8 Questions That Will (Probably) Never Be Answered on ‘Manifest’

Manifest Season 3 Finale Calling Ben Saanvi 828
Peter Kramer/NBC

After dropping one bombshell after another on us in the Season 3 finale, Manifest was canceled, leaving so much unresolved.

While creator Jeff Rake tweeted that he’s “hoping to find a new home” because “you the fans deserve an ending to your story,” we can’t bank on that happening. So for now, we have to assume that Angelina (Holly Taylor) killing Grace Stone (Athena Karkanis) and stealing baby Eden, Cal (Jack Messina, then Ty Doran) returning as the age he would have been if he hadn’t been on Flight 828 (and therefore disappeared for five and a half years), and Captain Daly (Frank Deal) appearing then disappearing (again) with the plane wreckage is it.

Scroll down for the questions we have about those cliffhangers and more loose threads for Manifest.

Athena Karkanis as Grace Stone, Ty Doran as Older Cal in Manifest - Season 3 Finale
Peter Kramer/NBC

How will Ben and the rest of the Stones handle Grace's death?

Cal was with his mother when she died. Olive (Luna Blaise) was pounding on a locked door, knowing that Angelina was a threat to her family. Ben (Josh Dallas) had a Calling and as a result of that message, knew something happened, but he didn’t know at the end of the episode that his wife was killed.

Jack Messina as Cal Stone in Manifest - Season 3
Peter Kramer/NBC

What happened to Cal?

Cal giving up those years and aging was his “sacrifice,” Rake told TV Insider. But we don’t know quite what he went through exactly or what it means for him going forward. It’s something he did for everyone, not just his family or the passengers.

Manifest Season 3 - Baby Eden and Holly Taylor as Angelina Meyer
Peter Kramer/NBC

Will the Stones get baby Eden back?

Angelina is somewhere with Eden. We can assume that the Stones would have saved her in a fourth season, but what would it have taken for them to do so? And what would Ben have been willing to do, especially after Angelina killed his wife?

Manifest Season 3 Finale 828 Calling Ben Cal Michaela Saanvi
Peter Kramer/NBC

Will the passengers survive their death date?

Zeke (Matt Long), who also returned (but not as part of Flight 828), survived his by following the Callings (and became a sort of empath). But then they all learned that their fates are intertwined when the Meth Heads all died as a result of one of their misdeeds. Considering the 828ers are divided — Eagan (Ali Lopez-Sohaili) has been leading the anti-Ben charge — do they stand a chance?

Manifest Season 3 Finale Jared Michaela Zeke Love Triangle
Peter Kramer/NBC

How will the Jared-Michaela-Zeke love triangle be resolved?

Michaela (Melissa Roxburgh) and Zeke’s marriage may seem to be on the rocks after he witnessed her and her ex Jared (J.R. Ramirez) talking in the finale, but it’s not quite as simple as that. “Michaela is deeply conflicted,” Rake acknowledged, but don’t expect anyone to walk away. If the series had continued, there would have been “much more heartache and tension.”

Manifest Season 3 Finale Captain Daly Flight 828
NBC

Where did Captain Daly and the plane go?

Captain Daly popped back up — in Flight 828’s wreckage in Eureka — in the finale before disappearing again, with the plane. “Captain Daly has been exactly where the passengers as a group were for those five and a half years. Captain Daly has been exactly where Cal was from the end of Episode 312 when he disappears to when he returns right there at the very end of the season finale,” Rake said. “What that place is I’m gonna let Cal speak to that when we come back in Season 4. I’m going to let Ben chew on that and use that information to try to navigate where to go forward.”

Parveen Kaur as Saanvi Bahl in Manifest
Peter Kramer/NBC

Has Saanvi been completely redeemed?

Saanvi (Parveen Kaur) may not have turned herself in for the Major’s (Elizabeth Marvel) murder, but considering she, too, had a Calling — after not having one for quite some time — in the finale, there appears to be hope for her. But was that just the first step for her redemption?

