UPDATE BOOKMARKS - News page moved to "Backtofrankback.com"



BIG change for Back to Frank Black - this news page will now run directly from http://www.backtofrankblack.com


As you can see above, BacktoFrankBlack.com is going through a major facelift - this includes a new style and all its components being situated onsite - which means this newspage hosted by blogger is... well, sadly, redundant for the large part.

This is quite sad as Blogger has served us since the start and I feel like we're retiring an old friend. All the posts made here have been archived at BacktoFrankBlack.com and we have no intention of closing this down; it is just unlikely to be updated.

SO UPDATE YOUR BOOKMARKS FOR BACKTOFRANKBLACK news to http://www.backtofrankblack.com!

FEARSOME FRIDAY: MILLENNIUM APOCALYPSE, SEASON ONE EPISODE THREE


Welcome to the third of our exclusive "Fearsome Fridays" at Back To Frank Black!

Every Friday at 8pm EST we will be airing Season One of Millennium Apocalypse for your viewing pleasure, and to prepare you for Season Two later this year!

Millennium Apocalypse was created by Jason Morris of In Pieces Productions and stars Shoni Alysse-Cook as an adult Jordan Black, sucked back into the horrific legacy left by the Millennium Group and coming terms with her "gifts". This independent film project was - unsurprisingly - inspired by Millennium, Jason being a big fan. If you missed our recent podcast with Jason, please check it out after you've watched the episode!

For each episode of the first season, Jason and Shoni have recorded a special introduction. This short introduction from the MA team is exclusive to Back to Frank Black.

It will come to no surprise that Jason is a big believer in the return of Millennium and has been actively supporting us in trying to bring Frank Black back!

So sit back and enjoy Episode Three of Season One of Millennium Apocalypse!




Join us again next Friday at 8pm EST for Part Four!

Second Sight: "Sacrament"


“Sacrament” (21 February 1997)

Writer: Frank Spotnitz
Director: Michael Watkins
Editor: Chris Willingham, A.C.E.

Quote: “Been sitting here trying to prepare myself for whatever happens... That’s the Black family: try to anticipate the future so you don’t have to dwell on the past.” --Thomas Black


Overview: Since viewers were first introduced to Frank Black in Millennium’s pilot episode, his disturbing visions have become progressively more complex with each passing installment, each harrowing murder investigation. With cryptic connections mounting as the series neared the climax of its first season, it seemed that the mythology building up around the profiler’s visionary talents would soon take us well beyond mere investigative insights. In “Sacrament,” Frank Spotnitz begins to pull at loose threads left dangling from “Pilot” and “Dead Letters,” not to unravel the unfinished tapestry of Millennium but so that he may tie these threads neatly together in preparation for the epic dramas to come.

“Sacrament” stands as a milestone in that it is the first episode to openly suggest that there is an extraordinary inheritance possessed by Jordan Black. This is revealed subtly yet irrefutably in a pair of scenes that would put any concerned parent on alert. With tears in her eyes and anguish in her voice, Jordan expresses concern over the abuse being inflicted on her aunt, in spite of the fact that the child is undoubtedly being shielded from the horrors traumatizing her family. At the moment Helen Black is kidnapped, Jordan bears witness to the brutal abduction, seeing the events remotely from the sanctity of the vacant church. (The only alternative reading to this scene is the even more dramatic suggestion that Jordan is observing traumas to come, prophetically anticipating the terrible fate that awaits her Aunt Helen.) The unavoidable implication is that Jordan is witnessing great violence with her mind’s eye--in precisely the same fashion as her father.

With its emphasis on family, “Sacrament” is able to quietly reinforce the great bond between this loving father and his beloved child, a connection that has resonated with viewers since Lance Henriksen and Brittany Tiplady first shared the screen. Indeed, our sense of their relationship is only strengthened by the presence of Thomas Black, a shaken and confused man who simply cannot relate to his stoic older brother. The episode’s memorable final shot--in which Frank takes Jordan aside, separate from the rest of the family, and the two walk away hand-in-hand--is so symbolic, so evocative that it would be echoed throughout the rest of the series. This lasting image leaves us with an affecting impression of the bond that connects Frank Black to his exceptional daughter, the sort of bond that can exist only between two kindred souls who share the same gift, the same curse. Theirs is the relationship that will prove to be the very core of Millennium’s unfolding mythology.

Connections: Following her ordeal at the church, Jordan Black is afflicted by a mysterious fever, the very same symptom for which she was hospitalized in “Pilot.” Jordan’s gift for prophetic visions was first hinted at, somewhat obliquely, in a nightmare seen in “Dead Letters.”

Trances in Total: 6 (0:14)

Gore Score: 10/10

Mark Snow X-Files Soundtrack Released

Today sees the long-awaited and much-anticipated release of Mark Snow’s 4-disc soundtrack of his score from the television series run of The X-Files — filled with a wealth of never-before released material — by La La Land Records. Clocking in at a massive running time of 311 minutes, it contains music from "Pilot” all the way up to the series finale The Truth” with many much lauded stops along the way, including a personal — and fan — favourite in Scullys Serenade” from the beginning of Season Eight. Full tracklisting and details on how to order are available at La La Land Records’ product listing. The release is limited to 3,000 copies, retails for the very reasonable price of $49.98 and, as if that were not enough, early orders will be autographed by Mark Snow whilst supplies last.

And just take a look at that photo. Not only will this set boast over 5 hours of blissful music from across all nine seasons of the series but it is a thing of beauty, with much care having gone into its design. It also comes with an extensive booklet which includes the article There’s Something Out There The Meeting of Mythology and Music in The X-Files” by film music journalist Randall D. Larson. It’s an absolute must-have for fans of Mark’s highly influential music, which was of course also such a pivotal piece of the jigsaw in the style and tone of Millennium. And not only is this the most definitive release of music from The X-Files to date, but it is tantalisingly subtitled Volume I, hinting at the possibility of more releases in the future. In fact, plans are already afoot to release Volume II next year.

