4400 Review: Present is Prologue (Season 1 Episode 13)

The end is just the beginning on 4400 Season 1 Episode 13, “Present is Prologue.”  

The season has been building to something big and the siege on the Bois Blanc doesn’t disappoint as a finale. Seeing all of the factions come together, and the entire ensemble use their strengths to help keep the 44orum at out of the Bois Blanc is the kind of finale that we deserve. The turns of events are well-timed and the story never loses its character-driven roots. 

While, I had the feeling that most of the characters would come out of the seige unscathed, the stories make us seriously question if we are about to lose some of the character’s we’ve come to love. 

“Present is Prologue” does a good job of bringing us back into Logan and Shanice’s world. As Shanice and Hayden attempt to nurse Logan’s wound and Mariah calls to watch, we get some truly gut-punching family moments.

When Logan dies it feels oddly appropriate since we know that Logan has been one of the 4400’s biggest supporters. However, his abduction by a green light doesn’t quite add up. 

This all ties into Andre’s visit with Sienna Stone at BHN. The comment that he will start seeing things her way once he gets back to the Bois Blanc feels like there’s something more sinister going on. If the future attempted to drive Shanice and Andre apart so he’d join them in helping the greater good then it would certainly make sense. 

The biggest revelation on this episode is the glimpse we get into the future. Meeting the people who abducted Manny, hearing from them how they plan on changing the future feels very true to the overall themes of the original. 

Yet, we’ve never had a face from the future to associate with the future or a full picture of what the future looked like. This glimpse is small, but it’s enough to give us an idea of what 2062 looked like. 

The revelation that Manny wasn’t necessarily a part of the original 4400 subjects is an interesting turn of events. The idea that Manny entered with an alternate agenda upsets what the story has been building towards for the last few episodes. 

However, it is not nearly as big of a revelation as when Manny returns at the end of the episode thinking he’s been gone for 30 minutes. It’s hard to comprehend what their agenda could be in sending Manny back at all.

The thing about this ending is that, while it gives us enough of a conclusion if 4400 isn’t renewed for a second season. It does a good job in acknowledging that this fight isn’t the last one and that the support the returnees are finding now won’t necessarily be long-term. 

Ending on this note shows that activism isn’t just a one-and-done deal but a sustained practice that needs to be maintained. 

If 4400 returns for a second season, keeping that in mind will help them continue to build on the foundation they’ve built for their strong narratives.

Stray Thoughts

• Claudette’s line about decapitation was a good laugh in the midst of a tense situation.
• The giant iguana dancing to “Levitating” is one of the best distractions ever and LaDonna is a genius for coming up with it.
• Speaking of which, LaDonna is a leader and she should embrace her role more in the future. It’s clear that she and Mildred make a good team too and I would like to see more of that duo. 
• I really hoped that Mildred and Millicent would have a different ending, but I think that their story is just starting to unfold. A second season could give the writers a chance to help them out.

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

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4400 Season 1 is currently available on The CW app. 

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