Pilot (The 4400)

"Pilot"
The 4400 episode
Episode no.	Season 1 Episode 01 and 02
Directed by	Yves Simoneau
Written by	Scott Peters René Echevarria
Original air date	July 11, 2004
Guest actors
Michael Moriarty - Orson Bailey Conchita Campbell - Maia Rutledge Genevieve Buechner - Heidi Moore Andrew Airlie - Brian Moore Lori Triolo - Linda Chilton Crane - Susan Farrell Garwin Sanford - Adam Kensington Sheila Patterson - Elizabeth Bailey Jason Low - Sid Stradner Terry Chen - Colin Chen Jesse Hutch - Brad Rossi Ross Douglas - Gregory Kensington Patti Allan - Barbara Yates Roger Haskett - Mr. Rutledge Carrie Fleming - Mrs. Rutledge Eric Breker - Kenneth Griffin Eileen Pride - Patty Griffin Adrian Holmes - Lt. Payton Keith Martin Gordey - Alan Kushner Karin Konoval - Dr. Emily Sanford Pamela Hart - Lawyer Link Baker - Air Force officer[1]
Episode chronology
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List of The 4400 episodes

"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.^[2] The episode was written by Scott Peters and René Echevarria, and was directed by Yves Simoneau.^[1] Attracting approximately 7.4 million viewers,^[3] the episode became basic cable's most watched première^[4] since The Dead Zone.^[3] "Pilot" introduces the show's premise of 4400 people being abducted in the past, beginning from 1946,^[5] and all being returned to the present day in a flash of light at Highland Beach.^[6][7]

A comet suddenly changes trajectory and is heading towards Earth, apparently coming in for a "landing", 4400 people assumed dead or missing reappear.^[8] When 4400s begin to exhibit "abilities" Tom Baldwin and Diana Skouris are partnered to investigate them.^[9]

Plot

The episode begins on 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.^[10] 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.^[2] 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, teenage cousins Shawn Farrell (Patrick Flueger) and Kyle Baldwin (Chad Faust) are on a beach at night in the year 2001, drinking beers and talking about their personal lives. The light shines on them, and Kyle drops to the ground, alone and unconscious. The episode jumps to the present day with Kyle in a hospital bed, hooked up to a respirator. His father, Tom Baldwin (Joel Gretsch), is comforting him.

Capilano Lake portrays Highland Beach

Elsewhere, Diana Skouris (Jacqueline McKenzie) 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 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.

Production

Scott Peters, creator of The 4400, stated that The 4400 was loosely inspired by the events of 9/11.^[11] 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.^[11] The FOX network then allowed Peters and American Zoetrope to "take" the show with them.^[11] The USA Network was approached with the series, and after reading the script, the show was greenlit for a two hour pilot episode.^[11] According to Peters, the USA Network did not wish to change the show or cut any characters from the script.^[11]

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"^[12]

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.^[13] The episode did not receive any wins.^[14][15]

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."^[16] 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."^[2]

References

External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Pilot

• "Pilot" at the official 4400 website provided by USA Network.
• "Pilot" at TV.com
• "Pilot" at The 4400 wiki.
• "Pilot (The 4400)" at the Internet Movie Database