Manifest Review: Wingman (Season 3 Episode 3)
Manifest Season 3 Episode 3, “Wingman,” ups the anty, bringing the Stones closer to their answers, while planting seeds of potential threats begin to sprout in the background.
Manifest does a great job at creating interesting intricate connections and does so more than ever with the callings that afflict the 828s in “Wingman.” This episode also expands on the ways the Meth Heads cope with their second chances and how their enemies help allow them these newfound chances.
Despite its bumps, “Wingman” ends on a dramatic note with an excellent tease and the frustrating loss of a clue that could have led to some real answers, leaving us at the edge of our seats.
Callings remain complicated on Manifest, especially with the revelation that they may not be the only ones chasing them — also, not the best. This is an interesting premise but lessened by the predictability of Eagan’s ulterior motives.
Eagan feels like one of those characters who will disappear for a while, only to reappear again later in the season. Even if he’s not exactly aligned with the Stones, his memory could turn out to be useful, so this storyline isn’t a complete bummer.
It also brings about a change for one of the Meth Heads, Kory. While it is likely that his heart will have a change in direction thanks to the reunion with his mother and brother, this aspect of “Wingman” feels poorly put together.
This story seems to exist to juxtapose against Jace, the sole Meth Head resisting against the callings’ will, and offers of a second chance. The callings as a whole are a character of its own, exerting and making its will known to the people it resurrects.
And for all the expectations the callings have for the 828ers — the callings don’t have much morality. Eagan is led to steal while leaving Ben at risk.
Michaela is led to eventually take in her best friend’s ailing mother. But if the calling had happened minutes earlier, could have her husband Glen been saved in the first place?
While Manifest continues to double down on belief systems and ideas held by most religious communities, Manifest‘s ‘God’ certainly doesn’t seem to have a morality compass itself, which could be a reflection that won’t make some people happy.
Despite the larger questions at play, “Wingman” still feels like a puzzle coming together, except the pieces paint a blank image.
Manifest is really good at this, and one of the most fun parts about this show is how these characters wind up being where they need to be on the hunt to find out how the rest of their lives will unfold.
This show can do mythos. And the way Manifest finds ways to link its mysteries to ancient Egypt has a spirit of adventure to it.
But amidst the adventure, Manifest can’t not also introduce another love interest for its only teen on the show.
And it does. He’s weird and cute and looks a lot like TJ. There’s potential for it to work out, even if it’s on the line of being too convenient. But first and foremost, it gives Olive an attachment to the lore and a role outside the one of support she plays for her reappeared family.
All in all, “Wingman” is an episode that has fun in the most Manifest way, while still giving us a taste of what’s to come for the rest of the season.
Manifest continues to dig deeper thematically as the subject material narrows in on the matter of faith. It really feels like maybe there will be at least a little bit of an answer soon.
But, there’s a point where a slow burn fizzles out.
An episode like “Wingman” could have done more to push forward in its overarching mysteries and wasted less time on relationships such as Grace and her step-brother, something we can’t be too invested in anyway. Or wasted less time on the stories of the Meth Heads, who have overstayed their welcome.
Or maybe that was just a killer cliffhanger. What does Vance see? What did you think of this episode 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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Amanda Reimer
In addition to working as a freelance writer, Amanda also works with animals and stage manages various live performances. She has an invested interest in the perspective and experience of fandoms as well as anything in the science-fiction genre. She also loves spoiling her cats, Drummer and Kiki.