Copyright Variety
Based on Candice Millard’s 2011 novel “Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President,” 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. Created by Mike Makowsky (“Bad Education”) and executive produced by the “Game of Thrones” duo David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, the four-part series serves as a historical remembrance and an ominous omen. “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. From there, the series rolls back to 1880. The audience meets Charles, who is completing yet another stint in jail, this time for false pretenses and evading arrest. A couple of states away in Ohio, Civil War veteran and Congressman James Garfield (Michael Shannon) is summoned from his family farm to Chicago for the Republican National Convention. Though Garfield is attending the RNC reluctantly to give a speech in support of his friend, Congressman James Blaine (Bradley Whitford), for the presidency, his rousing oration inadvertently earns him the nomination. Garfield’s wife, Crete (Betty Gilpin), doesn’t even learn he’s on the ballot until eager supporters begin showing up on her front lawn. As Garfield hesitantly moves forward with his campaign, he is forced to align with Chester Arthur (Nick Offerman), who unexpectedly becomes his running mate, and with the domineering but highly influential Senator Roscoe Conkling (Shea Whigham). Following Garfield’s ascension, Charles becomes increasingly fixated on Garfield. Abandoning his plans to start a newspaper, he begins a desperate scheme to be a part of the Garfield campaign and later, his administration. “Death by Lightning” showcases the lives of two men, both determined to make their mark on the world, but for very different reasons. The series follows Garfield as he cuts through red tape and bureaucracy to create a path for the voiceless — namely, formally enslaved Black Americans and immigrants — and Charles, who deludes himself into believing he played a vital role in getting Garfield and Arthur in the White House. The men’s lives fatally collide at a train station just three months after Garfield is sworn into office. During a calmer political moment, “Death by Lightning” may have been received differently. However, amid the current turmoil in all three branches of our government, the show echoes a tone of hopelessness. Just 100 years after the country’s founding, the highest office of the land was rife with corruption and greed. The stain of slavery and the horrors of the Civil War remained palpable, and many citizens clung on to what once was — including their racism and xenophobia — instead of looking ahead toward a more progressive future. One hundred forty-five years later, watching privileged men scream and rant while hoarding power, opportunities and food over others feels like the United States has remained stagnant. These struggles remain at the core of our republic, and we, as Americans, appear doomed to continue in this helpless cycle. Even so, for those who enjoy history, the series is beautifully acted and detailed. Yet, four episodes feel excessive, especially since so much time is spent with Charles. Macfadyen is diligent in his portrayal of an obviously unwell man, traumatized by his difficult childhood and never having received the proper care. Unfortunately, forcing the audience to linger in his mania adds very little to the story overall. Though viewers get glimpses of his past, including his lengthy stint in a sex cult and his sister Franny’s (Paula Malcomson) whispers about their upbringing, seeing those elements play out would’ve been more effective. Instead, watching Charles attempt to insert himself into the Garfield Administration by forging papers and sneaking into buildings feels repetitive and a bit dull. Still, while “Death by Lightning” isn’t the most riveting political drama, it is refreshing to see a depiction of a forgotten man who could have put our country on an alternative course. By centering Garfield, Makowsky, and director Matt Ross showcase a man committed to civil rights and determined to clean up the grit and rot within the government. Had he lived, America today might look wildly different. “Death by Lightning” is now streaming on Netflix.