Rest assured I will be ordering a copy the very moment it comes on sale, and I urge you all to do the same since — just like the superb Millennium 2-disc set that came before it — this title will undoubtedly sell out fast.

Reflections on the Lance Henriksen Blogathon


Unless you’ve been on the moon, fans of Lance can’t have failed to notice that last week marked the Lance Henriksen Blogathon, co-hosted by the huge talents that are John Kenneth Muir and Joe Maddrey. It was also, of course, timed to coincide with the release of Lance’s biography, Not Bad for a Human”.

The week-long event was a huge success with a wealth of material celebrating Lance’s long and varied career to date being blogged, and John rounded it all off with a special thankyou on his blog to all the contributors. What we wanted to do here at Back to Frank Black, though, was to highlight the wealth of Millennium-related material that showcased how alive support for the series still is, and point you back to some of the highlights in case you shamefully missed any of them.

Some of that material of course came from John and Joe themselves. John selected some memorable character-led scenes for his five favourite Frank Black moments and referenced Frank Black’s quiet tenderness” as a father in his piece on The Tao of Lance Henriksen”, whilst Joe recalled the critical reaction to Millennium’s debut in 1996 and asserted how we need (Frank Black) now more than ever”.

Others joined the fray too. Jane Considine wrote about Season One’s “The Well-Worn Lock” and told of how she is mesmerised by Frank Black”. And an extensive and carefully considered article over at Musings of a Sci-Fi Fanatic reminds us how Henriksens approach is subtle, restrained, complex and vulnerable, the necessities required for the mood and depth of Chris Carters Millennium and such an extraordinary human character”. The same blog followed that epic with a reminder of some of the striking visual imagery of Season One.

Back to Frank Black’s voice was also in evidence throughout the week. James wrote a personal piece about Lance, reflecting upon his portrayal of Frank as deeply, tragically human, filled with uncertainty, hope and love”, whilst Troy also talked of his personal friendship with Lance and summed him up as The Essence of Excellence”. Meanwhile my regular column What the Killer Sees inverted its usual format in order to examine Frank’s transformation in the episode “The Beginning and the End” and Lance's finely nuanced handling of the role to ensure that the audience continue to want to follow this complex hero on his journey through the dark”. It was a wonderful week and we’re just proud to have been a small part of it.

So go, read and enjoy all over again. And, when you're done, go write a letter or two.

Fearsome Friday: Millennium Apolcaypse, Season One Episode Two


Welcome to the second of our exclusive "Fearsome Fridays" at Back To Frank Black!

Every Friday at 8pm EST we will be airing Season One of Millennium Apocalypse for your viewing pleasure, and to prepare you for Season Two later this year!

Millennium Apocalypse was created by Jason Morris of In Pieces Productions and stars Shoni Alysse-Cook as an adult Jordan Black, sucked back into the horrific legacy left by the Millennium Group and coming terms with her "gifts". This independent film project was - unsurprisingly - inspired by Millennium, Jason being a big fan. If you missed our recent podcast with Jason, please check it out after you've watched the episode!

For each episode and the first season, Jason and Shoni have recorded a special introduction. This short introduction from the MA team is exclusive to Back to Frank Black.

It will come to no surprise that Jason is a big believer in the return of Millennium and has been actively supporting us in trying to bring Frank Black back!

So sit back and enjoy Episode Two of Season One of.. Millennium Apocalypse!



Join us again next Friday at 8pm EST for part three!

Happy Birthday Lance Henriksen!

All of us at Back to Frank Black would like to wish Lance Henriksen a very Happy Birthday! It's hard to believe that someone who keeps up the demanding schedule that Lance does is turning 71!

From Dog Day Afternoon, Aliens, Near Dark and Millennium to Hard Target, Lance has produced a body of work that can be matched by very few in the movie and television industry. Still, with all that work and critical acclaim from many top insiders, Lance remains as humble as ever. Still the consummate professional, still wanting to perfect his craft, Lance has shown what it truly means to be an artist in the entertainment industry.

Speaking on a personal note, I have had the privilege to get to know not only the actor, but the man himself. I can safely say that I can call Lance Henriksen a friend. He is truly appreciative of all the fan support that he has received over the years and thanks all of the fans who have done so throughout his 35 years in the industry. But don't fret, Lance isn't done yet, with several movies already in the can and several more projects on the way, he continues to stay busy. Most importantly, he just released his autobiography Not Bad For a Human. You can order the limited edition of the book by going here.

Although we wanted to do something on a grander scale, Lance asked us to keep it simple. So, all of us at Back to Frank Black ask you to take the time out of your busy schedules and leave Lance a birthday message. We know that he will be very happy to see the well wishes from all his fans!

Happy Birthday Lance from Back to Frank Black!!

"Not Bad for a Human": Order Your Copy Now!

Well, folks. the long wait is over, your appetites can finally be sated... Back to Frank Black is very pleased to be able to pass on the (quite literally) hot off the press news that you can order your copy of "Not Bad for a Human" now!

The official website now has a link from which you can order a copy of the Limited Edition hardcover of Lance's official biography, co-written with Joe Maddrey. And, better still, order through the website and you will receive a copy SIGNED by Lance Henriksen. Back to Frank Black will be posting our own review of the book in the very near future, but it goes without saying that this is a must-have purchase for all fans of Lance and Millennium, with significant coverage given over to his time on the series. Here's your opportunity to own a very special version of this tome, so go there now!


What the Killer Sees: Frank Black

The concept of What the Killer Sees is to explore the killers that featured in Millennium’s rich canon, to profile the antagonists to Frank Black’s singular hero. For this instalment, though, to mark Lance Henriksen Blogathon Week, I’m putting a spin on that format. Following on from last week’s look at the Polaroid Stalker, we consider the events that prompted Frank Black himself to turn killer, and how Lance Henriksen’s performance ensured the audience could believe such a shocking transformation...

