“Grounded” is episode two of season two of Manifest.
In the previous episode, “Fasten Your Seatbelts”, Ben discovered that Vance didn’t die in “Dead Reckoning”. This episode starts with the aftermath of the explosion, with Vance in an ambulance saying that there are people in their own government willing to kill him, so they need to think he’s dead.
In the present, Vance apologises to Michaela and Ben for not telling them the truth; they, his guys and his wife are the only people who know. Vance wasn’t planning to meet until the Major had been identified, but Ben forced his hand. Vance has discovered a black ops financial pipeline for a shadow 828 investigation, and in the past week the money has doubled. He wondered if they might know why and if anything significant has happened with the passengers. Ben doesn’t know, but he’s been speaking to a lot and he’s meeting a freshman who called twice yesterday.
Ben meets the freshman, TJ, on campus. TJ ends up admitting he’s been seeing and hearing things; Ben tells him that a lot of them get them. They’re callings. And sometimes they can be terrifying. TJ has been seeing himself lying in a grave.
Cal talks to Michaela about the death day calling and says she has to talk to Zeke because he was on the plane in the calling, but not in real life. Michaela will try to see Zeke once he’s out on bail, and will again try to talk to him.
Ben and Grace have gone for a paternity test. Before the doctor draws blood, though, Grace hears her own voice telling her to stop. She bolts from the room and Ben follows. The only thing that makes sense is that her calling is because of the baby.
Michaela tries to see Zeke at prison, but he’s not seeing any visitors. She heads back to work and the captain introduces her to her new partner, detective Mikami. Jared is upset, but the captain tells him his and Michaela’s cases were drawing unwanted attention. Michaela seems to think this might be good.
Ben has missed calls from TJ and heads to find him. TJ has found a body at a construction site. He was trying to follow a calling and it brought him there. He started digging.
Saanvi is drawing Grace’s blood; Grace talks about the calling. She’s also worried the death date may have transferred. Saanvi hasn’t a clue.
Jared arrives at the scene and goes to speak to Ben and TJ. And Ben in private; he thinks TJ might be the killer. At the precinct, Michaela swipes the file from Jared’s desk showing when Zeke’s arraignment is.
Olive drops some books and a young woman helps her pick them up. And gives her a leaflet for the Church of the Believers. Her mother is concerned what will happen if the Believers learn there’s an 828 baby and explains. Olive is now feeling left out, being the only one not hearing callings.
At court, Zeke states he doesn’t plan to fight the charges and pleads guilty on all counts. Michaela gets removed from the court for protesting. Jared’s behaviour might be becoming a problem.