4400: How much does Manny know?
4400 has been busy in recent episodes, but two storylines stick out of “You Only Meant Well” as highly essential. One surrounds the truth about Jharrel’s brother Manny, who Jharrel had been hopeful in finding since the 4400 appeared. The other is the background fear and hatred growing in the public toward the returnees.
Manny’s return is a big deal for Jharrel, who can finally put his obsession toward finding his lost brother to rest. However, his relief may be replaced by suspicion soon as it is evident that Manny is hiding something mysterious and dangerous.
Manny’s work, before disappearing, had involved something called ZMT, which Andre and LaDonna have been looking into, as they understand it to be something in their blood the government is interested in. But, knowing what ZMT is could be life-threatening knowledge, as Manny hints that it is part of why he fears for his life.
But, Manny’s involvement with the 4400 goes deeper than that, having already introduced himself to Claudette as Jorge before revealing himself to Jharrel. Manny had been teaching Claudette how to be in control of her powers. In their session, Manny and Claudette’s conversation leads to discussing a revolution supporting the returnees and suggesting that while Manny is not a 4400, he still knows far more about what is going on than anyone else.
So, what does Manny know, and how did he learn it? How does Manny have powers if he is not a 4400?
But, Manny’s return also seems to align with the growing suspicion toward the 4400. The public’s views are changing, even more so since the 4400‘s powers were revealed on television. People have grown from uncertainty to hatred.
“You Only Meant Well” reveals what occurred when LaDonna lived with her father. Although the visit starts pleasant enough, it eventually grows troubling and scary when LaDonna finds herself trapped in the house when her father proves himself to be an anti-4400.
LaDonna experiences firsthand the hatred the public can hold from believing that the returnees are not human and only posing as loved ones. Hayden and Logan experience outside force when angry protesters against the 4400 throw a brick through their window because Logan is housing Hayden, a 4400 member.
Between the secrets that Manny is keeping and the public’s growing hostility toward the returnees, it seems that 4400 is gearing up for a possible revolution or war. However, with only two episodes left in season 1, there is still time to enhance the growing tension and tease possible answers about why these people were taken and what it may mean for the future.