4400 Review: That LaDonna Life (Season 1 Episode 3)

4400 Season 1 Episode 3, “That LaDonna Life,” gives the series the fire it needs to sustain the first season. Now that the series has passed the exposition phase it can start to really play into the relationships between the characters. 

The arc throughout “That LaDonna Life” is LaDonna’s disappearance. It peels back the layers of what could have been a flat reality TV personality and gives her dimension. 

It’s heartbreaking to see that she was the star of her own reality show that wasn’t really about her. The way she understands the language of fame and fandom is an asset to the 4400, but it’s also not all there is to her.

Soraya’s moment where she mentions the fan theory that LaDonna snuck off to MIT to attend classes is the sweetest moment on the episode.

It’s also a moment that subtly highlights the need for celebrities to use their platforms for good. LaDonna is clearly trying to but she’s pigeon-holed by her mother and those who just want her to be a one-dimensional person.

She takes steps towards remedying that when she texts Mariah with the video clip of Shanice with what’s going on at the hotel.

While the public relations plot with LaDonna is the highlight of the episode, it doesn’t completely overshadow the other stories.

One of the benefits of keeping the 4400 together, as the reboot has, is that we get to see relationships form between the returnees much faster. This is a way that community will be forged between the returnees and will make them stronger as a unit.

For example, the moment that Noah asks Andre for help procuring testosterone is a tender moment, but it’s also a moment where a bond forms. This is crucial for Noah who needs to realize that people around him can be trusted, and for Andre who is realizing how much medicine has expanded. 

Likewise, Hayden and Millie are both realizing how much time has passed. The way that TV and reality TV aren’t concepts they are familiar with yet shows exactly how long they’ve been gone, but also shows each of the characters how much they can learn from each other.

The series started sowing the seeds for this in the first two episodes, but now that we’ve been here a while we need to start seeing relationships form and for the characters to explore the people around them now.

Many of the characters don’t appear to have families that they’re concerned about and with that comes the idea of the found family trope. 4400 has set up all the building blocks they need to tackle that trope.

Stray Thoughts:

• Shanice’s emergent power seems kind of cool, but I wonder if it’s just between her and her daughter.
• Soraya’s interest in Keisha is kind of sweet, and I kind of hope there is potential there.
• I really hope that Rev. Johnson and Claudette aren’t totally resolved on this episode. Claudette seemed to have some deep-seated distrust of the clergy and I am not sure we got enough of Rev. Johnson’s storyline to be sure of his intentions. 
• Jarrel’s story with his brother is an interesting thread. It kind of aligns with Tom Baldwin’s story from the original series, but the fact that he’s actually going through a grieving process gives it a new level of elevation.
• Hayden and Millie are a cute couple, and I hope that they can thrive.
• Bring back, Noah! That’s it! Cos the way that they hauled him out is not cool. 

What did you think of this episode of 4400? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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4400 airs Mondays at 9/8c on The CW.

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