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Episode Recap: “The Marked”
In honor of the upcoming Simpsons Movie, can I just say it? Best. Episode. Ever. There was a wonderful, vintage X-Files vibe running the whole way through, complete with Lone Gunmen analogue and everything. Plus, that final shot of Tom staring into the mirror while the evil software CEO proclaimed, “When we need him, he’ll be there for us,” gave me goose bumps.
OK, I admit it: This show has me psyched again in a way that I haven’t really been this season. The idea that there are nine other Matthew Rosses out there — 10, if you count Tom — doesn’t bode well for our original-recipe 4400s. I’m not sure what it means for the extra-crispies, but I doubt it’ll be all sunshine and rainbows for them either. Plus, I’m going to venture a guess here, but somehow I doubt that Gabriel Hewitt’s newly restored health means that he’ll change his mind on the 4400, despite the fact that it was Shawn who cured him. In fact, how do we know that Gabriel Hewitt himself isn’t one of the Marked? But enough speculation on my part.
We were certainly presented with an interesting character in Curtis Peck. I had him down as a crackpot conspiracy theorist (we know that there have been plenty of 4400s in this category) until the scene in his The Marked trailer portraying the final showdown between Isabelle and Matthew. If my memory serves me, the dialogue matched exactly, and we know no one else was a witness to that. Alas, by the end he’d been corrupted by who I can only assume were the Marked, and was off to make more truly terrible movies on a bigger budget.
Of course, now that Tom has been Marked (or something), what does this mean for Jordan and Kyle’s plans? It seems that they’ll attempt to eliminate anyone who tries to hurt the 4400, so that certainly places Tom in a strange category when and if his Marked persona manifests itself. On a related note, I think Kyle’s faith in Jordan might be a bit shakier than it was last week. When Collier proclaimed himself innocent in Hewitt’s stroke, Kyle said he believed him, but not with the same conviction that we’ve heard from Kyle previously. Not that it isn’t possible for Hewitt to have had a stroke naturally, but based on what we’ve seen Isabelle do when she had her powers, and what Collier did to Graham Holt in this season’s premiere, it’s hard not to suspect someone of his caliber.
As always, I have a couple of questions for all of you for the next week: Do you think the Marked are good or evil in relation to Jordan and friends? Which side do you think will end up in control of Tom? Also, don’t forget to check out Curtis Peck’s MySpace page for any possible clues regarding the Marked.
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Jul 22, 2007 10:45 PM
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I'd like to get a look behind Megan's ear. The Marked sure did know exactly what NTAC was doing at every moment. They would certainly stay one step ahead if she is one of The Marked.
Now The List makes more sense. Presumably promycin would overcome the "visiors". I always knew Bill Gates was evil - everyone switch to Mac's before it's too late!
Great episode, but it had what I'd consider the first big "Duh Moment" of the season:You've just been injected with some unknown substance and released by your captors - wouldn't you go straight to your nephew who can heal anything?
And speaking of Shawn's healing, the scene with him and Gabriel was great - but does anyone believe Jordan? I think even Kyle still doubts that he's not responsible for Gabriel's stroke.
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Jul 22, 2007 11:14 PM
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I'd like to get a look behind Megan's ear. The Marked sure did know exactly what NTAC was doing at every moment. They would certainly stay one step ahead if she is one of The Marked.- Charity I was thinking the samething about Meagan. She has to be in it. There is something about that doesn't seem right.
I loved the whole "Bill Gates" type of conspiracy part.Man if the Marked people are the bad one's, I really hope art doesn't imitate life in this. Plus I know I've see that actor before who played the Bill Gate's type of guy...someone please help me out in this.
Leah, you're right about the reenactment of how the final showdown between Isabelle and Matthew went down. You could be right about Curtis Peck.
And Leah, I love your question each week. I have no clue if the marked ones are good or evil to Jordan and his people. And as for Tom, I hope he fights it.
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Jul 23, 2007 1:48 AM
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Thanks TV Guide for doing the recaps each week. No other media seems to have caught onto The 4400. After a shaky start this season, I am loving it again. But why oh why does Jordan have to always whisper? Speak up man!
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Jul 23, 2007 8:59 AM
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What I find weird, and what I will be dwelling upon, both Tom and Kyle have previously been tools of the future (the 4400 scientists giving Tom both Alanna to secure him on their side and the shot to take out Isabelle, then poor Kyle as first a direct link to Tom from the future (who I believe warned us about the possibilities of the marked way back at the end of season one) and then as a tool of the 'bad' future people to kill Jordan). I am imagining that once the 4400 scientist use so one in the past as their tool, it leaves a path open to the person so the others can use it too. I really think that neither Jordan nor the Marked have the proper idea of saving us from the catastrophe, and I am betting that the only person who can save us is Kyle but he has been screwed on his journey from the get go (1. Sean was taken when Kyle was the intended target, yes I know, we have no idea what Kyle's natural ability would have been, presuming that what they did to them in the future promoted a natural dormant ability as opposed to forcing one on someone, afterall why would the future do that to Myah or that first guy from season one; 2. the future has used him; 3. Cassie is being as cryptic as spirit guides are always described as being, but shouldn't she always speak in riddles as opposed to occasionally giving specific directions, the point of spirit guides being to lead someone to come to an understanding on their own, I assume she is just another tool of the future)
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Jul 23, 2007 10:56 AM
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I have this theory that the "marked" and the "future scientists" are related or one and the same. They first tried to stop the 4400 when they appeared to Tom and Kyle as future scientists but that did not work. They have now came back as the "marked people" and are trying for Tom again.
