4400 3.12: "Terrible Swift Sword"
Written by Bruce Miller and Ira Steven Behr
Directed by Scott Peters
Once again, the writers demonstrate how a clear vision and a strong season arc can be a powerful storytelling tool. Nearly everything that happened in this episode was set-up from the very beginning of the season, and when the inevitable DVD set comes out, I’m sure a lot of people will be stunned at how well it all hangs together. I, for one, will not be, because I’ve noticed the difference from the moment the season began.
Another fan put it perfectly when discussing this episode: the best thing about the series is that you never know who the good guys really are. In other words, each side of the coming conflict has a damned good point, and in terms of general philosophy, one might agree with all sides. It’s the extreme nature of the steps taken in implementation of that philosophy that becomes troubling.
Jordan laid it all out in this episode. The catastrophe is not one single event, but the culmination of a societal flaw. The accumulation of resources and power by a select and elite few will result in the majority of humans dying in a future wasteland, trapped outside of a vast walled city of plenty. As science fiction concepts go, this is an old one, but it touches on the class and social struggles of the current era.
The implication is that the masses secretly sent back the 4400 to challenge the elite, changing society by changing humanity. The Future Elite, one might assume, then seeded the 4400 with Isabelle, their attempt to preserve the circumstances of their own rise to power. Jordan’s gambit in this episode fits into this conception perfectly. He is taking away the chance for the Elite to co-opt the 4400 abilities and giving it to the masses. It is a sensible enough plan.
To use the “X-Men” analogy, Jordan is playing the Xavier role. He’s using former terrorists (like formerly criminal mutants) and convincing them to use their talents to level the playing field in a non-violent manner. Yet there’s also a touch of Magneto in Collier, and it remains to be seen how far he will go to preserve and protect his own kind.
Of course, there is a potential twist to all of this. What if Jordan is actually fighting for the wrong side? It’s an assumption that Ryland and Isabelle are working to preserve the Future Elite. What if Jordan’s plan to distribute the promycin to the masses is the first step in creating the Future Elite? What if Jordan’s best intentions are actually being manipulated?
The interesting thing to consider is that Jordan is acting to change something, but he has no idea what effect his actions might have. He may not even know the circumstances that led to the rise of the Future Elite, beyond vague and general changes over time. For the short term, Shawn’s visions of the conflict to come seem close at hand, and that does not bode well for some of the characters! My guess is that the bloody events foreseen by Shawn will be the result of Ryland’s forces attacking the 4400 Center, under the banner of “anti-terrorism”.
This is all culminating in one hell of a finale, and I can only hope that USA Network once again sees the light and supports this series with another season. This has been the highlight of the summer season in many respects, and I certainly look forward to seeing where the writers can take it from here.
(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
Directed by Scott Peters
Once again, the writers demonstrate how a clear vision and a strong season arc can be a powerful storytelling tool. Nearly everything that happened in this episode was set-up from the very beginning of the season, and when the inevitable DVD set comes out, I’m sure a lot of people will be stunned at how well it all hangs together. I, for one, will not be, because I’ve noticed the difference from the moment the season began.
Another fan put it perfectly when discussing this episode: the best thing about the series is that you never know who the good guys really are. In other words, each side of the coming conflict has a damned good point, and in terms of general philosophy, one might agree with all sides. It’s the extreme nature of the steps taken in implementation of that philosophy that becomes troubling.
Jordan laid it all out in this episode. The catastrophe is not one single event, but the culmination of a societal flaw. The accumulation of resources and power by a select and elite few will result in the majority of humans dying in a future wasteland, trapped outside of a vast walled city of plenty. As science fiction concepts go, this is an old one, but it touches on the class and social struggles of the current era.
The implication is that the masses secretly sent back the 4400 to challenge the elite, changing society by changing humanity. The Future Elite, one might assume, then seeded the 4400 with Isabelle, their attempt to preserve the circumstances of their own rise to power. Jordan’s gambit in this episode fits into this conception perfectly. He is taking away the chance for the Elite to co-opt the 4400 abilities and giving it to the masses. It is a sensible enough plan.
To use the “X-Men” analogy, Jordan is playing the Xavier role. He’s using former terrorists (like formerly criminal mutants) and convincing them to use their talents to level the playing field in a non-violent manner. Yet there’s also a touch of Magneto in Collier, and it remains to be seen how far he will go to preserve and protect his own kind.
Of course, there is a potential twist to all of this. What if Jordan is actually fighting for the wrong side? It’s an assumption that Ryland and Isabelle are working to preserve the Future Elite. What if Jordan’s plan to distribute the promycin to the masses is the first step in creating the Future Elite? What if Jordan’s best intentions are actually being manipulated?
The interesting thing to consider is that Jordan is acting to change something, but he has no idea what effect his actions might have. He may not even know the circumstances that led to the rise of the Future Elite, beyond vague and general changes over time. For the short term, Shawn’s visions of the conflict to come seem close at hand, and that does not bode well for some of the characters! My guess is that the bloody events foreseen by Shawn will be the result of Ryland’s forces attacking the 4400 Center, under the banner of “anti-terrorism”.
This is all culminating in one hell of a finale, and I can only hope that USA Network once again sees the light and supports this series with another season. This has been the highlight of the summer season in many respects, and I certainly look forward to seeing where the writers can take it from here.
(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
posted by John Keegan | 17:49
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home