Death By Lightning brings to life a story many might consider forgotten—President James Garfield’s tragic assassination in 1881. But creator Mike Makowsky’s unique approach blends the absurd with the poignant, creating a series that not only reimagines history but also adds a surprising twist with humor and dark intrigue. This period drama isn’t merely about Garfield’s untimely death; it is about the eccentricities of history, the figures left behind, and the bizarre circumstances that still linger today.
The standout feature of Death By Lightning is its opening, which frames the story with a curious and macabre object: Charles Guiteau’s brain preserved in a jar. The brain of Garfield’s assassin leads viewers from the 1960s to the 1880s, creating a story that challenges expectations and invites viewers to examine the strange overlap between memory, tragedy, and history.
Makowsky, best known for his work on Bad Influence, has dedicated years to crafting this series, using the assassination as a gateway to explore larger social, psychological, and historical questions. “It’s a little weird for it to be finally out in the world after about seven years of working on it,” Makowsky told What’s On Netflix. “I’m crawling out of this James Garfield rabbit hole, and it’s exciting to see people engage with this pocket of history.”
Overview Table: Key Elements of Death By Lightning
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Series Title | Death By Lightning |
| Creator | Mike Makowsky |
| Main Cast | Michael Shannon (James Garfield), Matthew Macfadyen (Charles Guiteau), Betty Gilpin (Lucretia Garfield) |
| Premise | The assassination of James Garfield, framed by the discovery of Charles Guiteau’s brain in 1969. |
| Tone | Dark comedy, historical drama |
| Episode Count | Limited series, 10 episodes |
| Release Date | Available on Netflix |
| Genre | Historical drama, dark comedy |
Reframing History: James Garfield and Charles Guiteau
The series is built around two very different men: James Garfield, the idealistic president who came to office through a rare combination of ability and luck, and Charles Guiteau, the delusional assassin whose irrational belief that killing Garfield would somehow save the country leads to his infamous crime. But while Garfield’s death is central to the series, Death By Lightning digs much deeper into the psychology and motivations of both men, raising questions about ambition, mental illness, and the tragedy of squandered potential.
The Tragic Hero: James Garfield
At the heart of the show is Garfield, portrayed by Michael Shannon. Garfield was a brilliant and ambitious man, who had an ideal vision for America—a vision cut short by an assassin’s bullet. But Makowsky’s portrayal doesn’t just focus on Garfield’s accomplishments; it examines the complexity of his character. Garfield is depicted as a man still haunted by his experiences in the Civil War, struggling with PTSD and the emotional scars that would plague him until his death.
Shannon’s performance is powerful, capturing Garfield’s deep internal conflict between his nobility and the trauma of his past. Makowsky intentionally chooses not to portray Garfield as a flawless hero, opting instead to depict him as a man who, while driven by high ideals, was also deeply affected by personal pain. The show’s portrayal of Garfield’s emotional and psychological complexities adds a humanizing layer to the historical figure, offering a more nuanced take on the man who could have changed America’s course.
“Garfield’s story was one of immense promise, but also deep internal struggle. He was a visionary who could have changed America, but his trauma shaped his journey.” — Mike Makowsky, Creator of Death By Lightning
Guiteau: The Delusional Assassin
Contrasting Garfield’s character is Charles Guiteau, played by Matthew Macfadyen, whose portrayal brings a mix of pathos and absurdity. Guiteau, a mentally unstable man with a grandiose sense of self-importance, believes that assassinating Garfield will make him a hero and save the country. Macfadyen’s interpretation of Guiteau is captivating; he brings a blend of eerie confidence and erratic behavior, making Guiteau both tragic and terrifying. His delusions are never fully explained, allowing the character’s complexity to emerge organically, pulling viewers into his world of self-deception and unshakable certainty.
Makowsky notes, “Guiteau’s strength in his own delusion is both tragic and captivating. There’s a certain madness to the way he believes he’s doing the right thing.”
The Brain in the Jar: A Bizarre Starting Point
Perhaps the most striking and unconventional aspect of Death By Lightning is its opening scene, which features the discovery of Charles Guiteau’s preserved brain in a jar. Set in 1969, this discovery by a group of construction workers serves as the entry point into the series, bridging past and present in a way that immediately sets the show apart from typical historical dramas.
