Death by Lightning Ending Explained
Netflix’s Death by Lightning transforms a chapter of American history into a gripping thriller. Adapted from Candice Millard’s Destiny of the Republic, this four-part miniseries dramatizes the assassination of President James A. Garfield and explores the twisted mind of his killer, Charles J. Guiteau.
Main Characters and Portrayals
- Michael Shannon stars as President Garfield.
- Matthew Macfadyen plays Charles J. Guiteau, whose performance shifts between pathetic and terrifying.
- Bradley Whitford appears as Secretary of State James Blaine.
- Željko Ivanek portrays Bliss, a doctor who rejects antiseptic methods.
- Shaun Parkes plays Dr. Purvis, the first Black physician to treat a president with infection and sepsis.
The Assassination and Its Aftermath
The story opens with brutal scenes as Garfield, newly inaugurated and eager to unify the country, arrives at Washington’s Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station. Without any security, only his sons and Secretary Blaine accompany him. Guiteau, a delusional office-seeker convinced his actions are divinely ordained, shoots Garfield.
“Though Garfield doesn’t die immediately, the real villain is 19th-century medicine itself.”
Instead of quickly succumbing to the gunshot wounds, Garfield endures months of suffering in the White House. The medical care he receives is deeply flawed. Bliss refuses to use antiseptic techniques and repeatedly probes the wound with unwashed hands and instruments. Meanwhile, Dr. Purvis attends to Garfield’s infection and sepsis complications.
Garfield ultimately dies on September 19, 1881, a victim not only of the assassin but also of the era’s limited medical knowledge and arrogance.
Why the Ending Resonates
The finale leaves viewers stunned, highlighting how a combination of human madness and scientific failure led to a historic tragedy. The series invites reflection on how history might have unfolded differently.
Author’s Summary: "Death by Lightning" reveals how the assassination of President Garfield was shaped by a deranged killer and doomed 19th-century medical practices, underscoring tragic human and scientific flaws.
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