Millennium (TV Series) Lamentation (1997) User Reviews

Still gives me the heebie jeebies.

[mattmatthew808 · 10/10 · 6 February 2013]

Never really understood the appeal of horror films. Maybe it's one of those "if you get it you get it" sorta things, but the only films and shows that have scared the living bajeezus outta me had baddies that you never really saw, and even when you saw them, they defied comprehension.

What's genius about this episode is how the writers distract you from who the real villain is. We all assume it's Fabricant, who, as terrifying as he is, is but a footnote to the greater evil. The nature of this evil, even by the episode's end is still unclear. It is able to take on a myriad of physical forms, but what its intent is towards Frank Black is as ambiguous as it is menacing. One of these manifestations, Lucy Butler, seems at first harmless, but slowly, the viewer starts to suspect something indescribably insidious about her — her subtle machinations to manipulate Frank and bend him to her will to an unknown end is by far one of the most terrifying things I've ever seen in a television show.

Truly Hideous

[XweAponX · 10/10 · 10 April 2012]

At first we are focused on the man in the form of Dr. Ephraim Fabricant who Frank believes is the Personification of Evil.

And we follow this episode under that premise. Dr Fabricant has a kidney removed to help save his dying sister. An Act which Black questions the sincerity of. The State had wanted to order the demise of Fabricant, but under Black's tutelage, the Bureau lobbies successfully to keep him alive to be studied as the end-all of human evil.

Somebody helps Fabricant Escape - A Nurse by the look of things, Fabricants victim-of-choice. In the ensuing investigation, Black uncovers Lucy Butler - who should have been left undiscovered.

At first we consider that Lucy Butler is just another victim, but then some things happen to point to her as suspect - Which cannot be proved. At first it seemed that there was proof, and acting on that proof they try to arrest Butler - But can't.

These events mostly occur in Virginia. But after Butler is accused, suddenly Dr Fabricant is returned to the Hospital, sans his remaining kidney.

Meanwhile in Washington State, somebody is in The Black house - Leaves Fabricants remaining Kidney on a tray in the refrigerator. Catherine sees a man in dark clothing, tries to get Frank's extra gun but it is missing. Jordan, who was upstairs, seems to be gone - But is actually Outside with "Blech" - And "Blech" goes in to check it out- He sees Lucy Butler and that is the last thing he ever sees.

Somehow, Butler is arrested in Seattle on a minor traffic charge, time constraints cannot explain how she got there in the short period of time between being interviewed by Black and The FBI and Blech's demise. Fingerprints turn out to not be Butler's.

None of this is ever explained, as Frank Black says in the Season 3 Ep "Antipas" "You're not supposed to understand" - It's all about Black.

Meanwhile Frank has one more conversation with Fabricant before he passes - And he tells Black about the irony of wanting to keep him alive to "Study Evil" because now - He's really found it - Actually it has Found Black - It knows his name.

This episode is the beginning of an Arc that is revisited in about six episodes of MillenniuM, the Legion/Butler Arc. Who is she, how can she do what she does, is she also a he? The question that never gets answered - But is hinted at, is what does she want? In S3 it seems she is interested in a particular child. I watched this episode at the time it was broadcast originally - It changed MillenniuM completely. It paved the way for the changes wrought by Morgan/Wong in S2, and the uncovering of The MillenniuM Group's true intentions in S3. Had the series gone on, the arc may have been dealt with, but as it is, is left on a Hanger in the Season 3 Ep "Saturn Dreaming of Mercury."

Sarah-Jane Redmond is the evil and mysterious Lucy Butler, a perfect casting - Redmond has been in shows form The X Files to Fringe, even had a cameo in the 2nd X-Files movie "I Want to Believe" (One of the agents who looks at Mulder with Disdain). She was perfect for the part of Lucy Butler- She is attractive and Grotesque at the same time, and always emitting a kind of otherworldly assuredness- Makes this the creepiest character ever created for this series.

Sad and dark episode

[CursedChico · 8/10 · 20 January 2021]

Sad and dark episode

Maybe saddest episode until now. Also Interesting episode.

Again made us think the suspect was killer but it was not like that again. Fabricant was not murderers in that episode.

In the beginning bob frank was together but now he is gone. Frank was strong when he has bob.

And the killer, lucy, she is free now. how can be she free? catherine saw her. and how did bob see as devil? Was it real? such experienced cop, how can he did not fire?

episode names shows as first of that topic. so in another episode, it will continue i think

Until now they were not any unnatural, paranormal things -except frank's vision- but now first time i think, we are seeing it.

I can be your hero baby. I will stand by you forever. Please don't take my kidney away.

[bombersflyup · 6/10 · 13 September 2019]

Lamentation is a dark and disturbing episode, also significant. Not that Lt. Bletch was a good character, but a regular and the affect these events will have on the Black's, may change everything. Sarah-Jane Redmond can certainly play a villain well, as she did in "X-Files - Schizogeny." Her character's a lot like the evil force from "X-Files - All Souls" for that matter.