Manifest Review: Duty Free (Season 3 Episode 11)
With only a two-part finale to go, Manifest Season 3 Episode 11, “Duty Free,” makes a good decision to slow down before what can only be a chaotic finale. “Duty Free” explores the relationships and consequences of the Stones and their close ones.
Although some choices I find questionable, Manifest Season 3 has been able to find a mostly stable balance between lore, action, and character development, giving a little bit of something for everyone, unless you’re a shipper — Manifest still hasn’t given too much thought on that front.
This episode does a great job at setting the scene for this season’s endgame, drawing lines, arousing suspicions, and leaving its audience with a suspenseful cliffhanger.
Cal’s presence in this episode fills up some of the space that’s been missing from this season as a whole. He’s merely existed.
“Duty Free” gives Cal the opportunity to take back his agency in this story, which is one of the most exciting parts of this episode, and the cliffhanger leading Manifest into the finale.
It’s strange how Cal has been sidelined this season when before he specifically meant so much to the beginning lore of the show. This still rang true to a degree this season as his voice infiltrated the Meth Heads’ callings, but still a much lesser one.
Unfortunately, this last-minute improvement is paired with Angelina’s plot, one that seems to be culminating to a head as a taxi takes her off to a destination unknown.
Manifest lost Angelina as Season 3 went on, and in the same vein, is at risk for losing its myth arc as well.
Angelina showed promise when first introduced. Manifest could have told an interesting story inspired by the trauma of what her parents did to her due to their religion. Instead, the show leaves much to be desired, essentially making this abandoned girl “crazy” for seemingly no reason.
Some of these plot points could be interesting if led to fruition by different intentions. Instead, all the viewer knows is that she has a “connection” with Eden that’s driving her to do this. And in the penultimate episode, that’s not enough.
Manifest‘s reveals also make the mythology of the show more difficult to understand. On “Duty Free,” we see the more typical Manifest mechanics — the passengers on fire, Cal’s burns, etc., but at the same time, the show (via Angelina) tries to attribute biblical meanings to these events.
The two are trying to exist in the same universe, but the lore behind Manifest isn’t cohesive enough for it to make sense at this point in time. Because if this is all because of God then he has a very particular methodology.
On the other hand, Manifest succeeds with character dynamics and growth on “Duty Free,” giving the time these characters need before the chaos of a finale.
Except for Zeke and Olive, who are both missing in this episode. They are also two of the strongest characters among Manifest‘s roster, which may be why this episode still feels a little bit empty, even despite plenty of content.
Manifest takes the time needed in this episode to let Ben’s family feel the pain or his decisions, as well as allows the Stones times to process Saanvi’s mistakes and what that could mean for their future.
Manifest also includes a disabled character in this storyline, which is a delight to see. Appearing as Ben’s attorney, she’s just that — his attorney. It’s always a great decision to put disabled characters in roles where an abled person could portray it just the same.
“Duty Free” focuses on the dynamics between those who become family because of their callings, and those who stay family despite them.
Even though Manifest is known to stumble at times, it continues to know its strengths.
Sure, we want to know why 828 disappeared for five years. But what keeps us tuning in, and campaigning for a Season 4 renewal, is the connection and love that the Stones have for their family, and how far they’re willing to go to fight for each other.
“Duty Free” is representative of that.
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.