Death By Lightning Ending Explained: What Happens To President Garfield? Know The True Story Behind The Netflix Series

Death by Lightning Ending Explained: The much-anticipated Netflix series Death by Lightning is finally here. This historical period drama centers around one of America's most controversial personalities, President James A. Garfield. The plot is focused on his assassination and the devastating aftermath of his death.

Created by Mike Makowsky and based on the 2011 book Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard, the series premiered on November 6, 2025, on Netflix.

The show depicts the presidency of James A. Garfield, leading up to his shooting by Charles J. Guiteau, who had been an admirer, and his ultimate death. Starring Michael Shannon as Garfield and Matthew Macfadyen as his assassin, Guiteau, the limited series deep dives into the power, delusion, and ambition that led to the shooting. The four-episode series is being praised by viewers, so let's find out the true story behind the series and how its emotional ending unfolds.

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Death by Lightning Ending Explained: The True Story Behind President Garfield's Assassination

The series begins on a shocking note, revealing a preserved human brain in a government archive before flashing back in time to the late 19th century. It then narrates the life of James Garfield: from his unlikely rise as an Ohio congressman to the 20th President of the United States. The show chronicles his underdog story, full of emotional elements.

It also highlights the politician's progressive reforms, such as dismantling corruption in a post-Civil War system, which helped him dominate the political scene as he fought for patronage reform. The series runs the story of Charles Guiteau in parallel. Guiteau, a failed writer, was dangerously fixated on the President, convinced by the delusion that destiny bound them together.

Death by Lightning Ending Explained: The Emotional Finale

President Garfield was shot by Guiteau at Washington's Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station. While he survived the initial attack, his life was ultimately cut short due to complications from medical care.

He was treated by a team of doctors, including Dr. Bliss and Dr. Purvis, the latter being the first Black physician to attend a sitting president. However, the persistent, unsanitary probing of the wound and obsolete medical practices led to an infection that eventually ended his life.

The show highlights the tragic irony that Guiteau was not Garfield's ultimate murderer; instead, medical failures led to his demise. While Dr. Purvis warned Dr. Bliss to sterilise his instruments, Bliss dismissed antiseptic methods. Ultimately, Garfield dies a slow and painful death, not from the bullets alone, but from the failings of outdated medical practices.

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What Happens to Charles Guiteau?

Guiteau's story coincided with Garfield's rise, showcasing his escalating obsession that ultimately led him to attempt to kill the President.

Blinded by ambition, Guiteau was convinced that he deserved a position in Garfield's administration. He aggressively pursued the role, delivering powerful speeches and becoming part of social events. His delusions culminated in the shooting of Garfield, followed by Guiteau's immediate arrest and imprisonment.

What Happens to Garfield's Wife Lucretia?

In the end, the series shifts focus to Lucretia Garfield, the President's wife, showing her resilience amid profound grief. The series concludes with a powerful, poignant moment: Lucretia is seen sitting at the table her husband built at the beginning of the series. While her life moves forward—including her daughter Mollie getting married—she is left with an empty chair, powerfully depicting the void left in her life by the President's death.

Image courtesy: IMDb

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