4400 Review: Give Up the Ghost (Season 1 Episode 10)
It feels like a classic case of “the devil that you know” on 4400 Season 1 Episode 10, “Give Up the Ghost.”
“Give Up the Ghost” answers some viewers’ questions deciding to focus on Manny and Jharrell’s relationship via flashbacks; however it doesn’t actually answer them. In the flashbacks, we see of Manny and Jharrell in his apartment we get some answers about exactly what Manny was working on, but not enough to give us any solid answers.
It’s wrong to expect one episode to give us everything about Manny, especially when he’s been set up to be the season-long arc of the show. The mystery of his disappearance has been a slow burn and now we’re finally getting come confirmation.
Yes, it’s been a slow burn, but it looks like it may be starting to pay off. Especially if Manny can start giving the 4400 answers about where they have been.
Having Mildred connect with Claudette was an interesting choice as well.
We don’t know much about where Mildred came from before the green light, but judging by some of her reactions so far she still feels like the character to watch. Claudette’s storyline has been one of the strongest of the series and watching her slowly convince Mildred to work together for the 4400 is an interesting idea.
Putting Mildred’s face on posters that say “Embrace Your Power” is an interesting revelation when put up against Isaiah’s ability to take powers away. While it makes sense that some returnees might not want their power, Claudette understands that that one message can be dangerous, and knows that they need another narrative to work in their favor.
We’ve seen some of Claudette’s past, and we know that while she’s gained confidence in 2021, she wasn’t the center of the story. She’s used to having her ideas taken down and invalidated especially by religious leaders. (Remember her husband?) It makes sense that she feels more comfortable strategizing while using Mildred’s energy and ambition to fuel the discussion.
What’s really telling is how the 4400 never seem to catch a break.
After ten episodes of watching the 4400 try to fight for their freedom, we’ve gotten used to not taking any win at face value. Sanctuary status may help, but the storm is coming and it’s almost certain that BHN is not what it appears to be.
While Shanice may be willing to accept the win that they have power and food, there’s something brewing that the audience has been aware for several episodes now. It’ll keep coming as we reach the final episode, and with Manny’s reveal as the invisible man (yes, that’s what I am calling him and I’m sticking with it) it feels like tensions are going to continue to run high.
Stray Thoughts:
- The opening scene with Shanice not knowing how to use the video call feature is a nice touch. The fact that she doesn’t realize that Mariah can initially see her and Andre is funny, and adding in the technical mishap helps lighten the mood given that these are two “refugees in time.”
- Mariah’s confession that she has a crush on Mildred is cute. Love seeing how Shanice accepts her daughter, and how they’re working together to try to help the 4400.
- In contrast, is anyone surprised that Isaiah had a problem with Keisha being gay? I celebrate Keisha standing up to him and handling it the way she does, but at the same time, this storyline feels a little tired. Yes, these characters are out of time, but the show is doing so many other compelling storylines that overthrow expectations that it feels like they’re missing an opportunity. We also should have seen this coming when he said, “I have no son,” at the library.
- I no longer know how to read what side Soraya is on. I still love her as a character and I think that the fact that we don’t know where her loyalty is makes it interesting.
- And the colloquialism misunderstanding of the episode goes to….Andre, for not understanding the term bromance.
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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Lauren Busser
Lauren Busser is an Associate Editor at Tell-Tale TV. She is a writer of fiction and nonfiction whose work has appeared in Bitch Media, Popshot Quarterly, Brain Mill Press Voices, and The Hartford Courant.