The Mystery of Airline Flight 828: What Really Happened?

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The Mystery of Airline Flight 828: What Really Happened?

On April 7, 2013, a commercial flight from Jamaica to New York City, Flight 828, experiences some turbulence, but lands safely. However, when the passengers disembark, they find that five and a half years have passed for everyone else, and no one knows what happened to the plane during that time. This bizarre premise sets the stage for the NBC TV series “Manifest”, which explores the aftermath of this event from the perspectives of the passengers, their families, the authorities, and the unseen forces that might be involved. While the show mixes drama, mystery, romance, and sci-fi elements, it also raises some intriguing questions that have real-life parallels. In this article, we will examine some of those questions and try to shed some light on the mystery of Airline Flight 828.

What’s the science behind the disappearance and reappearance of Flight 828?

In “Manifest”, the disappearance of Flight 828 is attributed to a phenomenon called the “callings”, which are communicated to some of the passengers through visions or voices that guide them to specific actions that can prevent disasters or fulfill destinies. However, in real life, such a phenomenon has not been proven to exist, nor can it explain how a plane can vanish from radar and then suddenly reappear with no explanation. Most likely, the writers of the show took some creative liberties to make the plot more engaging. But what could have happened to Flight 828 that defies current aviation knowledge? Some theories include:

– Abduction by aliens or other beings: This hypothesis, often used in fictional stories, suggests that the plane was taken by extraterrestrial entities for unknown reasons. However, no solid evidence has been found to support this idea, and most scientists consider it highly unlikely, given the vast distances and differences between Earth and other worlds.
– Time travel or parallel universes: Another popular explanation in science fiction is that the plane crossed a barrier of time or space that allowed it to exist in a different era or reality. While this idea is more plausible than alien abduction, it also lacks substantive proof and raises many paradoxical implications.
– Human intervention or technology: A more realistic possibility is that someone on board the plane or outside of it purposely made it disappear and reappear, using advanced equipment or methods that the authorities couldn’t detect. This scenario raises questions about motive, means, and consequences, and requires a lot of speculation based on the available clues.

Who are the characters and what do they represent?

One of the strengths of “Manifest” is its diverse and relatable cast, who represent different ages, cultures, professions, and beliefs. Some of the main characters are:

– Ben Stone: A mathematician and father of two, who was on the plane with his sister, who has leukemia, and his son, who has autism. Ben becomes obsessed with finding out the truth about the flight, and discovers that he and other passengers have gained certain abilities or insights that could change the world.
– Michaela Stone: Ben’s sister, who is a police officer, and who has a premonition on the plane that leads her to prevent a fatal accident. Michaela struggles with guilt, grief, and romance, as she tries to reconcile her new reality with her past wounds.
– Saanvi Bahl: A medical researcher and fellow passenger, who studies the biological changes that occurred in the passengers during their absence. Saanvi also grapples with ethical and personal dilemmas, as her findings could have huge implications for human health but also may have unintended consequences.
– Cal Stone: Ben’s son, who is five years younger than when he boarded the plane, and who possesses a special gift of seeing the future in symbols and drawings. Cal’s innocence and wisdom often inspire his family and friends, but also make him vulnerable to those who want to exploit him.

Each of these characters represents a different aspect of the mystery and the human condition, and the series allows us to explore their stories and their interactions in a nuanced and compassionate way.

What are the themes and messages of “Manifest”?

Beneath the surface-level plot twists and supernatural elements, “Manifest” deals with some universal themes and messages that resonate with the audience. These include:

– Redemption: Many of the characters in the show have made mistakes or suffered losses that haunt them, and the return of Flight 828 gives them a chance to make amends or to forgive themselves or others. The concept of redemption implies that even the worst situations can have a positive outcome, if we learn from them and grow as individuals.
– Faith and doubt: The callings that some passengers receive challenge their assumptions and beliefs about God, fate, free will, and morality. Some of them become more religious or spiritual, while others become more skeptical or cynical. The series does not take a dogmatic or preachy stance on these issues, but instead invites us to ponder our own views and biases.
– Community and isolation: The aftermath of Flight 828 affects not only the passengers but also their families, friends, and strangers who get entangled in their story. The series portrays how different people cope with the stress, the confusion, and the possibilities that arise from this shared experience. It also highlights the importance of social connections and empathy in overcoming adversity.
– Legacy and destiny: Another recurring theme in “Manifest” is the idea that the passengers were chosen for a reason, and that their return has a purpose beyond their personal interests. This concept raises questions about the meaning of life, the value of individuality, and the role of fate or design in human affairs. It also challenges us to reflect on our own legacy and destiny, and to ask ourselves what we want to leave behind.

What can we learn from the mystery of Airline Flight 828?

While the events depicted in “Manifest” are fictional, they tap into real anxieties and aspirations that we all share. The concept of a sudden and unexplained disappearance of a plane, or any other means of transportation, has been a source of fear and fascination for many people since the days of Amelia Earhart and the Bermuda Triangle. The series plays on that primal fear and adds a twist of hope, curiosity, and empathy that make it addictive. However, beyond the entertainment value, there are some lessons we can draw from the mystery of Airline Flight 828:

– Life is unpredictable and precious: The passengers of Flight 828 thought they had a normal journey ahead, but their fate was dramatically altered. This reminds us that we never know what might happen next, and that we should cherish every moment and every person in our lives.
– Curiosity and investigation can yield new knowledge: The characters in “Manifest” don’t give up on trying to understand what happened to them, even when it seems impossible or dangerous. This shows that the human mind is capable of seeking and discovering amazing things, as long as it has the curiosity and the tools to do so.
– Diversity and flexibility can enrich relationships: The passengers of Flight 828 come from different backgrounds and have different outlooks on life, but they learn to appreciate each other’s strengths and weaknesses. This suggests that diversity and flexibility are not only desirable but necessary for building strong relationships and communities.
– Science and fiction can inform and inspire each other: The mystery of Airline Flight 828 may never be solved in real life, but the fictional exploration of it in “Manifest” can stimulate our imagination and our critical thinking skills. This can lead to new ideas, new solutions, and new collaborations between science and art.

Conclusion

The mystery of Airline Flight 828 remains unsolved, but the TV series “Manifest” offers a thought-provoking and engaging perspective on it. By combining elements of science fiction, drama, and human interest, the show manages to raise some intriguing questions about the nature of reality, the power of human connections, and the role of destiny in our lives. Whether you believe in the callings or not, “Manifest” captures the essence of our curiosity and our hope for a better future, and invites us to join the journey of the passengers of Flight 828 as they search for answers and for meaning.