Watching The 4400

An interesting blog post came through on my Google Alerts from Earl Green’s Scribblings From The Public Restroom where he caught an episode of the 4400 recently. While watching it, he thought of a couple of things, most particularly, that he had no one to root for on the show any more.

I’m sure the situation is the same with The 4400, but not being an avid follower of the story, I just don’t realize it. What nagged at me is that, unlike Lost and Galactica, I couldn’t tell who was supposed to be the bad guy. I was able to divine the differing agendas and philosophies of the two main characters on either side of the divide, but both of them were exhibiting such reprehensible behavior that I couldn’t see who I was supposed to root for. But what struck me was that my wife, who has been an avid follower of The 4400, said “I don’t like where they’re going with this show.�?

So, what do you think? Is he right that the anti-hero has taken over the 4400 where you don’t know who it is that is supposed to be the “good guy”? Or is it simply that he hasn’t watch the show that much this season, so he might be missing part of the story?

My opinion is that it’s a little of both. While I think that Evil Tom is an interesting twist on it, he’s right, there’s no defined White Hats or Black Hats in this show any more. While he seems to see that as a negative thing, I’m not really sure if it’s that bad of an idea. Jordan Collier, Promicin Messiah, is using some rather under-handed tactics (mainly, not letting Kevin work on his test so he can save lives), yet NTAC isn’t the shining Moral Compass with shutting down everyone and anyone who has taken Promicin.

Anyway, I think that Earl has brought up points that go outside of just a science fiction television show, but to our culture as it is now. It’s a wonderful post, go and read it.

Read the whole thing here.

The 4400, anti hero, TV, television, USA

This was completely and utterly Tom’s show. Or, should I say, whoever it is that is the Marked inside Tom Baldwin. For all of my complaints about making Tom one of the “Marked”, I really loved Evil Tom. The only thing he was missing was a pair of leather pants, for all of you Buffy fans out there.

I think that these last few episodes really have turned the awkward, Extra-Crispy of the week around. The aforementioned P-Positive in this episode was a complete side-issue, a MacGuffin if you will, to show off the vile Marked Tom. Tom’s little fugue while standing and talking with Collier and Kyle in Promise City showed the difference that this really isn’t the Tom Baldwin we all know and love, and that’s I think why I liked this episode so much. His touch of ultra-violence, lashing out at not only Collier, but Kyle and Diana, showed that this Marked that’s cavorting around in Tom’s body means business.

My favorite part, after that little tirade on the Evil Tom, actually had absolutely nothing to do with him. The scene between Kevin and Collier walking down the street in Promise City was by far my favorite scene in this episode. And yes, Kyle was there, but that was all about Kevin and Collier, no one else.

The 4400, Ghost In The Machine, TV, television, USA

If you’ve not seen “One Of Us”, please don’t read beyond the fold.

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The 4400 Official Site from USA Network has an interesting section called “If I Took Promicin”, and they now have a “Best Of” section where they spotlight some of the best of the bunch when it comes to Promicin stories.

We’ve received hundreds of entries, but these are the If I Took Promicin… stories that The 4400 community loved best!

Remember, these are all fan-submitted stories, and you can “favorite” the ones you like best, along with submitting your own. Let me know (with a link) if you’ve submitted. I’d love to hear your stories!

See them here.

The 4400, 4400 Guide, If I Took Promicin, promicin, TV, television, USA

What a great old-style horror story! Much more Vincent Price than Saw, which I absolutely adored. PJ’s ability is something that could easily go either very well or horribly wrong, and I thought that they showed a really interesting, non-Superhero-style ability with this episode.

While this could be considered a true one-off, non-arc episode, anyone who’s watched this show through more than one season really knows that there really isn’t a one-off show in this series. Everything always seems to tie together, and I think a telling point is Tom and Jordan’s conversation on the phone at the end of the episode.

My favorite part for this episode really is PJ. From one of the Junior Smoking Gun Club, which is how I’ve come to view the “guys in the Theory Room”, Marco included, I love that he took Promicin because he knew that it was going to be the thing that changed the world, and he just had to be a part of it.

The 4400, No Exit, TV, television, USA

As Pink Raygun is posting, USA Networks wants everyone to know that Promicin is NOT a real substance.

The USA Network wants you to know that Promicin is NOT a real substance. It won’t get you high. It’s non-addictive. It’s not a gateway drug to Spice or Tek or Dust or Soma or any other drug that doesn’t exist. Seriously, there’s a public notice posted on their website reading: Please be aware that Promicin is NOT a real substance.

You know, maybe I’ve just got too much over-estimation in human beings, but do we REALLY need that disclaimer?

Read the whole article here.

The 4400, promicin, TV, television, USA

As a preparation for this weekend, the guys over at USA Networks released to all of the Keys in the Battle of Promicin with a great group of links from around the Great and Powerful Interwebs.

