‘Manifest’ Season 1, Episode 9 ‘Dead Reckoning’ Recap: A Trail of Loose Ends

After weeks of grueling Marko Polo on Manifest, Ben (Josh Dallas) and Mikaela (Melissa Roxburgh) are finally looking at ending the game with Vance (Daryl Edwards) by their side. And as hopeful as that sounds, the siblings have more issues just waiting to be tipped out of balance. Not only has Ben compromised his new job but, also Grace’s (Athena Karkanis) trust in him. Boy, if we could only count how many times she’s given him ‘that kinda look’ recently. And then there’s Mikaela panicking about the death sentence hanging over Jared’s (J.R. Ramirez) head. Because apparently, whoever or whatever’s sending the callings doesn’t appreciate sharing. Sadly, we’re left to cling onto those loose threads for now as the missing passengers and Cal’s (Jack Messina) safety come first.

For Manifest’s last episode before its short hiatus, we’re treated to a nerve-wracking showdown that put everything back to square one. Ben and Mikaela were only able to cut off the tail of the snake. And while doing so, they lost a valuable ally. Things are far from looking up. And there’s only dread in the wait for the fall season to drop.

The Proof

Once Vance manages to pinpoint the location of the missing passengers, Ben hustles to get there. But, Vance stops him, cautious of tipping off the enemy just like what happened at the farm. So, Mikaela heads out to dig more information on the Singularity Project and its project manager Laurence (Brian Wiles). And Vance sends Ben home.

Peter Kramer/NBC

Back home, Grace is planning on a surprise barbeque for Ben, and she’s got the kids in on it. So, as soon as Ben gets home, Olive (Luna Blaise) and Cal ask to go out with him. Killing some time, Ben takes Cal outside for some basketball practice. It’s cut short when Ben spots one of the missing passengers limping towards them. He sends Cal inside and takes the woman down to the basement.

Ben immediately recognizes the woman as Autumn Cox (Shirley Rumierk). And with shaky breaths, Audrey recounts how they were experimented on. She only escaped after spitting out the sedatives they gave her. Ben alerts Mikaela, and after canceling plans with the kids, he moves Audrey to the boiler room where Saanvi (Parveen Kaur) and Fiona (Francesca Faridany) join them.

After quickly examining Audrey, Fiona reveals that she was treated with electrotherapy to get inside her head. And in a heated argument, Ben, Saanvi, and Fiona discuss whether to bring in Vance now despite Autumn’s standing warrants. However, Autumn speaks up and offers to do what she has to save the other missing passengers.

The Experiment Restarts

Vance’s reaction upon seeing Autumn and learning of the experiment might’ve been no worse than the others. But, the NSA director immediately sensed Ben wasn’t telling him everything. Hearing Vance’s threat of sitting around further to figure out that missing piece, Ben gives in and tells him about the callings. Autumn further explains that the experiments began after the calling to the plane and its explosion. Ben frantically urges Vance to move but, Vance continues to question him. Ben finally explodes and explains how Cal is channeling one of the passenger’s (Marko) pain.

Peter Kramer/NBC

At its new headquarters, the experiment has successfully set up again. This time around, the researchers have pinpointed the people connected to each other, specifically to Marko. And Laurence, along with his team, demonstrates the results to their boss. The faceless man asks them to repeat the demo, however, doubling the charge this time. Reluctantly, the team follows the order. This time, the pain reverberates to the passengers outside the lab.

After the pain has subdued, Ben calls up Olive and orders her to check on Cal. She finds him on the floor of his room coloring before he quite rudely throws her out. What Olive didn’t see was the drop of blood falling from Cal’s nose onto his drawing.

Finally convinced after seeing Ben and the others simultaneously fall onto the floor in pain, Vance tells them he’ll assemble a team. And despite his protests, Ben and Fiona count themselves in. Jared also adds himself to the group after he cornered Mikaela and found out about Vance helping them now.

On the other hand, Grace has started the barbeque. But, after several unanswered calls from Ben, she starts worrying. It didn’t help when two men from Ben’s company arrive and inform her of Ben’s termination. In addition to that, they ask to talk to Ben’s attorney.

