“Weight of the World” is episode four of season two of The 4400.
A man enters a diner; the young woman behind the counter gives him a beer and kisses his head. He isn’t doing so well selling time shares. He may have been a salesman longer than anyone, but he’s not a telemarketer. The man, Trent Applebaum (Robert Picardo), disappeared in 1989; the woman, Elise, is his now-adult daughter. Then a couple of thugs arrive; it seems Trent owes money to the leader, Dmitri Kazar. He gives Trent 48 hours to find the money.
Lily and Richard are heading to where another 4400, Eric, lives. Lily says she might be pregnant again. No, she isn’t sure. Richard says they will need to go to a drugstore to be sure. Lily asks what he wants the result to say. Congratulations, he has a job, house and a future. But he doubts it will.
Two days later and Trent has some money; Elise sold her car. And her television. Dmitri is outside. A much thinner Dmitri; he says Trent is a miracle worker. Dmitri lost 75 pounds in two days. He thought he was ill, but the doctors found nothing. Then he thought of Trent; they’d shared a beer bottle. This proves nothing yet, but Dmitri wants to try it on his wife. He hands Trent his money back; this could make him set for life. A human diet.
At The 4400 Center, a celebrity, Chloe Granger, is giving an interview with Jordan. He congratulates her and gives her the first key. Jordan’s secretary, Devon, comments to Shawn that last year it was kabbalah.
Dmitri’s wife has lost 23 pounds now.
Jarvis asks Tom and Diana about Trent and why the Drandix Corporation is calling about him. It seems that Trent is claiming his saliva causes weight loss; he has two satisfied customers. Diana suggests this could be a cure for obesity. Jarvis says that Trent has a lawyer and an agent and there’s a bidding war. As to whether it’s legal, there’s no legislation forbidding making money from a 4400 ability.
Lily and Richard have arrived at the home of Eric Papequash, disappeared in 1955.
Kyle is talking to his professor, Wendy Paulson (Lexa Doig), when someone hands him a leaflet about a party. She says they throw it every year. He should go. Kyle asks if she wants to go too. She says she’s probably flunked half the members of that fraternity. Not her scene, but don’t let that stop Kyle.
Tom and Diana are speaking to Trent. His daughter had to get a job at a diner rather than go to college, because he disappeared for 16 years. He wants to provide for her. Most of his life he’s sold junk. This time it’s the real deal.
Richard is talking to a friend of Eric’s, Tara, about his Korean experiences and her father’s. It looks like Tara’s husband, David, has a problem with this. David asks Richard what he’s doing these days and why he’s in this part of the country. Eric says to see him; the 4400 have a special bond.
Shawn and Devon are talking about Chloe; Shawn reassures Devon that Chloe won’t be treated any differently to anyone else.
Trent is selling the rights for $40 million. Meanwhile, the Kazars are eating. A lot. They’re starving. Maybe they’re burning too many calories.
Shawn turns up at Jordan’s rooms in the morning; Jordan isn’t ready for a meeting. And Chloe is there. Jordan says Chloe is their entrée into the entertainment industry. Shawn reminds Jordan there’s an entire chapter of Jordan’s book that rips apart celebrity culture. Yes, there is, but celebrities have deep pockets and deeper insecurities and they can use that to their advantage.
Eric is suggesting to Richard that he comes work with him. Running is fraying Lily and Richard’s relationship, and they might as well stop before they run out of road.
Devon, when Shawn tells her about Jordan and Chloe, takes it quite badly. Lily and Richard seem to be wanting different things at the moment. Companies are signing up 4400s on spec, in case abilities develop. Diana admits to Tom that Maia is still having visions. Kyle has a blackout, losing a stretch of time. And the Kazars are starving to death.