Killer: Frank Black (Lance Henriksen)

Episode: “The Beginning and the End” (19 September 1997)
Writers: Glen Morgan & James Wong
Director: Thomas J. Wright

Quote: “I guess deep down I knew this hour would come. I thought I did everything I could to stop this from happening. What did I overlook? What could I have done? And now what must I sacrifice to have her back safe?” --Frank Black

Profile: Frank Black is Millennium’s beacon of hope. In a world tainted by moral bankruptcy, tormented by eldritch evils and teetering on the verge of apocalyptic meltdown he is our best line of defence. He knows evil having seen the world through the eyes of killers, and yet time and again he emerges from his visions triumphant and catches the bad man.

Throughout Season One, Lance Henriksen asserts Frank Black as a devoted husband and father to a wholly believable family unit. Famously, Chris Carter directed Lance to invest the consulting profiler with a sense of quiet authority through a stillness and reserve that did not come naturally to Lance but which led him to find the truth of the character. As a result, and in spite of his insights into the minds of killers, Frank seems so far from truly becoming the capability he so vividly comprehends. It is thus in the contrast to this consistency of poise and carefully measured control across the previous twenty-two episodes that Frank’s transformation in “The Beginning and the End” provides such a powerfully dramatic pay-off.


Yet Frank has been taunted for so long by the Polaroid Stalker’s missives that have repeatedly threatened to break the sanctity of his yellow house and to harm his family. Back home after the fruitless search for Catherine following the Polaroid Stalker’s kidnap of her and escape from Tacoma Airport, Frank asks Peter what he needs to sacrifice in order to get Catherine back. From his words and subsequent actions it is apparent he is willing to sacrifice at the very least his own liberty, if not his life. Having surmised the Polaroid Stalker’s location, he ignores Peter Watts’ plea to wait for backup and instead makes the decision to go there alone and armed. Finally confronted by the man who has taken his wife captive, his poise explodes into a few moments of devastatingly visceral violence, and he repeatedly stabs the man until he is dead. But for the Millennium Group’s further interference, he would not so readily have evaded being called to answer for the killing.

Even in the wake of her rescue, Catherine is left feeling conflicted from having witnessed Frank’s violent actions from such close quarters, telling him, “I don't know yet if it was wrong, what you did.” “Neither do I,” admits Frank. And neither do we, the audience, even as we are forced to consider how we might react if our most loved ones were under such threat. Plenty of portrayals of such an act of vengeance would leave the audience with no doubt as to the moral righteousness of the hero but, quite apart from his statement, the line walked by Frank Black’s character in this episode is a fine one. As Lance outlines in the documentary accompanying the Season Two DVD release, “Every action has a reaction, so no matter how pure of heart you might have been about something, you’re gonna pay the consequences, or pay for it. The truth definitely shouts. It set me out on my own.” It was a brave move to take the series’ protagonist and transform his behaviour in this way as part of its reinvention of the series, and one that might easily have gone awry.


But as John Kenneth Muir noted in his recent article on “The Tao of Lance Henriksen”, Lance embodies the very soul of the roles he undertakes, “without standing back — away from the performance — and transmitting some sense of moral judgment”. In a less nuanced or more straightforward performer’s creative grasp, Frank Black’s actions in “The Beginning and the End” might well have felt forced or untrue to the character by trying too hard to sell the audience on the righteousness of his revenge. As it is we believe Frank’s transformation and, as he drives away from his yellow house alone at the end of the episode, we continue to want to follow this complex hero on his journey through the dark.

There are a multitude of reasons why, thirteen or so years later, a legion of fans still stand firm in their resolve to return Frank Black to our screens. There is the initial creative vision of Chris Carter, the subsequent involvement of some of the very finest writers, directors, cinematographers and editors working in television throughout its three year run all contributing to a superlative body of work, but above all there is the one constant: Lance Henriksen’s unique interpretation of the role. For those of us well acquainted with Frank Black, Lance so inhabited the character that it seems inconceivable that anyone else could have played him, as the executives at FOX originally requested. Evil has many faces. Hope has just one. And, thanks to Lance, the world still needs Frank Black.

Lance Henriksen Blogathon Week: My Life with Lance


I've squandered much McLean-time trying to decide on a witty and engaging collective huddle of words on the subject of Lance Henriksen. Oddly, my musing seemed to revolve heavily around nudity gags. Alas, such lazy jokes didn't seem to quite fit the tone of the piece, so rather than continue laboured forced imagined "hilarity", I figured I'd write this au naturel myself - nude. There - it's no longer a joke, it's a fact.

Amused? Repulsed? Well if I've got you past the opening paragraph, I really don't care which ballpark you decide to sit in – you're still with me, hopefully for a little longer. So where was I? Ah, Lance.

This attempt to coax, drive and pen alphabet letters into something more dignified than a swill-and-spit word mouthwash of sentences will be coherent - I promise. While focusing on Lance it will cling to me in that particular way my clothes currently do not: My personal history with Mr Henriksen.

Before Back To Frank Black and the drive to bring Lance's Millennium character back to our screens, I will have to admit not to being a massive follower of Lance. That sounds a terrible thing to say, but it's an honest one. Naturally I was a big fan of his work throughout Millennium, but before that my experiences of Lance were relatively slim – though nevertheless significant.

I first blindly encountered Lance in Terminator, but my real memory of him first comes from Aliens. Despite my penchant for the macabre as a child, having been brought up on darker British comics like 2000AD and Eagle from five upwards, I was oddly sensitive to particular horrors. There were a couple of ideas that seriously creeped me out, and I remember being told about Alien in the playground when I was just six, and that just stuck with me. I still have dreams of being six years old and the near hysterical fear about a film I had never seen – I actually dream of living that fear as a child; of what Alien could be like through the eyes of six year old me... dreams of a film I've seen more than a few times – even played the game and read the book. If that's not an example of what a stupid berk my brain is, I don't know what is.

