Manifest

No one can explain what happened to us

on April 7, 2013.

Some people called it impossible.

Others called it a miracle.

All I know is...

it was the day my life changed forever.

If you'd seen us that afternoon,

you probably would have thought we looked like

a typical American family returning home from vacation.

My brother, Ben, and his wife, Grace,

still in love after 15 years.

Their twins, Olive and Cal,

always bickering like an old married couple.

And the real old married couple...

my parents.

Still in perfect health, still trying to run my life.

It's not just about you.

This family needs something to celebrate.

Okay, that's a pretty backwards reason for a wedding, but...

How's this for a reason?

Jared loves you.

And I know you love him.

Typical, right?

But what you couldn't see is that Cal's leukemia

wasn't responding to treatment...

or that Ben and Grace

were desperately struggling to find a cure...

or that I still had nightmares about the car accident.

Michaela Beth, even people that have made mistakes

deserve happiness.

You know my favorite verse...

"All things work together for good."

I don't believe that anymore, Mom. How can I?

Which is why, when I got the chance to stay away from home

for even a few more hours, I jumped at it.

All passengers for Flight 537 to New York,

John F. Kennedy Airport, your attention, please.

This flight is oversold.

We are offering travel vouchers in the amount of $400

for anyone willing to take a later flight.

Yes. That's me.

- No. - It's $400 per person.

That's our next trip down to the Mayo Clinic.

I'll stay with Dad.

There you go. Man time.

All right. All right.

So Grace and Olive and my folks

took the first flight home

while Ben and Cal and I waited for Flight 828.

Funny how one little decision can ruin your life.

But also save it.

Peanuts? You're welcome.

Ma'am, would you like peanuts?

Do you have anything sodium-free?

Peanuts?

Mom's not wrong. Jared's not gonna wait around forever.

Great marriage pep talk. Thank you.

Why are you fighting this,

when all it's gonna do is make you happy?

It's all we want for you.

That was really sweet of you. You must be drunk.

Definitely.

Say yes to Jared.

Have a wedding and a honeymoon. Turn the page. It's time.

And, yes, you deserve it.

Truly.

It's okay. Everyone...

Ugh. Terribly sorry, folks.

That was extreme turbulence

resulting from a sudden weather surge

that was not on the radar.

Rest assured, engines' controls are okay.

But, please, keep those seat belts fastened.

Is there anything crazy-important on there?

Only six weeks' worth of research data.

Stewardess.

I'm gonna need another drink.

You and me both, sir.

You and me both.

New York approach.

Montego Air 8-2-8. Level one five thousand.

This is New York approach.

Uh, repeat your call sign, please?

We are MA 8-2-8.

Repeat... Montego Air 8-2-8.

Montego Bay to JFK. Copy that?

Any time now.

Can I get your name, Captain,

and the number of passengers and crew on your manifest?

Uh, this is Captain William Daly.

We have 191 souls on board,

all of whom would love to touch down on one of your runways.

Sorry, folks. Apologies and a half.

We are diverting to Stewart Airport

up in Newburgh...

...spitting distance from the city.

But for any of those who are trying to make

a connecting flight, we owe you one.

Flight attendants, prepare for landing.

Yes, we did, people.

Welcome to New York, where local time is 11:49 p.m.

On behalf of your flight crew,

we'd like to thank you all for flying Montego Air.

Seriously? No service?

Same.

And the inconvenience continues.

We've been asked to deplane right here on the tarmac.

Cool!

Who's Daly?

When do they ever do this?

Never. Something's happening.

Excuse me. T-There are sick people here.

What exactly is the problem?

The problem, ladies and gentlemen,

is your plane departed Montego Bay, Jamaica,

on April 7, 2013.

Today is November 4, 2018.

You've all been missing, presumed dead, for 5 1/2 years.

What?!

- Hey. - Hm?

Medicine.

When can we leave?

Soon, buddy. They're just...

They're gonna talk to us, take a little look at us,

and then we can get out of here, okay?

If it's really been five years,

how am I still alive?

Do you feel five years older?

Neither do I.

Don't worry.

Let's start simply.

After the plane left Jamaica, where did you land?

We never landed anywhere until we landed right here.

Now tell me what really happened.

Took off on time. Arrived 3 hours and 19 minutes later.

Is this some kind of a stunt?! For God's sake!

It makes no sense.

Clear air, heavy chop.

Instruments never detected a thing.

Turbulence.

Like the roof was going to come right off, you know?

I... We...

What are you talking...

I'm gonna sue this airline into the ground.

I need to make a call, okay?

I need... I need to call my boy... my fiancé.

My son has leukemia.

He's not about to submit to testing of any kind.

I want my mom.

Ben!

Ben! Ben! Oh, my God!

Ohh!

It's okay. We're okay.

We're okay.

I don't understand. How are you exactly the same?

You... haven't aged a day.

Olive.

Cal! Cal!

Cal! Cal, Cal.

I know, I know, I know. It's okay.

Where's, uh... Where's Mom and Jared?

I texted with Jared.

He couldn't make it over. Work emergency.

And Mom?

Your mom got sick.

She... She fought so hard.

What do you... What do you mean, sick?

She loved you kids more than life itself.

- You were everything to her. - No! No, no.

I was just... I was just running with her on the beach.

I came out here to tell her

t-that she was right about me and Jared.

No, Dad. No, no!

No, I can't...

...as the entire world focuses on Flight 828.

Where was Flight 828 for five years?

As a multitude of government agencies,

including NASA, Homeland Security, and the NSA,

descend upon New York, the story of the century

now touches this middle-class neighborhood

here in suburban Queens.

Your mom made it after...

That cheesy verse was her mantra.

Actually, I'm pretty sure it's the last thing she said to me.

I'm sorry to stick you down here.

We hung onto your apartment as long as we could,

but eventually, we had to let it go.

Hey, can I use the phone?

Yeah, of course.

Thanks.

We gave up the landline.

Hey, it's Jared Vasquez. Please leave a mess...

All set.

Thank you.

Hey, Grace?

Look, I know you probably don't want, uh,

Miss Bad Influence hanging around the kids.

- I would get... - Michaela, no.

M-Michaela... this is your home.

For as long as you'd like.