2x08 The Hand of Saint Sebastian
Millennium (1996)
2x08 The Hand of Saint Sebastian, written by Glen Morgan, James Wong and Michael R. Perry, directed by Thomas J. Wright.
We open with a confusing segment in Italy, 998 A.D. Nighttime meetings, betrayal and murder over a relic: a mummified hand. Someone says "This is who we are" and we see the Millennium Group logo as a tattoo on a dead man's back.
In current day Peter Watts has gone rogue and is on an unsanctioned mission. He asks Frank for help. It's not clear what he's after: if he can recover old knowledge it might help with the end times struggles to come.
Saint Sebastian was a third century martyr, pierced with many arrows. He is the figure in the closet in Carrie (1976). Frank's gift gives him visions of arrows in flight.
We have the first of two appearances by Philip Baker Hall as Group Elder. He tells Peter: "A caution -- because if we found out, they already know", which is mysterious. We have hints of ancient factions within the Group.
The Group evolved from the Order of Knights Chroniclers.
Most of the action takes place in Germany. Comic relief is provided by Gottfried John (GoldenEye (1995), Institute Benjamenta (1995)) as Detective Josef Heim, who uses expressions such as:
stinkin' badges
hemorrhoid
the perp capped the mark
freakin' dirtbag
kicked him in the labonza
Who loves ya, baby?
Mongolian cluster flock
quote
Frank: I hope you don't mind me saying so but you have a very colorful vocabulary.
Heim: Danke schon. Thank you. I learn much about good detective work from American TV police shows. Sipowicz, Kojak, Hunter, Tony Scali.
Frank: Who?
Heim: The Commish!
At the end:
quote
Heim: May I say it now, Mr. Black?
Frank: Mm-hmm.
Heim: Book 'em, Danno. Murder one.
Return of C.C.H. Pounder as Group analyst Cheryl Andrews, and suddenly we don't trust her.
Allan Zinyk as hacker Brian Roedecker: he watches Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) and recites the lines.
Funny bit: Frank in serious concentration at his computer. We see he is playing solitaire.
Another funny bit: a look at late 90s porn portals.
