Netflix’s Assassination Drama “Death by Lightning” TV Review
Netflix’s latest limited series “Death by Lightning” is a political thriller exploring the life and assassination of James Garfield, the 20th President of the United States. The show is adapted from Candice Millard’s 2011 book Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President.
The four-part series, created by Mike Makowsky (“Bad Education”) and executive produced by “Game of Thrones” creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, offers both a historical account and a chilling reflection on Garfield’s legacy.
Plot Introduction
The series begins in 1969 at the Army Medical Museum, where workers discover a jar that has rolled out of a dusty box. Upon inspection, they realize it contains the brain of Charles J. Guiteau, Garfield’s assassin, preserved for nearly 100 years.
“Death by Lightning” opens in 1969 at the Army Medical Museum. Workers are startled when a jar tumbles out of a dusty box and rolls onto the ground. Upon analyzing it, they realize it’s the brain of Charles J. Guiteau (Matthew Macfadyen), and had been tucked away on a shelf for nearly a century.
The story then flashes back to 1880, introducing Charles Guiteau, portrayed by Matthew Macfadyen, as he finishes a prison term for false pretenses and evading arrest. Meanwhile, in Ohio, Civil War veteran and Congressman James Garfield (played by Michael Shannon) is called from his family farm to attend the Republican National Convention in Chicago.
Key Characters and Historical Context
- James Garfield – 20th President of the United States, a Civil War veteran and congressman.
- Charles Guiteau – The man who assassinated President Garfield, depicted during his troubled past and imprisonment.
The series balances political intrigue, personal struggles, and the medical challenges surrounding Garfield’s assassination, presenting a layered portrayal of a lesser-known chapter in American history.
Summary
“Death by Lightning” is a sobering and compelling dramatization that sheds light on James Garfield’s presidency and the complex motives behind his assassination, combining historical accuracy with strong performances.
Netflix’s newest limited series, “Death by Lightning,” follows President James Garfield, the oft-forgotten 20th president of the United States, and the man who assassinated him, Charles Guiteau.
Author’s note: This series invites viewers to reflect on a neglected historical event with renewed understanding and suspense.