Death by Lightning S1E4 — Destiny of the Republic

8.2

Death by Lightning•Season 1•Episode 4

Destiny of the Republic

8.2/10 · 933 votesNov 6, 202567 min

Ranked #1 of 4 in Season 1•+0.3 vs season avg

Discussion

Conkling goes on the offensive as Garfield challenges the New York political machine. Isolated and desperate, Guiteau weighs a history-making decision.

Directed byMatt Ross

Written byMike Makowsky

Previous episodeE3 · Casus Belli

Seasons1

All 1

Season 1 Episodes4

The Man from Ohio

Party Faithful

Casus Belli

Destiny of the Republic

Cast14

Michael Shannon

James Garfield

Matthew Macfadyen

Charles Guiteau

Nick Offerman

Chester A. Arthur

Shea Whigham

Roscoe Conkling

Bradley Whitford

James Blaine

Betty Gilpin

Crete Garfield

Alfie Tempest

Irvin Garfield

Anders Grundberg

Abram Garfield

Dylan Hughes

Jim Garfield Jr.

Jack Alldridge

Harry Garfield

Andrew Hefler

Tom Platt

David Nykl

Levi Morton

Crew2

Matt Ross

Director

Mike Makowsky

Writer

Discussion

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Episode Summary

"Destiny of the Republic" is episode 4 of Death by Lightning season 1. It scored 8.2/10 from 933 votes, ranking #1 of 4 episodes this season (season average 7.9). Directed by Matt Ross and written by Mike Makowsky, it aired on November 6, 2025.

Best episodes of Death by Lightning Best of Season 1