But in that very human way, we are drawn to what scares us. And I remember seeing Aliens when I was in my teens. Now, I know many don't consider Aliens "horror", but the general template of a lot of horror (in my humbly arrogant opinion) is the “star” is the antagonistic force, not the protagonist; the people you care about aren't as important as the force that scares and kills them. However, in Aliens there are actually a host of protagonists you could actually care for a great deal – these weren't the usual canon fodder dressed up with mild personalties, food for an unstoppable enemy. For me, the starring protagonist wasn't Ripley, it was the synthetic android, Bishop.

Bishop was captivating – a fusion of counterpoints. Henriksen's synthetic Bishop played off a warm innocence against the character's cold artificial intelligence. His eyes were kind, filled with youthful honesty, set upon the face of a mature man. In the midst of the frantic horror, he was the calm in the storm. On first watch his role isn't quite as assuring given the uncertainty of synthetics in the franchise – thanks to the memorable portrayal of Ash in Alien by Ian Holm. However on repeated watches, knowing Bishop isn't a wolf in sheep's clothing, he grows on you and in a sense you feel so comfortable with the character that you believe in him – thanks very much to such a unique and memorable performance from Lance.

Bishop was, in fact, a perfect compliment to the film's survivors of Hicks, Newt and Ripley. This dynamic was so strong, they took this quartet into comic form – until Alien 3 came about and severed this partnership (in which the comics then hastily reissued the past stories with this team re-casting them as an identical group of people who weren't Hicks, Newt, Ripley and Bishop, but looked like Hicks, Newt, Ripley and Bishop – oh, the wicked web of comicdom).

The lack of Bishop in Alien 3 disappointed me, but Henriksen's work in the franchise had left its mark – he had me spellbound by his performance and his face was firmly etched into my celluloid memory archive.

That being said, I still didn't follow Lance like so many of you have done. I guess my viewing consumption didn't really flow with his output. I saw him in Scream 3 in the 90s, I don't remember catching him in anything else until... Millennium!

When Millennium came along and I saw his face on some promo photos, Lance sold me on watching it. And the promo pitches I saw were good, a nice blend of images that informed me so much of what this character was about – the sympathetic eyes of Bishop were there, but there was something deeper, something, conversely, human about this character – and this was proved true in the show itself. For if Bishop was an example of how humans ought to be in a broad utopian sense – selfless, honest, informed with a gift of kindness, Frank Black was what humans should be in a real contemporary world – once again, honest and to some degree selfless, but carrying human imperfections – some knowingly, some not so – burdened with flaws and experiences that, if we let them, can consume us. In Lance's portrayal of Frank Black I saw an actor who could carry this weight in a single look; an expression that told me this man had experience – he wasn't artificial, and he was deeply, tragically human, filled with uncertainty, hope and love.

And now I'm in a very fortunate position to know the man behind these two characters. And as Frank is different to Bishop, Lance is different to both – yet in some respects imbues facets of the two. There is a natural honesty to Lance that he carries in both of these characters – but compared to Frank or Bishop there is a really raw energy in Lance Henriksen, an unstoppable urge to get things done, to find solutions and to make the most of a situation. He doesn't let himself dwell on the negatives in life, but he doesn't ignore the pain and suffering that he knows is present – and is always willing to contribute in anyway to fight such real horror. Perhaps in that respect, you can see shades of Frank, but if with Frank there's a passive dedication to hope, with Lance it's an active pursuit. And unlike both those characters, he is a man of great wit and humour – he can seriously make you laugh. He is opinionated and informed – he will say what he thinks and in his art he puts his all into the roles he plays. Moreover, he loves his fans and followers – he watches his Facebook page avidly, never taking the support for granted – in fact, I sometimes suspect slightly bemused at why he's worthy of such support at all. I don't think it's a question he lingers on. He is very much a man of the moment who simply enjoys the fact the interaction is there.

So this is where I stand today, working along side the man for Back to Frank Black and very honoured to be his friend as much as a co-worker. But while this piece is very much about my perception of the man, I hope it can be something to you, the reader. So often we are spellbound or seduced by such powerful performers on our screen and left wondering whether that thespian mask hides a man worthy of respect. Do we see any of the artist within his art, or is his art a true deception? In the case of Lance Henriksen, I hope I can assure those who do weigh up such a question that this man is firmly in the former category. Behind the many diverse roles Lance has played is an artist who you can watch knowing he's worth your respect – and he is a man who will always wear your respect as a badge of honour.

So happy birthday to Lance this week, an actor whose honest creativity deserves such an honour roll. And with that, I bid you goodnight – I'm off to put some clothes on.
- James McLean

New Auction has begun!


Another round of Back To Frank Black's auctions [EDIT] Has begun!

  • Script: 1.0
  • Script: Powder
  • Script: No Contest 2
  • Script: The untold
  • Mark Snow Pack - Signed Limited Edition Millennium Soundtrack and photo!
As always, all proceeds will be going to www.childrenofthenight.org - a charity to help kids out of child prostitution. A worthy cause. To learn a little more, please watch the video below created by Joselyn Rojas and the rest of the B2FB staff.


Welcome to Fearsome Friday!


Welcome to the first of our exclusive "Fearsome Fridays" at Back To Frank Black!

From this Friday, every Friday we will be airing Season One of Millennium Apocalypse for your viewing pleasure, and to prepare you for Season Two later this year!

Millennium Apocalypse was created by Jason Morris of In Pieces Productions and stars Shoni Alysse-Cook as an adult Jordan Black, sucked back into the horrific legacy left by the Millennium Group and coming terms with her "gifts". This independent film project was - unsurprisingly - inspired by Millennium, Jason being a big fan. If you missed our recent podcast with Jason, please check it out after you've watched the episode!

To warm you up for the episode and the first season, Jason and Shoni have recorded a special introduction to Episode One for you to enjoy. Each episode will have a short introduction from the team, exclusive to this Back to Frank Black presentation. It will come to no surprise that Jason is a big believer in the return of Millennium and has been actively supporting us in trying to bring Frank Black back!

So sit back and enjoy Episode One of Season One of.. Millennium Apocalypse!


