NBC’s Manifest, starring Josh Dallas and Melissa Roxburgh, is one of the most anticipated pilots of the fall TV season. Here’s a quick low-down on the show:
When Montego Air Flight 828 landed safely after a turbulent but routine flight, the crew and passengers were relieved. But in the span of those few hours, the world had aged five years — and after mourning their loss, their friends, families, and colleagues had given up hope and moved on. Now, faced with the impossible, they’re all given a second chance. But as their new realities become clear, a deeper mystery unfolds, and some of the returned passengers soon realize they may be meant for something greater than they ever thought possible.
At first glance, the premise is intriguing as there are a lot of aspects that can be explored. However, after watching the pilot, I’m not sure exactly where I stand on the show. I didn’t hate the first episode, but I also didn’t find myself completely enamored either. I feel like I need to give it a few more episodes as I have lots of questions that need to be answered about the future direction of the show. With that being said, here are three questions I have after the pilot premiere.
1. What made the plane disappear?
I am not usually one for sci-fi shows, but this is the question I’m easily most intrigued by. How did severe turbulence result in the plane disappearing and then re-appearing five and a half years later? Why didn’t the “weather pattern” show up on the monitors? Was this anomaly a reaction to something the pilots did as they hit turbulence? Was it the result of a higher power? So many questions, so many theories. I’ll be curious to see the mythology behind this aspect of the story unfold.
2. WTF are these supernatural abilities?
After Ben and Michaela return home five years later, they soon start hearing mysterious voices that send them off to do seemingly good deeds, like find twin girls who were abducted a few days earlier. Right now, the whole thing seems way too over-the-top; I had no idea I was tuning into a show that was also part procedural. If it can find the right balance of sci-fi/procedural for this aspect of the plot, then maybe the show can keep me on board as a fan.
3. How will the other survivors of Montego Air Flight 828 play into the story?
At the end of the pilot, we get some tease that this story will not just be limited to Michaela, Ben and Ben’s son, Cal, but will also include some of the other passengers onboard that flight. This is the part of the story I’m least intrigued by. When they brought Saanvi into Cal’s storyline it was predictable, and I honestly could care less. I’m concerned all of these other passengers being brought into the storyline will get overwhelming and there will be less development in other areas. Regardless, it’s clear this is the angle they are going with so we will just have to see how everything unfolds.
What did you guys think of Manifest? What questions do you have? Let me know in the comments below!
Manifest airs Mondays at 10/9 c on NBC.