manifest

29 Aug

Why Netflix Saved Manifest Season 4

Netflix, New DVD releasemanifest, netflix, saved, season

Fans who wished for Manifest season 4 had reason to hope that Netflix would rescue their beloved show, but they might wonder why it took so long to finally make the announcement. After all, the show was in the streaming giant’s top 10 list ever since NBC announced its cancelation. But there may have been more to it than simply picking up the series outright or waiting for a Twitter campaign to prove that the audience was still out there. Obviously, there was a certain amount of negotiation that had to happen behind the scenes between Warner Bros. Television, which…

Read More

07 May

Manifest Season 3 Episodes 7 and 8 Review: Precious Cargo and Destination Unknown

New DVD releasecargo, destination, episodes, manifest, precious, review, season

This Manifest review contains spoilers. Manifest Season 3 Episodes 7 and 8 “Destination Unknown” is an apt title for the latest episode of Manifest because where in the hell are we headed with all this? As nice as it is to have major developments in the investigation into the callings and their origin and purpose, the introduction of sapphire residue may have been a bridge too far. It’s difficult to say with sci-fi dramas how much made-up stuff is too much; for example, the lifeboat idea was a great twist that raised the stakes considerably. But sapphire dust as an…

Read More

30 Apr

Manifest Season 3 Episodes 5 and 6 Review: Water Landing and Graveyard Spiral

New DVD releaseepisodes, graveyard, landing, manifest, review, season, water

This Manifest review contains spoilers. Manifest Season 3 Episodes 5 and 6 It was a smart move to air these two particular episodes of Manifest back-to-back, as it brings the meth-head arc to a close in an unexpected manner and pivots to a whole new way of looking at the death dates and the callings. There were plenty of big moments in “Water Landing” and “Graveyard Spiral” that made the two-hour event worth tuning in for, and the satisfying revelations glossed over some of the flaws that, as usual, come from character motivations that lack believability because of the prophetic…

Read More

23 Apr

Manifest Season 3 Episode 4 Review: Tail Spin

New DVD releaseepisode, manifest, review, season

This Manifest review contains spoilers. Manifest Season 3 Episode 4 There are a few lines of dialogue in this week’s episode of Manifest that encapsulate how the audience must feel at this high point in the series. On the one hand, there’s Michaela being the voice of us all when witnessing Zeke’s cool new empathic powers: “That’s next level!” And as the mysteries pile up and threaten to overwhelm viewers, they might feel that Vance is speaking directly to them when he asks Ben, “How much are you willing to sacrifice to get to the truth?” With the resurrection concept…

Read More

16 Apr

Manifest Season 3: Meet Will Peltz as Levi

New DVD releasemanifest, peltz, season

TJ might be across the ocean for Manifest season 3, but Olive has a new university student to puzzle through the historical artifacts with: her father’s latest research assistant Levi, played by actor Will Peltz. Begrudgingly at first, Levi accepts Olive’s help with all of the Al-Zuras material coming in from TJ’s investigation in Egypt, something she worked on back in season two. The pair seem destined to bond despite their rocky start, and Peltz gave us some insight into the newest character on the show. Peltz welcomed the chance to play a character whose intentions are good despite his…

Read More

16 Apr

Manifest Season 3 Episode 3 Review: Wingman

New DVD releaseepisode, manifest, review, season, wingman

This Manifest review contains spoilers. Manifest Season 3 Episode 3 This week’s Manifest episode had a lot going for it. It had government intrigue (arguably the most fulfilling aspect of the serial story over the past three seasons), a satisfying puzzle-style calling, and a return of the deep historical mythology surrounding Al-Zuras. Some might argue there were too many balls in the air at once, but the overall effect was pretty solid nonetheless. It’s too early in the season to expect answers, but there’s always been a question of what we’re supposed to focus on with so much to speculate…

Read More

09 Apr

Manifest Season 3 Episode 2 Review: Deadhead

New DVD releasedeadhead, episode, manifest, review, season

This Manifest review contains spoilers. Manifest Season 3 Episode 2 Secrets abound in Manifest season 3, and the promise of a payoff when those secrets are revealed is enticing in the extreme. Again, there’s always a few bumpy moments when the callings clunkily manipulate characters into their convenient narratives, but once everyone is in place, the story really has a chance to shine. Even minor details, like the fact that Zeke can read Saanvi’s mental state remarkably well these days, evoke curiosity and wonderment about how these developments will play out. Let’s be real, though; Manifest has the irritating habit…

Read More

02 Apr

Manifest Season 3 Episode 1 Review: Tailfin

New DVD releaseepisode, manifest, review, season, tailfin

This Manifest review contains spoilers. Manifest Season 3 Episode 1 To no one’s surprise, Manifest jumped right back into the action in the season 3 premiere, “Tailfin,” and to its credit, it didn’t spend a lot of time explaining changes that were made to the dynamic of the investigation into Flight 828, opting instead to just show us. Despite continuing to rely a bit too heavily on the narrative conveniences the callings provide, the action continues to move forward, and this opening episode in particular sets up several compelling storylines in very solid fashion. One arc that holds a lot…

Read More

29 Mar

Manifest Season 3 Presents a ‘Fundamental Shift’

New DVD releasefundamental, manifest, presents, season, shift

When a show like Manifest reaches its third season with so much of its central mystery still unsolved, the onus is on the characters and their relationships to keep viewers engaged. If the audience truly cares what happens to the Stone family and those around them, the mythology of the series can build upon that foundation, making it fun, not frustrating, to hatch theories and speculate on the deeper meaning of the callings. At least that’s what showrunner Jeff Rake is counting on when Manifest season 3 returns to NBC on April 1, 2021. Rake credits that emotional complexity for…

Read More