The Ripple Effect - 
by J-Unit
However, during the course of the investigation of the people at the hospital, there was one thing that was oddly out of place. One of the patients, who Tess had taken a particular fondness to, or perhaps had taken a particular fondness for Tess, was able to leave the hospital. His name was Kevin, and he was a researcher who studied ways to tap into the unused portions of our brain. He had a mental break and just stopped talking one day. After the apparatus was built and the noise knocked everybody out, Kevin woke up talking once again. It was determined that he was not crazy, and he was let go.
Why is this such a big deal? Well, it starts to get into that whole space/time fabric that we learn about in movies such as Back to the Future and 12 Monkeys. Kevin's research on our unused brain, which represents 90% of our grey matter, was theorized by some people as the key to things like pre-cognition (telling the future), and telekinesis (moving things with your mind). Was it Kevin's technology that, in the future, helped create the 4400? If that was the case, then they had to send somebody back who would set in motion the events to get him un-crazy. It was perhaps the first part of a ripple effect that would give them the clue to what was going on.
Overall, it looks like we should be in store for a good second season. The idea that every returnee was changed for a specific reason is interesting because it leaves you wondering more than, "oh look, that person can do some crazy shit." You want to know why that person was changed, and how it ties in to saving the human race. We also got a disturbing look at what Isabel can accomplish, and as a nice little twist, we find out that Maia has not lost her ability to tell the future, she just said that so people wouldn't think she was different. In order to not go crazy, she wrote her thoughts in a diary. Diana found it, and was reluctant to read it, because she was still trying to gain Maia's trust, but knew that there might be important information inside. And she found out there was plenty to be concerned about. After reading some nice wholesome thoughts on things like Christmas and ice cream, we read that Maia wrote that "Mommy's bosses would pay for keeping us in captivity." Quite a juicy little bit of information there, because we think we know what it may mean, but aren't too sure.
Sorry this recap was up so late, and now that I have plenty of background, I will try and turn up the snark meter. What did you think of the second season opener? Is it worth 60 minutes on a Sunday now that Desperate Housewives is on hiatus? How bizarre is the serial killer baby Isabel?
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Comments
The journal entry said "Mommy's bosses will be punished for betraying us." And it is shaping up to be a fine season. I hate space/time arguments, but if Kevin's research leads to the technology used to change the 4400, then the future people didn't need to send anyone back for him. He must have gotten uncrazy anyway. Wouldn't they have needed to focus on something else more directly related to whatever is causing the human race to die out in their age? Unless they needed him uncrazy sooner in order to somewhat alter the course of his deeds. Or maybe he never got uncrazy in the original timeline and someone else took his research in the wrong direction...
Who knows.
Posted by: Lady J | June 13, 2005 7:02 AM(#1 of 13)
I think Mahershalalhazbazahmedzappacalifragalicousexpialidocuos Ali gives a wonderful performance.
Posted by: Eddiebosox | June 13, 2005 8:57 AM(#2 of 13)
I did not watch last season, but caught up by tivoing the entire season one, which was played on USA last Sunday leading up to the season two premire. Even though I already knew about the whole Future-Rather-Than-Alien-Abduction thing, I was hooked.
My only problem so far is that I fear that the Richard/Lilly/Isabel triad will turn into a supernatural version of Kim Bauer from 24. I'm telling you right now, if they get attacked by a cougar somewhere outside of LA, I'm going to quit watching....
Thanks for blogging this J-Unit!
Posted by: Brian | June 13, 2005 9:32 AM(#3 of 13)
I too started watching during the marathon last Sunday and I was hooked. The 4400 is one of the greatest non-reality shows on tv these days. Though I'm a bit worried that Season 2 won't live up to Season 1...
Posted by: ikellybside | June 13, 2005 11:02 AM(#4 of 13)
I'm glad tvgasm is covering this show. It's definitely one of the best summer shows and one of the only non-reality summer shows. Much as I loves me some Hell's Kitchen, I do like to get back to fictional characters doing fictional things from time to time (not to say that at least half the people and events on reality shows aren't fictional, too, but you know what I mean!)
Posted by: Ashes | June 13, 2005 12:01 PM(#5 of 13)
The lullaby music played when Isabell forces the guy to kill himself was one of the best uses of music in television ever. But I think Lily might be the one with the powers and is using them subconciously and just believes Isabell is doing these things.
Posted by: GNARKILL | June 13, 2005 4:20 PM(#6 of 13)
GNARKILL,
I had a similar thought, re: Lily, that I'll write about when I get to the latest episode.
Posted by: J-Unit | June 13, 2005 4:47 PM(#7 of 13)
Have you noticed that all the 4400s have only one power? All except for Isabel. So far, she has used mind control (to get the guy to blow his brains out), telepathy (she and Lilly supposedly communicate), she can move things (like when she popped the cash register open), and she can make people ill (Jordan by touching her and Richard by looking at him). Is it possible that Izzy has ALL the powers rolled into one? Is that what makes her so special? Just a thought.
Posted by: Brian | June 14, 2005 7:54 AM(#8 of 13)
The baby is psychic. She gave Richard the dream of what would happen in the woods. If they'd fled when she wanted to, things wouldn't have gone down like that.
I wonder if the baby is a future person who had to be sent back and born through someone in this time. No idea what kind of science that would call for, but it's as good as any other option.
Posted by: Lady J | June 14, 2005 9:33 AM(#9 of 13)
In response to the first post, this is classic sci fi paradox. In order for Kevin to create the technology to change people he needed to change someone to go back in time and MAKE him un-crazy. Its a beautiful thing isn't it? Loving the recap btw.
Posted by: Peta | June 14, 2005 10:50 AM(#10 of 13)
Isabell is the key to all says the little girl that was in love with Frank Sinatra. In directly, Tess, Kyle were just messengers. This is going to be a great season!
Posted by: bolden1015 | June 14, 2005 1:16 PM(#11 of 13)
They're all messengers. That's why they were chosen. Kyle is a conduit. They use him to communicate with our time.
Posted by: Lady J | June 15, 2005 7:11 AM(#12 of 13)
Great show, decent recap. However, assuming that Isabel is the biological child of Lily and Richard because she is "mulatto" is offensive. "Mulatto?" That term hasn't been used for many decades. It also has a very negative connotation. If you are unsure of a more approprite word, then learn to use Google. Ignorance is no excuse.
[J-Unit's note: I was going to write something more about this, but the negative connotation derived from a certain entomology of the word does not make the term offensive to all people. And as somebody of mixed race, I don't take offense to the term. Your ignorance of the author's background is obviously more startling.]
Posted by: gimmeabreak | July 2, 2005 10:22 PM(#13 of 13)