Death by Lightning

President James Garfield (Michael Shannon) emerges as a significant historical figure whose life story embodies the American Dream in this scripted series, which highlights his rise from poverty to the presidency and his tragic assassination just 119 days into his term. The narrative contrasts Garfield with his assassin, Charles Guiteau (Matthew Macfadyen), exploring themes of political violence, mental illness, and societal rejection, ultimately emphasizing Garfield’s legacy in civil service reform and the ongoing relevance of his story in today’s political climate.