Manhattan

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Season 1
Season #: 2, 1
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 99 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 81 out of 99
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 99
  3. Negative: 11 out of 99
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  1. DrAudio
    Oct 6, 2014
    10
    The sets are superb! The story is a great work of fiction and full of twist and turns leaving the viewer so many options of what's to come. Who is the spy? Is there a spy? Having worked in the nuclear physics for almost 40 years I can say the actors portraying the scientist, bureaucrats, and security are excellent. It is as I know everyone one of them in person and each resemblesThe sets are superb! The story is a great work of fiction and full of twist and turns leaving the viewer so many options of what's to come. Who is the spy? Is there a spy? Having worked in the nuclear physics for almost 40 years I can say the actors portraying the scientist, bureaucrats, and security are excellent. It is as I know everyone one of them in person and each resembles someone I have know in the past. The scientist are well scientist. There are brown nosing bureaucrats and just as in real life, the most incompetent are promoted to the top and the hard working dedicated scientists get treated like crap. Security acts like a bunch of testosterone high Rambo's in the show and they still do today.

    I guess I can some it up in the words of Truman Bradley "It's a story from the world of fiction and science, it's a story that didn't happen, but could have".    … Expand
  2. YorkMan
    Dec 3, 2015
    2
    Quite possibly the most disappointing (new) television series I've watched in the last 10 years.
    The show revolves around the 'lives' of a group of scientists (plus their wives/girlfriends) in what is a completely fictional narrative, using the backdrop of Los Alamos and the drive of each 'group' to exist in a world hidden from the rest of the country.
    There are some good points, the    Quite possibly the most disappointing (new) television series I've watched in the last 10 years.
    The show revolves around the 'lives' of a group of scientists (plus their wives/girlfriends) in what is a completely fictional narrative, using the backdrop of Los Alamos and the drive of each 'group' to exist in a world hidden from the rest of the country.
    There are some good points, the acting is top drawer, as is the score and photography... But the producers have fallen into the 'modern' trap of trying to offer up 21st Century values on a show set in 1943. I understand that rampant sexism, constant smoking, blatant racist slurs, and the fact that most people at Los Alamos seemed to spend pretty much all their off time having sex... Don't make for what is, ostensibly, a TV show which follows modern guidelines on acceptability.
    No one swears, there's not a 'lived in' sense to any of it...
    But, it's also incredibly dull.
    The Manhattan Project was one of America's greatest achievements of the Twentieth Century, having that as the driving foreground to a weekly television show would have been fantastic.
    But... As the series progresses, the narrative switches from the scientific/moralistic dilemmas of the 'men', to the banal, incessant sniping of the 'women'. OK, the last episode of the first series does (because it has to) switch back to the more 'important' plot elements of the creation of the atom bomb...
    Yet, I suspect I won't be looking to tune into the second series, which is currently airing as I write this review.
    Definitely a show to avoid!    … Expand
  3. xenowars
    Apr 23, 2016
    0
    I began watching this series with the hope that it would be technically and/or scientifically interesting to see how the world's first atomic bomb was developed. Instead I watched with each passing episode how it was slowly devolving into what is basically an over-the-top Spanish soap opera with very little science involved. And now, by the thirteenth episode, it's pretty much jumped theI began watching this series with the hope that it would be technically and/or scientifically interesting to see how the world's first atomic bomb was developed. Instead I watched with each passing episode how it was slowly devolving into what is basically an over-the-top Spanish soap opera with very little science involved. And now, by the thirteenth episode, it's pretty much jumped the shark.

    Where to begin? Hard to say, there are so many places this farce just got everything wrong.

    The biggest part they got wrong was the faux hostility that the gun vs. implosion teams have for one another. Yes, there was competition, but like Feynman says "nature cannot be fooled". So, they admitted to themselves that rather than put all their energies into one idea that in the end might have an insurmountable problem attached to it (which the gun method did), they should explore other ideas just in case the other idea doesn't work out. They certainly weren't going to lie or steal resources from the other to do that. Nor were they going threaten to kill members of the opposing team. No, they openly agreed to try multiple approaches. Oppenheimer wasn't hell-bent on the gun method working, he was open to whatever might work because nobody really knew back then what would actually work and what wouldn't without exploring those ideas first. Roosevelt and Truman didn't give a damn which method was being used so long as it worked.

