotal scene, Frank revisits the hospital where his mother spent her final days. There, he has a powerful vision of her, where she reassures him that she always loved him and that she understood his struggle to reconcile his own gifts with the expectations of the world. This moment of connection between Frank and his mother is deeply emotional, as it allows Frank to begin the process of healing.
**The Christmas Gathering:**
The episode culminates in a Christmas Eve gathering at the home of Frank’s ex-wife, Catherine, where Frank, Jordan, and Catherine come together as a family. This scene is filled with warmth and love, contrasting with the darker themes of the episode. Frank's interactions with Jordan are particularly touching, as he finally opens up to her about his feelings and shares some of the burden he has been carrying.
During the gathering, Frank is also visited by another vision of his mother, this time appearing as a comforting presence rather than a haunting memory. She tells him that "Midnight of the Century" is a time for reflection, but also a time to let go of the past and move forward. This vision brings Frank a sense of peace, allowing him to enjoy the holiday with his family.
**Themes of Forgiveness and Reconciliation:**
"Midnight of the Century" explores themes of forgiveness, reconciliation, and the passage of time. The episode emphasizes the importance of coming to terms with the past in order to find peace in the present. Frank’s journey is one of emotional and spiritual healing, as he learns to forgive his father, himself, and to some extent, the world that failed to understand his mother’s gifts.
The episode also touches on the theme of generational trauma, showing how the experiences of one generation can impact the next. Frank’s concern for Jordan reflects his desire to break the cycle of pain that has plagued his family, even as he acknowledges the gifts that come with their unique abilities.
**Conclusion:**
"Midnight of the Century" is a poignant and introspective episode that delves deep into Frank Black's personal history and the emotional scars he carries. The episode’s focus on family, memory, and the supernatural adds layers of complexity to Frank’s character, offering viewers a deeper understanding of his motivations and struggles.
The episode ends on a hopeful note, with Frank finding a measure of peace as he reconnects with his daughter and ex-wife during the Christmas celebration. The final moments are marked by a sense of reconciliation, as Frank begins to accept his past and look forward to the future.
**Significance in the Series:**
"Midnight of the Century" is considered one of the more emotionally resonant episodes of *Millennium*. It provides crucial insight into Frank’s backstory and deepens the show's exploration of the supernatural elements that are central to his character. The episode’s themes of forgiveness, loss, and the passage of time resonate with the broader narrative of *Millennium*, making it a memorable and impactful installment in the series.
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Walter White: Now, say my name.
Mike: Shut the fuck up. Let me die in peace.
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REVIEWS
The Christmas special
Written by
Pike on 2018-02-24
★
★
After the Halloween special, here's the Christmas special. Here too, as in the previous “special”, the concept works, focusing on Frank's childhood. It's very interesting to see how his daughter has inherited his extra-sensitivity. But is this a good idea? It confers more on the gift than the work, and is reminiscent of “The Phantom Menace”, when Qui-Gon Jinn explains that strength is transmitted in the blood...
Note Darren McGavin as Frank Black's father, who was supposed to play Fox Mulder's father in X-Files - and who ended up being the character who created the X-Files in the '50s.
Darren McGavin played the lead in Night Kolchak, the series that inspired Chris Carter to create the X-Files.
TRANSCRIPT
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2024-08-29 00:39:16 -
Pike:
Added the story.
