Season 3: Episode 7: "Through a Glass Darkly"

Written by Patrick Harbinson

Directed by Thomas J. Wright

Airdate: November 13, 1998

Guest Star: Tom McCleister (Max Brunelli)

"Through a Glass Darkly" returns to familiar territory for Millennium, a modern variation of a Grimm's Fairy Tale. The story deals with a man being released on parole 20 years after being convicted of murdering a child. When Brunelli, a born again Christian, returns to his hometown outside of Portland it brings fear and confusion. When he's spotted in the woods interacting with a young girl who disappeared, he's once again the prime suspect. 

Frank Black and Agent Hollis begin investigating and question whether Brunelli is responsible. To avoid a direct spoiler, it turns out there's a hidden evil in the town living in plain sight. Like a fairy tale, most of the key action in the episode takes places in the woods or in houses. It's also a tale of how those of status can take advantage of those who lack it, the privileged passing on their sins to low status people. 

As a self contained episode, "Through a Glass Darkly" brings suspense and even hope in the face of bleak subject matter. At the same time, it does feel like an outtake from the first season. Nothing in the episode, except a scene with Jordan having a nightmare, does much to advance the mythos of the series or to develop the characters. But the twist is clever and believable.