I was referring to the novels, not the DVD's.
The 4400
- Thread starter Captain Kathryn
- Start date
I was referring to the novels, not the DVD's.
Superpowers are usually a metaphor for the power of adulthood, independence, agency, prospect of change in oneself or change in the world. In The 4400 they were a metaphor for political power for those who didn't have any and the hope of social and economic change making a new world, the kind of place usually dismissed as a utopia. The word "revolution" was openly invoked. It wasn't an accident that an episode was entitle "The Great Leap Forward."
Most TV and movie scifi is adamant that things should not change. The 4400 was unusual in that some of the characters were allowed to think differently. That makes it different from the likes of Mutant X, Alphas and The Tomorrow People (so far.)
There were some problems. They kept ratcheting up the stake but never progressed toward a resolution. And like so many writers who favor character stories, they frequently bungled character. One of their finest episodes "Life Interrupted" showed lead Joel Gretsch in a years long relationship. Then, for whatever reason, the actress Karina Lombard left, Jenni Baird comes on board, and years of marriage are ignored. And I get tired at how many times they exposed Billy Campbell as bad, then showed him as good. Patrick Flueger must have gotten dizzy trying to remember when his character was on good terms with Campbell's or when they were at odds.
But over all, the willingness to even admit the very prospect of change, even with the caveat the heroes would win in the end and undo it all, was very striking.
As to the post-finale novels, I must say that Greg Cox did a superb job keeping the characters true to their TV selves, and in voice. (One quibble about the April Skouras character.)
The Mack I'm afraid seems to develop the plot at the expense of the characterization. Then in the final paragraphs it opts for a final resolution to the choice between the past and the future, opting inevitably for the past. But it does so by a voice from the future announcing that the events of the novel were all a mistake. No, there is no clue how events are to be undone.
If this all seems cryptic, I'm trying not to spoil things for any who might find the novels.
Most TV and movie scifi is adamant that things should not change. The 4400 was unusual in that some of the characters were allowed to think differently. That makes it different from the likes of Mutant X, Alphas and The Tomorrow People (so far.)
There were some problems. They kept ratcheting up the stake but never progressed toward a resolution. And like so many writers who favor character stories, they frequently bungled character. One of their finest episodes "Life Interrupted" showed lead Joel Gretsch in a years long relationship. Then, for whatever reason, the actress Karina Lombard left, Jenni Baird comes on board, and years of marriage are ignored. And I get tired at how many times they exposed Billy Campbell as bad, then showed him as good. Patrick Flueger must have gotten dizzy trying to remember when his character was on good terms with Campbell's or when they were at odds.
But over all, the willingness to even admit the very prospect of change, even with the caveat the heroes would win in the end and undo it all, was very striking.
As to the post-finale novels, I must say that Greg Cox did a superb job keeping the characters true to their TV selves, and in voice. (One quibble about the April Skouras character.)
The Mack I'm afraid seems to develop the plot at the expense of the characterization. Then in the final paragraphs it opts for a final resolution to the choice between the past and the future, opting inevitably for the past. But it does so by a voice from the future announcing that the events of the novel were all a mistake. No, there is no clue how events are to be undone.
If this all seems cryptic, I'm trying not to spoil things for any who might find the novels.
Enjoyed the show. Didn't realize there were novels. Will have to check them out
There were four novels in all. The first two were set during the run of the series, while the last two were published after the show was cancelled so Dave Mack and I used the opportunity to try to wrap up the loose ends left dangling when the show went off the air.
True story: I remember Dave and I sitting in the bar at Shore Leave one night trying to work out the character arcs . . .
So...just so I don't disappoint myself...does the show not have an actual resolution?? Because that would just be terrible. -_-
Seriously...the entire show is a mystery that wants to be solved. If it doesn't get solved by the end of the show, that is just crazy in my opinion and really unfortunate.
BTW just noticed Jeffrey Combs is in it.
I loved him as Shran and Weyoun in Trek and it was awesome to see him here too. 
So...just so I don't disappoint myself...does the show not have an actual resolution?? Because that would just be terrible. -_-
Seriously...the entire show is a mystery that wants to be solved. If it doesn't get solved by the end of the show, that is just crazy in my opinion and really unfortunate.
BTW just noticed Jeffrey Combs is in it.
The ending of the final episode isn't a total cliffhanger. It's possible to interpret it as a finale of sorts, that ends one chapter of the story while opening up new possibilities, but, yes, various loose ends are left dangling. (Damn writers' strike.)
Oh yay... Robert Picardo too! 
I love these Trek actors showing up haha.
I love these Trek actors showing up haha.
I think I never got the ending. I watched it on tv here and then it disappeared. I've been meaning to watch it again.
It's on my list as a must do at some point. I remember it very favorably.
Seasons 2 and 4 were very strong, I thought. Season 3 has long stretches of boring episodes but begins and ends well, and Season 1 was just too short to gain much traction. So, all in all a good series. Plus, casting Jeffrey Combs is an easy way to make it onto my "must watch" list at this point.
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