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| The 4400 - The Complete Second Season |
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Buy New: $24.25
Buy New/Used from $19.50
Avg. Customer Rating:  (based on 19 reviews)
Sales Rank: 19
Category: DVD
Actors: Joel Gretsch, Jacqueline Mckenzie
Directors: Oz Scott, Milan Cheylov, John Behring, Scott Peters, Douglas Petrie, Morgan Beggs
Format: Box Set, Closed-captioned, Color, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Dubbed)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD
Number Of Items: 4
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5.4 x 0.8
UPC: 097360363647
EAN: 0097360363647
ASIN: B000ERVJLS
Release Date: May 23, 2006 (New: Last 30 Days)
Theatrical Release Date: July 11, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
A year has passed since 4400 abductees were returned to Earth (and six months since the original series ended). Richard (Mahershalalhashbaz Ali), Lily (Laura Allen), and Isabelle are on the run from Jordan Collier (Billy Campbell) and others who would attempt to harm their child. Shawn (Patrick Flueger) has moved into Collier's cult-like 4400 Center. Then there are NTAC (National Threat Assessment Command) agents Diana (Jacqueline McKenzie) and Tom (Joel Gretsch). The former has officially adopted Maia (Conchita Campbell), while the latter is reunited with formerly comatose son Kyle (Chad Faust), Shawn's best friend. Almost everyone, returnees and otherwise, is changing. Jordan, for instance, is having more seizures (as a result of his first encounter with the eerie Isabelle), while Kyle is having blackouts. Along the way, new characters are introduced, like mute mental patient Kevin (Jeffrey Combs, Re-Animator), who regains the ability to talk, thanks to Tess (Summer Glau, Serenity), the only returnee who can recall what happened to her. Others include Diana's sister April (Natasha Gregson Wagner), Jordans pal Matthew (Garret Dillahunt, Deadwood), and former NTAC supervisor Dennis Ryland (Peter Coyote), who returns to the fold. Guest stars include E.R.'s Sharif Atkins ("Voices Carry"), Star Trek: Voyager's Robert Picardo ("Weight of the World"), and Twin Peaks' Sherilyn Fenn ("Carrier"). The season will end much as the miniseries began, with the 4400 being released from another quarantine, setting the scene for the next year. Although the first set was a barebones release, the second features commentary from McKenzie, Gretsch, writer Craig Sweeny, and writer/producer Ira Steven Behr. --Kathleen C Fennessy
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Customer Reviews: Read 14 more reviews...
 Abducted or Addicted ? June 21, 2006
Great follow-up season as the 4400 phenomenon continues. This series keeps you paying attention. You never know who is gonna die next, be revealed next, or reappear unexpectedly. You can't really catch everything on broadcast TV - you absolutely HAVE TO have the DVD to watch scenes more than once. There'a a lot happening and you really get into it. I can't tell if I've been addicted or abducted. If you're an X-Files fan like me, you'll feel like you haven't been left behind............
Episode Guide and Summary June 21, 2006
Once again another dramatic season has unfolded and revealed its tantalizing secrets! I found this season to be better presented than the first season as the plot and characters were further evolved. The original character stories and general mystery surrounding the 4400 and their inexplicable abilities are continued in greater detail as new characters are temporarily introduced each with a new and equally unexplainable ability. The most fascinating story line, and my personal favorite, was Lily and Richard's struggle to keep their beloved infant away from the groping arms of the devious Jordan Collier who has a terrifying interest in their daughter's meaning to the 4400. As they continue to hide from his reach, they encounter more trouble and hatred from erroneous individuals causing a shocking scene in the woods that reveals Isabelle's true nature. Also, as the season continues, Tom seeks to regain his son's trust and understand his unusual personality since he returned from his three year coma. However, he is unaware of Kyle's continual lapses of consciousness that are induced by his strange captors during which Kyle is unaware of his activities. Diana and Maia continue to grow closer as Diana adopts the little girl. However, Diana's sister soon intrudes on their relationship and upsets Maia with her greedy behavior. Maia later receives a vision of Collier's death and attempts to warn him of his impending fate. Yet he continues his plans and disregards her warning only later to regret it. Shawn begins to run the 4400 center after Collier's death and attempts to discard the more cult like elements inherent in the center. However, his plans are interrupted by a deadly plague that is ravaging the 4400. The government orders all 4400's to return to quarantine and remain there until further notice. Yet many are reluctant to trust the government thus the 4400 center creates safe houses for its residents. Tom and Diana begin to search for the answer to the mysterious plague and soon discover that the government holds sinister knowledge regarding the origins of the plague. (For those of you who require more lengthy details regarding the events that transpire in this series an in depth episode guide is provided at the termination of this review. )
I found the story line in this season to be more developed than the first season and to be even more dramatic and entertaining. I was fascinated by the unfolding plot and shocked by the secrets and conspiracies that were slowly revealed as well as being continually intrigued by the mystery of the 4400's mission. All the actors portrayed their characters in realistic manners causing them to gain the viewers' empathy and interest. Also this season does contain a sparse amount of special features entitled : "Creating the Ball of Light", "Return of the 4400", and "A Stitch In Time." The audio quality of this series is surprisingly good as well as the cinematography and occasional special effects. Still none of these exceptional qualities can surpass the original and highly suspenseful plot that has me spellbound. I would unequivocally recommend this series to science fiction fans and those who are simply fans of a good story that is well told.