What the Killer Sees: The Polaroid Stalker

What the Killer Sees explores a seminal if almost entirely absent figure from Millennium's first season for this edition, a character also utilised to set an altogether different tone at the outset of Season Two. Whilst a fascinating creation in and of himself, this is also by way of lead-in for a very special edition to mark next week's Lance Henriksen Blogathon Week. More of that in due course, as for now we explore the man who took Frank Black back into the abyss...


Killer: The Polaroid Stalker (Doug Hutchison)

Episode: “The Beginning and the End” (19 September 1997)
Writers: Glen Morgan & James Wong
Director: Thomas J. Wright

Quote: “I am the first and I am the last, I am the alpha and I am the omega, I am the beginning and I am the end. And soon he will come to understand this as he works to get inside me: with me his gift is useless. I don't fit into the serial killer profile he's come to understand. Now, I am so far beyond. I wasn't from a broken home, he’ll find no homicidal triad in my childhood, no setting of fires, no bed wetting, no cruelty to animals. I’ve had a formal education, responsibility, money. Until recently, not a loner. He’ll work on the principle that behaviour reflects personality. He’ll evaluate the criminal act itself, then the specifics of the crime scene, analyse the victim—which, of course, he knows well—before attempting the development of a profile with critical offender characteristics. This will lead him nowhere, absolutely nowhere, because until now I’ve committed no crime. This is something he’s never experienced before. Frustrated, agonised, angry even, he’ll turn to those torturous photographs I'm so fond of mailing him. He’ll consider complex theories regarding grandiose subtypes of delusional disorder or even photographic paraphilia… blah, blah, blah. Ultimately he will sense none of it applies.” --The Polaroid Stalker

Profile: For so long an unseen enigma, then—in “Paper Dove”—a briefly glimpsed collaborator or director of a serial killer, The Polaroid Stalker finally reveals himself and his motivation for having taunted Frank Black for months during “The Beginning and the End”. So far as we know, The Polaroid Stalker is not of course actually a killer and therefore arguably has no place in this column. His character is, however, one that bears closer examination.

Initial considerations might seem to indicate that The Polaroid Stalker fits a classic stalker profile. The stalker is usually motivated by some kind of underlying emotional conflict with his target, who is usually female, and psychologically can be delusional or non-delusional. The Polaroid Stalker, in spite of his evident state of mind, appears to be non-delusional in this aspect, as per the FBI Crime Classification Manual; his target is Frank Black, he is very organised in terms of luring him in and there is no sexual motive at work. His photographs of Frank’s family appear to represent a symbolic threat aimed at Catherine and Jordan, the very people that Frank holds dear above all others and seeks to protect within the sanctity of his yellow house, and are addressed explicitly to him.

Ultimately stalkers do reach a point where they act towards their victims, and The Polaroid Stalker is highly organised in this respect. His abduction of Catherine and subsequent evasion of roadblocks to his hideout required intricate planning. Any suggestions of photographic paraphilia can be quickly dispelled, revealed to be little more than a smokescreen. Frank Black is his ultimate target.

In many ways, the cited quote from the Stalker himself is key to understanding his true motive. As he talks Catherine through Frank Black’s thought processes in trying to profile him, he reveals an in-depth knowledge of his craft. Furthermore, he seems to have an understanding of The Millennium Group and their sinister agenda, taunting Catherine further at one point when he asks her, “Would you die for God, then? Would you, could you? Because I won't. No, they asked me to but I won't. They're gonna ask Frank if he's willing to give his life for you.” That, coupled with the Group’s detailed file on him, seems to imply that he may have been a previous candidate, much as Frank Black is now. The Group’s design for the ouroboros even appears on the wall in his hideout. Perhaps, then, The Polaroid Stalker is another individual broken by his former connection to the Group. A former student of theology, his knowledge of biblical prophecy is apparent, whilst his rantings to Catherine foreshadow some of those of Lara Means a matter of months later. And maybe his ultimate motive is to reveal the dangers that they pose, and finally to seek his own dramatic execution at Frank’s hands.


Kills: 0

Investigation: This investigation is borne of a scenario that has actively sought out Frank Black, rather than the other way around. After Catherine’s abduction from Seattle Tacoma Airport and having failed to halt The Polaroid Stalker’s escape from the airport or via use of roadblocks, he returns home in turmoil.

The hasty arrival of Peter Watts at the airport and his subsequent conversation with Frank at his home begin to reveal that The Millennium Group know far more about The Polaroid Stalker than they have admitted. When Watts has Roedecker and his colleagues provide Frank with a new level of access to their files, this truth becomes yet more apparent.

Frank studies the history of the stalker from the Group’s files but nothing about the Polaroid Stalker fits any established pattern. Ultimately, however, he realises the profile is really all about him. And this leads him on a personal mission, one that will change his life forever.

XFN joins Back to Frank Black and It's A Good Day For It!

What better way to promote a movie that stars two very well known 1013 alumni than by Back to Frank Black joining forces with our brothers and sisters from www.XFilesNews.com!

Well that day is here, 1013 friends - actors Lance Henriksen and X-Files hero Robert Patrick both star in the upcoming film Good Day For It.

The film boasts an impressive cast. Along with Lance and Robert, Hal Holbrook, Robert Englund, Christian Kane and Kathy Baker also star.



Back to Frank Black recently had the pleasure of speaking with director Nick Stagliano who wanted to pass on some information to the fans. The film will make it's debut at the Newport Beach Film Festival on Saturday April 30th. After the film, Nick will be involved in a Q&A with the attendees about the film.

While speaking to Nick he told us that our support would be a big help. If all the 1013 fans could go to the Newport Beach Film Festival site and let your voice be heard. Make sure you click either "like" or "add" for the film, which will help the film in the final rankings. Also, when you see the movie, make sure you go to the film's IMDB page and leave your review and thoughts on the film.

Back to Frank Black is teaming up with XFilesNews.com to spread the word about this film and show that with our support, we can help make this film a huge success!

Nick will be doing an exclusive interview with Back to Frank Black in the next several days and we will be sure to share it with all of you! So please join us and X-FilesNews.com and show your support for this film!