Manifest Season 3 Josh Dallas Ben Stone
Peter Kramer/Warner Brothers/NBC

What exactly is going on?

That’s pretty much what we wondered at the end of every episode of Manifest, as slowly, more and more was revealed about what happened to those on Flight 828 and others who returned from presumed death. And until we have all the answers, it will remain one of our major questions.




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  1. O

    OrangeBike

    Boo for you NBC for leaving us with all the unanswered questions

  2. O

    OrangePopcorn

    We have invested to watch the show weekly and then you are going to hang out to dry with no ending give us a 2 hour ending to give this series a finale.

    1. B

      BlueGrapes

      👍🏻

  3. R

    RobTheBob

    Come on, NBC. Move this series to Peacock and give us the answers we loya l viewers deserve. You did it for "Timeless," so about "Manifest." It's gotten to the point where I don't know which show to invest my time into for fear that this will happen, it gets cancelled with no resolution. I hope we either it gets picked up elsewhere or NBC gives us a true series finale.

  4. G

    GreenSeahorse

    This is why I hate getting vested in these tv shows. At least wrap it up

  5. R

    RedHat

    It’s not fair that we the viewers devote time watching these shows to just leave us hanging. Even though it started going all over the place and not making any sense but come on we deserve an episode to clear it up once and for all. It’s like we should stop watching these shows unless they promise to provide an ending . Not fair at all. Might as well only watch Netflix and give these other networks no time so they can all lose money .. Grrrrrr

  6. B

    BlueSnow

    Last time I will watch this type of show from this network!!!

  7. O

    OrangeCandy

    One word for NBC- Idiots!!!!!

    1. R

      RedWrench

      Yes! They cancel Manifest and leave the disgusting shows on.

  8. B

    BlueGrapes

    It seems the networks really don’t care about viewers who invest time watching their shows if it’s not profitable for them. Shows like Emergence, Debris, and now Manifest leave us hanging without closure. It makes me wonder if shows like Lost or Fringe would have made it in this environment.

  9. P

    PurpleCocktail

    Ok, so you want to cancel a show- At LEAST allow it to have a final few eps to give closure and answer questions for its viewers! I was actually looking forward to the next season! And this is coming from someone who wasn’t too crazy about the first season!

  10. D

    David G

    PUT THIS SHOW ON PEACOCK AND FINISH IT WITH REAL ANSWERS

  11. R

    RedGoggles

    So annoying - I’m

    so tired of getting pulled into these shows and then left hanging; I’m

    sticking to my sitcoms. thank

  12. G

    GoldBlowdryer

    I think that NBC is letting their viewers know that they mean NOTHING to them, and I think that we the viewers should let them know that we will no longer invest our time watching their shows only to be left hanging in the middle of the story line. Streaming services are becoming a more viable option because they don't want to lose viewers, so they pay more attention to what their customers want and quite frankly deserve...

  13. O

    OliveTooth

    I.want.answers.!!!!!! Let Netflix pick it up so we can see a ending, it’s not fair to us the viewer who sat down every week to see this story unfold. These networks are only interested in making the $$$!!!!!! They don’t care about the viewer 😡

  14. P

    PurpleCar

    NBC = Nothing But Cancelled

  15. P

    PurpleTrumpet

    Yet again another show leaving me hanging. I'm tired of networks sucking me in for (3 years in this case) only to decide we as viewers don't deserve an ending. There should be a "what if" contingency plan if after x amount of years a shows ratings drop a way to a least bring closure to the viewers. This is not the case because of the potential for another network or streaming service to pick it up. NBC I am saddened at the decision to cancel the show with so many questions..

  16. O

    OrangeTree

    We need a two hour movie to wrap this up and that doesn't require NBC. The network platform is antiquated. The ratings dropped because viewers like to stream a season in a couple of days, not suffer through hour long weekly episodes riddled with repetitive commercials. Netflix may not pick up the series, but a film is possible. Here's hoping.

