Warning: Spoilers for Manifest season 4, part 1
Dr. Gupta was the subject of one of the Manifest season 4 part 1 finale’s biggest twists. Played by Mahira Kakkar, Dr. Aria Gupta made an unexpected move when she turned on Vance and Saanvi at the end of season 4’s first half. In spite of how far the character had come in season 3, she still wound up on the opposing side.
A big part of what made Dr. Gupta’s betrayal so surprising is the fact that her views on the passengers and the Callings had transformed so much over the course of season 3. By the end of the season, the former skeptic had evolved into a willful ally of the main characters. Unfortunately for the passengers, their alliance ended in the Manifest season 4 part 1 finale when Dr. Gupta led the government directly to Saanvi and Vance’s secret base. As. Dr. Gupta said, her choice was motivated by the characters losing the Omega Sapphire. It would seem that as a result of their failure to keep it out of the hands of Angelina, Dr. Gupta no longer believes that the passengers can handle their problems on their own.
How Dr. Gupta Can Still Be Redeemed
After starting out as a seemingly cold-hearted character interested only in pursuing scientific solutions, Dr. Gupta gradually developed real empathy toward the passengers and grew into a likable addition to Manifest’s supporting cast. And while her decision has most assuredly cost her the respect of the characters, it’s not impossible that she’ll once again be on their side before all is said and done. Actions taken by the government in Manifest’s final ten episodes could cause Dr. Gupta to realize her mistake and potentially lead her toward helping Vance and Saanvi.
What Dr. Gupta’s Betrayal Means For Manifest Season 4, Part 2
Regardless of how much of Saanvi’s research the government was able to recover, their takeover of the lab is a huge setback for the characters. When the passengers had Eureka helping them in season 3, they were able to make some significant breakthroughs in regard to Manifest’s central mystery. And though they lost government resources ahead of season 4, Vance enabled Saanvi’s work to continue. With the government presumably in charge again, it’ll be difficult for the passengers to repeat that success in Manifest season 4, part 2. Due to the hit Saanvi and Vance took in the episode, doing what needs to be done will be an even greater challenge now.
Dr. Gupta’s betrayal fits into a larger issue facing the Flight 828 passengers. As if a volcanic apocalypse isn’t enough, the series is throwing obstacle after obstacle at Ben and the others ahead of Manifest season 4, part 2. The government raiding Saanvi and Vance’s base and the 828 Registry locking up any passenger it can find are developments that have certainly crippled the main characters. It looks like their allies will be few and far between as they work toward preventing the end of the world in 2024.
