The 4400

Where is Jordan Collier when you need him?  Tonight’s The 4400 centers on a dad who gives his autistic son Promicin.  Scenarios like that can only go bad, and sure enough, it does.  The train-obsessed lad develops the unpleasant ability to make people see their worst fears, but because of his autism the power is stuck in the on position.  Meanwhile, Diana (Jacqueline McKenzie) returns, Kyle’s (Chad Faust) power manifests, and Isabelle  ( Megalyn Echikunwoke) finds out if her powers are permanently gone. Or are they?

Diana’s return was no big surprise, and the reunion was done seamlessly.  She still has her own agenda at this point, but it is clear that she and Tom  make an awesome team.

While Kyle is waiting, nervously, for his ability to show up he meets a girl named Cassie who begins leading him on a journey of discovery, first stop:  the White Nights.   Turns out there was a secret organization in the 1800s that prophesied Promicin, Jordan Collier, and a mysterious prophet that would provide Jordan with the insight to bring God amongst men.  Kyle thinks that Cassie is one of the White Knights and is trying to draft Kyle, but he isn’t buying it.

Isabelle is still being held, powerless, and they are trying to determine what will happen if she takes Promicin.  She supposedly developed a fatal allergy to the green stuff, and they tell her she will be released in a few weeks.  How come I don’t buy this?

The autistic boy wanders off after his ability causes his mother to go off the road and Tom and Diana eventually track him down.  They consider how, with his power out of control, they are going to be able to contain the boy when Tom gets an inspiration.  They bring Shawn (Patrick Flueger) in to see if he can cure the boy's autism, and sure enough he does.

Shawn, meanwhile, brings Danny (Kaj-Erik Erikson) Promicin.  Sort of a surprising act, but this is obviously a setup for a huge tragedy that is going to shift Shawn’s allegiances again. 

Tom finally gives up on Alana, for now.   It’s a good thing too, I was beginning to wonder how they would keep this in the loop.  Sure, it’s believable that she will always be on his mind in some way, but its seems like wasted screen time to rehash it.

Later, Kyle tries to introduce Cassie to Tom and he finds out that he is the only one who cans see her; it turns out Cassie is his power.   So with Cassie being some sort of psychic muse, you have to wonder if she comes from his subconscious or is she a pre-existing being that he has been given the ability to see.  Will she have her own agenda?  Right now, it seems to be Collier’s agenda. 

Over all, an above average episode, perhaps a little limp in the wake of the premiere, but that is how it is supposed to be.


- Jon Lachonis, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(Image from USA)