The 4400, Episodes 3.1 thru 3.7

Before my favorite summer show started, I began writing a recap entry. It was really long. So I took my toys home out of frustration.

Now, I will try again. At the end of the last episode, Tom and Diana traded Gary Navarro for Alana, then doublecrossed Ryland and took them both. Now Alana and Gary are on the run from NTAC as the supposed last connections to the NOVA group. Isabelle has “innocently” threatened Shawn, who succumbed and abandoned Nikki out of concern. Isabelle has offered herself for study through Ryland, for as yet unknown Isabelle-type reasons. Richard is getting a better understanding of Isabelle’s violently immature ways. And it’s just sad to watch.

Best lines:
Isabelle: “Dad. Tell Shawn it’s a mistake to break up with me.”
Gary: “No. I was a baseball player. And that was all I ever wanted to be.”

Before Darth-Vadering Matthew, Isabelle made it clear she would not fulfill his plan for her and kill the 4400. Of course, then she proceeded to go on a murderous rampage. Next, she went to Ryland and offered herself for study. And she told her father, Richard, that she needs Shawn with her when she does what she has to do or it will be worse for everyone. So what is this new plan? She tends to have her own definitions of “choice” and “right/wrong.” So whatever her new plan is, even though maybe not killing the 4400, may still bring out the “catastrophe” the Future fears, or may end up killing them after all.

The NOVA group cannot be gone. Will Jordan arise and reappear as the new NOVA leader (or maybe the man behind the curtain)? How does he and/or the NOVA group fit in with the Future’s plans? As of a couple of episodes ago, the Borg Queen told us the “catastrophe” still occurs. So NOVA, 4400 Center, NTAC, all not making a difference. So who’s good here? Those recreating the timeline in an attempt to save the human race? Or those interfering with them to prevent the timeline from being changed, in an attempt to allow the human race to live or die (and possibly grow stronger) as earth pleases?

Since the timeline-changers faction wants Isabelle (a creation of the timeline-leaver-the-sames) dead, and Tom has squandered his element of surprise with her, will poor Richard end up having to do the deed? Or will Isabelle not need to be destroyed because her plan proves she is not doomed to the destiny that the “bad” future faction planned for her?

And why is Tom really so important to the future? The Changers have saved his life and given him love and happiness and told him he is the key. The NotChangers have forced his son Kyle to kill Jordan, which put Kyle in prison. What can Tom do or provide that ONLY he can do or provide? The answer cannot be Kill Isabelle. Why can only he do this? Why not Diana? Or Shawn?

And was Heather involved in this “get Gary” scenario some other way? And what about Nikki? Is just here for the love triangle, or is there more to her reappearance? She makes Shawn remember what it was like to be normal and not one of the most important people on the planet. But she also makes Isabelle’s evil eye twitch. Could Isabelle’s mysterious plan fail due to jealousy over stupid Nikki? Or is she really able to carry on two of herself: Big Plan girl trying to save or end the world and My Super Ex-Girlfriend girl whining and threatening to get Shawn to love her?