Michael Shannon Starrer is healthy
Based on Candice Millard’s 2011 novel “Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President,” Netflix’s latest limited series, “Death by Lightning,” follows President James Garfield, the oft-forgotten twentieth president of the United States, and the man who killed him, Charles Guiteau. Created by Mike Makowsky (“Bad Education”) and executive produced by “Game of Thrones” duo David Benioff and DB Weiss, the four-part series serves as a historical reminder and an ominous portent.
“Death by Lightning” opens at the Army Medical Museum in 1969. Workers are startled when a pot tumbles out of a dusty box and rolls onto the floor. Upon analysis, they realize that it is the brain of Charles J. Guiteau (Matthew Macfadyen), and that it has been on a shelf for almost a century. From there, the series moves back to 1880. The audience meets Charles, who is spending another stint in prison, this time for false pretenses and evading arrest. A few states away in Ohio, Civil War veteran and Congressman James Garfield (Michael Shannon) is called from his family farm to Chicago for the Republican National Convention.
Although Garfield reluctantly attends the RNC to give a speech in support of his friend, Congressman James Blaine (Bradley Whitford), for president, his rousing speech inadvertently wins him the nomination. Garfield’s wife Crete (Betty Gilpin) doesn’t even find out he’s on the ballot until enthusiastic supporters show up on her front lawn. As Garfield hesitantly continues his campaign, he is forced to align himself with Chester Arthur (Nick Offerman), who unexpectedly becomes his running mate, and the dominant but highly influential Senator Roscoe Conkling (Shea Whigham).
After Garfield’s ascension, Charles becomes increasingly fixated on Garfield. He abandons his plans to start a newspaper and begins a desperate plan to become part of the Garfield campaign and later his government. ‘Death by Lightning’ shows 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 crucial role in getting Garfield and Arthur into the White House. The men’s lives fatally collide at a train station just three months after Garfield is sworn in.
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, there is a tone of hopelessness. Just a hundred years after the country’s founding, the country’s highest office was riddled with corruption and greed. The stain of slavery and the horrors of the Civil War remained palpable, and many citizens clung to what once was – including their racism and xenophobia – rather than looking ahead to a more progressive future. One hundred and forty-five years later, it feels like the United States has stood still as you watch privileged men scream and rant as they hoard power, opportunity, and food over others. This struggle is still at the core of our republic, and we, as Americans, seem doomed to continue in this helpless cycle.
Still, for those who love history, the series is beautifully acted and detailed. Still, four episodes feels excessive, especially since so much time is spent with Charles. Macfadyen is diligent in his portrayal of an obviously ill man, traumatized by his troubled childhood and who never received proper care. Unfortunately, forcing the audience to remain stuck in his mania adds little to the story overall. While viewers get glimpses into his past, including his lengthy stint in a sex cult and his sister Franny’s (Paula Malcomson) whispers about their upbringing, it would have been more effective to see those elements play out. Instead, it feels repetitive and a bit boring to watch Charles try to integrate himself into the Garfield administration by forging papers and sneaking into buildings.
While “Death by Lightning” isn’t the most compelling political drama, it’s still refreshing to see a portrayal of a forgotten man who could have set our country on an alternate course. By focusing on Garfield, Makowsky and director Matt Ross, we show a man committed to civil rights and determined to clean up the mess within the government. If he were still alive, America might look very different today.
‘Death by Lightning’ is now available to stream on Netflix.