  17. O

    OliveTooth

    How does Ben have so much free time to solve mysteries. He doesn't have a job but lives in a nice home. How does he pay bills or buy groceries and clothes. At least tell viewers he's on medical leave or disability. He's full time solving mysteries with no source of income.

  18. O

    OliveBeer

    Money doesn't care. They used viewers to get it, they got it and now they're out. Thoughts about viewers, cast and crew are not a consideration. They banked on our time effort and energy and it paid off for them. Very sad that more and more this is becoming the norm. People need closure...it does not matter that it's a television program.

  19. B

    BlueTooth

    NBC doesn't care about their viewers so I say we stop caring about them and boy-cot their station! This is ridiculous and I'm tired of investing my time into shows just for them to be canceled! 🤬🤬🤬

  20. G

    GreenBee

    It’s so annoying to invest time watching a show and have no closure to the story! There needs to be a finale of some kind to end the story.

  21. B

    BlueBox

    Guys don't get so sad about it after I watched it, it showed "its official a new season is coming" So there is nothing to worry about! New season is coming soon maybe next year or by the end of the year. 👍

  22. C

    CyanPumpkin

    I have been a devoted viewer of manifest, so how dare NBC end it without answers, and justice for the Stone family. Angelina needs to be brought to justice, and Cal needs to realize how he helped Angelina destroy his own family. Please give us a better finale !!!!

  23. C

    CyanBasketball

    So I guess we should only watch movies, because they “usually” have a start and an end.

  24. B

    BlueLocomotive

    If NBC keeps doing this ( they did the same with Revolution), I'm really just going to stop watching NBC new shows.

  25. O

    OrangeDog

    I would really like to have Manifest be brought back. I really looked forward to each episode.

  26. G

    GoldCocktail

    As a viewer from England, I’m really disappointed with NBC. I’ve watched manifest from the beginning, paying extra to be able to download it so I can watch over here.

    To just cancel the show without thought for their viewers is a really crappy thing to do. All about the cash! I’m pretty sure they’ll lose a lot of viewers in America.

  27. R

    RedCupcake

    You know, as viewers we invest time in these programs over the seasons. For the network it’s all about the money, but we the viewer are invested in the story. Sure, it’s just a TV show, But faithful viewers deserve the satisfaction of a conclusion to any TV series if they have watched. Come on NBC, wrap this one up even if it’s just a two hour series finale.

  28. P

    PurpleRing

    That’s not the finale anymore we’re getting a real one. Season four is back with a whole 20 episodes

  29. P

    PurpleRing

    Just don’t watch it then if you don’t like it. A lot of other people do let them enjoy it. A lot of people are upset that it was cancelled including me and they brought it back to Netflix and I could for one and not be happier since I heard that it was coming back. So far has not disappointed I basically binged nine episodes and it hasn’t even been the end of November 5 yet and it just came back on the fourth

  30. P

    PurpleRing

    It’s back you can watch it right now 👍

  31. P

    PurpleRing

    Everyone. They brought it back to Netflix for season four which is out now. A whopping total of 20 episodes in two parts!

  32. P

    PurpleRing

    It’s not on peacock but it’s on Netflix

  33. P

    PurpleRing

    You won’t need to be hanging anymore it came back

  34. P

    PurpleRing

    But it’s back you can give it another chance

  35. P

    PurpleRing

    The questions will get answered it came back to Netflix 😊 for an extra long final season of 20 whole episodes

  36. P

    PurpleRing

    Don’t worry Netflix did pick it up you can watch part 1 of season four out now that’s in two parts of 20 episodes total

  37. P

    PurpleRing

    Netflix gave us another season of 20 episodes an hour each

  38. P

    PurpleRing

    The show came back we will get closure

  39. P

    PurpleRing

    But it’s back on Netflix now you can watch the rest of it and get your questions answered

  40. P

    PurpleRing

    It came back though now on Netflix and it’s out for season four part one. An extra long season of 20 episodes into parts

  41. P

    PurpleRing

    But it came back now it’s on Netflix for six season four

  42. P

    PurpleRing

    It moved to Netflix and Netflix is going to answer them. The season four part 1 is out now. They’re giving us an extra long season of 20 episodes

  43. P

    PurpleRing

    But it came back there’s a new season four out on Netflix now. So Someone does care.

