“The Fifth Page” is episode twelve of season two of The 4400 and the first part of the two-part season finale.
Tom and Kyle are helping Alana move in. Afterwards, Alana says that her allergies are playing up again; could Kyle write her a prescription? Tom reminds her that Kyle isn’t a doctor in the real world. She says it’s brain freeze.
Diana is looking through Maia’s chart; page 5 is missing. Dr Hudson comes in and, when asked about the missing page, says he’s breaking in a new nurse. They think they know what’s wrong with Maia; a type of pneumonia. Rare, but treatable. However, it could be the symptom of something more serious. They are running more tests.
Shaun, who in the previous episode, “Lockdown”, lost his powers and gained a similar rash to Maia, is telling Lily that he’s got the flue or something. She thinks he should get it checked out. If he still feels this way in a day or two, he will. Meanwhile, reschedule his appointments and don’t tell anyone he can’t heal. Anyone.
Meanwhile, more and more 4400s are falling sick and getting the same rash. Marco tells Diana and Tom that are now 300 sick that they know about, with more coming in. It’s some sort of immune system disorder that’s leaving them vulnerable to other diseases. They are wondering what to do – Jarvis is still in hospital – when Ryland arrives. He says they will take to the field. Every 4400 in their jurisdiction will be tested for sickness by the day’s end. He’s taking temporary command with orders to do something to stop the spread of the disease.
Tom speaks to Ryland; Ryland is glad to be back. His wife loves DC but Ryland feels he was promoted out of the game. Tom tells him many would be glad to change places. Ryland is not surprised, given some of the things that have happened. Some think they are in the middle of a war. Ryland still believes that the 4400 came back to change things for the better.
Lily and Richard are picking Isabelle up from nursery. Afterwards, Lily checks to see if anyone has been experimenting on Isabelle. Ross heads to see Shawn; they need to set up a healing schedule. There’s an illness spreading through the 4400. Shawn knows.
Kyle is reading the paper. He sees an article about the Collier suspect being vandalised. And heads there. Marsden’s girlfriend has also had her tyre slashed. Kyle says he didn’t do it and offers to help. He’s feeling guilty.
Alana arrives at The 4400 Centre, expecting it to be the Collier Museum. Tom arrives and she keeps telling him it isn’t right. She’s got the rash too and is taken to NTAC.
Currently, one in every five 4400 is affected. There’s a worry the disease will mutate and spread into the general population. Marco asks if it would even need to mutate; there’s no guarantee it’s exclusive to the 4400. Ryland wants all the 4400 bringing back to quarantine; there’s already an order in place and every 4400 in the country is subject to it. Other countries are following suit. If anyone doesn’t report in, they will be brought in.
In his office, Ryland tells Tom and Diana that it’s temporary. They ask if he’s sure; they’re talking about Diana’s daughter, Tom’s nephew and the woman he loves – Tom was going to mention that to Ryland over a beer. Ryland says the assurance is his; he pushed to have them released in the first place. With the 4400 in one place, it will be easier to figure out what’s wrong. Tom and Diana know he’s fighting the good fight. But they don’t know he’ll win.
The missing page is back in Maia’s chart, with blacked out pieces. Dr Hudson says that it looks like a duplicate test, crossed out so they don’t see the same results twice. Lily is talking to her ex, Brian, who says he is willing to help her, Isabelle and Richard in any way he can. Their relationship has improved. Tom and Diana head to see Ross, who doesn’t like the idea of quarantine. Tom asks if the centre’s doctors are managing anything. They are not. Tom says this is better than having 4400s dying in droves. They’re told Shawn is busy. Ross agrees to tell any 4400 who’s ill to come into quarantine. But not those who aren’t.
Kyle is feeling guilty about Marsden being in prison and is trying to help his girlfriend. Shawn has Richard take over The 4400 Centre for now. Things are starting to get rather tense. The story continues in the next episode, “Mommy’s Bosses”.