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4400: The Complete Series (The)
R1 - America - Paramount Home Entertainment Review written by and copyright: Jeremiah Chin (31st October 2008). |
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The Show
 Ever since I found out that Damon Lindelof, creative mastermind and co-creator of “Lost” (2004-Present) got his roots being a regular staff-writer on shows like “Nash Bridges” (1996-2001) and “MTV’s Undressed” (1999-2002), I’ve made a strong point of keeping track of where writers go and trying to see where they wind up. Many of them just keep up being good writers, as in the case of Drew Z. Greenberg, scribe of episodes from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003) up to “Lost” and the film “Cloverfield” (2008). Others go on to become creators and show runners of their own creative material, as is the case of René Echevarria who co-created (with Scott Peters) “The 4400” (2004-2007), but nearly a decade before worked as a staff writer on some of the best episodes of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” (1987-1994) and “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” (1993-1999). I caught the occasional episode of “The 4400” on USA, though now that it’s cancelled, I’ll have to check out the full extent of the series thanks to the recent release of “The 4400: The Complete Series” set. Drawing from the creative team’s sci-fi roots, “The 4400” follows the lives of 4400 people who, simply disappeared off the face of the planet between the 1940’s and the early 2000’s from different parts of the planet and different areas. Yet one day in 2004, all 4400 of these people suddenly return as what people believe to be a comet mysteriously lands, planting these hundreds of people with no memories of their disappearance or any signs of aging that occurred over the course of their disappearance. After their return, the members of the 4400 gradually realize that they have been returned with unique and odd powers such as telekenisis or healing, discovering that they were not abducted by aliens, but in fact humans from a future where the human race is dying out, sent to try and stop the eventual end of humanity. Two years before “Heroes” (2006-Present) brought a core group of mysteriously super powered humans destined to stop the world from ending, “The 4400” were working along a similar course, but buried in basic cable television. There are a handful of obvious connections between the two shows, more than simply superpowers and the end of the world, but I find “The 4400”’s drama more compelling, especially in crafting a show whose arc goes beyond the simple display of powers. Much of the first episode and season deals with the return of these disappeared people, returning to normal life and the present world, a nice character-driven touch to give a reason to connect with these characters beyond the simple fact that they happen to be on TV for an hour. After the first season, the show begins moving further towards the idea of saving humanity and deeper into the nature of superpowers. (Spoilers for both “Heroes” and “The 4400”) Another example of “Heroes” following “The 4400”’s footsteps (to put it nicely) can be seen in the discovery of a drug that will artificially create superpowers in people originally not involved in the impetus of both show’s superpower-back story along with an anti-super-powered-person virus featured in the second and third seasons of both shows. Overall “The 4400” is an incredibly watchable show that puts out some interesting television that became a major casualty of the 2007 writer’s strike with it’s cancellation. Though Echevarria’s roots on the two best “Star Trek” series, including excellent episode “I Borg”, gives him truck loads of geek-street-cred, he didn’t stay on too long. Yet fellow ‘Trek’ alumni Ira Steven Behr was also brought in to take his place, giving the show more writing credibility yet it still wasn’t enough to keep the show on for it’s full run, making the 4th season finale on the set an even greater cliffhanger considering the series wasn’t renewed (Ironically the show managed to put out 44 episodes, coincidence? fate?). “The 4400” is a fine enough show to keep running long enough to at least resolve it’s plot lines, yet it’s early cancellation leaves a