Manifest Review: Upgrade (Season 1 Episode 14)
Manifest Season 1 Episode 14, “Upgrade,” has several twists and turns, but manages to stay pretty level when it comes to surprises.
First, let’s talk Jared and Michaela. We all knew the fact that they’d slept together would come out eventually, it was just a question of how. It’s disappointing to see Lourdes confront Michaela like this and to quickly reach her decision to leave. Lourdes is Michaela’s friend, and we saw previously that she spent five years leaving messages to a ghost.
While yes, their friendship is now complicated because she married Jared it feels like a missed opportunity to explore their friendship.
Michaela has also seemed to have taken a back seat to her brother Ben. Ben is much more invested in what’s going on with the passengers. I’ve commented before about how Ben’s storyline feels more natural because of his family and his attachment to them.
It’s harder to find that way in with Michaela. She’s a great way to introduce us into the world, but it’s harder to sustain that way in especially when a whole portion of Michaela’s return is rooted in a relationship she doesn’t (or didn’t) want to ruin.
Ben, on the other hand, is ready to protect his family, and on “Upgrade,” it goes beyond just his family. He seeks out and feels responsible for Adrian’s actions and The Church of the Returned.
With all the crazy theories about the passengers, it isn’t hard to believe that what they are would be a polarizing issue. We already saw in Manifest Season 1 Episode 13, “Cleared for Approach,” a bit about the Anti-828ers, now we have a church that worships them.
The rise of this church isn’t new, and neither is the one member who believes that Saanvi could be the one to cure her husband. It’s terrifying to see Saanvi in a hostage situation like this. She’s a doctor and knows there is no way she can possibly help this patient.
This plot is surprisingly middling. It doesn’t do much in the way of plot advancement and just serves to put Saanvi in danger to talk a little bit about what brought her to Jamaica. Saanvi is a character that deserves to have her background unpacked, but this wasn’t the way to do it.
I am confident that they are setting up for a proper Saanvi storyline because I truly believe she deserves one.
Cal’s visions are another plot point in this episode. As much as the audience has been intrigued by Cal’s callings we never really unpacked what they’re like for Cal. Cal is a child who can do extraordinary things, but he is also a kid and we haven’t seen what all of this looks like to him.
His relationship with Zeke unnerves me though, and I am a little worried about how easily Zeke is being accepted. I can see a case for why it isn’t strange, but I think everyone is a little too trusting of him.
In the end, “Upgrade,” is an underwhelming episode of Manifest. I am sure it sets up for something more, but there isn’t much advancement to any particular plot or story.
Stray Thoughts:
- Reanimated man? Not where I thought the wolf calling was going.
- I am a little concerned the Major is going to lose her weight. It was a very interesting set up because we didn’t know who she was, but now that we have some insight into her operation showing us too much too soon (or showing up too much without advancing the plot) may make this villain tired.
- Ben’s anger at what Adrian has done is a very crucial part of this episode, and it’s slightly terrifying. This church might prove to be just as much as a threat as The Major.
What did you think of this episode of Manifest? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Lauren Busser
Lauren Busser is an Associate Editor at Tell-Tale TV. She is a writer of fiction and nonfiction whose work has appeared in Bitch Media, Popshot Quarterly, Brain Mill Press Voices, and The Hartford Courant.