Everybody’s heard the gripes about “Millennium.” It’s too dark, too violent, too obsessed with serial killer-of-the-week stories.
But what did the show’s star, Lance Henriksen, think of the first season?
“We were trying to find our legs, but I loved the work everybody did,” the actor says by phone from Vancouver, during a break in “Millennium’s” production schedule. “We tried to get into areas that were cutting edge, and we weren’t pandering to anybody.
“The people who say it’s too dark? For the life of me I don’t understand. I guess `Millennium’ comes into people’s living rooms, and that makes it a little more frightening.”
Those tuning into “Millennium’s” second season, which kicks off Sept. 19, can expect major changes. Frank Black (Henriksen) will still solve crimes by relying on his ability to see into killers’ minds, but he’ll separate from his wife (Megan Gallagher) and spend more time working with the mysterious Millennium Group as it endeavors to stave off Armageddon.
Behind the scenes of the ratings-challenged show, executive producer Chris Carter has stepped aside in order to focus on “The X-Files” and its companion film. Filling his shoes are veteran “X-Files” writer-producers James Wong and Glen Morgan.
The most significant adjustment, however, will be an overall lighter tone, with dips into “X-Files”-esque flights of paranormal fancy and perhaps even an occasional smile emerging on Black’s grizzled mug.
“It’s all part of the process of finding the dimension in a character and a show,” Henriksen, 56, says. “Major stuff will happen around Frank.
“You’ll find out a lot more about the Millennium Group. We’ll pose more questions about mankind’s condition as the year 2000 rolls around.
“To be honest, my approach doesn’t feel too different. The only difference is that they’re letting me express a sense of irony, a basic sense of humor.”
Over the years, Henriksen has rarely gotten to display his wit. Instead, he’s become a prolific genre veteran whose credits include “The Terminator” (1984), “Aliens” (1986), “Near Dark” (1987) and “Powder” (1995).
“Genre pieces are mostly morality plays, and they reflect the cliches we’re saddled with in society,” he says. “We’re afraid of so many things, and genre movies and TV shows attack the cliches and restraints on us.
“That’s why I like genre work so much.”
That’s not to say that the Manhattan-born Henriksen only does sci-fi and horror. He made his big-screen debut in “Dog Day Afternoon” (1975) and other credits include “The Jagged Edge” (1985), “Jennifer 8″ (1992) and Dead Man” (1995).
During his summer hiatus from “Millennium,” he spent time with his wife and son, and squeezed in the telemovie “The Day Lincoln Was Shot.” The drama, airing on TNT in 1998, depicts the events surrounding Abraham Lincoln’s assassination from the perspectives of both the president (Henriksen) and John Wilkes Booth (Rob Morrow).
“I was honored to play him,” Henriksen says. “He was actually a cliche to me until I started studying him and realized what kind of man he was.
“It was a top-notch experience.”
And now it’s back to “Millennium,” which Henriksen believes will attract a broader audience and higher ratings.
“The way the show is going to be, it’ll appeal to a lot more people. I’m sure of it.
“We’ve got a very good chance,” he says. “Friday nights are very hard because a lot of people go out.
“But we’ve developed a very loyal audience that won’t even go out until they’ve watched the show.”
Con calendar
Places to Trek to Sept. 19-21:
– DEFCON at the Adams Mark Hotel in Tulsa, Okla., featuring George Takei and J. Michael Straczynski; 918-250-2077.
– One Trek Mind at the Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio, featuring Nana Visitor and Jason Carter; Sept. 20 only; 703-280-5373.
– One Trek Mind at the Marriott City Center in Pittsburgh, featuring Nana Visitor and Jason Carter; Sept. 21 only; 703-280-5373.
