The film and television industries have undergone dramatic transformations over the past two decades. With the emergence of streaming services and the dominance of on-demand content, traditional television networks have lost the control they once had.
Manifest serves as a prime example of how a show that might have once faded into obscurity due to cancellation found new life in a changing entertainment environment.
Despite having a devoted fanbase among sci-fi enthusiasts, the series was unexpectedly canceled after three seasons on NBC, leaving its audience without the conclusion they had eagerly awaited.
Flight 828’s return unravels a five-year mystery (Photo: Manifest/Compari Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television)Netflix recognized the potential in reviving shows with dedicated followings, and Manifest became one such project. Shortly after its cancellation, the series arrived on the platform, where its viewership numbers surged, finally leading to a renewal for a final season.
This concluding installment was split into two parts, with the first debuting in November 2022 and the second arriving later. The show explored surreal and thought-provoking themes that merged science fiction with religious elements.
For those who found the finale somewhat perplexing, here’s a breakdown of its key aspects.
A Quick Recap
For those unfamiliar with Manifest, it is best described as a series filled with intrigue and surreal twists. The show immediately hooks viewers with a premise that is both mysterious and compelling.
At the heart of the story is Montego Air Flight 828, which, after experiencing severe turbulence, finally lands in New York. However, something extraordinary has taken place.
Upon arrival, the passengers and crew discover that more than five years have elapsed since their departure, even though no time seemed to pass for them while in the air. This shocking revelation forces those aboard to reintegrate into a world that has moved on without them.
This situation creates several dramatic complications. Siblings Michaela and Ben learn that their mother has passed away during their unexplained absence.
Meanwhile, twins Cal and Olive find themselves in an unprecedented predicament—since only one of them was on the flight, Olive has aged five years, while Cal remains the same age as when they first boarded.
Matters take an even stranger turn when the returning passengers begin experiencing inexplicable “callings”—visions and supernatural connections that inexplicably link them to certain people and events.
As time goes on, the mystery surrounding the flight gains the attention of the NSA, which launches an investigation. However, it soon becomes apparent that the government has ulterior motives for keeping tabs on the passengers.
The deeper they dig, the more they uncover a chilling truth: their return comes with a predetermined fate—one that seemingly dictates that they will all face death on an appointed day.
The first three seasons build toward this looming “death day,” keeping the characters and audience on edge as they await what is to come.
The Finale’s Main Premise
True to its style, Manifest delivered a final episode packed with unexpected revelations and mind-bending twists. By the end, the characters’ callings all converge, leading them to a location where the original plane makes a shocking reappearance.
They board it once again, embarking on a journey that reveals the true nature of everything they have been through. The entire experience they have shared—every vision, every supernatural occurrence—turns out to be a form of test.
They were given special abilities and placed in situations that challenged them to assist others and confront their own past actions. Through these trials, they come to understand that the death day was never set in stone—it was something that could be altered through redemption and the choices they made.
The Supernatural Elements
Throughout the series, an unseen force appeared to be guiding the passengers of Flight 828, orchestrating events with an ultimate purpose.
By the time the finale arrives, it becomes evident that their journey is tied to divine intervention. Early on, glimpses of an enigmatic light aboard the plane hinted at something beyond human comprehension.
As the story spreads out, the passengers’ experiences suggest they have been subjected to a test of faith, one in which they must confront their past mistakes and seek redemption if they hope to escape their grim fate. The appearance of a celestial figure, resembling an angel or reaper, further reinforces this theme of divine reckoning.
A Fate That Can Be Changed
For most of the show, it seemed inevitable that the passengers would be powerless against the death day. However, the finale reveals that salvation is possible.
Those who sincerely seek redemption and make amends for their past actions are spared. Not all, however, are able to change their fate—11 individuals face judgment and are “reaped,” their destinies sealed.
Just when it seems the story has reached its peak, an even greater twist emerges. Those who manage to avoid their predetermined fate remain on the plane as it continues its flight.
When it finally touches down, the passengers realize that they have returned to the moment they originally left, as if the past five years had never transpired. This shocking turn of events erases the timeline in which they had been missing, restoring everything to its original state.
Deeper Themes and Symbolism
This development leads to a series of deeply emotional moments. Since their disappearance never technically happened, the lives of the main characters remain unchanged—except for the fact that they now possess the wisdom gained from their supernatural ordeal.
Ben and Michaela’s mother is still alive, while Cal and Olive no longer face the age gap that once separated them. Each of the returning passengers now carries a renewed appreciation for their loved ones, having come to understand the true value of the people in their lives.
Despite the reset, mysteries remain. The individuals who failed to survive the death day are now categorized as missing persons, prompting fresh investigations by the NSA.
The show makes it clear that a higher power has played a role in shaping events, with religious themes interwoven throughout its storytelling.
Den of Geek analyzed these thematic elements in its review of the finale, stating:
“One of the most satisfying aspects of the Manifest finale was the realization that forgiveness was equally as important to salvation as doing good…
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.
Callings haunt passengers with supernatural visions (Photo: Manifest/Compari Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television)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.”
Throughout the series, biblical references play a major role, from scriptural verses to the luminous presence in the sky, all reinforcing the overarching religious allegory.
The passengers’ experiences parallel stories of judgment, repentance, and salvation, emphasizing themes of moral reckoning and redemption.
Netflix’s decision to revive Manifest ensured that devoted viewers received the closure they had long anticipated. Though the show was originally designed to span six seasons, the final installment, while somewhat condensed, still managed to deliver a complete ending.
Fans remain appreciative that the platform stepped in to allow the series to conclude properly. There is even the possibility that Manifest could continue in another form. The finale left certain doors open, suggesting that a spin-off could explore new storylines.
The show stands as yet another reminder that premature cancellations can often leave compelling stories unfinished. Fortunately, with streaming services offering a second chance to many such projects, the fate of beloved shows is no longer as final as it once seemed.
