Manhattan tells a story rooted in the historical context of the Manhattan Project, with characters mostly developed around the realities of the time. Casting and character arcs do not seem forced, and identity factors rarely overshadow plot or personality. The focus is on the moral complexities and tensions of its era, not modern identity politics.

The show doesn't go out of its way to mock religion, family, or traditionally masculine roles. It represents period-specific cultural norms, and while it explores the stress and cost on families, it generally treats their struggles with seriousness rather than derision or ideology-driven subversion.

Though the vast majority of characters share similar attitudes toward the war effort, this is historically accurate and not a result of modern ideological filtering. There is little evidence of traditional perspectives being caricatured or villainized beyond reasonable artistic license.