This page will contain external links about The 4400, as they become available.The 4400The 4400 is a science fiction program on the USA Network, Space: The Imagination Station and Sky One. It began as a miniseries of five episodes, which aired weekly from July 11 to August 8, 2004; a second season of twelve episodes began airing on June 5, 2005 and concluded on August 28, 2005. Production on thirteen new episodes for a third season has begun for a summer 2006 premiere. It was created and written by Scott Peters and René Echevarria. It stars Joel Gretsch and Jacqueline McKenzie. The theme song of the show is "A Place in Time" written by Robert Phillips & Tim Paruskewitz, performed by Amanda Abizaid. The 4400 is produced by Paramount Network Television in Association with Sky Television for Sky One, Renegade 83 and American Zoetrope for USA Network. The series is filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.In the pilot episode, what is originally thought to be a comet deposits a group of exactly four thousand, four hundred people in the Seattle, Washington region. All of the 4,400 had disappeared at various points starting from 1941 in a beam of white light. After their return, none have aged, all are disoriented, and they remember nothing between the time of their disappearance and their return. National Threat Assessment CommandNTAC (National Threat Assessment Command), a division of the Department of Homeland Security, is formed in response to the return of the 4400. There are a multitude of agents assigned to the case. The series mainly follows two of them, as well as their immediate superior:
(A real-life NTAC now exists as well; however, it is specifically part of the Secret Service division of the Department of Homeland Security, and the "C" stands for "Center" instead of "Command".) The Returnees (The 4400)Most have trouble trying to get their lives back on track after being separated from their world for years. More significantly, a small number of the returnees begin to manifest paranormal abilities, such as telekinesis, telepathy, precognition, and much stranger ones. In addition, one of the 4400 had become pregnant between her disapperance and return. At the end of the first season, we learn that the 4400 were abducted, not by aliens, but by someone in Earth's future, and that they were returned in order to prevent some sort of catastrophe. At the end of the second season, it was revealed that all 4400 had a new neurotransmitter called "promicin" in their brains; it was this which gave some of them their powers. The government, afraid of what this large group would do with such power, secretly dosed all 4400 with a promicin inhibitor. (It worked on the majority of the group, but not those who were later seen with powers.) The inhibitor caused a potentially fatal immune system condition in the returnees, forcing the government to inject all surviving returnees with replacement promicin; it is hinted that all of them will now exhibit powers. The series follows the lives and stories of a select few of the 4400. The main characters are:
Several other members of the 4400 feature in specific storylines:
PromicinThe abilities of the 4400 derive from activating dormant neural pathways. Apparently the body produces four main neurotransmitters that control and regulate everything. Every 4400 produces a fifth neurotransmitter called Promicin that enables him or her to use parts of the cerebellum no human has ever had access to. Promicin's behavior and effect are unpredictable, potentially giving any ability. This plot element uses the "Ten Percent Myth", which modern science has disproven. The promicin-inhibitor would piggyback on glucose. It entered the brain through facilitated diffusion. It's a binding protein. A serum was created that contained pure promicin. This serum neutralized the charge so the inhibitor isn't able to cross membranes and can be flushed out of the body. Episode ListSeason OneSeason TwoSeason ThreeProduction of a third season is scheduled to begin in Vancouver in early 2006, and will be premiering in the summer. Allusions to ScientologyThe 4400 Center run by Jordan Collier seems intended to resemble the real-world Church of Scientology. The 4400 Center promises supernatural abilities to those who follow its training through for-pay courses, much as the Church of Scientology promises, though Scientology is not as forthcoming about its promises of supernatural powers. At least one 4400 Center attendee has had his psychological medication confiscated, much as the Church of Scientology is opposed to psychology and its medications. The 