    Which brings me to the portrayal of Oppenheimer. Who in the world decided to play him as a brooding, anti-social, stuck up, unpersonable, autistic-type person? He didn't single-handedly build the bomb through his gargantuan intellect, he brought together the greatest minds of the time to do it for him. He was bright but was also good at bringing hugely talented people together. In order to bring people like that together you have to be a person that gets along fairly well with other scientists. The Oppenheimer in this film, however, treats his fellow scientists like they're common peasants, like they should feel lucky to even be able to talk to him. What a bunch of nonsense. You don't achieve the levels of professionalism that he did in his field by being that way. You're not going to get good ideas out of people by ridiculing them.

    The writers treated the idea of compartmentalization as though violating it amounted to a death sentence for those who violated it, when in reality nobody really gave a flip because you can't get science done that way and they knew it. It was impossible to develop the bomb in the time they had if scientists were not freely allowed to discuss their work with other scientists. Oppenheimer got that dead right and even explained to Groves why it wouldn't work. It's why they brought them all to Los Alamos and put them all within the same fence in the first place, so they could at least control them a little bit that way. This movie got it dead wrong. The scientists rebelled at being compartmentalized and the brass knew they'd be up a creek if they started trying to silence them because all the scientists were in agreement.

    By now the series has grown men with PhDs in physics, men at the tops of their field basically lying to one another at every opportunity with the intention that if they keep lying, their ideas will eventually work. People like that don't get invited en masse to projects like this. People like that put out press releases for cold fusion and get called out on it when other scientists notice it has holes in it. If there was a problem with the gun method, there wouldn't be just one or two people that knew it wouldn't work. EVERYONE would have known because they were all freely talking to one another about it. The people who built the bomb didn't covet the idea to the extent that it would destroy their careers to follow it any further and certainly didn't kill themselves over being chosen to investigate a method that turned out to not work.

    And, of course, since this is an American film, there are various subplots of this person sleeping with that person which is what you get when you know you have nothing else to say. There is so much fluff in this film that seems designed simply to fill space because nothing interesting is actually going on. The subplots of infidelity, of conspiracy, of treason, of homosexuality, ad nauseam.

    Go watch Oppenheimer (1980). I couldn't find anywhere I could stream it online so I just bought the DVDs from Amazon. Much more interesting series without all the soap opera drama that plagues Manhattan. Oppenheimer goes into exquisite details explaining things at some points and the geek in me just loves it.    … Expand
  4. jgrimmster
    Aug 13, 2014
    10
    Manhattan is easily one of, if not the, best new dramas out. The characters have depth. The acting is superb and the cinematography is great. It also revolves around one of the most captivating secret projects in the history of the United States of America. I highly recommend the show.
  5. DiscoTex
    Oct 13, 2014
    5
    This show started out pretty strong and has a great premise that's rich with story possibilities: science drama, a race against time to win WW2 and beat the Nazis, spies, secrecy, politics, isolated living, etc. All of those themes have appeared, but there is just as much or more emphasis on adultery, secret lesbianism, angst, and career sabotage.
    I understand that these can be dramatic    This show started out pretty strong and has a great premise that's rich with story possibilities: science drama, a race against time to win WW2 and beat the Nazis, spies, secrecy, politics, isolated living, etc. All of those themes have appeared, but there is just as much or more emphasis on adultery, secret lesbianism, angst, and career sabotage.
    I understand that these can be dramatic and interesting subjects, too, but the writers have taken these stories way beyond believable to the point of eye-roll inducing silliness.    … Expand
  6. blindleadblind
    Aug 21, 2014
    10
    I forced my anonymity loving self to register for this site to encourage those responsible for this production to produce more TV drama like it. The driven no rules (other than the laws of physics)intensity of a Dr. Winter, contrasted with the politically savvy, business-like approach of his competition foiled against with the fluffanutter nonsense of what's going on outside of theI forced my anonymity loving self to register for this site to encourage those responsible for this production to produce more TV drama like it. The driven no rules (other than the laws of physics)intensity of a Dr. Winter, contrasted with the politically savvy, business-like approach of his competition foiled against with the fluffanutter nonsense of what's going on outside of the scientists' experience is riveting for some of us living in the world we live in today where we sit idly by as all hell breaks loose somewhere else. It is another world, albeit a wonderfully ripe fictionalized account of it.… Expand
  7. bigmike51
    Oct 15, 2014
    1
    Do not watch this series if you are even passingly familiar with the actual Manhattan Project. This series has great actors. The story line and character development is good but the history is written as if the writers used "Atom Bombs For Dummies". The story line has the following factual basis: there was a World War II, there is a state called New Mexico where an atomic bomb wasDo not watch this series if you are even passingly familiar with the actual Manhattan Project. This series has great actors. The story line and character development is good but the history is written as if the writers used "Atom Bombs For Dummies". The story line has the following factual basis: there was a World War II, there is a state called New Mexico where an atomic bomb was developed. All else defaults to Mr. Wizard meets 'As The World Turns'.… Expand
  8. Planck56
    Sep 19, 2014
    10
    There will always be the naysayers but generally this show is fun and exciting and I am looking for season 2. I love the competitive nature and the conflicts between characters. I also like the irreverent parts that give the characters a more believe quality. .
  9. spondonste
    Oct 14, 2014
    2
    This series uses a historical event to portray a contrived soap opera of psychologically scared and emotionally weak individuals to give the impression of what life was like there. It has little bearing on the reality/ history of that industry nor of the people involved. The real problem is that todays generation will believe that's what actually happened or how people behaved. It isThis series uses a historical event to portray a contrived soap opera of psychologically scared and emotionally weak individuals to give the impression of what life was like there. It has little bearing on the reality/ history of that industry nor of the people involved. The real problem is that todays generation will believe that's what actually happened or how people behaved. It is utterly contrived. As others have said I would never recommend this show to anybody because it has no basis in reality. The CHARACTERS in this program are paper thin and only a tool for the writers to tag an implausible plot line to.… Expand
  10. Broyax
    Jan 14, 2017
    3
    Un sujet passionnant malheureusement mal traité (et maltraité) par une succession de partis pris et de choix hasardeux et par un manque de réalisme flagrant de temps à autre (une croix gamée sur le casque d'un soldat allemand de la... Première Guerre Mondiale ! ou bien ce physicien de couleur dans la centrale nucléaire !... à une époque où les universités étaient encore interdites auxUn sujet passionnant malheureusement mal traité (et maltraité) par une succession de partis pris et de choix hasardeux et par un manque de réalisme flagrant de temps à autre (une croix gamée sur le casque d'un soldat allemand de la... Première Guerre Mondiale ! ou bien ce physicien de couleur dans la centrale nucléaire !... à une époque où les universités étaient encore interdites aux Noirs).

