As far as the general public is concerned, one of the most least known parts of American history is what occurred in the eastern part of the nation between the Civil War and the rise of Theodore Roosevelt. This is ironic, because the most filmed part of American history is probably the Old West of the same period. So imagine my pleasant surprise when, just a week before its release, I learned there was a four-part Netflix series on President James Garfield and his assassin Charles Guiteau!
James Garfield is one of the most fascinating and over-looked figures in American political history. Born into a poor Ohioan family and raised for most of his childhood and youth by a single mother, He became a voracious reader and was noted for his vast knowledge as an adult. Initially a teacher, he entered politics as a Republican and an Abolitionist. In the Civil War Garfield joined the Union Army and, with quite a bit of good fortune, rose to the rank of brigadier-general before leaving the army to become a US Representative as well as a lawyer. In 1880 he went to the Republican Convention in New York to support John Sherman as presidential candidate, but surprisingly found himself nominated after he gave a rousing speech defending certain delegates from expulsion (the speech is one of the more historically altered moments in the show).
To
historians who have specifically studied Garfield, who usually stuck to his
principles and was noted for his honesty, he looked to be a good or even great
president as he began to challenge and overcome the Stalwarts, a faction of
Republicans who advocated for the Spoils System of politics. Politicians and
public servants in the Gilded Age were given key positions based on allegiance
and friendship rather than merit, and often they were unqualified for these
positions. In addition to getting the ball rolling on civil service reforms,
Garfield was a staunch defender of African-American rights and sought to
improve the education of southern blacks, whose illiteracy made them vulnerable
to disenfranchisement and other forms of persecution. However, he was
assassinated in just his first year by the mentally unstable patronage seeker
Charles Guiteau. More accurately, Guiteau shot him and then a horribly
incompetent doctor turned what were curable wounds into a fatal illness.
Death by
Lightning
is mostly based on Candice Millard’s book Destiny
of the Republic, but only covers the election of 1880 and Garfield’s
presidency and death. Michael Shannon plays Garfield as a complete stand-up
guy and an embodiment of what's good about America. He’s unswerving in his morality, loving to his family, kind to the common
people he bumps into, and Christ-like in forgiveness towards the devious
vice-president Chester A. Arthur (more on him in a bit). Garfield was indeed known
as a man of integrity, but did have a couple questionable moments such as
possible interference in the 1876 presidential election. Still, Shannon’s
portrayal is very likeable, making his eventual death and cut-off of his
presidency hit much harder.
The
show actually has two leads. The other, Matthew Macfadyen plays Charles
Guiteau. Guiteau was a mentally unwell man who suffered from delusions of his
own capabilities and influence. He kept harassing Garfield’s administration for
a political appointment. When Secretary of State James G. Blaine finally told
him clearly to get lost, he snapped, convincing himself that Garfield was a
threat to the nation.
Macfadyen
does a great job of showing a pathetic, sympathetic, yet also increasingly
despicable man whose outsized dreams drive him to madness. At the start of the
series there is a heavy undercurrent of comedy, though those sensitive to
cringe might have trouble getting through his attempts to ingratiate himself
with major Republicans. By the last episode, however, he’s become a dark
figure, a man nearly invisible but about to make his mark on history.
The
other antagonists of the show, which actually keep the attention of Garfield
and his allies, are Roscoe Conkling (Shea Wigham) and his powerful New York
machine. One of the delights for me when watching this series was seeing Conkling
and major late 19th century political figures finally come to screen
after decades of neglect. Some include James Blaine (Bradley Whitford), John
Sherman (Alistair Petrie), and best of all Chester A. Arthur (Nick Offerman).
Chester
Arthur, another oft overlooked President, is surprisingly my favorite character
in the show. Nick Offerman makes him sympathetic and unscrupulous at the same
time and his character experiences the most growth. He’s made Garfield’s
running mate to appease the Stalwarts faction, then seeks to undermine the
president’s agenda from within. By the end, however, Garfield’s integrity and
Conkling’s cold-hearted view of politics lead him to question his own life
choices. A final character to note is Lucretia Garfield, the First Lady (Betty
Gilpin). Viewers might think her political acumen and practical position in the
Presidential cabinet on the show is a concession to current feminism. However,
this portrayal is actually true to history. There is one moment where Garfield’s
daughter makes a moralistic 21st Century outburst, but otherwise Death by Lightning avoids
serious anachronisms.
And
that’s what makes this show so great. Even with four hours it has to streamline
some events, but it’s incredibly accurate. Seeming moments of dramatic licence
did happen, from Guiteau’s comically virgin tenure at an Oneida free love cult
to the horrific string of medical mistakes made by Doctor Willard Bliss to
Garfield’s nomination via powerful speech. Fictional moments like Guiteau’s
comical encounters with Arthur help flesh out the characters and fill in the gaps
between known history.
One
possible criticism is that the series doesn’t show Guiteau’s murder trial,
which is rife for dark comedy with the defendant’s oddball antics. At least
they show him singing the awful Christian hymn he wrote.
Death by
Lightning
was a great surprise and covers fascinating figures lost to minds of many
current Americans. I never thought I would get invested in Chester A. Arthur.
Rating:
8/10
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