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EPISODE GUIDE :
(1.) Wake Up Call (Parts 1 and 2)
A year has elapsed since the first sighting of the comet. Diana is desperately trying to get Tom back as a field partner while at the same time adopting Maia. Tom and Lily are hiding in a mountain cabin from Jordan Collier who envisions stealing their magical baby. Meanwhile, Jordan Collier has just opened the 4400 center and has allowed Shawn to reside within it so long as he heals those who can provide financial benefits to the center.
(2.) Voices Carry
Gary Navarro, a 4400 and a baseball player, is disturbed when he begins to hear the thoughts of all those around him. Desperately seeking to rid himself of this unsettling ability, he comes to the government seeking help. However, the government is more interested in using his abilities to discover Jordan Collier's secrets. Meanwhile, Diana is disturbed to see that her sister April has come for an unannounced visit.
(3.) Weight of the World
A 4400 decides to auction his new found ability to the highest bidder and the government seeks to stop his endeavor. Meanwhile, Lily and Tom visit a fellow 4400 in a cozy Montana town just to discover trouble waiting for them. At the 4400 center Jordan Collier tries too hard to make a new pop star enjoy his center and market it to others thus upsetting Shawn and making him begin to question Collier's supposedly pure intent.
(4.) Suffer the Children
A 4400 school teacher is disturbing parents with her abilities to transform their average children instantly into talented artists. Jordan warns Shawn to not overuse his healing powers, stating that there are too many people to be healed and that he should use his powers sparingly for those who can afford them. Richard and Lily continue to evade the law until Richard is captured by the police and Lily must beg her ex-husband for help.
(5.) As Fate Would Have It
Diana discovers through reading Maia's diary that although her daughter claimed that her visions had ceased they had in actuality not. The government tries to force Diana into turning over Maia's diary. As Diana tries to overcome this dilemma between her employer's interests and her daughter's, Kyle continues to have disturbing blackouts that are becoming more noticeable and more mysterious. Maia has another revelation, this time revealing Collier's immanent death.
(6.) Life Interrupted
Tom wakes up to a changed world where the 4400 do not exist and where everyone he knows is changed for the better. Only one other person can remember the world as he does. Together they attempt to find their way back to another time and unravel the mysterious world they now dwell in.
(7.) Carrier
An unstable 4400 is emitting a deadly new plague that has the possibility of destroying the earth's population. Tom and Diana are sent to investigate and stop the woman from further spreading the plague before it is to late. Meanwhile, April is using Maia's abilities to predict the future in order to gamble successfully.
(8.) Rebirth
A 4400 is discovered with the amazing ability to correct erroneous chromosomes in children yet to be born. Unfortunately, this apparently good man has an evil past causing differing opinions between Tom and Diana over his welfare.
(9.) Hidden
Tom is shocked to discover that Jordan Collier's murderer is a trusted member of his family. He is forced to decided which ties bind him the most, his family or his job. Meanwhile, at the 4400 center there is further discord between Danny and Shawn.
(10.) Lockdown
Maia becomes ill with an inexplicable disease. Concerned over her well being, Diana brings her to NTAC in an effort to diagnose and cure her daughter's debilitating disease. Meanwhile, in honor of Jordan Collier's birthday, a terrorist infiltrates the building and causes a strange sound to emanate through it that causes men to loose control and become like animals. As the chaos reigns Diana attempts to protect her daughter and Tom searches for answers. Meanwhile, at the 4400 center Lily becomes concerned that the center's interest in Isabelle is more than friendly. What do they really want from her daughter? Kyle begins to pursue a normal life and Shawn attempts to remove cult like elements from the center.
(11.) The Fifth Page
4400's worldwide are beginning to contract a strange and deadly disease. In an attempt to contain the threat the government orders the 4400's both sick and well to return to quarantine. Displeased by this news the 4400 center, believing that once people are placed in quarantine they will never be allowed out, institute safe houses to try and thwart the government's plans. As the situation becomes more grave, Tom and Diana discover that the government's knowledge of the diseases is more extensive, and more sinister than they first expected.
