Mabus Incarnate ~ View topic

n order for a science fiction series to captivate a large audience, it must present a reality where the basis of the show is a possible reality and then create a world around that basis that is believable and appeals to the average person. "The 4400" does just that by creating a plausible reality and then interlaces the story lines not with pseudo-science, but rather character relationships, terrorism, environmental impact, government mistrust, and the unbelievable risks people will take to maintain the status quo. By appealing to a large audience, "The 4400" establishes itself as one of the best television shows on USA Network.

Written and created by Scott Peters and Ren Echevarria, "The 4400" is a science fiction series based on 4,400 people who disappeared between 1946 and 2002 who have returned returned in a ball of light on a beach near Seattle, Washington. Returning without ever aging and without any recollection of where they had been, they slowly begin to develop paranormal abilities. The 4400 were altered by humans from the distant future who are attempting to stop the earth from turning into a barren wasteland caused by war. These abilities cause a "ripple effect," introducing small changes now that have drastic affects for the future.

The 4400 are closely monitored by a government agency known as National Threat Assessment Command (NTAC). Agents Tom Baldwin (Joel Gretsch) and Diana Skouris (Jacqueline McKenzie) work in the best interest of the 4400, sometimes going against their own official orders. Sometimes their are aided by Marco Pacella (Richard Kahan), the theory room consultant who is not afraid to bend the rules in order to help Agent Skouris, who becomes his girlfriend. Tom Baldwin's son, Kyle (Chad Faust), was in a coma for three years following the abduction of his nephew, Shawn Farrel (Patrick Flueger).

Many of the 4400 experience trouble going back to their normal lives, especial those who had disappeared for quite a few years. They begin to cluster in the Seattle, Washington area and visit the place where they had returned looking for answers. The wealthy and determined real estate investor, Jordan Collier (Billy Campbell), forms a 4400 community that later develops into an organization devoted to helping all of the 4400. NTAC keeps a close eye on the 4400 Center and the actions of its leader Jordan Collier (Billy Campbell) until his assassination. Eventually, Collier returns and becomes a renegade. Inevitably, the 4400 Center and NTAC work together to protect the image of the 4400 and to maintain a safe and secure society for the American people.

Throughout the show, the characters of the duality change sides in order to exploit their own interests. In the first season, the government and the 4400 seem to be on opposing sides while in season two, NTAC is faced with a divide in the the 4400 between sympathizers and terrorists. By season three, NTAC and the 4400 Center are working together in the best interest of the 4400 against other government agencies and renegade factions. In season four, a new element arises when non-4400s begin to develop paranormal abilities after taking an illegal drug. Rather than creating a duality between "good" and "bad" or "honest" and "dishonest," season four has a duality between those who want gradual change and those who want rapid change. This dance of dualities keeps the show interesting and the audience on its toes.

"The 4400" appeals to many different types of people. "The 4400" established a generally broad fan base, from science fiction enthusiast to investigative fanatics. The main characters, Tom Baldwin and Diana Skouris, have a personal stake in their job protecting the 4400; Baldwin's son was meant to be the "messenger" of the future humans and his nephew, Shawn, is a 4400 himself while Skouris adopts a nine year old 4400 named Maia, who possesses precognitive abilities. While having the science fiction overtones present in the series, the majority of the show focuses on family ties and the workings of a criminal investigative and intelligence agency. While similar to "The X-Files," this show is far more personal and dramatic than it is focused on the paranormal and government cover ups. The show plays on mistrust of the government and belief in paranormal phenomena but mainly explores human consequences, betrayal, individual experience, greed, reactions to the unknown, and prejudice. Basically, the show appeals to the everyday problems people are confronted by in society.

"The 4400" ran for four seasons on USA Network in the United States, from July 11, 2004 until September 16, 2008. Season one aired as a five part mini-series while seasons two, three, and four aired thirteen episodes each. During the Writers Guild of America strike, Scott Peters announced that "The 4400" would not be return for a fifth season due to low ratings and budget problems as well as the strike. Fans responded by mailing sunflower seeds, a favorite snack of character Kevin Burkhoff (Jeffrey Combs), to USA Network president Bonnie Hammer to protest the cancellation of the series.