Time Travel or Resurrection. What makes for a better narrative? The answer is simply a well-thought-out and engaging storyline with minimum plot holes. As fans, that is all we expect from the upcoming Manifest season 4. With Cal’s disappearance and sudden return in the season 3 finale, one can’t help but theorize and at the same time, be worried about the direction the show decides to take.

After three amazing seasons, NBC’s supernatural drama, Manifest went through the wringer when the former network dropped the mind-bending show. Luckily for us, Netflix picked it up, and the show is all set for a two-part Stranger Things-style final season premiering on November 4. Let’s try to speculate what Cal’s far-from-normal return could entail for the show.

Why does Cal’s return upset the time travel conjecture of Manifest Season 4?

The mystery of what really went down with Flight 828 will only unravel once season 4 comes alive. But that doesn’t stop the multiple theories floating around that divide the audience. The age-old battle of time travel vs resurrection. However, Manifest itself almost confirmed the time travel element at the end of season 3.

We are talking about Cal’s disappearance into the abyss after touching the tailspin and his even stranger return as an older version of himself. Not to mention, his words “I know what to do,” though ambiguous, definitely hint at some occurrence in the time stream. According to the creator Jeff Rake on TUDUM, Cal has some short-term memory loss, and “it’ll take these episodes and adventures that he’s put on throughout this journey to piece it back together.”

Rake added, “He looks like he’s a grownup, but psychologically, he’s still a little boy.” This statement essentially disrupts the time travel theory. Instead of being lost in the time stream for years, the Callings possibly resurrected him to his present, 17-year-old self. Looks like we’re back to square one. Having said that, there’s a lot more evidence that still tips the scale in favor of time travel.

For instance, the rest of the passengers did not age a day, despite being gone for 5 years. Another Calling revelation also points to the fact that Flight 828 and Al-Zura’s ship possibly coexisted at some point. And, there is also Captain Daly donning his 2013 version’s uniform, in the last episode of season 3.

What are your theories about Manifest Season 4? Let us know in the comments below. In the meantime, you can check out all 3 seasons of Manifest streaming on Netflix.