4400 Center includes technological devices strapped onto its members during courses, similar to Scientology's E-Meters. The 4400 Center targets celebrities for inclusion and promotes them through the program faster than non-celebrity members; the Church of Scientology definitely intentionally draws celebrities with its "Celebrity Centers". One former member of the 4400 Center accused it of making him take endless for-pay classes until he was bankrupted, at which point he was ejected from the program; Scientology has had similar accusations pointed at it. Allusions to Judaeo-Christian TextsThe name of the show itself might be an allusion to the belief held by Jehovah's Witnesses that only 144,000 people will be allowed into heaven. The 4400 people who disappear do so in a rapture like fashion. The show's content has subtle Christian undertones, although not in a way that one would take it to be proselytizing. The baby Isabelle, believed by some to be the future savior of mankind, has no qualms about violently killing people who get in her way. While Isabelle might sometimes seem like a Christ-like figure, she is certainly not. In the same vein, Jordan Collier (note his initials JC), whose intentions and methods are also grey, is killed by a sniper, and after his funeral, his body miraculously disappears. He is then reborn (albeit in a currently unknown fashion). Trivia
Broadcasters
DVD releaseThis page about The 4400 includes information from a Wikipedia article. Additional articles about The 4400 News stories about The 4400 External links for The 4400 Videos for The 4400 Wikis about The 4400 Discussion Groups about The 4400 Blogs about The 4400 Images of The 4400 |
|
He is then reborn (albeit in a currently unknown fashion). Ranking members of the Catholic Church traditionally wear rings set with a large amethyst as part of their office. In the same vein, Jordan Collier (note his initials JC), whose intentions and methods are also grey, is killed by a sniper, and after his funeral, his body miraculously disappears. It is a symbol of heavenly understanding, and of the pioneer in thought and action on the philosophical, religious, spiritual and material planes. While Isabelle might sometimes seem like a Christ-like figure, she is certainly not. It is also associated with the constellations of Pisces, Aries (especially the violet and purple variety), Aquarius, and Sagittarius. The baby Isabelle, believed by some to be the future savior of mankind, has no qualms about violently killing people who get in her way. Amethyst is the birthstone associated with February. The show's content has subtle Christian undertones, although not in a way that one would take it to be proselytizing. Even high-quality examples are often sold in large unfinished slabs, or as geodes, in everyday locations. The 4400 people who disappear do so in a rapture like fashion. Traditionally included in the cardinal, or most valuable, gemstones (along with diamond, sapphire, ruby and emerald), amethyst has lost much of its substantial value due to the discovery of extensive deposits in locations such as Brazil. The name of the show itself might be an allusion to the belief held by Jehovah's Witnesses that only 144,000 people will be allowed into heaven. Amethyst is relatively common in northwestern Ontario, but uncommon elsewhere in Canada; it was selected as the provincial mineral of Ontario in 1975. One former member of the 4400 Center accused it of making him take endless for-pay classes until he was bankrupted, at which point he was ejected from the program; Scientology has had similar accusations pointed at it. It is found also in the Lake Superior district. The 4400 Center targets celebrities for inclusion and promotes them through the program faster than non-celebrity members; the Church of Scientology definitely intentionally draws celebrities with its "Celebrity Centers". Among these may be mentioned Amethyst Mountain, Texas; Yellowstone National Park; Delaware County, Pennsylvania; Haywood County, North Carolina; and Deer Hill, and Stow, Maine. The 4400 Center includes technological devices strapped onto its members during courses, similar to Scientology's E-Meters. Amethyst occurs at many localities in the United States, but these specimens are rarely fine enough for use in jewelry. At least one 4400 Center attendee has had his psychological medication confiscated, much as the Church of Scientology is opposed to psychology and its medications. It should be noted that most professional gemological associations such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the American Gemological