The 4400 4.12: "Tiny Machines"

Thursday, 20 September 2007

By John Keegan    Visit Critical Myth for an archive of John's TV Review archives, with more than 1100 entries.   The episode kicks off with an important revelation about the “marked” and how the personality implants were constructed by the Future Elite. The implants are driven by nanotechnology, which is a staple of modern science fiction and one of those topics with endless appeal. One would expect the Future Elite, with their stranglehold on present-day technology and high-tech industry, to develop a means of technological personality hijacking. This is important because it presents an interesting possibility for closure on several plot and character threads. The obvious solution would be a powered individual with the ability to produce the effect of the proposed radiation treatment without the downside of killing the host. This would allow for Tom and Jordan’s eventual restoration and would ultimately set the stage for the victory of the powered over the Future Elite. In this scenario, the writers would need to bring forward a character with the power and motivation to restore both individuals. Thus far, the only powered individual with that kind of broad-based ability would be Isabelle. Isabelle would want to destroy the “marked” personality that forced her into betraying Kyle, and she would also want the chance to prove herself to Jordan. It would be particularly fitting if the cost was her life, willingly given. Another interesting possibility, though less pervasive, would also fulfill the prophesy regarding Tom. What if the Future Elite had never attempted to “mark” an individual already powered by promicin? Jordan could pose as one of the “marked” for a time, just long enough to expose them and end the threat to his movement. This would also present a logical reason for Tom to take (or be given) the promicin shot. This second speculative option would also serve to answer questions about Cassie, Kyle’s ability, and her connection to either the Future Humanity or the Future Elite. The current crisis puts Kyle in the forefront of Jordan’s organization, not unlike Shawn’s role after Jordan’s apparent demise. If Kyle’s ability works as explained thus far, his decisions in the near-term could help end the threat of the “marked” and save Tom and Jordan at the same time. Both options could be completely wrong; after all, I predicted a massive showdown in Promise City for this episode, and that wasn’t quite the case. That’s one of the strengths of this fourth season. The show is as creatively fertile as it’s ever been, and coming into the finale, almost anything could happen. Whatever the case, this penultimate installment for the season is a great set-up for the season finale.

 

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