Was I the only one that was surprised when Shaun saved the Councilman? I really did not expect this. It shows the true difference between Shauns thinking and Collier's. Collier made the guy sick to get what he wanted and Shaun healed him to get his help.
Great episode - but man, how bad were those movies!
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Jul 23, 2007 12:33 PM
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I am with everyone that wants to have a look behind Meghan's ear. When Diana started talking about the African convention of "the marked" she started looking very spooked, and the way she was watching Curtis as he was giving his story. She is definitely well placed to be of service.
I think Kyle's "gift" is from the future to harm the 4400. They are basically blindly following the directions of an extra-crispy that has already killed Jordan once. For once I am with Isabelle, why are they returning to Seattle if they want to be safe?
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Jul 23, 2007 12:58 PM
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I would also like to thank TV Guide and Leah for the 4400 recaps and updates. I just joined the fun (rented the first 3 seasons) and LOVE the show.
If Meghan is "marked" then the actress who is playing her is quite a bad once since she was a little too ovious with her reactions that made us lead to the conclusion.
Are the "marked" bad? Well I believe in Shawn, Mia and the 4400s, so the marked are bad 
What happened to Richard Tyler? Did I miss and episode?
Those movies were awesome by the way :P
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Jul 23, 2007 2:43 PM
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I have been on maternity leave for most of the summer and have not been keeping up on the blogs. I too was so glad to return to work and see a 4400 blog. This show is such fun during the summer and I'm glad to hear others are out there watching it.
I have also been curious as to where
Richard Tyler is.
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Jul 23, 2007 2:56 PM
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Hello everyone! I've been watching the show since the first season and I still love it. It has had it's slow parts, but last night's was awesome.
This episode definitely made me lean more toward Jordan being good and the Marked bad. But, who knows, they may be leading us astray.
As for Richard, didn't he decide to leave after making Isabelle lose her powers? Maybe he felt guilty - it was his daughter after all. I may be making that up though?!
Also, I agree - I am so glad there is a blog for this show. Too bad there isn't one for The Dead Zone, Monk and Psych.
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Jul 23, 2007 4:05 PM
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I enjoyed last night's episode. I don't think Tom has become one of the marked, but he may become their pawn.
I wonder if Cassie could be leading Kyle astray? I don't think Jordan should trust Kyle's ability. And Isabella is the one who interpreted part of that "book," and I don't trust her, either!
I like Shawn, Maia, Jordan and the original recipe 4400! I wish Shawn and Jordan could work together again.
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Jul 23, 2007 11:50 PM
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I do not really have anything to add. I just wanted to strongly second that Sunday's episode was extremely reminiscent of The X-Files, which is fine with me. I loved the quirky episodes of that show.
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Jul 24, 2007 11:47 AM
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Having gone back and forth on whether Jordan is good or evil, I've come to the decision that he's really neither. I believe he believes he's doing the right thing for the 4400 and the future of mankind and that he's the chosen one. That's been reinforced for him now by Kyle finding the book. I believe he's willing to do some morally questionable things to get the desired results and I also believe the power has gone to his head, like it does with a lot of people who think the means justify the ends. Even if Jordan is behind the stroke Hewitt suffered I believe he would justify it by comparing the man to a Hitler-type who just about anyone might say deserved to die before being allowed to commit the atrocities he was responsible for. I also think Kyle still has doubts about Jordan's involvement but he's totally bought in to the prophecy so I think he's choosing not to think about it too much, just like he never questions whether Cassie is good or bad. I think part of what the whole show is about is the gray area between what is and isn't acceptable behavior when you're trying to save the entire future.
As for the Marked, I believe they are pretty clearly the bad guys, unless the writers are withholding some motive that can somehow justify kidnapping and killing people. We just don't have enough information yet but they certainly want us to believe that they are bad. It might come down to the same questions we have about Jordan. Who is really doing what's best for mankind and what loss of life and other damage is acceptable to get there?
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Jul 24, 2007 12:24 PM
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loved the x-files tribute too.
but no one mentioned the other great tribute....to the beloved
ED WOOD....the worst director and film maker ever.
great great great..
any fan's of this episode should rent
ed wood with johhny depp...
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Jul 25, 2007 9:50 AM
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I loved the whole "Bill Gates" type of conspiracy part.Man if the Marked people are the bad one's, I really hope art doesn't imitate life in this. Plus I know I've see that actor before who played the Bill Gate's type of guy...someone please help me out in this.
If I'm not mistaken that's the actor who played "Jonesy" on Carnivale, the character with a shattered kneecap who wore a leg brace and was later healed by Ben Hawkins.
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Jul 25, 2007 12:16 PM
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