For more information, please visit the Newport Beach Film Festival website here.

Video Showcase - Paint it Black!

We will start to feature videos from Millennium fans with this new feature, Video Showcase. If you are interested in sending in a video, you can email us at info@backtofrankblack.com. The video can be a trailer, music video or whatever you like, so long as it is Millennium related.

The first offering is from someone who isn't a stranger to fans of this website. Jason Morris is the man behind the fan series Millennium Apocalypse. We will be debuting the first episode of Season One later this week, but right now Jason has sent us a clip that promotes both us as well as the debut of his series on our website. It's a very unusual approach and one that we think works quite well!


Second Sight: "The Thin White Line"


“The Thin White Line” (14 February 1997)

Writers: Glen Morgan & James Wong
Director: Thomas J. Wright
Editor: Stephen Mark

Quote: “Can you see what I see, FBI? Can you see your fear? Can you see what you really are?” --Richard Alan Hance


Overview: At Millennium’s very center is an intrinsic concern with the nature of dreams and visions. This is, in part, because Millennium is a television series that continually embraced modes of alternate perception, both stylistically and thematically. Through the eyes of its visionary heroes and its delusional villains, the series explored the ways in which our memories, emotions, and instincts reveal themselves in the way that we see the world around us.

Perhaps no installment of Millennium’s first season embraces this more fully than “The Thin White Line.” The manhunt for copycat serial killer Jacob Tyler, who murders innocent men and women based on wishful fantasies, forces Frank Black to confront his own past. Thanks to an inventive script, the story that unfolds allows him to do this somewhat literally in some scenes. Our hero’s remarkable inner eye is expanded yet again as his trademark visions are supplemented with recurring nightmares, dreams in which the profiler is forced to relive one of the most terrifying confrontations of his life. One of these dream sequences in particular, in which the present day Frank joins forces with his wide-eyed younger self in an effort to rewrite history, beautifully enacts the psychological struggle of the story. “The Thin White Line” stands as one of the first season’s strongest episodes and this remains one of the first season’s most memorable moments.

In both nightmares and flashback sequences, “The Thin White Line” also offers us a number of minor tidbits that contribute to the mystery and mythology surrounding our hero’s remarkable talents. Dialogue suggests to us that Frank’s “feelings” had earned him something of a reputation among his colleagues as early as 1977, when he was a member of the FBI team that captured Richard Alan Hance. Marked on his palm as one of this fearsome killer’s victims, staring into the face of his own death as he endures Hance’s vicious taunts, Frank experiences the sudden flare of one of his visions. This is the first occurrence of one of Frank’s visions, chronologically speaking, shown to us in the series thus far. Whether they represent the hero’s intuitive imaginings or some prophetic insight, we now know that Frank Black was seeing what the killer sees as early as the late seventies.

This scene also marks out “The Thin White Line” as one of the few Millennium episodes in which the hero’s visions are in some way internalized, offering a self-conscious glimpse of his own fears, his own potential fate. Glen Morgan and James Wong remain true to form with this script, forever aiming to more deeply explore Frank Black’s unique way of seeing the world, to ensure that his visions contributed to the themes of the story rather than providing highly-stylized distraction or plot loopholes. This is the same writing duo that first hinted at Jordan Black’s inheritance with the bad dreams of “Dead Letters,” the same team that first turned Frank Black’s visions inward in a feverish nightmare seen in “522666.” Yes, dreams are undeniably key to understanding this series and the struggles of its characters. Under the direction of Morgan and Wong, dreams and visions would become an increasingly intrinsic element of Millennium’s deepening mythology.

Connections: Jacob Tyler’s delusional fantasies, in which he imagines his victims to be volunteering themselves, are based on the hallucinations of real life serial killer Herbert Mullin, who murdered thirteen victims in California in 1972 and 1973. Frank Black’s visions were first utilized for introspective purposes in a nightmare he experienced in “522666,” also scripted by Glen Morgan and James Wong. Serial killer Richard Alan Hance has been previously profiled in Adam Chamberlain’s What the Killer Sees.

Trances in Total: 5 (0:16)

Gore Score: 4/10

Millennium Apocalypse Season One to debut at Back to Frank Black!

There is no limit to the talent that exists in the Millennium fan community. Every day we here at Back to Frank Black meet and chat with people from all over the world! We are truly amazed at the talent these fine folks often offer to share with their fellow Millennium fans. Well, we now bring you something that takes fan art to a whole new level.

Jason Morris is an independent filmmaker from California. He is also a huge Millennium fan and, back in 2004, he wanted to show his appreciation for the show. So what did Jason do? He only gathered a bunch of his friends, wrote scripts and came up with the very first Millennium themed web seriesm entitled Millennium Apocalypse! 13 episodes were produced for the first season and we are proud to announce that we will be showing the entire run here at Back to Frank Black!

We start with the first episode, entitled "The Beginning". Here we get the chance to first see Jordan, played by Shoni Alysse Cook, grown up and struggling to deal with her ability. I am sure you will find this series as enjoyable as all of us at Back to Frank Black did. The first episode will debut April 29th at 8pm EST. So, let's spread the word and get as many people in front of their laptops and monitors to watch this series! We must give a big THANK YOU to Jason Morris for allowing us to share his vision with all of you.



As a special bonus, Jason and Shoni are recording new footage to be added to the original episodes. Sort of introduction/commentary clips to make sure we are all up to speed. And as if that isn't enough, we will be giving away several signed copies of the DVD and the soundtrack. The soundtrack will be a special limited edition that will contain 2 additional tracks not on the original soundtrack release!

So please make sure you stay tuned to Back to Frank Black, watch all 13 episodes and please leave feedback for Jason, Shoni and the rest of the cast and crew from Millennium Apocalypse!

Believe in the Future! 10,013 Photos for a Greenlight XF3?

