It really impressed me, especially the acting by Michael Shannon and Matthew Macfadyen. Shannon's take on James Garfield is refreshing-he's not your usual politician but a genuine guy who just wants to do good work without playing the usual political games. He feels like a simple family man with big ideas. Macfadyen nails the role of Charles Guiteau, one of the creepiest villains we've seen recently.
Even though the story happened almost 150 years ago, it hits close to home. It shows how anyone trying to change the political system for the better faces serious pushback from those who want to keep things the way they are. They twist public opinion to make the changemakers look like the bad guys. Garfield's story deserves way more attention, and hopefully, this show helps with that. It's a shame his time as president was so short. History tends to remember the "smart boys" instead of the good-hearted ones, which is a real loss. The show also reminds us how important modern medicine is-Garfield might have lived longer with proper healthcare, but back then, that wasn't the case.
One of the best parts is seeing the real love between Garfield and his wife, Crete. They really had each other's backs through everything, and their support adds a lot of heart to the story. It's a beautiful reminder that behind every great leader is someone just as strong. In the end, the series tells us you don't need to be a hero to make a difference-just a decent person willing to stand up and sacrifice a bit to do what's right.
And hey, the soundtrack? Spot on. It's mostly in the background but really sets the mood without getting in the way.