Makowsky, in his interviews, has mentioned that the idea of the brain was inspired by its actual historical existence. Guiteau’s brain was preserved after his execution and remains an oddity in the annals of U.S. history. The discovery of the brain in the series acts not only as a strange narrative device but also as a metaphor for how history often preserves the grotesque and the forgotten, even while larger societal figures slip into obscurity.
By starting the series with this peculiar object, Makowsky signals that the show won’t be a typical period piece. Instead, it’s an examination of history’s more bizarre corners—where facts and eccentricities meet in ways that are both humorous and haunting. As Makowsky said, “Opening the show with this brain was essential. It makes a statement early on that this isn’t just another historical retelling. History can be absurd, and this show embraces that.”
The Power of Speech: Garfield’s Convention Address
One of the defining moments in the series is Garfield’s speech at the Republican National Convention of 1880, which ultimately led to his unexpected nomination for president. The show presents this speech as an example of Garfield’s charisma, vision, and ability to move people with his words. In the series, Garfield’s speech is modernized slightly, reflecting its historical impact while still connecting with contemporary audiences.
Garfield’s rhetoric was not just about winning an election; it was about pushing forward ideas of universal public education, Black suffrage, and civil service reform. These ideas were radical for their time, and Garfield’s ability to present them with such clarity and conviction is a key aspect of the show. “What struck me about Garfield was his ability to speak in a way that made people believe in him,” Makowsky reflected. “He had this incredible power to connect with people, and that’s something we wanted to highlight in the show.”
“Garfield’s speech was a pivotal moment in history. His words resonated with so many because they spoke to the ideals of a fair and just America.” — Michael Shannon, Actor (James Garfield)
Shannon’s portrayal of this speech is intense and moving. The scene is one of the emotional high points of the series, underlining what Garfield could have accomplished had he been given more time.
Lucretia Garfield’s Final Act of Rejection
In the final episode, there’s a powerful moment when Lucretia Garfield (Betty Gilpin) confronts Guiteau, delivering a speech in which she rejects him and his actions. It’s a scene that solidifies Garfield’s legacy and offers closure not just for Lucretia, but for the viewers as well. The speech is both a personal condemnation of Guiteau and a public defense of her husband’s place in history.
Makowsky noted that Lucretia Garfield, while often portrayed as the grieving widow, was also a woman of great strength. Betty Gilpin’s portrayal gives Lucretia a voice and agency that empowers her character, making her more than just a tragic figure. “Lucretia’s speech is about more than her grief; it’s about her reclaiming her husband’s story. It was incredibly satisfying to write and even more rewarding to see Betty Gilpin bring it to life.”
The Show’s Impact: A Fresh Take on History
Death By Lightning isn’t just about rehashing the events of Garfield’s assassination. It’s about making history engaging, relevant, and sometimes even entertaining. The show pushes boundaries, using humor, absurdity, and unexpected moments to examine how we remember the past. By centering on lesser-known figures like Guiteau and exploring the deeper emotional and psychological aspects of Garfield’s life, the series adds complexity to a historical event that is often simplified.
The show also raises broader questions about how we preserve the past. Just as Guiteau’s brain has been preserved in a jar, the series itself preserves the quirks and complexities of history that are often forgotten. As Makowsky remarked, “History is full of strange moments, and we wanted to honor that. Garfield’s assassination is tragic, but there’s something almost absurd about it, and that’s where the humor comes from.”
Conclusion
Death By Lightning challenges traditional historical dramas by blending humour, tragedy, and historical oddities in a way that brings a fresh perspective to a long-forgotten story. Makowsky’s portrayal of James Garfield and Charles Guiteau, along with the inclusion of strange historical artefacts like Guiteau’s brain, creates a unique narrative that invites viewers to think differently about the past.
By resurrecting a story from the annals of history and injecting it with humour, pathos, and dark intrigue, Death By Lightning becomes more than just a series about an assassination. It’s a commentary on how history is remembered—and how the bizarre, forgotten pieces of it continue to shape our understanding of the world today.
FAQs
The series is now available for streaming on Netflix.
The main characters include James Garfield (Michael Shannon), Charles Guiteau (Matthew Macfadyen), and Lucretia Garfield (Betty Gilpin).
While Death By Lightning remains true to key historical events, it also blends humor, anachronisms, and creative liberties to make the story more engaging and unexpected.
The brain serves as a unique framing device, symbolizing how we preserve strange and forgotten aspects of history.
It serves as a powerful statement of defiance against Guiteau and an affirmation of her husband’s legacy.
