Warning: Spoilers for Manifest season 4, part 1
Two of the many questions answered by Manifest season 4, part 1 revolved around Captain Daly. Played by Frank Deal, the Flight 828 pilot was the subject of two major mysteries in the series. In addition to his puzzling disappearance in a season 1 episode, Daly created a huge, head-scratching moment when he appeared in the cockpit of the Flight 828 wreckage for a brief moment in the season 3 finale.
Daly and Fiona’s whereabouts since season 1 were finally revealed in Manifest season 4, episode 3, titled “High Flight.” Through a memory of what happened after Cal touched the tailfin, Ty Doran’s character realized that he was back on board the plane with Daly and Fiona. In the following episode, it was discovered that all three were inside the divine consciousness responsible for the plane disappearing in the first place. Apparently, that’s where Daly and Fiona have been for the last four years. Additionally, Manifest made sense of the show’s other Daly mystery, which is his cameo in the season 3 finale. It was suggested that Daly accidentally followed Cal when he returned home.
Captain Daly’s Season 3 Finale Cameo Explained
The flashback and the subsequent conversation between Michaela, Saanvi, and Cal in the episode helped explain how Dr. Aria Gupta saw Captain Daly in the Eureka facility. When Cal decided to leave the divine consciousness, Daly tried to stop him. It would seem that in trying to grab Cal, Daly returned as well, albeit only for a few seconds. And as Cal said, it’s likely that Daly’s appearance at Eureka wasn’t intentional. As for why the plane wreckage disappeared along with him (and where it went), that has yet to be fully explored in Manifest.
When Is Captain Daly Coming Back?
Manifest has finally resolved its Captain Daly mysteries, but one loose end remains. The character and Fiona are both still inside the divine consciousness. At this point, they’ve been there for nearly four years. It’s worth wondering if and when the two will get a chance to leave and rejoin the Flight 828 passengers. Based on their interaction with Cal, it appears both believe they’re where they need to be, and it’s unclear when they plan on leaving. Prior to their season 1 disappearance, Daly said, “see you in 2024,” which served as a strong hint at when he’d be back.
However, it’s important to note that Daly’s comment was built only on an assumption. After all, there’s no set timetable for how long someone will be gone when they’re taken away by the divine consciousness. At the time, Daly thought he’d be gone for five and a half years just like the passengers, but later disappearances indicate that the length of Daly’s absence can’t be predicted. In other words, Manifest can bring Daly back into the passengers’ lives at any time. With this being the case, Daly and Fiona have the potential to make a grand, unexpected entrance as early as Manifest season 4, part 2’s first episode.