Pilot (The 4400 episode)

The 4400 episode
Title = Pilot
Season = 1
Episode = 01 and 02
Airdate = July 11, 2004
Writer = Scott Peters
René Echevarria
Director = Yves Simoneau
Next = The New and Improved Carl Morrissey
IMDb_id = 0502803"Pilot" is the first episode of season one and the pilot of the science fiction television series "The 4400". The episode aired July 11, 2004 on the USA Network.cite web| url = http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/529/529379p1.html| title = The 4400: "Pilot: Part 1" Review| author = KJB| publisher = IGN]

The episode was written by Scott Peters and René Echevarria, and was directed by Yves Simoneau.cite web| url = http://www.usanetwork.com/series/the4400/theshow/episodeguide/episodes/s1_pilot/credit.html| title = "Pilot" (#E1-2)| publisher = NBC Universal] Attracting approximately 7.4 million viewers,cite web| url = http://www.petercoyote.com/news0604.html| title = The Official Peter Coyote Web Site| quote = 'The 4400' shattered the record for basic cable's most-watched series premiere!| publisher = Coymoon Creations] the episode became basic cable's most watched premièrecite web| url = http://scifi411.com/Shows/4400.html| title = The 4400 - News| quote = Making it the highest-rated and most-watched new series premiere ever on basic cable| publisher = SciFi411] since "The Dead Zone". "Pilot" introduces the show's premise of 4400 people being abducted in the past, beginning from 1946,cite web| url = http://www.usanetwork.com/series/the4400/theshow/characterprofiles/maia/index.html| title = The 4400 - Character Profile: Maia Skouris| publisher = NBC Universal| quote = The first of the known abductees, she disappeared in 1946] and all being returned to the present day in a flash of light at Highland Beach.cite episode|title=Gone, Part 2| series=The 4400] cite web| url = http://www.usanetwork.com/series/the4400/theshow/overview.html| title = The 4400 Television Series - TV Show Overview, Cast, Characters| publisher = NBC Universal]

Synopsis

A comet suddenly changes trajectory and is heading towards Earth, apparently coming in for a "landing", 4400 people assumed dead or missing reappear.cite web| url = http://www.digitallyobsessed.com/showreview.php3?ID=6799| title = "dOc DVD Review: The 4400 (2004)"| last = Cunningham| first = Joel| publisher = digitallyOBSESSED!] When 4400s begin to exhibit "abilities" Tom Baldwin and Diana Skouris are partnered to investigate them.cite web| url = http://www.thezreview.co.uk/dvdreviews/f/4400theseason1.htm| title = The 4400: Season 1 DVD Review| first = Jamie| last = Kelwick| publisher = The Z Review]

Plot

The episode begins in March 3, 1946. A young girl, Maia Rutledge (Conchita Campbell) of Crescent City, California, is with her parents in their car. Although it is raining outside, she persuades her parents to let her play nearby. While she is collecting flowers in the bushes, a light shines down on Maia, and she disappears.cite web| url = http://solitaryphoenix.com/4400_S1Pilot.html| title = Pilot episode| publisher = Solitary Phoenix]

The next scene takes place on May 11, 1951 in South Korea. A young black soldier, Richard Tyler (Mahershalalhashbaz Ali), is being beaten by his fellow officers. One of them remarks, “We treated you like an equal, but that wasn’t good enough for you. You had to cross the line.” A fellow soldier then drops a photo booth strip on the floor; the pictures are of Richard with a young white woman. Moments later, the same light which abducted Maia shines on Richard, and he vanishes.

Next, two teenagers, Shawn (Patrick Flueger) and Kyle (Chad Faust), are on a beach in the year 2001, drinking beers at night and talking about their personal lives. The light shines on them, and Kyle drops to the ground unconscious. The episode jumps to the present day with Kyle in a hospital bed, hooked up to a respirator. His father, Tom (Joel Gretsch), is comforting him.Elsewhere, Diana Skouris receives a call on her cell from Dennis Ryland (Peter Coyote) telling her to “Get over here, now!” As Diana arrives at NTAC, Ryland announces that the country is at DEFCON One. Diana asks to be brought up to speed, and an unnamed co-worker tells her that the comet is no longer a fly-by; it is heading toward the earth. Countries around the world begin deploying missiles in an attempt to destroy the comet.

As it enters the atmosphere of Earth, Diana (Jacqueline McKenzie) remarks that the comet is slowing down, “as if it’s coming in for a landing.” As she tells Ryland the co-ordinates of where the comet's trajectory will land it, Dennis states that it is near Mount Rainier, their “back yard.”

Arriving at the landing spot of the comet, a multitude of cameramen and reporters have set up. Diana looks on as the comet slowly comes in to land, hovering over a lake and causing ripples to form in the water. While emitting a sound, the comet begins to shrivel and lose its cohesion. Seconds later, the ball of light explodes, sending a shock-wave that knocks over the onlookers. Returning to their feet, they discover the comet is gone, and thousands of people have appeared.