Society (AGS) discourage the use of the term "Oriental amethyst" to describe any gem as it may be misleading. The 4400 Center promises supernatural abilities to those who follow its training through for-pay courses, much as the Church of Scientology promises, though Scientology is not as forthcoming about its promises of supernatural powers. Purple corundum, or sapphire of amethystine tint, is called Oriental amethyst, but this expression is often applied by jewellers to fine examples of the ordinary amethystine quartz, even when not derived from eastern sources. The 4400 Center run by Jordan Collier seems intended to resemble the real-world Church of Scientology. In more recent times, certain gems (usually of Bolivian origin) that have shown alternate bands of amethyst purple with citrine orange have been given the name ametrine. Production of a third season is scheduled to begin in Vancouver in early 2006, and will be premiering in the summer. The most prized color is an intense violet with red flashes and is called "Siberian", although gems of this color may occur from several locations other than Siberia, notably Uruguay and Zambia. This serum neutralized the charge so the inhibitor isn't able to cross membranes and can be flushed out of the body. "Rose de France" is usually a pale pinkish lavender or lilac shade (usually the least sought color). A serum was created that contained pure promicin. Due to its popularity as a gemstone, several descriptive terms have been coined in the gem trade to describe the varying colors of amethyst. It's a binding protein. Many localities in India yield amethyst; and it is found also in Sri Lanka, chiefly as pebbles. It entered the brain through facilitated diffusion. Much fine amethyst comes from Russia, especially from near Mursinka in the Ekaterinburg district, where it occurs in drusy cavities in granitic rocks. The promicin-inhibitor would piggyback on glucose. Many of the hollow agates of Brazil and Uruguay contain a crop of amethyst crystals in the interior. This plot element uses the "Ten Percent Myth", which modern science has disproven.. A huge geode, or "amethyst-grotto", from near Santa Cruz in southern Brazil was exhibited at the Düsseldorf Exhibition of 1902. Promicin's behavior and effect are unpredictable, potentially giving any ability. Such crystals occur either in the cavities of mineral-veins and in granitic rocks, or as a lining in agate geodes. Every 4400 produces a fifth neurotransmitter called Promicin that enables him or her to use parts of the cerebellum no human has ever had access to. It is a widely distributed mineral, but fine, clear specimens that are suitable for cutting as ornamental stones are confined to comparatively few localities. Apparently the body produces four main neurotransmitters that control and regulate everything. Beads of amethyst are found in Anglo-Saxon graves in England. The abilities of the 4400 derive from activating dormant neural pathways. Amethyst was used as a gemstone by the ancient Egyptians and was largely employed in antiquity for intaglios. Several other members of the 4400 feature in specific storylines:. Some mineralogists, following Sir David Brewster, apply the name of amethyst to all quartz which exhibits this structure, regardless of color. The main characters are:. As a consequence of this composite formation, amethyst is apt to break with a rippled fracture, or to show "thumb markings", and the intersection of two sets of curved ripples may produce on the fractured surface a pattern something like that of "engine turning". The series follows the lives and stories of a select few of the 4400. It has been shown that this structure may be due to mechanical stresses. (It worked on the majority of the group, but not those who were later seen with powers.) The inhibitor caused a potentially fatal immune system condition in the returnees, forcing the government to inject all surviving returnees with replacement promicin; it is hinted that all of them will now exhibit powers. Amethyst is composed of an irregular superposition of alternate lamellae of right-handed and left-handed quartz. The government, afraid of what this large group would do with such power, secretly dosed all 4400 with a promicin inhibitor. Veins of amethystine quartz are apt to lose their color on the exposed outcrop. At the end of the second season, it was revealed that all 4400 had a new neurotransmitter called "promicin" in their brains; it was this which gave some of them their powers. On exposure to heat, amethyst generally becomes yellow, and much of the citrine, cairngorm, or yellow