Death by Lightning, the 4-part limited dramatization about James Garfield, left me riveted and wanting more (about other historical figures). It was enlighting, surprising, funny, and incredibly well acted.
The show tells the story of Garfield’s short-lived stint as president, though it isn’t just about Garfield. It also follows his killer, his wife, and several other under-the-radar historical figures (Nick Offerman is great as Chester A. Arthur, for example).
The first three episodes fly by at a torrid pace. We watch as Garfield recieves an unexpected party nomination after an inspiring speech, then as he campaigns from his front porch. The entire time we also witness Charles Guiteau try to con his way into relevance.
The final episode is much slower, but it offers a twist I wasn’t aware of: Garfield doesn’t die due to being shot, at least not directly. Rather, he dies weeks later from sepsis due to a doctor who refused to sterilize equipment.
As someone who generally isn’t drawn to historical fiction, I was riveted by Death by Lightning and would gladly watch similar series. Do you have any recommendations?
I’m so glad you liked it! I was absolutely captivated as well. Michael Shannon was riveting, and Nick Offerman was cast against his type, which I loved. It’s been years since I watched the HBO miniseries John Adams with Paul Giamatti, but I do recall it being very compelling television about a historical subject.
Thanks! I recall hearing great things about the John Adams series.
I don’t have a recommendation, but that series was excellent!!!
I loved Death By Lightning, it felt like a Gilded Age “West Wing”. John Adams is an excellent HBO historical drama. Ken Burbs also has excellent documentaries about the US revolutionary war, US civil war, and the Vietnam War. It doesn’t have as much politics, but HBO’s “The Gilded Age” is very good.
I think Megan has watched Gilded Age, but I’ll check. Thanks!
Just finished watching this – yes really enjoyed it. Not an era I knew much about even though I studied American Politics and American History at university.
Obviously the character of Giteau was hugely interesting – I found myself really wondering what he was actually like in real-life as opposed to how he was played in this series.
In terms of other series – House Of Guinness was interesting and featured politics quite heavily.
If you want something political, but more contemporary then I’d thoroughly recommend the Danish series Borgen (it is fascinating and very well done). There are maybe 3 series of this show and they are on Netflix in NZ so maybe in the US as well.
Thanks for the recommendations of House of Guinness and Borgen!