4400 Review: You Only Meant Well (Season 1 Episode 11)
4400 Season 1 Episode 11, “You Only Meant Well,” could be summarized with the phrase, “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Overall, the episode feels like a joyful reunion, but there is an undercurrent of danger present throughout the whole episode that has never really left the series.
First, let’s talk about the wedding.
It’s high time the 4400 had something to celebrate and a happy love story, albeit one that unfolded off-camera, feels like the perfect solution for some standalone frivolity. The way the 4400 at the Bois Blanc rally around Ji-Eun and Harold’s wedding shows us the kind of community that they’ve created. It’s comforting, but it’s also a stark reminder that the returnees’ lives are not normal.
The wedding is one of the main storylines of the episode, but it isn’t the central focus with LaDonna’s return and the growing tensions against the 4400 swelling in the background.
LaDonna’s return is the perfect example. While it’s exciting to see her back in action the flashbacks show exactly how quickly her time with her father went sour as he becomes convinced that his daughter is an imposter. It’s heartbreaking to see LaDonna, who was so happy to hear from her dad, lose that connection with him.
Her return does come with some more questions, including what the 44ORUM might be planning, and how much LaDonna knows. The opening sequence showing some men in a van felt jarring against the rest of the jubilation on this episode. However, it definitely. feels like that will become important in the future.
In fact, the entire episode is good at laying out the building blocks for more intrigue as we also learn more about where Claudette was during her time, away. Claudette very quickly became one of my favorite characters, and as we learn more about what she’s drawn into I am even more intrigued as to what threats might be coming.
Getting to focus on Manny a little more definitely helps build this tension. It’s clear that Manny is playing his cards close to the vest and while we only have a vague outline of who he was before the green light. The little nuanced lines about how he’s on a different mission also serve to build some tension.
In most cases, I would worry that a series was going too slow with how they’re handling Manny. However, 4400 has done a pretty solid job of pacing out their big reveals, so while I am concerned that we won’t get the answers to all our questions in Season 1, I am confident we’ll have enough to keep our interest into Season 2.
It’s moments like these when I look to the original series and remember that they only had six episodes to set up their narrative. 4400 has just over twice that and they’re using their time wisely given that this is an ensemble show.
With only two episodes left in the first season, it feels like we’ve only scratched the surface with who these characters are and what’s to come. At this point in the series, I would normally lament that we didn’t have the answers that we need, but given how this series seems to be ramping up for its finale, I think this breathing space was much needed.
Stray Thoughts:
- Keisha’s baking skills are awesome and I am impressed she was able to get that cake to the hotel because transporting tiered cakes is no joke.
- Logan learning to play chess with Hayden is a heartwarming moment and I feel like the chess metaphors expressed in that scene are going to come back somehow.
- I didn’t even touch on Manny stabbing Rev. I feel like the gravity of this moment is very important, not just because it returned Shanice, Mildred, and Ji-Eun’s powers, but it’s happening inside a sanctuary.
- Also, I still haven’t forgotten that the mystery donor is shady. Kudos to LaDonna for hanging that lantern on that thought and Shanice for acknowledging that this could all blow up in their face.
- I kind of want to know how Mildred is just living her life right now. Despite the makeover she still seems very recognizable. On the one hand, I am glad the story doesn’t assume that hair dye is enough to make her completely unrecognizable. But on the other, I’m not sure there is any logical argument for her to stay in Detroit.
- And on that note, we need to know more about Mildred’s sister.
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.