Only three episodes into the new WGN production "Manhattan" several things become clear. Manhattan is a fictional drama based on the remote Los Alamos County area the government used imminent domain to isolate in 1942. The nation's top scientists formed their laboratories to create the world's first functional atomic bombs. Robert Oppenheimer led the operation. While the show does well to paint the possible environ in which these men, and their families, lived and worked, the show doesn't attempt to be a highly factual account opting for drama and entertainment. In this guise it works quite well.
One can't help but notice a degree of care has been undertaken to create a time past. The cinematography is many times striking and uniformly excellent. The writing, though fictional, weighs in on the human drama surrounding this unique community. These are hard times and all are sacrificing creature comforts for the greater good of humanity as it is feared Germany may possibly be on the cusp of developing a atomic weapon first. No matter what these individuals are going through the atmosphere of urgency and secretive isolation looms large. Naturally such stress brings out many sides, both good and ugly, these people wrestle with That much rings true even if in using artistic license the writers have chosen to use a competition among two scientist's groups to be the first to make a working prototype bomb. While likely not true (Oppenheimer insisted on sharing all possible breakthroughs is the accepted fact) the fictional competition is fodder for great drama. This undercurrent of fevered competition is brought forth in Dr. Frank Winter's role as a man driven to stop the bloodshed overseas and prevent it from coming to America. Winter is highly conflicted, but laser driven to succeed at whatever the personal costs he and his group must pay. In his quest he steps on toes and alienates his superiors regularly.
So, if you don't expect a big revealing historically accurate telling of the Manhattan Project you can sit back and be entertained. It's obvious care has been given to create a "possibly true" alternative telling of this unique time and place.
One can't help but notice a degree of care has been undertaken to create a time past. The cinematography is many times striking and uniformly excellent. The writing, though fictional, weighs in on the human drama surrounding this unique community. These are hard times and all are sacrificing creature comforts for the greater good of humanity as it is feared Germany may possibly be on the cusp of developing a atomic weapon first. No matter what these individuals are going through the atmosphere of urgency and secretive isolation looms large. Naturally such stress brings out many sides, both good and ugly, these people wrestle with That much rings true even if in using artistic license the writers have chosen to use a competition among two scientist's groups to be the first to make a working prototype bomb. While likely not true (Oppenheimer insisted on sharing all possible breakthroughs is the accepted fact) the fictional competition is fodder for great drama. This undercurrent of fevered competition is brought forth in Dr. Frank Winter's role as a man driven to stop the bloodshed overseas and prevent it from coming to America. Winter is highly conflicted, but laser driven to succeed at whatever the personal costs he and his group must pay. In his quest he steps on toes and alienates his superiors regularly.
So, if you don't expect a big revealing historically accurate telling of the Manhattan Project you can sit back and be entertained. It's obvious care has been given to create a "possibly true" alternative telling of this unique time and place.