A ball of light appears in
Washington state that returns 4400 people who have gone missing over
the past 50-odd years. Now, the Department of Homeland security, led
by Ryland (Peter Coyote) puts together an investigative team, Tom and
Diana (Joel Gretsch and Jacqueline Mackenzie) to find out what really
happened and to handle crimes involving the 4400.
CRITIQUE
Let’s start with the premise, as I described above: it doesn’t get
much better, right? Missing people returning is not only sets up
plenty of fertile story possibilities but allows for the
science-fiction aspect to be added more realistically than in some
other productions. A constant feature of the writing is believable
plot points. The people who returned would have problems adjusting a
lot of the time, some of the American public would be suspicious of
them, and some of them would be good and some bad. The way the
returnees have been changed, with abilities like clairvoyance and
telekinesis, is presented in an organic way and they just add to the
story, they aren’t its reason for being.
A good decision was to have the two lead investigators connected to
the 4400 personally. Tom has a nephew who returned and a son in a coma
from the night of the abduction, while Diana in essence adopts the
earliest returnee, 8 year old Maia, who disappeared in the 1940’s.
Subsequent events, like the appearance of a rich but suspicious
returnee and the interference of another agent sent by D.C. to oversee
the whole investigation, are well handled because they effect a range
of characters and storylines. In fact, the funny guys in Diana’s
theory room at their office call them “ripple effects.” No-nonsense
and to the point. Perhaps most satisfying is the revelation of some of
the answers to the questions about the 4400.
This set is The Complete First Season, so there should be more on
the way. That final scene certainly whets the appetite for it. If that
doesn’t, the acting will. Gretsch and Mackenzie were well cast. A good
team together, their acting skills are subtle and strong. Coyote is
great as the gruff veteran. Of the returnees, Patrick Flueger as Shawn
is excellent and I also like David Eigenberg from the second episode.
THE VIDEO
The 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen presentation is pretty good and
the quality is accurate.
THE AUDIO
The Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound presentation is fine for this
production’s soundtrack. There are no other languages or subtitles
offered, though.
THE EXTRAS
There are none included on this 2-disc set.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The writing and performances are the highlights of the exciting and
thought-provoking The 4400. The believability of the production owes a
lot to both of these elements and many will be entertained, especially
those who didn’t or couldn’t watch the original television broadcast.
This is an outstanding science fiction show and only some extras would
have improved the DVD. Bring on season two.
