“Hard Landing” is episode fifteen of season one of Manifest.
The episode opens with an armoured car robbery. Two men taser the guards and take the money, then the third robber shoots the other two and drives off.
At the end of the previous episode, “Upgrade”, the getaway vehicle had been pulled out of the river three days later, only for the driver to still be alive. He’s being loaded into an ambulance and Michaela convinces them to go to another hospital.
Zeke, Ben and Grace are watching the news. Grace wonders if this is similar. to Zeke and the plane. Ben thinks it could be. Nothing for ix weeks since the return, then two similar cases in a week. Zeke points out no-one knows about him; they may be others. Michaela calls Ben and sends him a photo of the driver. The driver lunging at her was similar to Cal’s drawing. Michaela is going to the hospital. Ben will meet her there and Zeke is coming with.
At the hospital, Michaela tells Jared that Cal knew the driver would be alive. The driver could have been affected the same way as the plane; he’s not the first. She explains Zeke. Jared goes to deal with the crowd and Saanvi finds Michaela; this hospital was suggested so Saanvi could see the driver. Ben and Zeke arrive and Jared gets them in.
Michaela and Saanvi are looking at the incident report. The driver, James Griffin, was found 82 hours and 8 minutes after he disappeared. There’s no fluid in his longs. The man starts saying what sounds like a calling, about an explosion and people dying. He’s sedated before he can say more.
Michaela and Saanvi tell Ben and Zeke. Ben is sure there must be a reason for Griffin’s return, even if they don’t know what it is, and it’s connected to Michaela. Saanvi wants to test Griffin’s blood to see if it’s like theirs.
Zeke and Michaela speak to Jared, but starts questioning Zeke. He’s also not happy Zeke is staying with Michaela.
Michaela finds Griffin as he’s coming around. She asks about the explosion and explains about the callings and Flight 828. During the conversation, he realises he has a bargaining chip and decides that if anyone wants to know about the explosion, he wants immunity from the murders.
At the precinct, Riojas and FBI Agent Dayton confirm there has been chatter about a terrorist attack. So, Griffin may well have something. Michaela tells Ben that she thinks Griffin is exploiting the callings and wants him to look into Griffin.
Cody Webber is using the fact that a criminal is having something similar to claim this proves all those like him are dangerous. Jared doesn’t trust Zeke. Griffin is exploiting his calling for his own personal gain. And Saanvi is struggling to cope after what happened to her in the previous episode.