cliffhanger at the end of it’s final season. The show also has the feel of some of the new “Outer Limits” from the 90's (for better or for worse, even though I really dug the show) which also may reflect creator Scott Peters' work on that same show. At times there are problems with trying to push the drama farther than it needs to be, but in the end it’s a good supplement of Sci-Fi that didn’t get to tell its full story. Here’s a rundown of the episodes per season: Season One: - "Pilot" - "The New and Improved Carl Morrissey" - "Becoming" - "Trial By Fire" - "White Light" Season Two: - "Wake-up Call" - "Voices Carry" - "Weight of the World" - "Suffer the Children" - "As Fate Would Have It" - "Life Interrupted" - "Carrier" - "Rebirth" - "Hidden" - "Lockdown" - "The Fifth Page" - "Mommy’s Bosses" Season Three: - "The New World" - "Being Tom Baldwin" - "Gone: Part 1" - "Gone: Part 2" - "Graduation Day" - "The Home Front" - "Blink" - "The ballad of Kevin and Tess" - "The Starzl Mutation" - "The Gospel According to Collier" - "Terrible Swift Sword" - "Fifty-Fifty" Season Four: - "The Wrath of Graham" - "Fear Itself" - "Audrey Parker’s Come and Gone" - "The Truth and Nothing But the Truth" - "Try the Pie" - "The Marked" - "Till We Have Built Jerusalem" - "No Exit" - "Daddy’s Little Girl" - "One of Us" - "Ghost in the Machine" - "Tiny Machines" - "The Great Leap Forward"
Video
Presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen the series itself looks good, and the transfer keeps up the original quality of the show. The color balance and visuals look as they originally aired, though there’s a bit of grain in some of the episodes that is noticeable but not particularly damaging.
Audio
Three audio tracks are included in English Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound and options that increase as the show continues, including English 2.0 Stereo Sound, Spanish 2.0 stereo sound. The 5.1 sound again goes back to the show’s original audio format and the audio quality sounds good. There are no drops in sound or odd levels, overall the show sounds as it should, though there’s some incredibly hokey and odd music choices in some scenes. Subtitles are also available in English, Spanish and Portuguese, including English and Spanish subtitles for commentary on certain episodes.
Extras
"The Complete Series" 15-disc set is packed with a good amount of special features including audio commentaries on various episodes, a grouping of featurettes across the set and a bunch of different deleted scenes across the different seasons with a cluster of special features on the 15th disc among others. Below is a disc by disc breakdown of the special features. DISC ONE: This disc does not include any extras. DISC TWO: This disc does not include any extras. DISC THREE: There’s a handful of start-up bonus trailers available on the disc: - “The Brady Bunch: The Complete Fourth Season” runs for 1 minute. - “Charmed: The Complete Third Season” runs for 45 seconds. - “MacGyver: The Complete Fourth season” runs for 1 minute 2 seconds. DISC FOUR: Audio commentary on Season 2 Episode 5 “As Fate Would Have It” with actors Jacqueline McKenzie and Joel Gretsch, writer Craig Sweeny and executive producerIra Steven Behr. Behr makes some “Trek”-related jokes, coming from his tenure on “The Next Generation” and “Deep Space Nine.” There are some odd pauses and gaps in the commentary, combined with a lot of jokes about the characters and comments on the beauty of the actors. However there are still some interesting behind the scenes stories and some dialogue on the show’s characters and plots that are worth hearing. DISC FIVE: Audio commentary on Season 2 Episode 12 “The Fifth Page” with actors Jacqueline McKenzie and Joel Gretsch, writer Craig Sweeny and executive producerIra Steven Behr. Behr discusses the stresses and grief from producing “The 4400” including his trip to the hospital. There’s some good joking and talk between the commentators, though there are a few pauses and gaps they aren’t terribly long and it’s still a fun enough commentary to listen to. DISC SIX: Audio commentary on Season 2 Episode 13 “Mommy’s Bosses” with actors Jacqueline McKenzie and Joel Gretsch, writer Craig Sweeny and executive producerIra Steven Behr. More on set stories and discussion of overall arcs, including some funny