Netflix's biggest promise for Manifest season 4 has been fulfilled. While fans were understandably elated at the idea of the canceled NBC series getting new life on Netflix, there were some reservations about what the move to a streaming platform would mean for Manifest's final season. However, remarks made by showrunner Jeff Rake built hope that changes would be minimal.
For many shows, a series moving from network TV to Netflix can be a huge adjustment in more ways than one. In addition to the benefit of a larger budget, Netflix shows aren't held back by the same restrictions as network television in terms of how mature it can get with its material. It gives shows the freedom that networks like NBC, ABC, FOX, and CBS can't offer when it comes to violence, nudity, and language. With Manifest getting a chance to tell the final chapter of its story on the streaming service, it was afforded the same opportunity that other canceled shows brought back by Netflix have received in the past.
Manifest Season 4 Stills Feels Like The Same Show
Because of the Netflix move, Manifest could have come back as a darker and much more mature series for its final season - but that didn't happen. Episodes were admittedly a bit longer, but the content hardly differed from what the show was before. This approach wasn't surprising when taking Rake's promises for season 4 into consideration. Following the confirmation that Netflix would save the show, Rake provided assurance that when it returned, Manifest would feel like the same series viewers had become accustomed to [via THR]. The release of the first batch of ten episodes proved the show's commitment to remaining unchanged.
Apart from the longer episode runtimes, one could watch Manifest season 4 with the sense that the series never actually left NBC. Its violence was at a similar level to what was shown on NBC druing Manifest's first three seasons, it steered clear of f-bombs, and a few uses of "s***t" was the further Manifest was willing to go when it comes to profanity.Rather than take advantage of it no longer being on NBC, Manifest made only minor changes to the show that could easily have gone unnoticed.
Manifest Didn't Need To Change
The warm reception to Manifest season 4, part 1 is indicative of the series making the right call. The series would have risked a jarring change in direction it featured any sudden shifts in the tone or the content, which is why it was for the best that Manifest maintained the feel of the three previous seasons. After all, there was never any real need for it to become a darker show. What fans had been clamoring for when asking for Manifest season 4 to happen on Netflxi was the return of the show they already loved, which is the very reason why it was so important that the show finish its story without deviating from the formula that made it so popular in the first place.