Greetings 4400 Keys:

As Week 4 in the Battle Over Promicin began, Congress passed legislation completely banning not only Promicin, but also the use of any abilities gained from it. As the Anti-Promicin camp celebrates, the Pro-Promicin camp is left to wonder: what now? Find out more at the following links:

PROMICIN INFO

Could a fleet of phantom “fighter jets�? that shut down an airport have been a Promicin user’s prank?

http://www.promicininfo.com/2007/06/11/radar-scrambler/

A couple in a cabin discover they both have some startling abilities.

http://www.promicininfo.com/2007/06/13/cabin-fever

More folks just like you share their stories in the “Abilities” section!

http://www.promicininfo.com/category/abilities/

Let the world know how you feel about the pending promicin ban!

http://www.promicininfo.com/forums/

PROMICIN POWER

Reports of “random acts of Promicin” from all corners of the nation.

http://www.promicinpower.com/2007/06/11/random-acts/

Jordan Collier says that “Promicin is here to stay.”

http://www.promicinpower.com/2007/06/12/jordan-collier-promicin-is-here-to-stay/

PROMICIN TERROR

Cops bust businessmen in Promicin den.

http://promicinterror.com/

Promicin+ psychopath experiments with hurting others.

http://promicinterror.com/

PROMICIN DANCE

http://promicindance.com/

Video: From Swan to Goose

It’s better to dance than not to dance.

Blog: Breakin’ The Law, Breakin’ The Law

Chris performs a deeply moving puppet skit to discuss the new Anti-Promicin legislation.

PROMICIN PASSION

Blog - Berry discusses how YOU can have amazing sex, too.

http://www.promicinpassion.com/?p=21

Video - What to expect - behind the scenes footage at one of Berry’s sessions.

http://www.promicinpassion.com/?p=22

The 4400, Promicin Dance, Promicin Info, Promicin Terror, promicin, Chris Morris, TV, television, USA

Anyone in the Greater DC area interested in going to something 4400-related this week?

From The Third Keys Email:

Well, Chris Morris did it again! We had another great event last week down on the Venice Boardwalk. It was the perfect setting: 70-degree Southern California weather, people strolling down the boardwalk … and then Chris walked by. People were dancing to the beat of their own drummer just like that! To learn more about Chris and his ability click here.

One more city to go - Chris’ final stop will be Washington, D.C., on Thursday, June 14. If you live in the area, come out and show your support!

Event Details
Chris Morris - Live in Person
Let him unleash the dancer hidden in you! Show off your talents on-camera and you could win a prize OR end up on Chris Morris’ website!

When: Thursday, June 14
Where: Washington, D.C.
Times: 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Georgetown near Wisconsin Ave. and M Street
3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Adams Morgan, near Columbia Road NW and Calvert NW

Thanks,
The 4400 Online Team

The 4400, Promicin Dance, Washington DC, promicin, Chris Morris, TV, television, USA

From USA Networks’ email list:

Week 3 of the Battle Over Promicin finds a complete ban of the substance, as well as use of 4400 Abilities, likely to pass in both Houses of Congress. Check out the links below to find out more.

PROMICIN INFO
Congresswoman Marilyn de Freitas urges her colleagues to “stop the madness.”
http://www.promicininfo.com/2007/06/05/rep-marilyn-de-freitas

Las Vegas Casinos go Promicin-free.
http://www.promicininfo.com/2007/06/06/las-vegas

More folks just like you share their stories in the “Abilities” section!
http://www.promicininfo.com/category/abilities

Let the world know how you feel about the pending Promicin ban!
http://www.promicininfo.com/forums/

PROMICIN POWER
Jordan Collier sees the new legislation as proof that his path is the right one.
http://www.promicinpower.com/2007/06/05/collier-dispatch-5/

“Fruitcake” Marcus Greene demonstrates his pain-transferring ability on a city bus.
http://www.promicinpower.com/2007/06/06/marcus-has-a-migrane/

Young man uses his ability to “see past the naughty bits” and save lives.
http://www.promicinpower.com/2007/06/05/x-ray-vision

PROMICIN TERROR
The infamous Devon Moore video becomes another PSA — this time by the anti-Promicin side.
http://promicinterror.com

“Promicin attracts criminals,” according to Rick Baughlum’s latest video blog.
http://promicinterror.com/frontline.html

Two autopsy reports show the gruesome effects on the unlucky 50%: a brain “explodes” and a celebration dinner ends in death.
http://promicinterror.com/evidence.html

PROMICIN DANCE
http://promicindance.com

Video: New York City Gets Down!
Chris unleashes his ability on the Big Apple.

Video: Hard Hat, Soft Shoe
Some real “macho men” cannot resist the urge to boogie!

Blog: Pen Pals!
Chris sends a “care package” to his buddy Rick Baughlum.

PROMICIN PASSION
One-of-a-kind sex therapist Berry Laverra starts her own site!
http://promicinpassion.com

All Third Keys got the email yesterday, talking about the upcoming Promicin event in Los Angeles tomorrow, June 8, 2007.

Greetings Third Keys!

We just had another successful live event this past weekend in Chicago - the weather was perfect and Chris Morris used his amazing ability to get people in Millennium Park and Grant Park to dance, dance, dance! Believe it or not, he even got a tour-group on Segways spinning in sync! To learn more about Chris and his ability click here.

Event Details
Chris Morris - Live in Person
Let him unleash the dancer hidden in you! Show-off your talents on-camera and you could win a prize OR end up on Chris Morris’ website!

When: This Friday, June 8
Where: Los Angeles - Venice Beach Boardwalk
10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and again from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Thanks,
The 4400 Online Team

So all of you out on the West Coast, get on out there and start dancing!

The 4400, Promicin Dance, Los Angeles, promicin, Chris Morris, TV, television, USA