4400 3.5: "Gone: Part II"

Written by Bruce Miller
Directed by Morgan Beggs


As expected, the second half of the story hinges on the idea that Tom and Diana would somehow remember Maia, despite the best efforts of the “future humanity” to erase her from that part of the timeline. Considering how predictable that plot element is, the writers had an uphill battle to fight. I find it interesting that they chose to address the cliché by not really addressing it. Tom and Diana slowly but surely came to remember Maia, and the hows and whys were glossed over in favor of other story elements.

On the other hand, it plays nicely into the idea that the “future humanity” is dealing with interference from a rival faction. This was also a bit predictable, but it fits the complexity of the “4400 Universe”. It seems that every represented population (humanity, 4400, “future humanity”) has a “good” side and a “bad” side, and it’s very difficult to know who fits into which category.

The idea appears to be this: the 4400 were sent back to prevent some threat to humanity by one faction, while another apparently managed to “seed” Lily with Isabelle. Isabelle is now apparently interfering with the purpose of the 4400, so the 4400 Faction chose to move some of the 4400 in the timeline to compensate. The only other alternative is to eliminate Isabelle altogether and hope that the damage hasn’t been done. All assuming, of course, that this is a correct interpretation of what has been revealed.

For instance, any information about the “future humanity” must be taken with a grain of salt. If one faction could “seed” the timeline with a counter-agent of some kind, be it Isabelle or Matthew (my current pet theory), then how can it be assumed that the faction that keeps manipulating Tom is actually the same one that sent back the 4400 in the first place? After all, people lie, especially when they are afraid that their opponents might sound more convincing. We have no idea if the Borg Queen was being honest or spinning information to her own ends.

I wonder how far the writers will take this idea of Tom as “protected”. In a lot of ways, he could become reckless, always assuming that the “future humanity” would save him if he were really in danger. After all, this is a man who was willing to attempt suicide under the assumption that he wouldn’t be allowed to die. That could really go into some dark territory, especially if things go badly with Alana and/or Kyle.

Richard’s reaction to the news that Shawn is sleeping with Isabelle is quite interesting. Did Richard refuse to spare Shawn because of the moral imperative to resist terrorism, or was there a personal component as well? Whatever the case, Shawn is in no shape to run anything after this latest attack. Just how long is that mental illness going to last? For that matter, what happens if Isabelle discovers that Shawn suffered because of a decision her father made?

After all, Isabelle already lost her head a bit and went Dark Phoenix on him in full view of the public (wearing dark colors, as predicted!), and that was just for messing with her sex life. And didn’t Matthew look enormously pleased at that display of power and instability? That plays into my growing suspicion that Matthew comes from the faction that sent Isabelle into the past in the first place.

Despite the predictable elements, there was enough happening in this episode to keep the story from being drowned in cliché. (Contrast this to the “Dead Zone” episode that aired the same night, which was horribly predictable and relied on nothing but idiotic plot contrivances.) It’s the serialized elements and the complications afforded by that format that keep the series from running aground, and it looks like that will continue through the rest of the season. I can’t help but be pleased!

(As a sidenote: I also have a podcast associated with my various reviews called “Dispatches from Tuzenor”. Recent episodes cover the “The 4400”, so it might be something of interest. Go to http://entil2001.libsyn.com if you want to listen!)

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

Final Rating: 8/10