Jared Vasquez is a prominent character in the American supernatural drama series, Manifest. He is initially introduced as the fiancé of Michaela Stone’s best friend, Lourdes, and a detective in the NYPD. Later, he becomes involved in the central plot of the show when he discovers that Michaela and her family are passengers on the Montego Air Flight 828 that disappeared for five and a half years before reappearing without any apparent time passing for those onboard. The show has created a complicated narrative where the characters’ motivations and actions are not always straightforward, but I will attempt to explore why Jared could be considered the villain of the series in 800 words.
To begin with, Jared is a character who is conflicted in his feelings and actions. He genuinely cares for Michaela and even confesses his love for her after she returns from the missing flight. However, Jared’s actions often contradict his words, and he seems to be motivated more by his jealousy and selfishness than by genuine concern for Michaela. For example, he secretly kisses Michaela while she is still engaged to his best friend, Lourdes. He even sabotages her romantic relationships with other men, including Zeke Landon, a new character introduced in Season 2. These actions suggest that Jared is willing to hurt others to get what he wants, which is a characteristic often associated with villains.
Additionally, Jared’s involvement with the antagonist group, the X’ers, also raises questions about his motives. The X’ers are a terrorist organization that has a history with the 828 passengers, and they seem to be plotting something sinister. Jared’s involvement with this group is complicated, as he initially infiltrates them as an undercover cop. However, he later seems to sympathize with their cause and begins to work with them to uncover the truth about the disappearance of Flight 828. While Jared claims that he is only doing this to protect Michaela and her family, his actions suggest that he has his agenda and is willing to work with anyone, even criminals, to achieve his goals.
Another reason why Jared could be considered a villain is that he has a history of making poor decisions and acting impulsively. For example, in Season 1, he shoots and kills one of the passengers, Thomas, after mistaking him for a suspect. This action not only results in the death of an innocent man but also puts Jared’s job and reputation in jeopardy. Later, in Season 2, Jared is manipulated by the X’ers into betraying his colleagues in the NYPD, which results in the death of two officers. These actions suggest that Jared is not only impulsive but also has a reckless disregard for the consequences of his actions, which is a trait often associated with villains.
Finally, Jared’s obsession with Michaela and his willingness to go to extreme lengths to protect her is another characteristic that could be considered villainous. In Season 3, Jared becomes involved in a cult that believes that Michaela and her brother, Ben, are chosen ones who can help bring about a new era of enlightenment. Jared becomes increasingly erratic and unpredictable, and his actions suggest that he is willing to do anything to ensure that Michaela is safe, including kidnapping her and holding her captive. While Jared’s actions may stem from a desire to protect Michaela, they are ultimately selfish and demonstrate a disregard for her agency and autonomy.
In conclusion, while Jared is a complex character with his motivations and struggles, his actions and decisions throughout the series suggest that he could be considered a villain. His jealousy and selfishness, involvement with the X’ers, impulsive behavior, and obsession with Michaela all point to a character who is willing to hurt others and disregard the consequences of his actions to achieve his goals. However, it is essential to