Manifest Review: Tailfin (Season 3 Episode 1)

After a wait that feels like five years, Manifest is finally back with its third season premiere.

Manifest Season 3 Episode 1, “Tailfin,” picks up a little after we last left off — Ben is in Cuba, Michaela is in Costa Rica, and the Meth Heads are out of the lake, but more importantly alive. Just as quickly as Season 2 winded down, Season 3 takes no prisoners (except Vance) as it launches ahead at full speed. 

Manifest‘s premiere is confident and declares that it hasn’t lost any of its heart or soul, as the Stone family conquers the new threats that face them more together than ever, even if they’re hundreds of miles apart. 

And finally, our biggest question is answered: Can the Stones can stomach flying in an airplane ever again after 828? At least the Stones are self-aware. 

After a new passenger and a new calling brings the Stones together, and Manifest‘s premiere gradually begins to introduce a thematic element that isn’t new to Manifest but becomes even more focal in its new season — faith, in many forms. 

The newest passenger of the focus of Michaela and Ben’s attention, Angelina, is entrenched in this deeply. With a tragic combination of the callings and traditionally religious parents, she’s a victim of the war between the unexplained. 

Angelina is a physical symbol of the battle that the Stones and other 828ers must now face, now closer to the truth of their appearance than ever before. In fact, with the additional lore revealed in “Tailfin,” Manifest appears to be a biblical story of its own.

The correlation is there, even if you have to squint a little at first. 

The survivors of 828 act as prophets or biblical figures, following the commands of some force not understood. This TV show is shaping up to be the next testament for a new millennium. And if that’s the case — Jeff Rake has a plan and executes it much more fluid than seasons before. 

“Tailfin” does a fantastic job at interweaving its different plot lines, tying them together with faith. While lore and supernatural elements are essential to this story, at its heart, Manifest is a story about family.

Even as the Stones are scattered across the continents, what stands out most is how they’re able to collaborate to save Angelina’s life. 

Seemingly to make sure the audience gets the point, Michaela and Ben speak in a scene that brings up religion word for word, but if anything is to be taken from this dialogue, it’s the Stones’ resolve to figure out what the callings mean together.

Ben and the others can’t believe in the fabric of their reality, or the belief system instilled in them their whole lives, but there is still one thing they continuously choose to believe in and it’s each other.

Perhaps it’s this element from “Tailfin” that hits the hardest and keeps its viewers engrossed emotionally in the arcs that play out over the seasons. 

Manifest feels the most like itself in “Tailfin,” finally finding the perfect balance between mythos, actions, goofiness, and emotion. This balance lets Manifest‘s heart shine, detracting some of the issues Manifest has had in the past, such as character likeability and lagging plot. 

The character dynamics are some of the most enjoyable aspects of “Tailfin,” which is a step up from the previous season. Manifest can sometimes be frustrating when it comes to the choices characters make, but “Tailfin” seems to take the best parts of each one and maxed out those attributes. 

Zeke and Michaela work seamlessly with each other, keeping shippers happy. The couple proves that internal drama isn’t required for a leading couple, while also subverting typical protagonist tropes as Michaela takes the lead and Zeke naturally follows her lead. Manifest, keep this up.

Zeke also has a refreshing relationship with Cal. The two’s bond has become one of the highlights of the show, an anchoring relationship that helps flesh out Zeke beyond being a protagonist’s love interest.

His dynamic with Saanvi is also unexpected, but also necessary as her previous primary scene-partner Ben has been MIA from that friendship. 

Another notable relationship highly of “Tailfin” includes Vance’s decision to stay back in Cuba, showing his faith in Ben and their operation. Vance knows Ben almost better than he knows himself, and him sacrificing himself for Ben is a perfect driving motive to push Ben into the action of the season.

And if I were giving out Manifest awards, Olive would win the most valuable player trophy.

She’s struggled over the seasons, but “Tailfin” sees her at her best. She is ready to help her family in any way, coming a long way from the resentment she used to harbor.

Olivia has been neglected as a character in the past, but “Tailfin” does put in the effort to make her an active and valuable player in the episode’s mysteries. 

Side Note: Does anybody else love that secret base of operations at Saanvi’s clinic?

“Tailfin” sees the Stone family at their best, but the question that stands is if they can remain this way as the explorations of the mythos shake the ground they thought they stood on. 

This Season 3 premiere sets the season off to a great start, re-establishing the Stone dynamic and widening their family, while not being afraid to pull some emotional punches either.

The one exception to the warm and supporting vibes the Stone family puts out, Saanvi exists on the other end of the spectrum as the stand-out chaotic energy of the show. She will continue to do so as long as she doesn’t allow herself to be helped. It’s a great contrast to the rest of the 828 family. 

And with a cast at its strongest, heartfelt relationships, and an attention-grabbing mythos, Manifest continues to stand out as a fun and nail-biting supernatural drama with “Tailfin.” 

What did you think of the season three premiere of Manifest? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Manifest airs Thursdays at 8/7c on NBC.

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