NBC's Manifest suffers from "network TV-itis" -- it's a generic and forgettable version of Lost

Vulture

The pilot of the NBC drama about a plane that disappears for five years is too rushed. "It suffers from a case network TV-itis: a need to blast from one plot point to the next without devoting too much time to establishing atmosphere or deeply studying its characters," says Jen Chaney. "Admittedly, one episode isn’t much to go on, but so far, Manifest also has little interest in the wider world or culture. Imagine boarding a plane while Barack Obama was still in office, then getting off of it and finding out, oh, it’s five years later and by the way, Donald Trump is president. Obviously you would be reeling on a variety of fronts, but that, along with other cultural changes — the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage? Prince died? — would be a real mind-blower. There’s never a sense that any character’s mind is truly blown by what’s happening in Manifest."

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• The pilot episode decided to focus on pretty-but-dull characters
• Manifest is hampered by groan-worthy dialogue and lots of touchy-feely talk about “second chances"
• Manifest is the best kind of throwback show: It excels for being bold with a lack of cynicism