Season 7: Millennium (7X05)

Written by: Vince Gilligan and Frank Spotnitz
Directed by: Thomas J. Wright

A widow at her husband's funeral in Tallahassee, Florida is approached by a man, Mark Johnson who claims to have worked with her husband. After the other mourners have left Johnson returns to the funeral parlour and places a phone in the dead man's hand. A week later Johnson waits outside a cemetery, his phone rings and he walks towards a grave. Agents Mulder and Scully are called in to examine the empty grave, from the evidence available to them they conclude that someone broke out of the casket.

Scully theorises that someone made it look that way. At a briefing lead by Assistant Director Skinner however Mulder explains his own theory of Necromancy, the summoning of the dead. Skinner takes Mulder and Scully aside and explains to them that the dead man Crouch was part of the Millennium Group, a constancy organisation made up of former FBI agents.

Mulder and Scully visit a criminal profiler, Frank Black a former member of the Millennium Group, he is reluctant to help them as he is involved in a custody battle for his daughter. But he agrees to help in their investigation, explaining that the members of the Millennium group believe they can bring about the end of the world by killing themselves before the dawn of the new Millennium.

Acting on information from Frank Black, Mulder concentrates on trying to find Johnson, when Scully is attacked in the morgue by the dead deputy. The two agents put all their effort in to finding Johnson before it is too late.

Notes:
This is the only explicit "crossover" with the cancelled ''Millennium'' show. A previous character crossover featured Scully's favourite writer, José Chung (author of "From Outer Space"), in the ''Millennium'' episode "José Chung's Doomsday Defense", both episodes written by Darin Morgan.

After watching the ball drop on New Years' Eve we see the second on-screen kiss between Mulder & Scully.

When Skinner hands Mulder and Scully the Millenium Groups symbol, we can see that it's a Ouroboros. This is the same symbol that Scully got tattooed on her back in ''Never Again''.

Quotes:
Scully: Mulder, you been spreading rumours?
Mulder: Why? You hear any good ones lately?
Scully: Not particularly. So what do you have here?
Mulder: Merry Christmas, by the way, Scully.
Scully: Thank you. Merry Christmas to you, too.
Mulder: Grave robbery with a twist. Check out the headliner, Scully.
Scully: Well it looks like someone on the inside was trying to get out.
Mulder: Indeed it does. To answer your question — no, I haven't been spreading any rumours, the local PD's been doing a pretty good job of that. Ever since they matched the fingerprints on the dead man to these. And to those up there on that headstone. There's a big juicy handprint on the back.

Skinner: I'm thinking more the Millennium Group. It was their symbol as well. Are you familiar with them?

Scully: Yes, somewhat. They were former FBI agents who offered consulting services to law enforcement. Somehow, they fell into disrepute.
Skinner: They operated in extreme secrecy. Rumours abounded that they had their own agenda which was less than altruistic if not improper or illegal.
Mulder: And that it was, in fact, a cult based upon Judeo-Christian 'Endtime' prophecies concerning the coming millennium. Was Raymond Crouch a member?
Skinner: I can't seem to find out. Apparently the group dissolved several months ago. They left no paper trail — nothing. However... I do have three other grave desecrations all within the last six months. Long Island... Northern California... Arizona. All three graves contained the bodies of former FBI agents. All three were recent suicides.
Mulder: How long were you going to sit on this?
Skinner: Owing to the Millennium Group's former ties with the Bureau this matter is... sensitive, to say the least. Investigate them. Keep a low profile.
Mulder: I think I know where to start.

Mulder: Mr. Black, the day after tomorrow is January 1, 2000. That's the significant date for these people. That doesn't leave us much time. Don't you want to see them stopped? Well, Mr Black, you are not what I was expecting.

Frank Black: Agent Mulder...
Mulder: Yes.
Frank Black: It's first and 18. Just let me watch this game in peace.
Mulder: It's third and ten, Notre Dame.
Frank Black: Happy New Year.
Mulder: Same to you.

Dick Clark: ...30 seconds now, 30. Get ready for the loudest cheering you'll ever hear in your life. Hug your friends and loved ones tight. What the heck, whoever that person is next to you. No time like the present. Are you ready? Here we go. Ten, nine... eight, seven, six... five, four, three, two, one... Happy New Year, 2000!
(Mulder and Scully exchange a kiss)
Mulder: The world didn't end.
Scully: No, it didn't.
Mulder: Happy New Year, Scully.
Scully: Happy New Year, Mulder.

Highlights from ''Millennium''

Episode Number: 143
Season Number: 7
First Aired: Sunday, November 28, 1999
Production Code: 7X05