    Du coup, on s'interroge sur la légitimité et la véracité du fil des évènements romancés ici... Romancés, trop romancés à mon humble avis, voire satiriques à leur insu ? pourtant la série se veut très docte et sérieuse. On ne voit Oppenheimer que très rarement et il est présenté comme un sale con, imbus de sa personne. En revanche, le "héros" et l'inventeur de la bombe serait ce Frank Winter, superchieur de son état et sorte de prince McGyver de l'atome.

    La série a pourtant quelques qualités comme son ambiance sécuritaire obsessionnelle et sa paranoïa de l'espionnage et se donne du mal pour donner un visage humain à tous ces scientifiques exceptionnels. Mais outre son sentimentalisme exagéré et peu crédible, elle dérape dans les grandes largeurs en déroulant la vie sexuelle débridée de nos super génies. Apparemment, à Los Alamos, on ne pensait qu'à se vider les burnes entre deux équations et une bouteille de gnôle.

    Donc, je sais pas, mais j'ai l'impression qu'on se fout de notre gueule dans Manhattan : si c'est "ça" l'histoire de la Bombe, moi j'ai marché sur la lune avec Haddock et Tournesol.    … Expand
  11. EludiumQ36
    Aug 3, 2014
    3
    Sorry, I can't recommend this show except to chicks because it has much more in common with a show like "Army Wives". There are so many problems with this show, the latter being just one: it starts in 1943 so the setting is one in which your father or grandfather grew up, and it's not at all colorful; in fact, they might as well filmed this in black-and-white because the muted grays andSorry, I can't recommend this show except to chicks because it has much more in common with a show like "Army Wives". There are so many problems with this show, the latter being just one: it starts in 1943 so the setting is one in which your father or grandfather grew up, and it's not at all colorful; in fact, they might as well filmed this in black-and-white because the muted grays and browns are just as bad. Next, the story starts after the project has begun, so there's no exposition of the Manhattan Project at all; in fact, the characters aren't even really named. That means this show is going to lean heavily on flashbacks which just adds to confusion, especially at the outset. It's also leaning heavily on family relationships which is more distracting and FF bait. I was hoping the show would focus more on the science, the policy and ethical debates but instead we're getting splashes of Army Wives and Mad Men's misogyny. Deleted and removed from DVR's timer.… Expand
  12. statue
    Dec 23, 2014
    0
    A big disappointment!! - I'm embarrassed to say that I watched this at all. When will Hollywood understand that great TV and Movies DO NOT HAVE to big filled with every pervert director, writer, and producer's weird sexual fantasies?
    I wish someone would make this for TV without all the innuendos and sexual content.
    DO NOT watch this - you'll just encourage them. - Too bad - this would    A big disappointment!! - I'm embarrassed to say that I watched this at all. When will Hollywood understand that great TV and Movies DO NOT HAVE to big filled with every pervert director, writer, and producer's weird sexual fantasies?
    I wish someone would make this for TV without all the innuendos and sexual content.
    DO NOT watch this - you'll just encourage them. - Too bad - this would have been a fantastic series.    … Expand
  13. superb3
    Aug 10, 2014
    3
    another liberal hack job at rewriting American history it portrays the scientists as a bunch of hand-wringing liberal wimps and the woman as modern 21st century woman the scientist's were proud to be working on this project to bring and end to a horrible war the only thing that resembles reality is the location and the project otherwise it should only be viewed as a fictional drama
  14. DanniBoi
    Jul 30, 2014
    9
    Greetings:

