Which TV series is considering a time jump? Riverdale? Manifest?

A current TV show is considering a time jump in the season finale. Is Riverdale the one opting for it? Could it be Manifest? Here are our thoughts.

We may be getting a significant time jump at the end of the season of a current TV show. The producers are considering the possibilities, but we don’t know which show it could be. Most guesses are towards Riverdale, but what about Manifest, Grey’s Anatomy, and more?

TVLine broke the news with its popular Blind Item, saying a show is considering a five-year time jump. There are just a few small clues, including the fact that it’s an established show. What we don’t know is what the word “established” means. Does that mean a show that already has a number of seasons renewed in the future or one that is currently on its third+ season?

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For the sake of this post, I’m working with shows in at least their second season, although I’m inclined to believe “established” means at least Season 3. It also sounds like it’s a show that already has another season in the bank, but that doesn’t necessarily have to be the case.

It’s also a show that’s on one of the big five networks. That means we’re only looking at ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and The CW. That certainly helps to narrow down options.

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Riverdale is the easiest option

Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if Riverdale opted for a time jump at the end of the season finale. Recently, both Skeet Ulrich and Marisol Nichols have opted to leave the show. Handling their exits with a time jump would be easy.

At the same time, the show is moving into the college years. This is the time that most teen dramas struggle. Just look at how The Vampire Diaries didn’t quite seem to work once the characters moved to college. One Tree Hill got around it by jumping forward four years and completely skipping over college. It was perfect.

So, it makes the most sense for Riverdale to cut out the college years and easily deal with two parents leaving. I’m all for the time jump in this case.

There’s another reason Riverdale makes sense. Katy Keene is set five years ahead of its parent show. Opting for a five-year time jump would put it at the same time period as the spin-off, allowing for easy crossovers.

Manifest or New Amsterdam if second seasons count

NBC has two shows that could benefit from a five-year time jump. The first is Manifest for obvious reasons. The Stone’s Death Date is five years into the future. We also have the pilot who may have jumped five years into the future, but we don’t know yet. By skipping over the next five years, we could get a few more answers.

This would have a knock-on effect on current storylines. The biggest questions would surround whether Zeke survives. His Death Date is coming up first. If he survives, there’s little to worry about with the Flight 828 Death Date. If he dies, it would make the third season intense.

Manifest hasn’t been renewed for a third season yet, but this decision could help NBC decide one more season if it’s on the fence due to ratings.

Another show to consider is New Amsterdam. This can help to skip over Baby Luna storylines. Honestly, while babies are a natural part of life and do need to be included in some TV shows, their storylines can be a little grating. It’s been fun seeing Max handle life as a single father, but I wouldn’t complain about skipping over the next five years.

Grey’s Anatomy would cause problems for Station 19 crossovers

Another suggestion has been Grey’s Anatomy. It’s certainly established and we know that Season 17 is happening. On top of that, the show has a messed around timeline anyway, so it wouldn’t be too off to jump forward five years.

There have been many fans complaining about Grey’s Anatomy and Station 19 constantly crossing over. In a way, this could solve a problem for them. However, for those who enjoy the crossover events and for the writers and actors of the two shows, Grey’s Anatomy getting a five-year time jump could be a problem.

If one show jumped forward, the other show likely would need to, too. It’s unlikely Grey’s Anatomy is going to move forward five years when there’s no glaring need for it.

The Blacklist could help save the show

I’ll be honest and say I was surprised that The Blacklist was renewed for Season 8. However, this opens the door for a time jump at the end of the current season.

Storylines have dragged a little for the series. Season 6 seemed to pick up after a slump of the fifth season, but then Season 7 has gone back on the reveal of Red and struggled to find its pacing again. A time jump could help to get things back on track.

It’s not like The Blacklist hasn’t messed around with time in the past. Remember when Tom was killed off in the Season 5 premiere and the show jumped back two months? We also get plenty of flashbacks here and there to tell Red and Katarina’s story.

The Blacklist would make sense but it’s not on the top of my list for shows that will jump forward.

My gut is telling me Riverdale. It was the first show I thought of when I saw the Blind Item.

Which show do you think will see a five-year time jump? Would you be happy if Riverdale skipped the college years? Share your thoughts in the comments.