The 4400: Becoming
Another solid entry in this limited series. Not quite as enjoyable as last week, but I think that’s because the roots of this one were showing. Namely, the Oliver Knox plotline felt like a thinly disguised derivation of the classic X-Files episode, “Pusher”. However, the far more intriguing plotlines came with the Jordan Collier plotline and his attempts to bring the 4400 together into some type of group. I’ve seen enough of these types of shows to realize that Collier probably isn’t quite as philatrhophic as he appears, but I am intrigued to see just where they’ll take this storyline over the next couple of weeks.
I was also intrigued by the notion that whoever took the 4400 and returned them might be trying to influence things. The “ripple effect” of the actions by two of the 4400 was an nicely done little tease to keep me interested and wanting to tune in next week. It also brings up some questions of who took the group and why and do they have an agenda? From Sean’s story, it would appear that being taken wasn’t exactly a comfortble or enjoyable procedure, but yet everyone who has returned seems to have some gift and has used it to make a difference of some kind (well, except for Knox, but we don’t yet know how his plotline will impact things). So, why did the 4400 return? And, more interestingly, is Collier part of the aliens’ plot? Time will tell. (I hope!)
The Dead Zone: Looking Glass
“Looking Glass” brings up some intriguing ideas about Johnny and his powers. The first is the right to privacy and do Johnny’s visions represent a violation of a person’s privacy. (Certainly we had echoes of that last week from Walt, taking about Johnny being able to touch someone and have instant access to the dark recesses that most people would rather keep hidden). Next, we got the question of could someone figure out a way to use Johnny’s visions to create the future or outcome they wanted? Here, the two twins start out innocently enough–wanting to show Johnny as a hoax, but it slowly takes a turn for the sinister when Lennie kills his identical twin, George’s girlfriend in order to complete the perfect crime. Of course, it helps that the twins have some motivation for wanting revenge on Johnny due to his connection with Rev. Purdy. There are some interesting questions raised here and some rather unsettling answers. For one, despite his best efforts, Johnny can’t stop the girl from getting killed. (Is this one of the few times we’ve seen Johnny not be able to prevent the tragedy he sees from occurring?) Second of all, in the end, will the confession be admissable in court? I am not certain since a good lawyer would find a loophole to get it thrown out? Finally, what is the cost of the visions to Johnny and those he helps? One intriguing idea here is that Johnny only sees the dark side of things since most of his visions involve death and/or destruction. But also, does Johnny help those he touches? Certainly, he has saved some lives, but he pretty much shattered the family here. Interesting questions and like any good show, the Dead Zone doesn’t necessarily provide any easy, pat answers to them.
Orange Tinted Glasses 