Back at NTAC, Tom and Dennis argue in Dennis’ office. Tom tells him he needs answers, and that he will come through for Dennis. After this Dennis introduces Tom to Diana, explaining how, together, they will make a good team investigating the return of the 4400.

Significance

The pilot episode explores the 4400s adjusting to life after being abducted and returned, with no memory of the events between or who their abductors are.cite web| url = http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/4400season1.php| title = The 4400: The Complete First Season| first = Bryan| last = Byun| publisher = DVD Verdict Review] The episode also begins the correlation of 4400s exhibiting abilities, for example Shawn giving life back to a dead bird and Maia revealing knowledge of future events.cite web| url = http://www.dvdtown.com/review/4400the/14136/2566/| title = 4400: The Complete 1st Season| author = Hock Guan Teh | publisher = DVD Town]

Reception

"Pilot" became basic cable's most watched première, supplanting the pilot episode of "The Dead Zone". The episode was also nominated for two Emmy Awards in the 57th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, nominated for outstanding writing for a miniseries, movie or dramatic special and the award for outstanding cinematography for a miniseries or movie.cite web| url = http://www.calgarysun.com/cgi-bin/publish.cgi?p=97240&x=articles&s=showbiz| title = 2005 Emmy Awards - Nominees| publisher = Calgary Sun] The episode did not receive any wins.cite web| url = http://www.emmys.com/awards/2005pt/awards/cinematog.php| title = Academy of Television Arts & Sciences - Outstanding Cinematography For A Miniseries Or Movie| publisher = Emmy Award] cite web| url = http://www.emmys.com/awards/2005pt/awards/writingmini.php| title = Academy of Television Arts & Sciences - Outstanding Writing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special| publisher = Emmy Award]

Sci Fi television critic Kathie Huddleston rated the episode as a "B", stating "The 4400" feels more like a drama than a science-fiction show. When the sci-fi elements do come into play, they're often subtle."cite web| url = http://www.scifi.com/sfw/screen/sfw11193.html| title = The 4400 ! Movie and TV Reviews ! SCI FI Weekly| date = July 6, 2004| publisher = Sci Fi] While IGN reviewer "KJB" rated the episode as a "six out of ten" and states in regards to the characters "What remains to be seen is if the major characters can get beyond their obvious roots in other series and make viewers forget their slightly more than passing resemblance to Mulder & Scully."

Behind the scenes

Scott Peters, creator of "The 4400", stated that "The 4400" was loosely inspired by the events of 9/11.cite video| people = Scott Peters, Maira Suro, Ira Steven Behr and Perry Simon| year = 2005| title = Creating The Ball Of Light| medium = DVD featurette] Originally “Pilot” was scripted to be a one-hour pilot for the FOX network; however, the FOX network passed on the show due to interest only in a miniseries while producer Maira Suro believed the show had “legs” for a full series. The FOX network then allowed Peters and American Zoetrope to “take” the show with them. The USA Network was approached with the series, and after reading the script, the show was greenlit for a two hour pilot episode. According to Peters, the USA Network did not wish to change the show or cut any characters from the script.

In an interview with writer and executive producer, Ira Steven Behr, he notes that there are no religious aspects to the episode and that he does not believe religion will play any major part in the first season, stating “I have my beliefs, and you have yours”cite web| url = http://www.ugo.com/channels/filmtv/features/the4400/ira.asp| title = Ira Behr of "The 4400" Interview| publisher = UGO]

Cast

* Tom Baldwin — Joel Gretsch
* Diana Skouris — Jacqueline McKenzie
* Richard Tyler — Mahershalalhashbaz Ali
* Lily Moore — Laura Allen
* Shawn Farrell — Patrick Flueger
* Kyle Baldwin — Chad Faust
* Danny Farrell — Kaj-Erik Eriksen
* Nikki Hudson - Brooke Nevin
* Dennis Ryland — Peter Coyote ; Guest stars
* Orson Bailey — Michael Moriarty
* Maia Rutledge — Conchita Campbell
* Jordan Collier — Billy Campbell
* Heidi Moore — Genevieve Buechner
* Brian Moore — Andrew Airlie

Featured music

* "Cheek to Cheek" by Billie Holiday
* "Worry About You" by Ivycite web| url = http://www.usanetwork.com/series/the4400/theshow/songlist.html| title = Song List from The 4400| last = Lurie| first = Elliot| authorlink = Elliot Lurie| coauthors = "starmcharm013"]

References

External links

* [http://www.usanetwork.com/series/the4400/theshow/episodeguide/episodes/s1_pilot/index.html "Pilot"] at the official 4400 website provided by USA Network.
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* [http://www.the4400wiki.org/Episode:The_Return_%28Pilot%29 "Pilot"] at The 4400 wiki.