Manifest may have brought back TJ, but it’s yet to fulfill its biggest promise regarding the character. After playing a pivotal role in the passengers’ journey in Manifest season 2, TJ suddenly departed the series and remained out of the picture throughout season 3. It wasn’t until the last few episodes of Manifest season 4, part 1 that the show finally brought Garret Wareing’s character back into the equation.
TJ’s return to Manifest should enable the character to take part in the passengers’ final trials. Having been absent for so long, TJ missed out on a number of key developments, but should be on hand for what comes next. That would make sense, considering that TJ’s historical knowledge should make him relevant to the episodes to come. As evidenced by the show’s exploration of the Omega Sapphire concept, events and people tied to ancient history are vital to the show’s mythos. Along with Olive, TJ can assist Ben and the others in uncovering more secrets about the Callings, the divine consciousness, the Death Date, and potentially, Cal’s destiny as the Dragon.
TJ Was Supposed To Solve The Al-Zuras Mystery
TJ’s return is a good move for the show’s final season, but it doesn’t resolve his season 2 ending. His goodbye scene with Olive promised that not only would TJ return to the show, but he would come back with answers to the Al-Zuras mystery. After all, the point of TJ leaving in the first place was to research the 16th-century explorer, who was said to be from Egypt. Offscreen, TJ provided the passengers with the Egyptian papyrus in season 3, but has yet to contribute anything meaningful to their understanding of the Al-Zuras debacle. Based on his intentions at the end of season 2, it made sense that he would have another piece of the puzzle to add, but that didn’t happen.
Fortunately, there’s still room for Manifest to pay off this tease. TJ didn’t reveal any more details about Al-Zuras when he returned, but that doesn’t mean he hit a brick wall. It’s important to note that the passengers had other, more pressing matters to be concerned with when TJ was around. Cal’s illness and the search for the Omega Sapphire understandably took precedence over other issues, which would explain TJ not going into detail on how his investigation into Al-Zuras went in Egypt.
What TJ Can Reveal About Al-Zuras
Of course, if TJ did learn anything game-changing about Al-Zuras, it stands to reason that it already would have been mentioned. However, it’s possible that he picked up a clue or two that can help them find the answers they seek. TJ could potentially know the location of an object or document connected to Al-Zuras. The show heading in this direction is certainly plausible, considering that Manifest carefully avoided explaining what happened to Al-Zuras when it discussed his past in season 2. It may be that in the ten years Al-Zuras endured prior to his Death Date, he and his crew solved one or more of Manifest’s biggest mysteries. If TJ can lead them in retracing Al-Zuras’ steps, they may be able to discover a path toward saving the Lifeboat.