The 4400: Lockdown and Fifth Page
Warning: My bored imagination wanders into the ‘what ifs’ of the season finale…read at your own peril. So, I’ve been a slacker and will combine episodes 10 and 11, “Lockdown� and “Fifth Page,� as The 4400 grinds to a close. Needless to say, I am not holding my breath on any big ending here, but my money is on the reappearance/resurrection of Jordan Collier. Oh yeah, and Kyle’s going to let it out that he killed him, but it’s going to be okay because Collier isn’t dead (You have to show me the blood to make me a believer…in Collier anyway.)
Anyway, those who’re reading along know that I perceive the 4400 as running out of steam, killing its potential. We begin to see cracks as Kyle suddenly develops a personality (?) and some remorse comes out. It’s been interesting to watch the dynamic between Kyle and Tom about the ‘assassination.’ I don’t remember my parents encouraging me to cover up my crimes, but it’s a telling commentary on how we as a society cover the consequences of our youth rather than dealing with them.
In “Lockdown,� we saw how absolutely untrustworthy the 4400 Center, specifically Matthew Ross, in its treatment of Isabelle, Lilly and Richard. No kidding Ross is selling a product, and the bottom line is all about the money! Interesting how the Center is the parallel to televangelists, traveling ‘revivals’ that take folks money and leave them with nothing, and more. Truly, the ‘outing’ of false religion gets highlighted (again) against the backdrop of the true faith expressed by some.
And speaking of faith, one of the more exciting characters, Dr. Burkhardt, gets brought back and persuaded into participating because of Shawn. Unfortunately, Shawn becomes the first visible casualty of the NTAC conspiracy more fully expressed in episode 11. Burkhardt’s character pleases me because he becomes an example of science and belief co-existing. Skeptical as he is, I like that he grows to use his whole mind and whole heart.
I’ll steer clear of any governmental critique that I’m sure is tied to the quarantine/full force exhibited by Dennis Ryland (another returnee from earlier episodes.) Baldwin and Skouris find out that the ‘disease’ is really an NTAC-operated plan to inhibit the powers of the 4400. Nice. Here comes another ‘government conspiracy’-related sci-fi show. I think they had a character who believed and a skeptic as well, but I could be wrong. Whatever they’re going for, I’ll reference the Biblical story of the unruly rich kid who died, went to heaven, and tries to send word through Abraham back to his snotty brothers. Here in the present, NTAC is the snotty brothers and they don’t want any help from their future. Why won’t we learn from other’s mistakes?
So the quarantine backfires, Richard stands in for a sickly Shawn, and Lilly ends up running with Isabelle. This show was great as a miniseries or awesome a series of repeated scenario-type shows (new 4400 returnee, new power, new problem), but this really needs to wrap up to some degree. The constant tension between faith and doubt is great but the critic in me wants something meaty.
Anyway, those who’re reading along know that I perceive the 4400 as running out of steam, killing its potential. We begin to see cracks as Kyle suddenly develops a personality (?) and some remorse comes out. It’s been interesting to watch the dynamic between Kyle and Tom about the ‘assassination.’ I don’t remember my parents encouraging me to cover up my crimes, but it’s a telling commentary on how we as a society cover the consequences of our youth rather than dealing with them.
In “Lockdown,� we saw how absolutely untrustworthy the 4400 Center, specifically Matthew Ross, in its treatment of Isabelle, Lilly and Richard. No kidding Ross is selling a product, and the bottom line is all about the money! Interesting how the Center is the parallel to televangelists, traveling ‘revivals’ that take folks money and leave them with nothing, and more. Truly, the ‘outing’ of false religion gets highlighted (again) against the backdrop of the true faith expressed by some.
And speaking of faith, one of the more exciting characters, Dr. Burkhardt, gets brought back and persuaded into participating because of Shawn. Unfortunately, Shawn becomes the first visible casualty of the NTAC conspiracy more fully expressed in episode 11. Burkhardt’s character pleases me because he becomes an example of science and belief co-existing. Skeptical as he is, I like that he grows to use his whole mind and whole heart.
I’ll steer clear of any governmental critique that I’m sure is tied to the quarantine/full force exhibited by Dennis Ryland (another returnee from earlier episodes.) Baldwin and Skouris find out that the ‘disease’ is really an NTAC-operated plan to inhibit the powers of the 4400. Nice. Here comes another ‘government conspiracy’-related sci-fi show. I think they had a character who believed and a skeptic as well, but I could be wrong. Whatever they’re going for, I’ll reference the Biblical story of the unruly rich kid who died, went to heaven, and tries to send word through Abraham back to his snotty brothers. Here in the present, NTAC is the snotty brothers and they don’t want any help from their future. Why won’t we learn from other’s mistakes?
So the quarantine backfires, Richard stands in for a sickly Shawn, and Lilly ends up running with Isabelle. This show was great as a miniseries or awesome a series of repeated scenario-type shows (new 4400 returnee, new power, new problem), but this really needs to wrap up to some degree. The constant tension between faith and doubt is great but the critic in me wants something meaty.
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