Manhattan

:

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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User Reviews

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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. 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.
  3. 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
  4. 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. .
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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.
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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
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