(12.) Mommy's Bosses
The last, and highly suspenseful episode of the series! Tom and Diana seek a way to cure the 4400's before more of them die and to topple the extensive government conspiracy. Will they succeed?
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Ravenova
Truly Original June 9, 2006
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
This is one of the most innovative series to hit television since the days of the original Star Trek and the Time Tunnel. Rather than being the same ol' space alien stuff, the 4400 presents viewers with a genuine mystery -- Where have the 4,400 returnees been? Who, if anyone, took them? Why were they selected in the first place? And why have they been returned now?
The answers to these and other questions are not all revealed in the second season, but we do get some ideas about who took the 4400 and why. I won't give it away in case any of you have not yet seen the series, but suffice to say that the answers are not the standard space opera stuff.
I didn't happen to catch the first season of this series when it was originally broadcast, so ended up watching seasons 1 and 2 back to back on DVD. This is, in many ways, the best way to see the shows for the first time, as seeing them all in sequence makes the plot more sensible and also aids in helping viewers speculate about what is actually behind the "takings." If you like to puzzle out mystery stories and also enjoy top-of-the-line science fiction, The 4400 is for you.
Fantastic! June 6, 2006
12 out of 12 found this review helpful
My husband and I just finished a marathon viewing of Season 2, and it is FANTASTIC. While Season 1 seemed a bit slow in terms of telling the individual stories, the ending (especially with the trees bowing to the passing car carrying an in-utero Isabel!) held much promise.
What I found fascinating (this was in the Return of the 4400 Featurette) is that Season 1 was a mini-series and that it wasn't certain if it would become a TV show. In fact, a writer mentioned that it wasn't supposed to come out that the 4400 were humans sent back from the future until Season 5 or so...about 100 episodes into it! So when The 4400 was given the green light for the production, the writers had to figure out how to proceed with the proverbial "cat already out of the bag".
Personally, I'm glad the cat was let out of the bag! I have felt strung along by the show LOST and stopped watching it. But at least with The 4400, you know what you're dealing with. HOWEVER, we don't know who, exactly, sent them back...and what their motives are!
While the plot lines are solid, the characters and relationships (and, of course, the writing) are what really makes this show stand out. Season 2 shows plot elements I've not seen elsewhere (Tom and his new love!) and compelling scenarios. My husband and I were so blown away by Season 2 (especially Mommy's Bosses) that we've re-started our satellite subscription just so we can see the premiere of Season 3 on June 11th on USA!
I wish there were more extras on the Season 2 Discs, but it was interesting to hear what inspired The 4400 (9/11) and Jacqueline McKenzie's (who plays Diana) accent. I would have never guessed in a million years that she was Australian based on her preformance on the show! What an amazing actress...
I also enjoyed the Stitch in Time Featurette featuring astrophysicists talking about wormholes and the spacetime continuum--and how time travel could be possible.
Despite not having a lot of extras, Season 2 is worth getting just for the compelling stories and acting. I thought LOST (used to) have great writing, as well as The Shield, but honestly...I believe The 4400 is better than both of those shows!
I missed seeing more of Jordan Collier (found out in the Featurette that Billy Campbell insisted on sailing on a tall ship as a crewman!), but the actors playing Kyle, Tom, and Shaun are top-notch. Kinda neat seeing Kaj Erik-Eriksen (who plays Danny, Shaun's brother). Remember him from The Commish?. He played Scali's son in that show.
Highly recommended!
P.S. The final scene is amazing. Interesting that Jordan Collier's initials are J.C...
 Compelling Storyline Continues with Season 2 June 5, 2006
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
The 4400's sophomore season is good- they writers have managed to carry the storyline forward despite the fact that it was not intended to continue initially. For those new to the series, 4400 individuals abducted over time have all returned on the same day, without aging; hence the young girl Maya who was born in 1920 or sometime like that. Some of the 'returnees' have special powers, and they are struggling to adapt to their new lives, sometimes with persecution. The main story involves a Homeland Defense type duo (ala Scully and Mulder) who are assigned to various cases involving the mysterious powers of the 4400. At the conclusion of Season 1 we have learned that the 4400 were taken by humans from the future, seeded back into our time in order to save humanity from a future disaster of unknown origins. Additionally, the some of the 4400 are organizing into a new-age cult like 'movement' with an unknown agenda and the stated goal of saving humanity. But the 4400 are not always benign, some are criminals, and it is interesting to see how their drama plays out.
Overall, the acting is sometimes strained- and I'll put it in the same category as the scifi shows 'stargate'. The production value of season two is also a little weak, and at times you can really tell that they are on a sound stage. However, this is all compensated by the compelling story line. You'll keep watching to see what happens, and what they come up with. If season 3 can clean up the production and the acting, they this will become a first rate show.
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Copyright Runningonkarma.com 2006
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