Copyright Screen Rant
By the end of Death by Lightning, the show delivers on the introduction's promise, but there are still a lot of questions about what happens next, and what it all means. This drama miniseries explores the life and tenure of James Garfield, the 20th President of the USA, and his death, which cut his time in office down to less than a year. With such a short run, Garfield's legacy appears to have been diluted and forgotten over time, and in some ways, it was overshadowed by his death. However, Death by Lightning does a great job of bringing Garfield's story to life, while also digging deeper into the psyche of the man who played a part in his death, Charles Guiteau. What Happens At The End Of Death By Lightning? The first episode of Death by Lightning clearly establishes that this is a show about James Garfield, and the man who shot him, Charles Guiteau. In the penultimate episode, we see Charles Guiteau fire two rounds at President Garfield, before the finale digs deeper into the fallout from this fateful encounter. Initially, Garfield's condition is ambiguous, and he is seen to be recovering, with the president surviving for several weeks after the incident, enough time for his wife and family to gather around him, and to receive further treatment and care. However, due to a negligent doctor who was unwilling to entertain ideas about germs and contamination, Garfield's wound became infected, and he later died. In the wake of his death, Charles Guiteau was hanged for his attack on the President, but his behavior in prison was incredibly unusual, inviting the press to interview him, and referencing a book he intended to release after his death. But when Garfield's widow visits Guiteau in prison, she makes it very clear that his legacy will fade, and that his book will never see the light of day. And of course, Garfield's vice-president and frequent foe throughout the series, Charles Arthur, went on to succeed Garfield, having a change of heart after seeing how kind and graceful Garfield was in any given situation. Is Death By Lightning's Ending Accurate To Historical Facts? Many historical dramas take liberties with the way they represent their stories. However, it appears that much of what is seen in Death by Lightning is an accurate depiction of the events as they played out. Of course, there are private conversations that occur, such as the one between Mrs. Garfield and Guiteau which there is no way to verify, but as far as the events that play out, it's accurate. Garfield did get shot by Guiteau twice in a train station, and it is believed he did ultimately die of the infection that came on due to his doctor's attempts to treat the wound. Chester Arthur did succeed Garfield, and he did bring to pass several of the things Garfield set in motion. However, there are a few inconsistencies between fact and fiction that elevate this account of events into something more dramatic and suitable for entertainment. Was Chester Arthur A Good President? Chester Arthur survived Garfield, and due to his position as Vice President, he did end up taking over as the President. This was also one of the earliest incidents of this occurring, which means there wasn't an established routine for how the transition of power should happen, or any way to implement a new Vice President before the next election. As a result, Chester served his entire term without a VP. And as far as determining how "good" of a President he was, he has been praised and derided in equal measure. After Arthur's time as President, the Democratic Party won for the first time since the end of the civil war, which may indicate Arthur's run inspired a desire for more change across the US. Did Charles Guiteau Really Write A Book About His Life? The book referenced in the series, titled Truth, is actually an article that Charles Guiteau did publish to offer up an account of his side of the assassination. It was published, though it appears it made no great impact whatsoever. Largely, the scene where Guiteau and Mrs. Garfield meet in the prison appears to be fiction, created purely for the purpose of driving home the idea that Guiteau's actions destroyed Garfield's legacy, but in turn, he would not be remembered. This is an effective and emotional scene in the show, but not one founded in fact. What Does Death By Lightning's Ending Really Mean? It's interesting to see similarities between the division and corruption in government that is exposed in Death by Lightning, and compare it to the present day. And beyond that, the historical miniseries highlights themes of legacy and morality. Both Garfield and Guiteau end up dead at the end of the show, and their legacies are shaped by one another. Early in the show, it ties these two figure's histories together when it shows Guiteau meeting the President and declaring his affections and admiration. However, when the meeting doesn't go as expected, Guiteau moves in a radical new direction seeking to secure his legacy into the future. Meanwhile, Garfield is portrayed as a humble man who doesn't want glory for himself, he just wants to make a difference, and show people that there is another way rather than settling for corrupt and hollow governments. As a political drama, it is deeply political in its message, and it's effective in conveying an inspiring look at how much difference one man can make.
