The 4400 Blog

Once again, a season of “The 4400” ends with a distinct shift in the status quo, building on the unexpected release of promicin to the public at the end of the third season. Some of the plot resolutions for the plot and characters arcs felt rushed, but on the whole, everything was earned and the writers once again managed to bring a fresh perspective to their own concept.

The battle lines had already been drawn in the previous episode, so this was the inevitable showdown with the Marked, the soldiers of the Future Elite. The solution to Tom’s “marked” status was quick and a bit too predictable. Similarly, Isabelle’s decision to sacrifice herself to free Jordan and strike back at the Marked was never in doubt. In fact, Isabelle’s subplot was marred with substandard acting in general, in stark contrast to the rest of the material.

The predictable moments, thankfully, took up very little of the finale. Most of the time was spent on a plot twist that paid off the season premiere in beautiful fashion. Danny, Shawn’s brother, develops the ability to spread promicin like an airborne plague of remarkable potency. Within the space of hours, the entire city of Seattle is under quarantine and thousands are dead. The survivors, including NTAC and every other branch of law enforcement, are suddenly and irrevocably “P-Positive”.

The exceptions are Tom and Diana, of course. Tom is out of the picture for most of the crisis, dealing with the Marked and Jordan Collier, and Diana is immune to the disease due to her previous exposure to promicin during Kevin Burkhoff’s initial experiments. That immunity provides the solution to the plague crisis, but not before Seattle becomes a war zone, overrun with panicked civilians, many of which are waiting for abilities to develop. This plot element plays on the fears regarding every potential super-plague in the news today, adding a new layer to the existing metaphors surrounding the promicin concept.

The thematic connection to the beginning of the season comes to fruition when NTAC is forced to turn to Promise City for temporary law enforcement support. Kyle is more than happy to step up to the plate in Jordan’s name, and once Jordan is back in charge, his movement is stronger than ever. Seattle itself becomes the new and improved Promise City, thus fulfilling the prophecy from Kyle’s ability. Even Tom is tempted to take the shot by the end of the episode.

This season finale leaves NTAC run by p-positives, the mundane government left to figure out what to do about it, Jordan Collier’s movement as strong as it’s ever been, and Shawn’s political status as the voice of reason uncertain at best. That said, this could easily serve as a series finale, which it very well might be. It would be unfortunate if this was the end, but at the very least, this finale takes them out on a high note.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 3/4

Final Rating: 9/10

(Season 4 Final Average: 7.7)

Written by Scott Peters and Nick Wauters
Directed by Allison Liddi

The episode kicks off with an important revelation about the “marked” and how the personality implants were constructed by the Future Elite. The implants are driven by nanotechnology, which is a staple of modern science fiction and one of those topics with endless appeal. One would expect the Future Elite, with their stranglehold on present-day technology and high-tech industry, to develop a means of technological personality hijacking.

This is important because it presents an interesting possibility for closure on several plot and character threads. The obvious solution would be a powered individual with the ability to produce the effect of the proposed radiation treatment without the downside of killing the host. This would allow for Tom and Jordan’s eventual restoration and would ultimately set the stage for the victory of the powered over the Future Elite.

In this scenario, the writers would need to bring forward a character with the power and motivation to restore both individuals. Thus far, the only powered individual with that kind of broad-based ability would be Isabelle. Isabelle would want to destroy the “marked” personality that forced her into betraying Kyle, and she would also want the chance to prove herself to Jordan. It would be particularly fitting if the cost was her life, willingly given.

Another interesting possibility, though less pervasive, would also fulfill the prophesy regarding Tom. What if the Future Elite had never attempted to “mark” an individual already powered by promicin? Jordan could pose as one of the “marked” for a time, just long enough to expose them and end the threat to his movement. This would also present a logical reason for Tom to take (or be given) the promicin shot.

This second speculative option would also serve to answer questions about Cassie, Kyle’s ability, and her connection to either the Future Humanity or the Future Elite. The current crisis puts Kyle in the forefront of Jordan’s organization, not unlike Shawn’s role after Jordan’s apparent demise. If Kyle’s ability works as explained thus far, his decisions in the near-term could help end the threat of the “marked” and save Tom and Jordan at the same time.

Both options could be completely wrong; after all, I predicted a massive showdown in Promise City for this episode, and that wasn’t quite the case. That’s one of the strengths of this fourth season. The show is as creatively fertile as it’s ever been, and coming into the finale, almost anything could happen. Whatever the case, this penultimate installment for the season is a great set-up for the season finale.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4

Final Rating: 8/10