“Terrible Swift Sword” is episode twelve of season three of The 4400.
Jordan Collier is giving an interview and he’s speaking about the statement that the war for the future will be fought in the past. He does mean today, but he doesn’t mean between 4400s and non-4400s; he means between good and evil. It’s already started and good people, 4400s and non-4400s, have already made sacrifices. There will be more sacrifices; these are just the first to know the cost of the struggle. The future is bleak; the human race is sick and dying. What’s left of civilisation is controlled by a brutal and powerful elite who have shut themselves inside the world’s last city whilst the rest struggle to survive in the wasteland. They can change the future, though, but even now everything crucial for the world’s survival is being gathered up by a powerful and isolated few. They’re getting stronger and a catastrophic future awaits. They must stop it, band together and fight the evil, or it will destroy them all. And at NTAC, everyone has fallen asleep, whilst the doors open on the maximum-security level.
Tom and Diana arrive as Jarvis is trying to find out what happened. Every member of the Nova Group has escaped. They had promicin inhibitor, so must have had outside help. And they have scores to settle. With Shawn, Ryland, Alana and Kyle amongst others.
Tom arrives home to check on Kyle, who was released following the events of the previous episode, “The Gospel According to Collier”, and Alana. There are reporters outside. Inside, Tom explains what happened. He wants Kyle to stay close to home and says the news story will blow over. Kyle says that Jordan Collier returned from the dead. As long as he’s remembered, they’ll remember the person who shot him.
Tom and Diana head to see Rylan, who basically says ‘I told you so.’ He doesn’t need NTAC’s protection; he has his own. Isabelle. Tom tells Shawn about Isabelle who tells Richard. Shawn thinks, rightly, that Isabelle was working with Ryland long before Collier kicked her out of the 4400 Centre.
Diana arrives home to find April still upset over Ben. And Diana still hasn’t told April and her and Ben. Maia thinks if April knows what she saw she might feel better. And she’s going to know sooner or later, because how else can Diana invite her to her wedding?
Shawn and Richard tell Collier, who is with Devon, about Isabelle. He doesn’t seem bothered. Richard says there’s also the Nova Group. Collier says they are no longer the enemy and Devon says they don’t have a problem with them. Because she’s Boyd Gelder. And Collier went to a great deal of trouble to get the Nova Group out of NTAC.
Shawn isn’t happy. Collier says the Nova Group is a powerful weapon. Shawn says they are the biggest reason people are scared of them. Inviting the Nova Group in will mean co-operation between 4400s and non-4400s won’t happen. Richard says they need to be realistic. Ryland will have the soldiers announced in “The Starzl Mutation” out there soon. They will need help.
Ryland and Isabelle are speaking to the doctor running the supersoldier program. It will be another month before any are ready, given the problems and deaths. Injections were scaled back after what happened with Piersahl. Ryland says to increase the dosage, though Isabelle says they don’t need an army; they have her. However, the soldiers will be given the maximum dosage.
Kyle is at the 4400 Centre. He has a favour to ask Shawn. Which is to see Jordan Collier and apologise for killing him. Collier says his death had to happen. What Kyle suffered was unfair, but everything he did was part of the plan. Including the assassination. Collier doesn’t hold Kyle responsible.
Diana and Ben are talking about whether to tell April they’re seeing each other. Collier sounds to be planning to destroy the military program to create 4400s. Possibly including killing the participants. Shawn isn’t happy about what’s going on.