points about the odd set change or prop. This episodes has some particularly long gaps in the commentating, but it’s usually followed by some interesting and extensive discussion of Behr’s and Sweeny’s writing process and the overall arcs the show is currently following. There are also 3 featurettes on the disc: - “Creating the Ball of Light” runs for 8 minutes and 48 seconds. There’s some interesting discussion of how the show was inspired by September 11th and more general discussion from creator/executive producer/writer Scott Peters and other executive producers. Most of it covers the production and creation of the larger series, finding the USA network and getting the whole ball rolling for “The 4400.” A nice featurette that covers the origins of the show that sounds a bit like the origins story of many other TV shows, but a nice addition to the set. Behr gives some funny discussion on how he got involved in the show. - “Return of the 4400” runs for 11 minutes and 26 seconds, focusingmostly on coming back to the show for it’s second season and trying to create twists. There’s some interesting discussion about building the show out of it’s original mini-series and storytelling problems almost in terms of ‘rebooting’ the show out of the original mini-series. “A Stitch in Time” runs for 9 minutes and 41 seconds. Peters and other major players on the creative side of the show, talking about trying to ground the sci-fi elements of the show into actual science. The featurette also consults with academics about the idea of time travel that they play around with in the "4400" along with a larger discussion of space time. Another nice featurette that’s fairly interesting in it’s own right, even outside of it’s fairly casual connection to the "4400" plot, it’s still fun to hear about the interaction between science and science fiction, though there are some really cheesy CG effects used. DISC SEVEN: Audio commentary on Season 3 Episode 1 “The New World” with executive producer/writer Ira Steven Behr. Behr jokes about being abandoned to do the commentary alone and needing to be less complimentary towards the show like in the second season’s commentaries. He gives some interesting insight on editing the show and the impact and extent of the power of the network over the way the show is put together along with some of the interesting points over the new season. There are also some start-up bonus trailers and previews included on this disc: - “The 4400 Original Soundtrack” runs for 31 seconds. - “CBS TV on DVD” runs for 1 minutes and 50 seconds. - “Star Trek” runs for 1 minute and 31 seconds. DISC EIGHT: Audio commentary on Season 3 Episode 4 “Gone (Part II)” with creator Scott Peters and actors Jacqueline McKenzie and Joel Gretsch. Peters and McKenzie do most of the talking, discussing character chemistry, stunt work, and special effects. There are some odd pauses but it’s a good supplement to a quality episode of the shown, including some good conversation about some missing lines and different takes on the episode from what the final product turned out to be. DISC NINE: Audio commentary on Season 3 Episode 8 “The Ballad of Kevin and Tess” with creator Scott Peters and actors Jacqueline McKenzie. More good jibes and comments from Peters, Gretsch and McKenzie, along with discussion of character relationships, though there are some odd, frequent pauses. Another nice lighthearted commentary. DISC TEN: The first of two audio commentaries available is on Season 3 Episode 11 “Terribly Swift Sword” featuring executive producer/writer Ira Steven Behr. Behr does some good discussion of the different routes the show could have taken in contrast with how the show turned out. He talks about his personal opinions on Collier and the eventual future of the human race, in terms of his allegiances on the leaders of the different "4400" factions. An interesting commentary, Behr again has some gap problems but does a good job of soloing through the episode. The next audio commentary is on Season 3 Episode 12 “Fifty-Fifty” and features Ira Steven Behr again. Behr discusses the drama of taking the promicin and whether or not you would take the shot. There’s some talk of characters growing up and getting older, internet reactions, and other facets of the show. Next is a trio of featurettes beginning with “The Architecture of Series Storytelling” which runs for 21 minutes and 7 seconds. The cast and crew discuss the impact of the major arcs of the third season along with the different stories going in to the series and what stories rose to the surface and how some of the stories get looked over. A nice making-of featurette mixed between interviews and behind the scenes footage. “POWERs Grid” featurette runs for 4 minutes and 39 seconds. Behr and Peters talk about dealing with powers without doing, as Behr terms it, ‘the freak of the week’ style of storytelling that just brings in weird powers for the sake of showing off powers rather than dealing with mythology and storytelling as the show should. “TVFX” featurette runs for 12 minutes and 50 seconds and deals primarily with special effects on the show. The effects coordinators do some interesting discussion about the technical aspects of TV’s move to HD filming and styles that gives them more resolution and quality in terms of the effects they do. The artists then go through the way they did some of the different effects which is interesting to hear; another interesting addition. Next is an interactive featurette dubbed “The 4400 Character Tree” which is an interactive menu of many featured characters, leading into different shorts of the actor talking about their character combined with clips of the show. There are also shorts about the connections between the two characters that also feature actor interviews. Characters included and runtimes listed below: - Marco Pacella – 1 minute 35 seconds. - Jordan Collier – 2 minutes and 40 seconds. - Jordan-Shawn connection – 39 seconds. - Shawn Farrell – 1 minute 28 seconds. - Richard Tyler – 1 minute and 56 seconds. - Richard-Isabelle connection – 43 seconds. - Isabelle Tyler – 2 minutes and 15 seconds. - Isabelle-Matthew connection – 29 seconds. - Matthew Ross – 1 minute and 22 seconds. - Kevin Burkhoff – 1 minute and 52 seconds. - Nina Jarvis – 1 minute and 44 seconds. - Maia Skouris – 1 minute and 22 seconds. - Diana Skouris – 2 minutes and 41 seconds. - Diana-Tom connection – 1 minute and 9 seconds. - Tom Baldwin – 2 minutes and 34 seconds. - Tom-Alana connection – 54 seconds. - Alana Mareva – 2 minutes and 10 seconds. “The 4400 Gag Reel” runs for 8 minutes and 21 seconds. This incredibly long gag reel includes almost every little crackup and mistake that the actors felt they made. For hardcore fans only, it’s difficult to sit through as rarely are the things even close to you had to be there funny, let alone laughable. “Being Tom Baldwin: The First Draft” is a DVD-ROM feature that is a readable version of the original script for the second episode of the season in pdf form with an introduction by Behr who emphasizes the more comedic tones of the episode. DISC ELEVEN: This season sees the addition of deleted scenes to every disc, though each only crams together the deleted scenes into one long presentation organized by episode though the sound quality is incredibly poor and variable which gets very frustrating: - “The Wrath of Graham” runs in total for 3 minutes and 5 seconds. Tess and Jordan talk about Kevin and her schizophrenic state, 2 minutes 7 seconds. Diana talks in a hot tub with her boyfriend, 43 seconds. Nina talks to her father, 15 seconds. - “Fear Itself” runs in total for 2 minutes 54 seconds. Tom talks about his new responsibilities 32 seconds. Diana talks on the phone about credit card histories, 45 seconds. Kyle visits a strange house, 20 seconds. Tom tries to track down a mother and child running away, 1 minute 17 seconds. - “The Truth and Nothing But The Truth” runs in total for 4 minutes and 13 seconds. Diana and family talk about where in Europe they would move to, 1 minute. Kyle chats it up with Cassie about cracking the code, 45 seconds. Kyle arrives at a professor’s office, 1 minute 45 seconds. Kyle returns to the office, 28 seconds. DISC TWELVE: There’s an audio commentary on Season 4 Episode 7 “Till We Have Built Jerusalem” with Scott Peters going it alone this time. Peters focuses more on the technical aspects of his directing and the plot, but there are still the same odd and weird factoids from behind the scenes but with more gaps and pauses as Peters doesn’t have anyone to bounce ideas and stories off of. Deleted scenes are available in the same fashion