Manhattan Season 1 Episode 10 The Understudy

The Understudy is the tenth episode of the first season of the television series Manhattan. The show is set in 1940s America, during the Manhattan Project, the government program that developed the first atomic bombs.

The episode opens with Charlie, one of the scientists on the project, being taken into custody by military police for trying to flee the compound. Charlie is distraught, and the other scientists are shaken by his arrest. Meanwhile, Frank pays a visit to his estranged wife, Liza, who is staying with his mother in New York City. He tries to convince her to come back to Los Alamos with him, but she is hesitant. Frank's troubled relationship with Liza is a recurring theme throughout the series.

Back at the compound, tensions are high as the scientists continue to work on the bomb. Dr. Babbit, the head of the medical team, is worried about the long-term effects of exposure to radiation on the workers. He insists on performing regular medical checks, but the military officers in charge resist. This conflict forms another subplot throughout the episode.

The main storyline, however, revolves around the play that the scientists have been rehearsing for weeks. The play, a comedic farce, is meant to be a stress-reliever for the scientists, but it has taken on a life of its own. When the male lead, Dr. DePaul, falls ill, the understudy, Dr. Jim Meeks, steps up to take his place. Meeks has never acted before, but he throws himself into the role with gusto.

As Meeks becomes more and more invested in the play, the other scientists start to worry that he is neglecting his work on the bomb. They fear that his dedication to the play is distracting him from his responsibilities. Meeks, on the other hand, believes that the play is just as important as the bomb. He sees the play as a way to connect with his colleagues and relieve the stress of their high-pressure work.

The tension between Meeks and the other scientists comes to a head during a dress rehearsal, when Meeks accidentally sets off a minor explosion on stage. The incident is played for laughs, but it underscores the dangerous work that the scientists are engaged in. Meeks is chastised by the military officers, who remind him of the importance of his work on the bomb.

Despite the setback, Meeks refuses to give up on the play. He puts in extra hours to memorize his lines and perfect his performance. When the day of the performance arrives, he gives a brilliant performance that wins over the audience. The play is a triumph, and the scientists leave the theater feeling a sense of camaraderie that they haven't experienced in months.

As the episode ends, Frank returns to Los Alamos and is met by Dr. Babbit, who informs him that one of the workers has been exposed to a dangerous amount of radiation. The news is sobering, and Frank is left to contemplate the ethical implications of the work that they are doing at the compound.

Overall, The Understudy is a well-crafted episode that balances the show's various plotlines. The tension between the scientists and the military officers is palpable, and the play provides a welcome dose of humor in an otherwise serious story. The episode also does a good job of setting up the series' themes of ethical dilemmas and the toll that the work takes on the scientists' personal lives.