quartz of jewelry is said to be merely "burnt amethyst". At the end of the first season, we learn that the 4400 were abducted, not by aliens, but by someone in Earth's future, and that they were returned in order to prevent some sort of catastrophe. As of 2005, impurity atoms are known to be responsible of the colour of the amethyst. In addition, one of the 4400 had become pregnant between her disapperance and return. Ferric thiocyanate was suggested, and sulfur was said to have been detected in the mineral. More significantly, a small number of the returnees begin to manifest paranormal abilities, such as telekinesis, telepathy, precognition, and much stranger ones. However, since it is capable of being greatly altered and even discharged by heat, the color was believed by some authorities to be from an organic source. Most have trouble trying to get their lives back on track after being separated from their world for years. In the 20th century, the color of amethyst was attributed to the presence of manganese. (A real-life NTAC now exists as well; however, it is specifically part of the Secret Service division of the Department of Homeland Security, and the "C" stands for "Center" instead of "Command".). However, the word may probably be a corruption of an Oriental name for the stone. The series mainly follows two of them, as well as their immediate superior:. It was held that wine drunk out of a cup of amethyst would not intoxicate. There are a multitude of agents assigned to the case. The name is generally said to be derived from the Greek a, "not," and methuskein, "to intoxicate," expressing the old belief that the stone protected its owner from drunkenness. NTAC (National Threat Assessment Command), a division of the Department of Homeland Security, is formed in response to the return of the 4400. Amethyst (SiO2) is a violet or purple variety of quartz often used as an ornament. . After their return, none have aged, all are disoriented, and they remember nothing between the time of their disappearance and their return. All of the 4,400 had disappeared at various points starting from 1941 in a beam of white light. In the pilot episode, what is originally thought to be a comet deposits a group of exactly four thousand, four hundred people in the Seattle, Washington region. The series is filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The 4400 is produced by Paramount Network Television in Association with Sky Television for Sky One, Renegade 83 and American Zoetrope for USA Network. The theme song of the show is "A Place in Time" written by Robert Phillips & Tim Paruskewitz, performed by Amanda Abizaid. It stars Joel Gretsch and Jacqueline McKenzie. It was created and written by Scott Peters and René Echevarria. Production on thirteen new episodes for a third season has begun for a summer 2006 premiere. It began as a miniseries of five episodes, which aired weekly from July 11 to August 8, 2004; a second season of twelve episodes began airing on June 5, 2005 and concluded on August 28, 2005. The 4400 is a science fiction program on the USA Network, Space: The Imagination Station and Sky One. New Zealand: TV3 (New Zealand). Turkey: CNBC-e. Brazil: NBC's Universal Channel. Norway: TV3. The Netherlands: Talpa. United States: USA Network. United Kingdom: Sky One. Germany: ProSieben. France: M6. Australia: Network Ten. Switzerland: TSR. Canada: Space. [1]. Early marketing for the series included stencilled graffiti in public places across San Francisco, Houston, and Boston raising ire among residents. The second season was aired weekly but taken off air halfway through the season, but continued to air in New Zealand. In Australia and New Zealand the first series was shown as a miniseries of 3 episodes. Vehicles from DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group, such as the Dodge Durango and Chrysler 300, appear frequently in the show being driven by members of NTAC. Nate McCullough, disappeared September 8, 2000. Werner Loecher, disappeared April 19,1973. Matthew Lombard, disappeared May 30,1977. Rose Woodard, disappeared December 1,1991. Paranormal abilities: Increases the levels of adrenaline or other hormones (causing elevated levels of rage) in males within a certain radius through sonic means. Kim, disappeared February 2, 1998. T.J. Laurel Bryce, disappeared January 7, 1982. Sara James, disappeared November 5, 1971. (Deceased). Roger Wolcott, disappeared March 6, 1987. Paranormal abilities: Could heal fetuses in utero (but causes progressive damage to self). Edwin Mayuya, aka Edwin Musinga, doctor, disappeared February 24, 1996. (Deceased) Paranormal