The truth is out — there on NBC’s Manifest, where Michaela Stone has confided in her almost-fiance the strange things she has experienced ever since she returned from that extremely strange Flight 828.
The mystery continues this Monday at 10/9c, with the seventh episode of the hit drama’s 16-episode freshman run. Has Jared truly accepted what Mick shared? Will their new bond sour a cozy dinner-for-three? And whose side is series lead Melissa Roxburgh on when it comes to the Ben/Grace/Danny tensions? Here’s what Mick’s portrayer had to say.
TVLINE | We’re coming off a big episode, where a lot happened. For example, were you glad that Michaela came clean to Jared sooner rather than later?
Yeah! It was a good build-up. She’s been going through some weird stuff, so obviously she can’t hold that in too, too long without him trying to admit her to a psych ward or something. Jared couldn’t just follow her along blindly anymore, so he demands an answer, as he should. It was a good moment for them.
TVLINE | And it’s probably a more interesting dynamic for you to play as actors. As the superhero shows always say, it’s more interesting when characters know the secret identity.
Yeah, especially because Michaela and Jared are so close. She can tell Ben all the stuff that’s happening to her, but she also needs that outside person. It’s interesting to see what happens after this, too, in terms of how Jared deals with this new information and how he looks at her, and how he cares for her because of it. It does add a new layer to their relationship.
TVLINE | We got a small taste last week of his immediate reaction to the truth. How would you typify his acceptance of what Michaela has shared?
I wouldn’t even say that it’s acceptance. She blurts it all out in that moment, and what we’re seeing in that scene is Jared trying to figure out what he believes, how much of it he does believe, how much he can wrap his head around it, how he relates it to Michaela, a person that he still really cares about…. It’s very out-of-the-ordinary stuff that’s happening, so yes, I think it would take a normal human being a second to process everything that she was saying. What you’re seeing in that scene is, “I love you as a human being… and what you’re saying is really crazy… so I have to kind of take a second for myself!” [Laughs]
I think that Michaela knows that [Jared needs time to process], but I also think that she’s scared that he is going to think that she is nuts. She’s been treading so carefully with what she does and doesn’t tell him because he’s with Lourdes now. In an ideal world, she’d figure it all out and then open up to the people she loves — but that’s not the case.
TVLINE | Meanwhile, she’s oblivious to the fact that she shouldn’t be telling him anything, because he’s under Agent Vance’s thumb. The tables are turned; he has the secret now.
Completely. Completely. I think there was a scene where he said, “You should open up to me,” and she said, “Well, things are different now.” She did lose her go-to person, so even though it is a bit of a weight off her chest, she can’t really be having these moments with Jared while he’s with another woman. That’s not fair to anyone.
TVLINE | Speaking of Lourdes, I understand that you’ll be joining her and Jared for dinner this week….
[Laughs] Jared forces me to have dinner with him and Lourdes, and let’s just say that it doesn’t make it to the end of the night. The night does not get completed. There are some really good moments during the dinner… and then there are some not-so-good moments at the dinner. Michaela is kind of forced to leave a little early.