as on the 11th disc: - “Try the Pie” runs for 2 minutes and 40 seconds in total. Tom tries to break out of his wristband, 1 minute 30 seconds. Maia and Diana talk awkwardly over breakfast, 45 seconds. Shawn leaves the 4400 center, 25 seconds. - “The Marked” runs for 2 minutes and 2 seconds in total. The Doctor tries to calm Tom down, 2 minutes 2 seconds. - “No Exit” runs for 3 minutes and 33 seconds total. Tom tries to break in to a weapons locker, 1 minute 42 seconds. Tom blames Meghan’s death on Collier, 1 minute 15 seconds. Maia and Diana discuss visions and being trapped 36 seconds. DISC THIRTEEN: More deleted scenes: - “Daddy’s Little Girl” in total runs 1 minute 26 seconds and has only one scene where Tom and Diana talk on a stakeout to bust a promicin dealer. - “Ghost in the Machine” runs 58 seconds total. Tom and Diana talk about Kyle joining Jordan, 26 seconds. Kyle and Shawn argue while Shawn waits for Jordan 32 seconds. - “Tiny Machines” runs 2 minutes 45 seconds in total. Tom sets up a date, 28 seconds. Meghan arranges to meet Diana, 1 minute 2 seconds. Tom confronts Diana his relationship with Meghan, 40 seconds. Kevin and Tess part ways with a kiss, 35 seconds. DISC FOURTEEN: First up is a Director’s Cut Version of “The Great Leap Forward” the season finale that became the series finale, which runs 45 minutes 53 seconds, 2 minutes 47 seconds longer than the regular version of the episode. This director’s cut also includes audio commentary from Scott Peters, who also directed this episode. Peters talks about how this version is more accurate to his original vision for the episode. There’s a good deal of complimenting the actors, but there’s a bit too much time spent just narrating the action rather than fully commentating. However he also gives some good insight and makes points about how the director’s cut differs, though he isn’t sure exactly on what had to be cut for the original run on some parts. There are some awkward gaps, but a good commentary and Peters still holds out to the end hoping that he will be able to continue the show beyond this finale. There are also three featurettes here, the first is “Season IV: Factions at War” which runs for 27 minutes and 4 seconds. A fairly detailed look at the larger process of putting together a season talking to cast and crew members about different aspects such as the writer’s room, the different parts of the episode and acts put together, of course mixed with a discussion of the ending of the show and how they got to that point. Another nice featurette on a large series set. “Jordan Collier: The Grey Man” runs for7 minutes and 48 seconds, this featurette explores the kind of vague territory of where Collier falls in terms of being a good, heroic revolutionary or simply acting self-interested for the sake of promoting his cause to gain his own power. The cast and creative team give their own perspectives on Collier’s relative goodness or badness. “Season IV: Blooper Reel” runs for 3 minutes and 31 seconds. A much more typical blooper reel rather than the long and drawn out one included with the 3rd season. DISC FIFTEEN: First is a video introduction by series creator Scott Peters which runs for 1 minute 17 seconds where Peters talks to the fans and lends a big thank you to their dedication and support. Next is the "Pilot" episode with audio commentary by creator Scott Peters and actor Joel Gretsch, a nice bonus feature looking back at the first season/miniseries and included as an attempt to make up for the lack of special features in the first release of the first season, a good touch. Peters and Gretsch talk about beginnings, there’s some good banter and discussion of the characters and the story and the origins of the show. “The 4400: The Ghost Season” featurette runs for 14 minutes and 37 seconds. Peters talks about the origins of the show and the need for serialized, science fiction on television with an ensemble cast. Some of the ground that he talks about is covered in earlier featurettes on other discs. However it’s still an interesting featurette that focuses on casting, creating the show, putting it all together and blends in with footage from the show. “Promicin: The Moral Choice” is a set of featurettes on promicin: - “Viral/Grassroots” runs for 9 minutes and 5 seconds and is an interesting featurette that