abilities: sores on hands released plague-like disease (airborne, disappears in about half an hour, goes through biohazard gear). Jean DeLynn Baker, disappeared October 27, 1999. Paranormal abilities: Unlocked artistic potential in certain students in her classes. Heather Tobey, school teacher, disappeared March 2, 1974. Eric Papequash, disappeared August 5, 1955. (Deceased) Paranormal abilities: Could revive dead plants. Mary Deneville, disappeared August 4, 1999. Given to her by the future so she can develop a relationship with Tom Baldwin to sustain him through the "coming troubles.". Paranormal abilities: Ability to create an alternate reality. Artist (and debatably museum director). Alana Mareva, disappeared September 5, 2001. He was shot during apprehension, but lived. The ability does cause Orson to suffer nosebleeds, and he has shown an inability to control this power. glass, bones). Paranormal abilities: Telekinesis of a magnitude to cause tremors in immediate vicinity and shatter objects (e.g. Insurance Salesman and partner in Kensington & Bailey. Orson Bailey, disappeared June 11, 1979, from Tacoma, WA. Paranormal abilities: Saliva contains an agent that rapidly accelerates the metabolism of others. A telemarketer. Trent Appelbaum, disappeared May 18, 1989. Paranormal abilities: Is able to hear the thoughts of others. A baseball player. Gary Navarro,disappeared January 5, 1973. Paranormal abilities: Ability to compel others to help her build a device, the plans for which have been planted in her head. A mental patient. Tess Doerner, disappeared April 3, 1955. Paranormal abilities: Mind control/suggestion via speech. Captured and imprisoned in soundproof cell. Oliver Knox, disappeared August 22, 1983, from Friday Harbor, WA, a suspected serial killer. Paranormal abilities: Enhanced reflexes and strength. A supermarket employee (Deceased). Carl Morrisey, disappeared February 16, 2003, from Seattle, WA. Note that many of these powers duplicate those from among the 4400. Paranormal abilities: Telepathic communication (with Lily Moore, Richard Tyler, and Jordan Collier), mind control, materialization projection, alteration (Jordan Collier's injury, Lily Moore's first daughter's spleen) and/or acceleration of biological growth (the growth of berries in one episode and herself in the Season 2 finale), precognition (warned Lily of a bomb before it exploded), telekinesis (the bending trees in the final scene of Season 1). At the end of the season finale she ages considerably and shows up in Shawn's office, naked. As the only 4400 not affected by the ability-inhibitor, she provides blood used to heal Shawn Farrell and consequently all 4400s, activating their abilities. Technically not one of "The 4400" returned (she was still in the womb at the time of the count). Isabelle Tyler-Moore, born post-return, daughter of Richard Tyler and Lily Moore. Also, after being assassinated, he disappears and reappears alive at the very end of the second season finale. Possibly enhanced power of suggestion over other people, but this could just be a personality trait. Paranormal abilities: unknown. Jordan Collier, disappeared April 10, 2002, from Seattle, WA area, a former real estate mogul. Paranormal abilities: precognition. Maia Rutledge, disappeared March 3, 1946, at age 8, from Crescent City, CA. Paranormal abilities: Healer and life taker. Shawn Farrell, disappeared April 22, 2001, at age 17, from Highland Beach, WA. Paranormal abilities: None Known. Returned pregnant, but not by Brian, rather by Richard Tyler. At time of abduction, married to Brian Moore, mother to Heidi Moore. Louis, MO. Lily Moore, disappeared in 1993, at age 26, from St. Paranormal abilities: apparent telekinesis. Father of Lily Moore's second daughter, Isabelle. At the time, in a relationship with Lily Moore's grandmother, Lily Bonham. Louis, MO. Originally from St. Richard Tyler, disappeared May 11, 1951, at age 29, while in South Korea during the Korean War. Ryland is succeeded by Nina Jarvis in season two, but he takes his role back as a guest star on the 11th and 12th (season finale) episodes of season two. Dennis Ryland: Baldwin's and Skouris's supervisor and director of the Seattle bureau of NTAC during season one. In the first episode of season 2, Diana adopts Maia Rutledge. The eight-year old pre-cog Maia asks to move in with her at some point in season 1. Diana Skouris: Tom's partner. Kyle was in a coma for three years, and after being awoken is troubled by blackouts. Tom Baldwin: Baldwin's nephew is Shawn Farrell; Shawn was with Baldwin's son Kyle Baldwin during the abduction. |