The series is set in Ocean Beach, San Diego and focuses on ex-cop and recovering alcoholic Hank Dolworth (Donal Logue) and his best friend, former criminal Britt Pollack (Michael Raymond-James), who both decide to open an unlicensed private investigation business.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.486 million household viewers and gained a 0.2/1 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
Lindus (Christopher Cousins) is reported missing by his wife Josephine (Jackie Debatin), who accuses Hank (Donal Logue) and Britt (Michael Raymond-James) of having kidnapped him.
To complicate matters, Gretchen and Jason (Loren Dean) have checked the soil report, which reveals massive amounts of carcinogens at the construction site.
As Hank and Britt watch the news coverage on a bar, they are joined by Mark, who knows they called in the car and wonders if they had a role in Lindus' death, which the pair denies.
While driving home, Steph casually mentions the soil study had fake readings that were incompatible with one another, merely giving the impression the development was carcinogenic.
'Manifest Destiny' was every bit as clever and funny as what we've seen so far — with a little stylistic flourish provided by director Rian Johnson — but with no new case for our heroes to investigate, there was more of a businesslike feel to the episode.
"[3] Alan Sepinwall of HitFix wrote, "'Manifest Destiny' wraps up the Lindus/Montague story arc for now, but in a way that makes it clear Britt and Hank will be wading through this particular septic tank again before the season's end.
The hour, written by Lesley Headland and directed by Rian Johnson, kept up the chaotic feeling of the closing minutes of last week's episode.
"[4] Matt Richenthal of TV Fanatic gave the episode a 4.2 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "I sincerely have no idea what will happen next with this storyline, which is always a great feeling to have when watching any show.