The entertainment landscape has undergone monumental shifts in the last 20 years. The advent of streaming platforms and on-demand services has disrupted the traditional dominance of television networks. A vivid illustration of this dynamic change is the saga of the sci-fi series, Manifest. Despite being popular among the sci-fi audience, Manifest was unceremoniously discontinued after three seasons on NBC. This left the show’s loyal fan base hanging in suspense, deprived of the climax they had eagerly anticipated.
The rise of streaming platforms like Netflix, however, has altered the dynamics of the industry, allowing for shows with niche audiences to find a second life. In a move demonstrating this change, Netflix, recognizing an opportunity, added Manifest to its platform soon after the series’ cancellation. This move proved to be a masterstroke as viewing figures for the series skyrocketed, leading to the platform renewing the series for a final season. This conclusion was divided into two sections, the first of which premiered in November 2022, and the second, recently concluded. The show’s unique combination of sci-fi and religious motifs created a complex, mesmerizing narrative. The ending may have left some viewers puzzled, hence the need for a comprehensive breakdown of its core elements.
A Brief Retrospective
Manifest is best described as a blend of the intriguing and the fantastical. The show’s storyline revolves around passengers and crew on board Montego Air Flight 828 who experience severe turbulence before landing in New York. The twist in the tale is that upon landing, the passengers discover that an inexplicable five and a half years have elapsed since they took off. This bizarre event disrupts their lives, forcing them to adapt to a world that has moved on without them.
In a further twist, the survivors begin to experience supernatural “callings,” leading them to people and situations of importance. The government, under the auspices of the NSA, initiates an investigation into these strange events, with their own undisclosed agenda. As the enigma unfolds, the passengers realize that they are hurtling towards an impending death day, a revelation that heightens the tension over the series’ first three seasons.
Dissecting the Finale’s Central Concept
Consistent with the convoluted narrative of Manifest, the much-anticipated finale offers up numerous surprises, with the passengers’ callings guiding them to the original plane’s unexpected reappearance. As the passengers embark on what becomes their final journey, they uncover the true significance of their shared experience.
The show reveals that the callings experienced by the passengers, as well as the events that followed their initial landing, were part of a test. This divine examination granted them extraordinary abilities and placed them in situations where they could aid others and seek atonement. They also learned that their prophesied death day could be circumvented.
Unraveling the Supernatural Aspects
Throughout the series, an otherworldly power seems to bind the Flight 828 passengers together. By the final episode, it’s apparent that the mysterious happenings have divine connotations. The finale introduces a celestial entity, and the culmination of the series is indicative of a story of redemption. The passengers are presented with a chance to reflect on their past actions and seek salvation to survive their death day.
As the end approaches, the passengers plead for forgiveness, with their sincerity determining their fate. The majority are spared, but for 11 passengers, their judgement is sealed, and they meet their end. For the survivors, the series offers up its biggest surprise. They return to the date and time of their original landing, effectively erasing the previous five years and restoring the timeline to its original state before the series’ inception.
Exploring the Underlying Themes and Symbolism
This temporal reset results in a poignant return to the past, offering the characters a second chance. Given the wisdom gleaned from their callings, the main characters are now armed with a newfound appreciation for their lives and loved ones. The finale infers clear religious underpinnings to the mysterious forces at play, a point further illustrated by Den of Geek’s analysis of the series’ ending.
“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….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”
The religious imagery, biblical references, and themes of judgement, atonement, and salvation are significant motifs throughout the series.
The conclusion of Manifest gave its dedicated fans the closure they craved. Netflix’s revival allowed for the series’ originally envisioned conclusion to be realized, albeit at a quicker pace as the series was initially slated for six seasons. Fans will undoubtedly appreciate Netflix’s commitment to providing a conclusion.
Intriguingly, the finale hints at the possibility of spin-offs. Manifest’s narrative journey underscores the premature cancellation of many remarkable shows. Netflix’s intervention proves that such cancellations no longer signify the end for quality series, as the evolving dynamics of the industry open up new avenues for their resurrection.
