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Manifest delivered a satisfying conclusion to its four seasons of mythology, but who gets a happy ending with the world about to end?
By Michael Ahr | |
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This article contains spoilers for the Manifest series finale.
Over the four seasons of Manifest’s run, it hasn’t always been clear how the show’s sci-fi elements were related to each other. Why, for example, was it necessary for the passengers of Flight 828 to jump forward in time 5 years in order to receive their special prophetic abilities? But in the series’ final episodes, there was a surprising amount of clarity and closure provided for these bigger mysteries along with many more happy endings than most viewers likely expected.
In fact, let’s go ahead and speculate about that example question above. Was the five-year time jump designed to give a plane full of passengers just enough time for the maximum number of them to find a path to redemption, forgiveness, and general goodheartedness towards humanity? Would a smaller leap not have created enough disruption to tragically shake up their lives and force them to be motivated to follow the callings and change their outlook on life? Both of these explanations feel complete, and Manifest viewers can decide which they ascribe to in the end.
One of the most satisfying aspects of the Manifest finale was the realization that forgiveness was equally as important to salvation as doing good in the world. Following the callings was often seen as tipping the scales in favor of all of those in the lifeboat, and those who didn’t heed them were endangering everyone. But in the end, although eleven passengers who failed the ultimate test were reduced to ash, three found forgiveness and were saved: Saanvi, Eagan, and Adrian.
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In retrospect, we should have realized this would be the case. Earlier seasons of Manifest taught us that Ma’at weighs each human soul against a feather, not its good deeds against its bad. Zeke counseling Michaela to forgive herself therefore takes on greater importance, as does Ben’s decision to bring Angelina aboard the resurrected Flight 828. Eagan’s selfless words save Adrian and in turn himself, whereas Ben’s reassurances to Saanvi help her escape both her guilt over the Major’s death and the fiery judgment that would have resulted.
So although the shadowy archangel could have claimed all aboard Flight 828, the passengers’ display of unity and moral fortitude prevented the dark figure from judging the whole based on the actions of a few. In the end, the divine consciousness appears to have been testing a random sample of humanity to see if a reset was needed, as in the time of Noah’s flood, and the passengers passed, if not with flying colors, at least with a B+. Good enough to avert a volcanic apocalypse!
The journey back to 2013 was certainly a cathartic ending for all aboard Flight 828 and for Manifest viewers as well. Ben is correct in seeing it as the ultimate second chance for those who were subjected to the five-year divine experiment. The passengers can learn from what they lost and attempt to reclaim it, even if history repeats. Those that lost their lives during the test were resurrected, and even though Vance, Grace, Olive, and other non-passengers don’t realize it, their lives will undoubtedly be less complicated after the reset.
It won’t all be rainbows and butterflies. Zeke may have now met Michaela long before his near-death experience in the cave, but he still has to deal with his addiction issues and the guilt over his sister Chloe’s death. The Stone family may have Grandma Karen back, but she still may only have a few years left. And Eden and Hope still have to be born somehow! That’s not even taking into account the many broken families among the minor characters on Flight 828.
Nevertheless, while Zeke and Michaela’s reunion may top the list of magnificent reunions, the meet-cutes for Jared and Drea as well as TJ and Violet were pretty satisfying as well, not to mention the erased marital woes between Ben and Grace. Heck, even Vance still has a nice puzzle to solve with the 11 missing passengers — that ought to keep him busy for awhile! We can even imagine Eagan making some pretty solid investments (and maybe a few sports bets) as he mends his relationship with his parents.
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Over the past few years of enjoying Manifest, there were times when it felt like all of the mysteries were getting in each other’s way, and it didn’t seem possible to tie up all of the loose ends. Now it can be said that, while there still may be some plot holes for those willing to scrutinize, this series has managed to deliver a very solid finale to a uniquely metaphysical sci-fi drama that we won’t soon forget.
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Written by
Michael Ahr|@mikescifi
Michael Ahr is a writer and multimedia producer at Den of Geek with a focus on science fiction television. Elsewhere, he teaches video production to high…
Read more from Michael Ahr
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the realm of science fiction television, particularly the intricate narrative of Manifest, I bring forth my expertise to dissect the intricate layers of the series finale. My understanding goes beyond mere observation; it stems from a profound knowledge of the show's mythology, character arcs, and the underlying metaphysical elements that have been woven into the narrative.
The article in question delves into the conclusion of Manifest's four-season journey, and it's apparent that the author, Michael Ahr, is grappling with the complex interplay of sci-fi elements throughout the series. My extensive knowledge allows me to shed light on these intricacies.
The central question posed in the article revolves around the significance of the five-year time jump that the passengers of Flight 828 experienced. Here, I can elucidate that the temporal leap served as a catalyst for the characters' transformative journeys, pushing them toward redemption, forgiveness, and a heightened sense of benevolence. The author contemplates whether a shorter leap would have sufficed, raising thought-provoking possibilities that resonate with the show's overarching themes.
Ahr explores the thematic importance of forgiveness in the finale, highlighting its equal weight to salvation. Drawing upon earlier seasons, where the concept of Ma’at weighing souls against a feather was introduced, the author connects the dots between character actions, forgiveness, and ultimate salvation. This level of analysis aligns seamlessly with my in-depth understanding of the show's mythological underpinnings.
The article also touches upon the passengers' collective display of unity and moral fortitude, preventing a shadowy archangel from passing judgment based solely on the actions of a few. Drawing parallels to biblical narratives, particularly Noah's flood, the author posits that the divine consciousness was testing humanity for a reset, and the passengers, despite imperfections, emerged with a passing grade.
Furthermore, the journey back to 2013 is framed as a cathartic ending, providing the characters with a second chance. This perspective aligns with my knowledge of the show's themes of redemption and learning from past experiences. The nuanced analysis of individual character arcs, such as Zeke and Michaela's reunion, adds depth to the understanding of the finale.
In conclusion, while acknowledging the potential for plot holes, Ahr recognizes Manifest's ability to deliver a solid finale to a metaphysical sci-fi drama. My expertise allows me to validate and expand upon these insights, offering a comprehensive understanding of the intricate elements woven into the fabric of Manifest's narrative.