As you know, we're not the only campaign to making noise right now in the Carter camp and I think we can all agree we are stronger united. With this mindset, please read and consider supporting the latest drive from the X-Files News.com staff. While Back to Frank Black looks to bring Frank Black in a form of TV Event, perhaps on FX if possible, X-Files News is looking towards the big screen for The X-Files and success is a good possibility... especially with your support. Have a read and see what you think about their latest venture - could you help bring about its goal?

So without further ado, please read on. I give you Tiffany Devol!

A picture is worth a thousand words and this year, X-Files fans are betting that 10,013 pictures are worth a greenlight for a third X-Files feature film. The Believe in the Future campaign, headed up by XFilesNews.com since 2009, has collected thousands of postcards, videos and souvenirs for Fox from fans of the series. Fox met with XFilesNews two years ago to accept a massive delivery of fan mail from around the world. Later this year, they are prepared to do it again.

The Believe in the Future campaign has the support of fans and fan groups in more than 30 countries representing 6 continents.

Despite the less than stellar performance of The X-Files: I Want to Believe in 2008, many fans and critics alike have pointed out that with December 2012 looming, Fox Film has a perfect opportunity to bring back the mythology of The X-Files.

The Believe in the Future campaign's 10,013 Photos for a Greenlight seeks to gather fan photos from around the world spanning the years 1993-2011 with messages to Fox explaining what The X-Files has meant to fans and why they should green light a third film.

Equally exciting is the news that an X-Files event is being held at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles on May 7th. Series creator Chris Carter is expected to be there along with actor Mitch Pileggi, executive producer R.W. Goodwin, writer and director Glen Morgan, and actors Sheila Larken and Jeff Gulka. A surprise guest is also slated to make an appearance for this Q&A and book signing for the recently released LAX-Files.

The X-Files
is a pop culture icon with mentions in television, radio, newspaper and magazines even now, 9 years after the end of the series.

With 2012 around the corner and word that a third X-Files script is in the works as of this year, fans are ready to believe in (and make) the future together.

Tiffany Devol
XFilesNews.com

Millennium Apocalypse speak to Back to Frank Black

Back to Frank Black speak to the creator of the exciting independent production Millennium Apocalypse, Jason Morris and the project's lead lady, Shoni Alysse-Cook, as the story enters its second season.

Back to Frank Black will be airing Season One on Friday nights shortly in preparation for Season Two later this year. Listen to what Jason and Shoni have to say on making Millennium Apocalypse and their feelings on the characters and world of Millennium!



To stream this podcast directly from this post, click the podcast player below!



If you would like to download this podcast for FREE, click here!

If you'd like to see a selection of our recent podcasts and reissues, click here!

This podcast is available on iTunes. Search for "Back to Frank Black" or "BacktoFrankBlack" and click "subscribe"!

This podcast is also available on iPhone and Android as part of the Back to Frank Black app! Nominal app fee goes towards supporting the campaign. No profits come from this app service.

Not Remotely Dead Letters

There's a lot going on here at Back to Frank Black of late: fan panels, impending blogathons and the imminent publication of Lance's autobiography amongst them, with yet more to come. But whilst we hope you will all continue to savour and enjoy this content along with us, we also hope that it will only reinforce your resolve rather than distract you from our shared main mission: the return of Frank Black to our screens! And for that, above all else we still need you to keep sending those letters. Here's the man himself, Lance Henriksen, to remind you why:



With that in mind, here are those all-important details once again. We have pre-written PDF letters for both FX and FOX that you just need to print and sign, and also Word versions, again for both FX and FOX, should you wish to personalise your pleas. Please do "double up" and send your missives, in whatever form, to both FX and FOX, as this approach--as two-pronged as an ouroboros' tongue--is the one that will earn us the most attention with the people that can finally bring back Frank Black. Full details can be found on our letters page. And thanks, as always, to each and every one of you for your ongoing support.

What the Killer Sees: "Yaponchik"

A recent impromptu trip to one of Russia’s former neighbouring states alongside the ongoing Fukushima nuclear plant disaster have informed the choice of killer for this instalment of What the Killer Sees. That choice also takes us into as yet uncharted territory: that of a killer who may cross the line between being understood via traditional profiling methods and the supernatural. Consider the man and myth known only as “Yaponchik”…

Killer: “Yaponchik” (Levani)

Episode: “Maranatha” (9 May 1997)
Writer: Chip Johannessen
Director: Peter Markle

Quote: “In the last days, the Antichrist appears and slaughters the faithful. The Bible doesn't say he has horns and a tail. He's an evil man, not supernatural. He can't walk on water.” --Frank Black

Profile: The name “Yaponhick” is mythical. Designed to instil fear, the moniker reputedly refers to a Russian bogeyman to whom brutal murders and disasters such as Chernobyl are ascribed, seemingly accurately based upon the episode’s teaser. Moreover, the character is undoubtedly modelled upon the real life Russian Mafia member Vyacheslav Ivankov, who was known by the same nickname and was himself active in the Brighton Beach area of New York in the 1990s. The name “Yaponchik” translates from the Russian as “The Little Japanese” and referenced his Asian features. Moreover, the title is one with a degree of honour accorded it by the hierarchy of the “vor v zakone” movement of the Russian criminal underworld and has thus been adopted by a number of its dons.

Supernatural or otherwise, Yaponchik in this guise certainly follows typical aspects of the mobster or hired assassin’s MO: brutal, calculated hits using glass ammunition in a sawn-off shotgun in order to obliterate a face and the further dehumanising removal of his victims’ fingers in order to prevent their identification. But as Frank Black notes during the course of the investigation, his killings are not motivated by anything as trite as mob violence. His involvement at Chernobyl underlines the kind of “terror tactic” that is really at work: a killer seeking constantly to spread fear and thereby enhance his reputation.

His miraculous recovery from having been shot at point blank range is hard to ignore, especially given its foretelling. But is Yaponchik really more than just a man? In spite of the talk of biblical prophecy that he provokes and the consuming fear that he instils, most of the influence he has on those around him could be explained by a wealth of charisma coupled with the kind of psychological effects mastered by the likes of Derren Brown. He is clearly sharply intelligent, but is Yaponchik merely another example of a killer exhibiting a God Complex, supported by the mythology attached to his given name? Or could he be something more?


