Manhunt
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As the episode opens, Stanton dreams of Fords Theatre, because how couldnt he?
It begins as a dream of a second chance.
Then the fantasy takes a turn as Booth mocks him as a failure.
The two never met in real life, but dreams are another matter.
In the waking world, the investigation continues slowly and with few solid leads.
Working with Eckert and Eddie Jr., Stanton interviews the man who rented Booth his distinctive horse.
Soon theyre both under arrest.
Now thats a lead.
If that werent enough, Stanton has other problems, too.
I dont know, Stanton replies.
Everyone, it seems, is a suspect until proven otherwise.
Manhuntdoesnt seem to like Johnson very much either and lets the character himself illustrate why.
(Never mind that the proper approach might not have seen those as separate issues.)
Stanton doesnt see Johnson as presidential but tells him, At least you look the part.
Sick burn, but it doesnt change a thing.
Later, Johnson will even suggest that letting Booth get away wouldnt be the worst thing.
Meanwhile, back at the Mudd farm, Booth and Herold remain in a pickle.
So why does Herold stick around?
Thats one of historys unanswered questions.
Its a first step on a journey that will take him way over his head.
Mudd shows her no respect despite their long acquaintance.
Could this have repercussions?
Thats not helpful, but maybe Mary and Milo can be.
Clearly terrified, Mary doesnt tell all she knows.
This might not be the end of her story.
At the White House, Stanton walks in to the sad sight of Lincolns body stretched on the bed.
A line has formed for mourners, many of them Black, to say farewell.
Or at least as tempering as anyone can be in such a situation.
Yet, ultimately, Arlington wont be Lincolns final resting place thanks to Marys veto.
At Eddie Jr.s suggestion, his body will tour the country before returning to Springfield, Illinois.
Its a fitting resting place for Lincoln.
Booth is making his way south, but the case also involves some action in the north.
Later, speaking to Stanton, he suggests that the Confederate Secret Service might be helping Booth.
And, if so, who in particular might be directing?
Remnants of the Confederacy, Wall Street … Andrew Johnson?
Stanton essentially waves off this last suggestion but cant deny that Johnsondidbenefit from Lincolns death.
Stanton doesnt validate the suggestion but, as Baker notes, Everybodys thinking it.
But Baker isnt content with theories alone.
Spy … journalist … Hes happy to do both jobs, sometimes at once.
Surratt is, in contemporary parlance, highly suss, but its hard to pin anything on him.
Stantons happy to get this information but cant hide his annoyance that he didnt get it before.
Looks like its time to put a bounty on John Surratts head and take a trip to Surrattsville.
Could Weichmann be part of it?
Stanton needs to know and questions him harshly.
But Weichmann insists on his innocence and doesnt back down.
Stanton may not be convinced, but he doesnt see any cracks, either.
Mary Surratts another story, however.
Stanton and Eckert are far harsher with her when they question her in her cell.
She sobs about wanting to go home.
Stanton responds by cutting her food rations.
This is no time for fooling around, as Stantons subsequent interrogation of Powell confirms.
But it doesnt get him Booth, and Eckert is stumped by Jefferson Daviss code.
Then Peanuts arrives with a bit of info he hadnt shared before: Booth is injured.Thismight help.
Are there any doctors he might have turned to?
For all his hard-charging obsessiveness, Stanton has a softer side.
Marys extravagance has put them in dire financial straits.
They need to get to a place called Rich Hill.
Only he can get them there, and theyre desperate enough to give their new acquaintance their guns.
They made the choice to conspire to kill the president.
But now their choices have started to dry up.
Still, its Mary who entrusts Stanton with keeping Lincolns memory alive.
Surrattsville, Maryland, is no longer Surrattsville.
It first became Robeystown, then, in 1879, Clinton.
(Curiously, its high school is still called Surrattsville High School.)
The Surratt House is now amuseum.
Booth retrieved a stash of weapons from the location before the assassination.
Both Oswalt and Walsh are better known for their comedic roles, but theyre doing good dramatic work here.
Its especially a departure for Walsh and a far cry from his put-uponVeepcharacter.
Like the pilot, this episode is directed by Carl Franklin.
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