Here’s a challenge: can you list the six presidents who served after Abraham Lincoln? For most, this question might be a head-scratcher. Historians often refer to these leaders as the “forgotten presidents.” Among them, three were largely ineffective, one was bogged down by scandal, one had never aspired to be president, and one died just six months into his term.

The focus of Netflix’s Death By Lightning is on James Garfield, alongside his deranged assassin, Charles Guiteau. The limited series by Mike Makowsky, which draws from Candice Millard’s Destiny Of The Republic: A Tale Of Madness, Medicine And The Murder Of A President, delves into two chaotic years of U.S. politics filled with political brawls, an unconventional free-love commune, dubious medical practices, a scorned lover, secret abductions, and the creation of the metal detector.

On the surface, this seems like a goldmine for a television drama. However, the problem with Death By Lightning is its inability to settle on a particular angle, leading it to cram an overwhelming amount of content into just four episodes. This approach results in a narrative that zigzags wildly in tone. Is it an exploration of a lunatic’s mind? A Conclave-style political drama? A mellow family saga? Or perhaps a lengthy Drunk History episode? It tries to be all these things, but thankfully, the skilled cast, including Michael Shannon and Matthew Macfadyen, manages to keep it afloat.

The narrative begins in 1880 with Garfield (portrayed by Shannon), a Civil War hero and dedicated family man, attending the Republican National Convention to help choose the party’s next presidential nominee. Initially divided between James Blaine (Bradley Whitford) and the sitting president, Ulysses S. Grant (Wayne Brett), the convention takes an unexpected turn when Garfield delivers a stirring speech about the party’s vision, propelling him to the presidential nomination. Although he quickly wins the public’s affection, he earns the animosity of Roscoe Conkling (Shea Whigham), whose icy dedication to political machinations starkly contrasts with Garfield’s inherent decency. While Conkling maneuvers to place his alcoholic ally Chester Arthur (Nick Offerman) as vice president, Garfield finds a confidant in Blaine, appointing him as secretary of state.

Garfield also attracts an obsessive admirer in Guiteau (Macfadyen), a mentally unstable swindler intent on infiltrating the president’s inner circle. Given the lax security of the era, Guiteau easily confronts Garfield and his team, whether by crashing the inaugural ball or making his case to a drunk Arthur in a restroom.

Death By Lightning paints Garfield as a paragon of virtue, while Conkling is depicted as a diabolical villain straight out of a comic book. Although history often features morally ambiguous figures like Conkling, the show’s portrayal lacks depth, making it hard to engage with such polarized characters. Guiteau, on the other hand, is given more complexity, though we learn little about his background, leaving him as somewhat of an enigma.

Macfadyen’s portrayal makes Guiteau intriguing, his initially charming demeanor quickly devolving into manic desperation. This transformation helps viewers understand why his threats were often dismissed. Shannon’s portrayal of Garfield, while less dramatic, brings a calming presence to the role, making the tragedy of his assassination all the more poignant and leading one to ponder what might have been had he completed his term.

As Arthur, Offerman portrays a character who is endearing yet morally ambiguous, reminiscent of a less principled Ron Swanson. Despite his faults, Arthur’s charm makes it easy to overlook his darker traits.

The standout performance in Death By Lightning is delivered by Gilpin, who plays Garfield’s astute protector, whether countering Conkling’s schemes or dealing with the brutal practices of the White House doctor (Željko Ivanek). Her powerful monologue to Guiteau on the eve of his execution is a highlight, though the impact is lessened by a overly sentimental epilogue.

Ultimately, like post-Civil War America, Death By Lightning struggles to define its identity. Despite its initial promise to draw parallels between Garfield and Guiteau, it ends up feeling more like a disjointed series of events rather than a cohesive story.

Death by Lightning debuts November 6 on Netflix.

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Avery Sandridge

Avery Sandridge has an unmatched love for storytelling and the screen. From detailed analyses of your favorite shows to behind-the-scenes scoops, Avery offers a fresh and engaging take on everything TV series.