Manhattan

The series is stronger and more fully realized through four episodes of season two than it was at a comparable point in season one.

In a TV world with so many choices, Manhattan is at least worth seeking out, to see if its kind of tense smartness appeals to you.

Manhattan has a feel both for the rush of scientific discovery and for the often-difficult personalities drawn to it. In this war story, the most fascinating battles are among allies.

Season 2 of Manhattan gets off to a slow start and may require catch-up work. But the high-minded story about the creators of the atom bomb soon picks up the pace.

Manhattan returns to WGN America on Tuesday (October 13) for its second season and it hasn't made one of those leaps that might cause critics to yell into the void that this is a classic drama that viewers are missing out on, but it still features a superb and growing ensemble cast, a textured commitment to period detail, the smooth execution of some of TV's best directors and the looming potential of atomic detonation to give it all some dramatic juice.

In the first four episodes of Manhattan’s second season, the atomic-age drama contains quite a bit of fruitful conflict and meaty character development, all of which amp up the show’s energy level and move it into much more compelling territory.

CSI'S William Petersen is the new military honcho. He's crisp, commanding, a bit bland, but effective--just like the premiere. [16 Oct 2015]