Right In The Spot

Vance, his team, and the others quickly assemble outside the warehouse. And despite their strategic entrance, they find it empty. Ben, Mikaela, Vance, Jared, and Fiona start arguing in panic outside. Then suddenly, Ben hears Cal, and he turns around to see his son. Cal quickly explains that he had to be there to help them find the missing passengers. And in doing so, Cal technically ran away from home. He gives his drawing to Ben which was a replica of the warehouse and its surroundings. And he insists that the passengers were right there while pointing to a spot in his drawing that was between two trees.

Peter Kramer/NBC

Ben tells Vance to check the actual spot. And true enough, they find a door covering a narrow entrance. Ben attempts to take Cal home but, the kid insists that he’s the only one who can ‘see them.’ Soon enough, Ben follows Vance and Jared’s tracks as Mikaela stands guard for Cal.

Soon enough, the team finds the entrance to the lab, and the standoff begins. Hearing the gunshots, Laurence and his researchers immediately grab their files. Before they bolt, Laurence orders his team to turn on the charges. He then shoots the machine leaving the missing passengers at the mercy of the electric charge. Fiona tries to shut it down but, just as she touches the machine, it explodes. Instead, they start pulling off the leads attached to the passenger’s heads one by one.

On the other hand, Vance manages to corner Laurence and the other researchers. Vance asks who’s at the head of this operation but, Laurence refuses to answer. Instead, he attempts to pull out his gun but, Jared lands a punch on his cheek just in time.

Follow The Light

Meanwhile, Ben leads the missing passengers out of the lab into the tunnels. They come to a cross, and the right path lights up in front of Ben’s eyes. However, only he can see it. Fiona realizes that it was what Cal meant. And the missing passengers are safely led out and loaded into a waiting truck. Fiona goes with them to safety while Ben hangs back.

Peter Kramer/NBC

Unfortunately, Vance, Jared, Laurence, and the others get lost in the tunnels. They don’t make it out in time as the oxygen tanks in the lab explodes. Ben and Mikaela face the explosion at the entrance of the tunnel and gets blown back. Upon waking up, Ben glimpses a peacock opening its tail for a split second before his vision finally clears. After checking up on Cal in the car, he rushes to Mikaela’s side. And Mikaela rushes back to the entrance as she strongly insists that Ben take Cal home. She then climbs back inside the tunnels and finds Jared and the others under a pile of rubble.

At the Stones’, Grace worriedly rushes to Cal. And she angrily faces her husband rejecting his comfort as she guides her son inside. At the hospital, Mikaela’s captain confronts her about her and Jared’s involvement with an NSA operation. And she quickly makes an excuse about getting a vague tip. Seemingly satisfied, he then tells her that Vance has passed away, not making it to the hospital in time. Afterward, Mikaela enters Jared’s room and breaks down in tears as she starts praying to whatever gave them the callings to save Jared.

The Mole

Ben’s faces his own grief as he stands off against Grace. Grace was upset about Cal, and soon, their argument turns for the worst. As Olive crouches in the shadows listening to her parents, Grace inadvertently pushes Ben away. Ben tries to take Cal with him but, Grace wouldn’t allow it. He soon says goodbye to the kids. And before he leaves, Cal stuffs his favorite dragon stuff toy into his dad’s bag.

Peter Kramer/NBC

Meanwhile, Jared wakes up much to Mikaela’s relief. She turns to go get Lourdes but, Jared takes her hand and asks her to stay. Later on, she finds her brother at the boiler room camping out for the night. And they debate if telling the others about the calling is getting them killed. Ben argues with Jared’s survival but, Mikaela admits praying to the calling to save him. After a few minutes, Saanvi arrives with Autumn. Saanvi goes ahead to go to work. And after assuring her that she’s safe, Mikaela and Ben head out to get some food.

Left alone, Autumn digs a phone out of her sock. Then, she texts someone, asking what happens next. It turns out; she wasn’t led to Ben by a calling. She was brought to the neighborhood and given the phone by Laurens. Her mission? Get Ben to trust her and find out what he knew.

Manifest returns Tuesday, January 7th, with “Unaccompanied Minors” at 10/9c on NBC.