    Well we can't denied the obvious, how great everything looks and feels. How the show (pilot) makes you get intrigued about every little detail if you put too much tough in to it. It has a heavy dark secrets even on the development of the characters, (at least that is what I felt) and not in the sense of how they will be developed in the next episodes. It's almost like if it    Greetings:

    Well we can't denied the obvious, how great everything looks and feels. How the show (pilot) makes you get intrigued about every little detail if you put too much tough in to it. It has a heavy dark secrets even on the development of the characters, (at least that is what I felt) and not in the sense of how they will be developed in the next episodes. It's almost like if it matters to get know and see that every character in this show will have a very important role in the upcoming episodes.

    P.s. I hope this is more than just the pilot. Which I am feeling confident about this show, I guess time will tell us.    … Expand
  15. dyrtyredd
    Sep 15, 2014
    0
    I was really looking forward to this show. I thought it was going to be about the Manhattan project and how the scientific community worked together to create the first atomic weapons. WRONG! It's a soap opera about their wives and their feelings. There are lesbians and alcoholics and prostitutes, but almost nothing of the Manhattan project. The project is just the background for all ofI was really looking forward to this show. I thought it was going to be about the Manhattan project and how the scientific community worked together to create the first atomic weapons. WRONG! It's a soap opera about their wives and their feelings. There are lesbians and alcoholics and prostitutes, but almost nothing of the Manhattan project. The project is just the background for all of the weak and boring characters they invented for this soap opera. If you name a show Manhattan then it should be about that, not about lesbians and cheaters.… Expand
  16. podaddy
    Sep 18, 2014
    10
    Favorite show to come along in quite sometime. The negative that expected some sort of "Smithsonian" feel to Manhattan are way off base. Great writing and solid acting carry this show. No complaints here. It doesn't sell itself as a real portrait of those times. It's quite clear it's fictional, but everything I've read regarding many of the storylines in "Manhattan" are closely, perhapsFavorite show to come along in quite sometime. The negative that expected some sort of "Smithsonian" feel to Manhattan are way off base. Great writing and solid acting carry this show. No complaints here. It doesn't sell itself as a real portrait of those times. It's quite clear it's fictional, but everything I've read regarding many of the storylines in "Manhattan" are closely, perhaps loosely, tied to many of the things that actually went on at Los Alamos. From the competing scientific teams, to paranoia about spies (and the actual existence of them) to some of the radioactive related sicknesses on site, poor health services, and frustration among families with the secretiveness of everything that went on. Superb show.… Expand
  17. shellview
    Aug 21, 2014
    9
    "Manhattan" is a wonderful summer surprise. The acting, dialogue, and cinematography are first rate. What helps make this so good is the lack of "star power" . These are mainly character actors who give this a sense of realism. Sometimes when it gets too scientific I do have trouble keeping focused on the story but the intrigue is what gets me right back to the show. Not perfect but"Manhattan" is a wonderful summer surprise. The acting, dialogue, and cinematography are first rate. What helps make this so good is the lack of "star power" . These are mainly character actors who give this a sense of realism. Sometimes when it gets too scientific I do have trouble keeping focused on the story but the intrigue is what gets me right back to the show. Not perfect but Manhattan is excellent thought provoking viewing.… Expand
  18. bob516
    Aug 24, 2014
    10
    If I could give this a 9 1/2 I would. Solid show, strong characters, convincing actors, but something is just falling a little shy of perfect for me. That being said, it is on my list of shows that I really look forward to and not just one I watch because it is good enough.
  19. BogKid
    Jul 28, 2014
    8
    Though it is obvious that we all know how this story works out in the end, that in no way reduces the suspense and tension in this show. In fact, I feel I must comment that the tension level is so high throughout most of the pilot episode that it cannot be described as a very "enjoyable" experience. Claustrophobic, dark, a constant air of anxiety all help to describe how I viewed thisThough it is obvious that we all know how this story works out in the end, that in no way reduces the suspense and tension in this show. In fact, I feel I must comment that the tension level is so high throughout most of the pilot episode that it cannot be described as a very "enjoyable" experience. Claustrophobic, dark, a constant air of anxiety all help to describe how I viewed this show. Production values are high. Acting is entirely competent to excellent. WGN has certainly turned in a different direction away from its initial schlocky offering of "Salem".