Kills: 70

Investigation: Drawn in by the latest in a series of mutilation killings in New York, Frank Black, working alongside Peter Watts, the NYPD and assisted—or sometimes hindered—by the Moscow Police Department, soon finds himself embroiled in tales of Christian symbols, Russian superstitions and biblical prophecy. Links to Chernobyl and religious icons finally lead the team to the Russian Embassy and a man who goes by the name of Sergei Stepanovich. Their efforts are wrong-footed, however, when Detective Surova attempts to exact a private form of revenge, and Yaponchik seemingly escapes sure death in a manner predicted by the Book of Revelation.

The investigation climaxes atop a hospital helipad, as those who would protect the Russian diplomat ensure his escape. Ultimately, Yaponchik is as deft at evading justice as he is at evading death, and so the truth of just who he is lives on, as does his mythic status.

Podcast Re-Issue: Back To Frank Black Vs X-Files News?

A reissue from the past of one such yesterday's previous morning's earlier hour. Yes, it's another podcast reissue! Perhaps not "versus", more "mutual respect", but hell that really lacks punch as a headline, does it not?

This time we have - or rather had - a natter with Avi and Tiffany from X-FilesNews.Com. We have another outing with the girls planned in the near future, so we figured we'd slap this one we made far earlier against your iPod's screeny thing!

To listen to this podcast right now, click the flash player below!




To download the podcast, you can download it HERE!

Or to look at the range of recent podcasts and select one to listen to, click HERE!

This podcast is available on iTunes. Search for "Back to Frank Black" or "BacktoFrankBlack" and click "subscribe"!

This podcast is also available on iPhone and Android as part of the Back to Frank Black app! Nominal app fee goes towards supporting the campaign. No profits come from this app service.

Lamentation Fan Panel Podcast!

Jim and Troy and joined by four special guests to talk about the fantastic season 1 Millennium episode, Lamentation! Alison Nastasi, Alexandra Scarborough, Fredric Fritz and William Johnson - plus a very unusual out-take at the end of the episode!

Join us as we chat about possibly one of the best stories in the show's entire run!



To listen to this podcast right now, click the flash player below!




To download the podcast, you can download it HERE!

Or to look at the range of recent podcasts and select one to listen to, click HERE!

This podcast is available on iTunes. Search for "Back to Frank Black" or "BacktoFrankBlack" and click "subscribe"!

This podcast is also available on iPhone and Android as part of the Back to Frank Black app! Nominal app fee goes towards supporting the campaign. No profits come from this app service.

Coming soon! Lance Henriksen Blogathon Week!

Back To Frank Black is very proud and perhaps, a little bit humbled to be co-announcing the latest, most exciting event for Lance Henriksen fans so far this year!

Alongside writer, reviewer and big Millennium fan John Kenneth Muir's Reflections on Film and TV, we are announcing the Lance Henriksen Blogathon Week! A week of Lance Henriksen blogging masterminded by John himself and Nightmares in Red, White and Blue writer/producer, Joe Maddrey!

So what's this about? Well I think John will - as always - put it more succinctly thank I. He's sent us his promotion for this upcoming Blogathon week for you all to read. It's a great idea - and we'd be honoured if you'd join us in supporting John and Joe in a week dedicated to Lance Henriksen! If you're a blogger and a Lance fan, this will be of GREAT interest to you!

Over to John!



"I'm very proud and honored to announce that this blog, Reflections on Film and TV, will soon host a blogathon dedicated to the great actor, Lance Henriksen. The dates for the Lance Henriksen Blogathon are May 2 - May 7, 2011, and the event is open to any and all bloggers with an interest in this amazing talent.

The week of May 2nd has been selected for two important reasons. First, Mr. Henriksen's birthday is on May 5th, 2011, and secondly he is releasing his new biography on the same day, entitled Not Bad for a Human. The book is being published over at Bloody Pulp Books, an imprint of Steve Niles, and you can read more about the project here.

Co-hosting the blogathon with me will be the book's co-author, Nightmares in Red, White and Blue writer/producer, Joseph Maddrey. You can check out Joe's blog devoted to Not Bad for a Human, here.

I'm thrilled to have Joe aboard with me for a week dedicated to one of the greatest and most versatile character actors of his generation, and a man who has had a tremendous impact on science fiction and horror films, as well as cult-television.

I have had the good fortune to speak with Lance Henriksen a few times; once for a telephone interview featured in The Unseen Forces: The Films of Sam Raimi, and once, more recently, when he was working on Not Bad for a Human with Joe. In both instances, I got a good feeling for Henriksen's personal and professional aesthetic or credo: total commitment, total honesty, and total freedom of artistic expression.

So those are truly the only guidelines for the upcoming blogathon.

Basically, any blogger who wants to write about Lance Henriksen during the blogathon week should do so on his or her blog (as often as you like), and then e-mail me their links at the address in my contact information (on my blogger profile page) so I can lpost a snippet or excerpt of your work and link back to your blog. I'll be checking my e-mail many times a day, every day, that week, and putting up links and snippets regularly, as well as my own original Henriksen content.

As far as content is actually concerned, the sky is absolutely the limit. We're looking for film or TV reviews, lists, photo essays, poetry, videos, podcasts, birthday wishes...anything that floats your boat, Henriksen-related. There's certainly a universe of content to consider, since Henriksen has appeared in over 160 films, from westerns to action films to sci-fi and horror and also starred in three seasons of Millennium.

So please join me and Joe here for the Lance Henriksen Blogathon, from May 2 - 7. I know there are great treats in store, with special pieces by friends across the blogosophere, and hopefully the event will really kick off Mr. Henriksen's birthday celebration in high style.

Below (and also above), I have posted a few banners for the upcoming blogathon. Please feel free to copy them and post them on your blogs if you're planning to participate.

We can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!"