Keisha learns the truth about the day her sister died, meanwhile the government are pressing forward with reintegrating the 4400 into the world.
The Way We Were is my favourite episode of the season so far. I probably said that last week about the Andre centric episode but a girl is allowed to change her mind, just like we saw Keisha do in this episode.
*Memories light the corners of my mind. Misty watercolour memories of the way we were*
The opening scene with Keisha dancing with her nieces and laughing with her sister Kenya (Nasia Thomas), filled my heart. It was nice to see a lighter side of her. It helped us to understand the impact the loss of her sister had on her. Her sister was supportive of her plans to open up a coffee shop but Keisha seemed hesitant. The day she died Kenya planned to surprise her by getting the coffee shop ready.
Just like her brother-in-law Tarik (Kai A Ealy), I don’t understand why she “devoted her life to a system that keeps people in boxes and strips them of their humanity.”
Aside from paying for their tuition fees, Keisha has disconnected from her nieces and yet we see with her connection with Hayden that she misses having little people around her. Shout out to the showrunners for having more disability representation in the form of Keisha’s deaf niece.
*Memories may be beautiful and yet, what’s too painful to remember, we simply choose to forget*
Now the one thing I personally understood was her refusal to meet with the man who killed her sister but I also understand Tarik’s reasons too. He wants to move forward with his life. Some people have the strength to relive the trauma with the perpetrator and come through it feeling lighter and more forgiving and some of us can’t.
Free the 4400
The 4400 freedom project or project reintegration, is coming along at a pace with new federal liaison Bill Green leading the way. Although the government still has questions about the returnees from whether they are all part of an elaborate hoax, time travellers or brought forward by aliens, they will continue to investigate the issues. The driver behind their reintegration programme is the leaked video and the fact that the public is asking for the fo’ fo’ to be released.
Bill Green came over as pretty slimy to me so I wasn’t surprised when it was revealed that the phones given to returnees were bugged. Soraya had been acting jumping all episode like she was up to no good. I feel bad for her as they are obviously going to hold the leaked video over her head for a long time even though, I suspect they know it wasn’t her.
Shanice and Andre
There were some lovely moments with Shanice and Andre in this episode. I was happy to hear Shanice address the Logan elephant in the room. She was married with a child just three weeks ago. I want them to slow down so that Andre doesn’t get hurt.
I’m loving Andre’s childlike enthusiasm for learning and seeing new things. From cars to his first Pride celebration Andre’s eyes are being opened to the wonders of the modern world. I’m sure at some point he will also learn that the more things change, the more they stay the same but let him have his fun for now.
*Can it be that it was all so simple then? Or has time re-written every line? If we had the chance to do it all again tell me, would we? Could we?”
What wasn’t great was the very idea that Shanice could actually live with Logan, Bridget and Mariah. I mean, come on now! It’s only been three weeks people! Shanice was a wife and mother and now she’s expected to play house guest to Logan and his wife. Ugh! I’m sorry that Mariah doesn’t get to see her mum every day but I’m glad that Shanice chose to preserve her mental health.
Girls’ night out
Taking Shanice, Claudette and LaDonna out to a bar was a very un-Keisha like thing to do and yet it yielded results and confirmed her suspicions.
I was suspicious of her because she really wanted to be the one to take Claudette out into the world but when Jharrell shut her down, this seemed like just another opportunity to find dirt on the 4400 and get their freedom taken away.
When the guy at the bar called them freaks, I knew Claudette would be the one to do something about it. When Claudette cut her hand and Keisha watched it heal, she made a choice to protect her and whilst I was surprised, I was also happy.
Now, this is what I’m talking about! Keisha just kept growing on me throughout this episode. I’m going out on a limb and declaring my commitment to her.
Now that Jharrell and Keisha have compared notes on the 4400, things are really moving forward. I imagine they will commit to protecting the returnees. With Green tapping their phones and watching their every move the pair will have a huge task to keep the returnees free.
Their first task will be to keep Hayden from getting into trouble as he seems hellbent on freeing Mildred from whatever facility they have her locked up in.
*So, it’s the laughter we will remember whenever we remember the way we were. *
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