Media Maven Musings

Is it just me, or is anyone else here having deja vu? Because this week’s episode of The 4400 was so similar to last week’s, the two could almost have been interchangeable. Again, we had an episode that was about 85% episodic and 15% serialized, and what little serialized material we had was sloppily thrown together and undramatic.

Let’s go through the episode piece by piece, starting with the episodic stuff:

1. Audrey Parker– I did like the character itself and the women they cast as Audrey Parker, both young and old, who brought a sophistication and grace to the role. Usually, the individual central characters of each 4400 episode are anything but graceful. This season alone has given us a high-school loser who uses his powers to brainwash others and an autistic kid who gave debilitating phobias to those around him. To have an intelligent older woman who uses her powers for good was a refreshing change.

2. BUT– her story was so boring! I would’ve rather watched the 7 Audrey-less minutes of the episode by themselves rather than watch this whole episode again. Her ability was uninspired, Diana’s involvement in the murder case couldn’t have been less interesting, and the stakes of it all couldn’t have been lower. Whereas every other episode focuses one person whose ability puts countless others in danger, this episode just focuses on the one person, who in fact is already dead, so there’s no real danger there anyway. While this technique might work on a show like C.S.I., where the cases are intricate and unpredictable, it falls flat on its face here. There were only 4 characters who could’ve been the murderer since only 4 were introduced who even knew Audrey, and since its never the first person NTAC grabs, that really left only one. Needless to say, I was very disappointed in Audrey’s murder case.

3. Phillip Wilson a.k.a. Phillip Delacroix– they couldn’t have done better with the casting of this guy? I’ll believe Sawyer on Lost is a good con-man; he’s got good looks, charm, and an accent. But this dude? Wearing what looked like a neon cycling jumpsuit and a 20-year-old Parisian girl’s scarf tied to his neck? This guy couldn’t con a fish into swimming, let alone an attractive successful young artist.

4. One thing I did like about the Audrey murder case was the moment when Marco broke down the audio file and played Audrey’s message “Murdered…murdered…murdered.” Not only did every character in the scene get the chills, but me and my viewing partner sure did too. Creepy.

5. As I often mention, I always appreciate it when shows try to reinvent the way they tell their stories, or as I like to put more succinctly, a narrative discourse flip. This episode was an attempt at such a flip. We had voice-over narration from Audrey Parker, and as I noted above, the Promicin-induced ability affected only its host and put no others in danger. However, I think this was a misguided and poorly executed attempt at a narrative discourse flip. These flips only work when they heighten the drama or serve an important function.  In Audrey Parker’s case, neither of these objectives was achieved.

Ok, now for the serialized bits:

1. Diana/Ben/Maia/April storyline– zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.  I don’t care about Diana’s life choices, I don’t care about her feeling towards Audrey Parker, and I don’t care that she wears way to much eye make-up now because she has a boyfriend.   I like Ben, Maya and April, so hopefully, since we’ll see all 3 in next week’s episodes, Diana and her bunch will start to get some more worthwhile screen time and some more interesting storylines.

2. Tom/Meghan– Of all the episodes ever aired, this one featured Tom Baldwin the least.  He had maybe 2 lines the entire time and contributed nothing to the plot.  He may not be my favorite character, but any episode that features more of Marco’s buddies in the Theory Room than Tom is a bad episode.  And this Meghan chick?  I didn’t mind her last week or the week before, but her weepy scene with Tom in this week’s episode made me throw up in my mouth a little bit.  Give me a break, 4400.  No one is watching this show for the Meghan Doyle Dramatic Moment of the Week.  Cut the crap, lose the blonde, and let’s get Alana, a far more complex and engrossing character, back on the show.

3. Shawn/Heather/4400’s– This storyline was the only one that took a step forward this week, though it did so in a ludicrous fashion.  First, Shawn publicly states his intention to break the law on live television.  Then, the army, after about 30 seconds of protest from a bunch of sick people in wheelchairs and Tom Baldwin, back down from arresting Shawn.  That’s all it took?!  The government outlawed the use of 4400 abilities, but when 50 cerebral palsy patients starting shouting, they gave in?  GROAN.   I can suspend my disbelief for 4400 people getting taken to the future and given extraordinary abilities, but this ridiculous capitulation I cannot and will not buy.

4. Kyle/Isabelle – -Sweet.  This week was all set-up, but next week should be a doozy.  In fact, it seems as if most of the stories from this week were building up to next week, which hopefully,  will go back to the tried-and-true formula of 75% serial, 25% episodic, which we haven’t had once yet this season.  Predicition: Isabelle is a good guy.

One big question: Where is Richard Tyler?  I have a feeling that Jordan Collier, Tess, and Dr. Burkhoff will be back soon, but Richard Tyler (Maherhashal…the dude has a long name, and I’m not looking it up on IMDB right now), isn’t even on the show’s opening credits anymore.  Lily already died and now Richard just, what, disappeared?  Why are they dropping these main characters?  I loved Richard and Lily.  They were such a unique couple, and even after Lily died, I loved the direction Richard took.  So where is he?  And is he coming back?

My dear 4400, consider this your final warning from a loyal fan.  No more of this episodic garbage.  Next week better be a return to form, or I might have to start watching John From Cincinnati live and exiling The 4400 to Monday night Tivo-viewing.  It pains me to give this program another low grade (this week: C+), so please don’t make me do it anymore!  Let’s see some action!  Some excitement!  And no more Meghan Doyle.  K, thanks.

Did any of you watch last night’s episode?  What did you think?  Where do you think the show is going?  Are you losing interesting?  Let me know!