If you were waiting for the pivot point to arrive between The 4400's original recipe, and the new extra crispy plotlines, “The Marked” was it.  Since The 4400 returned with its focus mostly on the proliferation of Promicin both to characters we know, and a whole host of interesting new ones, the question has been how till this tie into the original overarching mythology that continues to run beneath the surface.

“The Marked” cleared up many questions.  “The Marked” referred to in the title are agents from the future.  It is eluded that they actually traveled into the past before The 4400 were returned and planted the seeds for the present plot. 

When the new season started with a decidedly episodic feel, a lot of fans were concerned that the plot progression was being slowed down.   Now approaching the mid-point of its season, it looks like that governor has been removed. 

One of the biggest revelations was that Tom is actually a sleeper agent for “The Marked.”  How this will play out in the long run is any ones guess since we know that “The Marked” also seeded the very text that says Tom must take Promicin.  Just what will happen when and if Tom takes that shot?

This casts a new light on Collier as well.  Do “The Marked” assume that he will fall into his Messiah role, and if so what is their gain?

As far as the straight progression of the story is concerned, this week Collier and crew made it to Seattle.  Collier approached Shawn, trying unsuccessfully to convince him he needed to join up with Jordan's movement again.  Shawn told Collier about his rival, and Maia's visions involving an oppressed future, and the next thing we know the guy has suffered from a stroke.

Now, this would be a great opportunity for Shawn to capitalize on his biggest critic being shut up, but instead he decides to heal the guy.  He is grateful of course, and willing to give Shawn anything, he wants.  Shawn only asks him to change.  Very interesting.

With the addition of this third element into the Promicin enhanced struggles, one can only guess where The 4400 is going from here and I, for one, like not knowing.


- Jon Lachonis, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(image Courtesy USA Network)