  44. G

    GoldCocktail

    I hope they find a way for Grace to return as in a vision or calling. But to let Angelina get away with everything she's done. She's done sunk the "lifeboat". I'm okay with Cal aging up but not knowing his Mom was going to be killed by someone HE wanted to help.

  45. B

    BlueLocomotive

    Bring manifest back please!!! Catch Anjelica, and put her in jail !!! Like the baby be found and safe with powers stronger than any passenger who survived !!!

  46. G

    GoldRing

    Stop watching Networks. Only stick to streaming, it's the future of TV watching now. Networks are the past.

  47. G

    GreenCarrot

    Like, COME ON!!!!!!! I have spent the past three years watching this show, and I am not even entitled to an explanation??? I just want ONE MORE episode that can explain all of our questions!! We deserve it. NBC, you cant leave me hanging dry like that. It's like NBC does not care about us. If you are going to cancel a show, THEN end it with a few final episodes explaining everything. That's ALL I'm asking for. Honestly!!!! I mean, at this point its just some bad work from the producers. The companies don't care about you or the shows, it just all about money, as someone said here.

    By: LORYN ANNE COLFAX

  48. G

    GreenCarrot

    It angers me that Olive tried so hard to save her mother from angelina, but failed.

  49. G

    GreenPalmtree

    I think Ben should talk o Netflix and nbc he’s so convincing I would love to keep watching my show

  50. G

    GoldTeepee

    Networks are all about the money (advertisers based on show ratings) but there has to be a balance! You are training viewers not to even start watching a show for fear it won’t be allowed to finish. They should at least allow a final episode. I really hope a steaming service picks this show up! On another note, Angel continued its storyline in graphic novels….

  51. G

    GoldWheel

    Yes! So many unanswered questions. However, I don't quite understand Jeff Rake's comments about Cal. Yes, he sacrificed himself by touching the tail and returned when the tail went back into the ocean, so why is he older? It's as if he never traveled through time in the first place?? Number two, I don't get the whole tail fin from this season. It WAS in the ocean supposedly all this time unti it was recovered at the beginning of the season. If it was never recovered what would that have meant for Cal? Staying the same age? Number 3, the pilot disappeared in a private plane. If Cal returned in the same clothes he disappeared in and returned his older age, why didn't the pilot return as he did when he piloted into the storm in the private plane? Why did his former self return? SOmeone elsewhere mentioned an alternate universe and they have somehow merged into one confused timeline!

  52. C

    CyanBucket

    I think Manefest Needs to continue

  53. O

    OrangePopcorn

    This is annoying. I'm not even going to watch the series finale. Booooo NBC.

  54. G

    GoldPopsicle

    there is going to be a s4 now thanks to netflix!

  55. P

    PurpleScooter

    Why are people so upset about this garbage? I am upset I stuck to it knowing where it was headed. I truly hope they don’t consider another season, it will be just wasted TV time and I would hate to see it pop-up on Netflix like everything else. Is there a way I can block it for good?

  56. P

    PurpleScooter

    So what about this theory: CAL is the one who stabbed his mother as some sort of redemption to save everyone? He did say “I will always be your little boy”

  57. B

    BlueLocomotive

    Some of the worst acting I’ve ever seen ! It’s a wonder it lasted one season

    1. C

      CyanDog

      Three seasons, dude. It was on for three seasons. And viewers deserve answers.