styles itself as a news story in the vein of “Dateline” investigating the use of promicin within Seattle, looking at a pro and anti promicin groups and the largespread and different effects on promicin use on larger society. This is a cool expansion to “The 4400” universe that’s a fun featurette to watch. - “Political” runs for 5 minutes and 40 seconds. This featurette is a similar documentary/newsreel style that focuses more on the demonization of promicin by politicians and interest groups along with the general political ramifications of promicin including some clever and very realistic attack ads. - “Show Specific” runs for 5 minutes and 56 seconds. Jordan Collier gives a series of low resolution YouTube-styled videos talking about the value and betterment that promicin offers. Another fun addition to the larger promicin mythology. Next are the deleted scenes grouped by season, they’re all lumped together but have scene title cards, all the times after the first total are approximate: - “Season 1” runs in total for 3 minutes and 7 seconds. “Sc. 56” runs for 40 seconds, Mr. Bailey returns to his offices. “Sc. 15” runs for 2 minutes 5 seconds, Richard learns about his dishonorable discharge. “Sc. 67A&67B” Kyle’s coma leads to complications, 22 seconds. - “Season 2” runs in total for 10 minutes 15 seconds. “Sc.32” runs for 30 seconds, Tom visits Kyle in his room. “Sc.70” runs for 39 seconds, Tom and Diana visit a crime scene. “Sc.74” runs for 2 minutes, Avery’s neural activity is measured in a fear test. “Sc. 106” runs for 17 seconds, Tom stands at a door. “Sc. 15” runs for 24 seconds, Lily and Richard talk about Collier. “Sc. 34 & 35” runs for 1 minute and 50 seconds, Richard and Lily go to the park. “Sc. 17” runs for 35 seconds, Lily picks up Isabelle from daycare. “Sc. 06” runs for 15 seconds, Diana talks to a coworker. “Sc. 15 & 16” runs for 1 minute, Diana and Tom argue over the phone. “Sc. 35” runs for 35 seconds, Diana interviews a taxi cab driver. “Sc. 14B” runs for 25 seconds, Lily and Richard debate how to raise their child near the 4400 center. “Sc. 18” runs for 1 minute 10 seconds, Tom and Diana investigate one of the 4400. “Sc. 26” runs for 30 seconds, Tom and Kyle talk about visiting Alana. - “Season 3” runs in total for 17 minutes 30 seconds. “Scene 2” runs for 35 seconds, Richard tries telepathy on his coffee. “Scenes 12 & 13” runs for 1 minute 5 seconds, Tom and Diana talk to a powered-up Lindsey’s stepfather after she disappears. “Scene 21” runs for 30 seconds, Diana stresses the importance of Maia’s journals. “Scene 01 A” runs for 1 minute 5 seconds, Diana can’t figure out why she’s suddenly so sad. “Scene 23” runs for 1 minute 10 seconds, Diana and Tom investigate Tyler, another disappeared child who people don’t remember. “Scene 30” runs for 20 seconds, Isabelle plays with some kids. “Scene 02” runs for 25 seconds, Tom and Diana debate a tip. “Scene 25” runs for 20 seconds, Shawn talks business in the 4400 center. “Scene 31” runs for 20 seconds, Tom expresses doubts about the case. “Scene 56” runs for 25 seconds, Shawn has dinner with Richard and Isabelle. “Scene 57” runs for 45 seconds, Alana and Tom share a parting embrace. “Scene 01” runs for 45 seconds, Kevin emerges from the woods looking like a monster. “Scene 48” runs for 55 seconds, Shawn discusses missed opportunities. “Scene 29” runs for 1 minute 20 seconds, Tom talks Tess’s powers and Kevin injecting Diana. “Scene 05” runs for 1 minute, Tom and Diana look for Collier after Shawn’s wedding. “Scenes 18 & 19” runs for 1 minute 45 seconds, Shawn waits for Lamont to take him to Collier. “Scene 21 pt.” runs 25 seconds, Tom and Diana debate the intent of the homeless men. “Scene 20” runs for 45 seconds, Shawn comes home to Isabelle and talks about Collier. “Scene 29” runs for 55 seconds, Shawn tells Richard that Collier is still alive. “Scene 31” runs for 50 seconds, Diana talks to April about Ben. “Scene 43” runs for 35 seconds, A crowd of protestors gathers to try and get Collier freed. “Scene 05” runs for 45 seconds, Richard and Shawn talk about their next move. “Scene 39” runs for 50 seconds, Ryland tries to order Isabelle around, she heats up his skin.
Packaging
The 15 disc set comes in a digipack case housed inside a cardboard sleeve.
Overall
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