Warning: SPOILERS for Manifest season 3, episodes 5 and 6.
The major deaths that occurred in Manifest season 3’s double-episode have scary implications for the Flight 828 passengers and their futures. The arc involving Jace (James McMenamin), Kory (DazMann Still), and Pete (Devin Harjez) and their impending Death Date culminated in all three characters dying, plus Tyrique (Warner Miller), who was an unfortunate causality of the conflict. Jace’s death felt inevitable, but what happened to Kory and Pete in particular is bad news for the passengers who are still alive.
Since the beginning of season 3, one of the biggest problems the main characters have encountered is the mysterious resurrection of Jace, Pete, and Kory, the three meth addicts who kidnapped Cal (Jack Messina) at the end of season 2. Jace has remained a villain, while Kory went into hiding and Pete got arrested. Like the Flight 828 passengers, the three started receiving the Callings, which was an early sign that they too would have Death Dates they’d have to face eventually. Since they weren’t dead for very long, their Death Dates came up in Manifest season 3, episodes 5 and 6, which just aired back-to-back. Since they knew from Zeke’s experience in the Manifest season 2 finale that surviving the Death Date is possible if one just follows the Callings correctly, the passengers tried to help them get through it, while also trying to stop Jace from killing people.
Through an ancient story called “The Last Trial”, they came to understand that surviving the Death Date relied on passing a moral test related to the Callings. Apparently, the only way to live was to make the right choice. Jace made the wrong one by trying to kill Michaela (Melissa Roxburgh) and Cal, but both Kory and Pete passed the test by making an effort to stop him. Afterward, Jace died just like they thought he would. His death was followed by a twist in which a shadow-like force killed Kory and Pete as well. The fact that they did what they were supposed to do and died anyway is an ominous sign of things to come for the passengers.
After doing more digging into “The Last Trial”, Olive (Luna Blaise) discovered just prior to their deaths that the test was designed for all three to be judged as a group, not individually. The three people in the mythical story dying because of the actions of one – and the same thing happening to Kory and Pete – means that the key to surviving one’s Death Date is for everyone that shares it to pass the test. Zeke (Matt Long) was able to pull it off because he disappeared and returned by himself, so only his actions determined his fate, but Kory and Pete didn’t share the same luxury. The two of them being brought down by Jace’s mistakes indicates that Ben (Josh Dallas), Cal, Michaela, and Saanvi (Parveen Khaur) can die even if they make all the right decisions.
The problem they face is that they returned as part of such a large group. There are dozens of passengers who they now have to depend on to pass the test when it comes. Knowing each of their lives hinges on every passenger correctly adhering to the Callings is sure to leave them with little hope for the future, as it’ll be difficult to ensure that this happens. For the most part, the main characters have had limited communication with the other passengers, but Manifest’s latest reveal means that they may all have to come together if any of them expects to get past the Death Date.