Death by Lightning ending explained: Who really killed Garfield, and why?

Death by Lightning Ending Explained: Who Really Killed Garfield, and Why?

In Death by Lightning, Netflix dramatizes a tragic chapter of American history. Based on Candice Millard’s Destiny of the Republic, the four-part miniseries explores the assassination of President James A. Garfield and the disturbed mind of his killer, Charles J. Guiteau. With Michael Shannon portraying Garfield and Matthew Macfadyen as Guiteau, the finale leaves viewers shocked and reflecting on how history went so tragically wrong.

The Assassination

The finale begins with brutal clarity. President Garfield, only months into his presidency, was optimistic about uniting the nation as he entered Washington’s Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station. Security was minimal, accompanied only by his sons and Secretary of State James Blaine (played by Bradley Whitford). Suddenly, Guiteau fired the fatal shots.

“Though Garfield doesn’t die immediately, the real villain is 19th-century medicine itself.”

The True Cause of Death

Guiteau, a mentally unstable man seeking office, believed he was fulfilling divine destiny by killing the president. However, Garfield’s death months later was largely due to the medical practices of the time. Dr. Bliss (Željko Ivanek) rejected antiseptic methods and repeatedly probed the wound with unwashed fingers and instruments, exacerbating the president’s condition.

Garfield spent his final months at the White House, treated by Dr. Purvis (Shaun Parkes), the first Black physician to care for a president suffering from infection and sepsis. Ultimately, Garfield died on September 19, 1881 — a victim not only of an assassin but also of medical ignorance and hubris.

Performance Highlights

Matthew Macfadyen’s portrayal of Guiteau is a striking balance between pathetic and terrifying, capturing the killer’s disturbed nature vividly.

“Matthew Macfadyen flips between pathetic and terrifying.”

Author's summary: The series reveals that President Garfield’s assassination was not just a violent act but also a catastrophic failure of 19th-century medical care, leaving a lasting impression on viewers.

Soap Central — 2025-11-08