    Did I like "Manhattan"? YES. Did I enjoy it. Not really.    … Expand
  20. borderlinefilms
    Aug 4, 2014
    10
    W(o)w!

    Where did this come from? This show is the real deal. Intriguing, interwoven storylines and profoundly complex characters in strained relationships. So far everything in this series so is top notch from writing to production design to acting. I'm hard-pressed to find anything significantly wrong with this drama. Usually these serial cable dramas flatline immediately after the    W(o)w!

    Where did this come from? This show is the real deal. Intriguing, interwoven storylines and profoundly complex characters in strained relationships. So far everything in this series so is top notch from writing to production design to acting. I'm hard-pressed to find anything significantly wrong with this drama. Usually these serial cable dramas flatline immediately after the pilot, and only return to life at season's end. But Manh(a)tten shows no signs of premature burnout. Their A-team is up for the challenge and in for the whole series. With the occasional exception of a wee too much melodrama for my tastes, this is as good as television gets. Hell, it's as good as any theatrical feature gets. Seriously, give it an Emmy, an Oscar, a Peabody, and a Nobel. Okay, I exaggerate slightly (sans sarcasm). With so many content providers jumping on the mini-series bandwagon, I usually expect stock characters brooding their way through a constipated narrative. Manh(a)tten not only captivates us about a brilliant assembly of scientists and their families bunking together to conceive the inconceivable, and bring to life the most horrifying and destructive device created by humankind. From calculated scribblings to a conscious nightmare that instantly incinerates large pockets of the planet, this production is served by a brilliant team of filmmakers and actors, artists and technicians intent on delivering the payload. Our storytellers are alive and well! The generation of kids who bucked the STEM model, opting for filmschool instead of engineering is paying off (while ironically chronicling STEM experts). While there's no shortage of garbage entertainment stinking up screens of every size, there are, alternatively, plenty of quality programs to choose from. And if you like complex, well-researched, marvellously presented multi-linear story structures with a rich collection of involving and tragically human characters, Manh(a)tten may be the best yet.    … Expand
  21. fleone06
    Sep 15, 2014
    10
    This show brings you back to where it all started. The suspense of how will it play out it almost unbearable. This drama has you wanting more every time you see it. It brings you back to a time where the race for power did not rest on the size of your countries army but the imaginations of its people. I would recommend this show to any one its a fantastic show.
  22. FleshWorld
    Aug 13, 2014
    7
    I'm on the third episode and I'm enjoying it so far because I appreciate the historical ramifications of these events but the tone is slightly too grim for my liking. The main character is not the most likable guy in the world. I just hope that they continue to stick to their guns and really bring us the entire path to the bomb.
  23. liggett1849
    Sep 23, 2014
    10
    This best new drama I've seen this season. Excellent character development and acting. Love the music. Kudos to creator Sam Shaw! Love the isolation and tension that must have existed during that secret intense time of the war.
  24. Marybarzon
    Mar 1, 2016
    10
    Fascinating story on the making of the atomic bomb in the desert of Los Alamos, New Mexico.
    Bright brains secluded in a secret military base can develope many smart ideas for the bomb but also many crazy relationship, intrigues with spies and secret loves.
    I loved serie 1 and now watching serie 2!
    A must see!

Awards & Rankings

38
#38 Best TV Season of 2014
62
#62 Most Discussed TV Season of 2014
54
#54 Most Shared TV Season of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. The Lincoln Journal Star
    Reviewed by: Jeff Korbelik
    Aug 11, 2014
    100
    This is the best new show of the summer.
    Read full review
  2. Uncle Barky
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Jul 29, 2014
    91
    John Benjamin Hickey’s point man performance leads the way, with his character’s demons and dilemmas already etched like fissures in his face. Carrying the weight of the world can be heavy lifting. Manhattan so far shows every sign of being able to shoulder the load.
    Read full review
  3. St. Louis Post-Dispatch
    Reviewed by: Gail Pennington
    Jul 27, 2014
    100
    Manhattan is in other class entirely, the kind of series that is so good, it lifts a network into a whole new tier. What “Mad Men” did for AMC, Manhattan could do for WGN.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »