After what seems like a laboriously long wait between seasons, the sci-fi mystery/drama series Manifest is finally back for the first installment of its final season! Miraculously revived by Netflix after being canceled on NBC after three seasons, I have to say it was certainly worth the wait. We follow the survivors of 828 at perhaps their most vital crossroads yet, in the wake of a terrible double-edged tragedy: the brutal death of Grace and the kidnapping of baby Eden. This is the same Manifesto we know and love, only now you're sure to note that it was shot in a safe way for COVID protocols during the credits! Buckle up, pull out your flight manual to follow along, and prepare for one last ascent into the mysteries of Manifest.
A two-year time jump plunges us back into the world of its wide range of characters. Ben (Josh Dallas) is now gray-haired and bearded, relentlessly immersed in conspiracy theories as he tracks down every possible clue to Eden's whereabouts. Cal (Ty Doran), now older, is struggling because a wedge has formed between him and Ben. He is unable to leave the house for the most part and calls himself Gabriel, as he is still considered a missing person. Zeke (Matt Long) and Michaela (Melissa Roxburgh) live together with Cal, Olive (Luna Blaise) and Ben, and Zeke is now a struggling addict case manager who has a strange power. As her death date looms, Saanvi (Parveen Kaur) continues her search for answers. The arrival of a man from Singapore and a mysterious box may hide answers to countless questions...
Creator: Jeff Rake
Stars: Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas, J.R. Ramirez
As far as final season builds go, Manifest does a great job of maintaining a breakneck pace throughout. Episode five feels like a season finale, bringing Eden's story to a head in a very satisfying way that I'm certainly not going to spoil here. Angelina, Eden's captor who has been raising the girl as her own in the two years since she disappeared, is a character I instantly hated, and I'm sure many fans will too. As the thunder rumbles and the calls begin to reach everyone, conversations about "divine consciousness," omega sapphires, and tarot card maps overtake the case-of-the-week format that the show had adapted from the beginning. Gone is any kind of procedural feel, instead of diving headfirst into a serialized format which worked for me.
As far as the performances go, I love Ty Doran as Cal, a young adult: he manages to perfectly embody everything we know and love about Jack Messina as Cal, but with a somewhat new twist. His character evolution feels completely organic, as does his unfortunate relationship with Ben. The most useless (as usual) is Jared (J.R. Ramirez), but he's never really been a fan favorite. Michaela has more to do here than ever and seems like a vital key to the endgame. Melissa Roxburgh does an excellent job of embodying her ups and downs. Josh Dallas also has a vital role as Ben, asking him to take care of the three children under impossible circumstances.
Manifest brings back several plot threads that have been teased and theorized for years. It's great to have a show that really cares about its audience and isn't afraid to take its time in the build to answer important questions. This season certainly answers many of them. A big reveal in episode 9 will leave people with a lot to talk about during the potentially long wait until season 4 part 2 arrives. Wherever its final destination heads, I've always believed in Manifest: season 4 continues a Promising run with a variety of excellent and varied episodes bursting with exciting and bizarre visuals. I can't wait to see how it all ends.
Manifest reveals the mysteries of Flight 828 when it lands for Netflix subscribers on Friday, November 4.
Watch Manifest Tv Series Season 4 Trailer
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