Manhunt Episode 2 begins with Powell claiming to be called by Mrs. Surratt to clean the gutter, but she denies knowing him. They are arrested, and Stanton discovers Booth had called Johnson on the night he was supposed to be killed. Johnson was surprised to find out he had no connection to Booth and was the only target who wasn't attacked. Stanton's team discovers Johnson was too drunk and chose not to act on his plan. Johnson's beliefs didn't match Lincoln's, and he was sworn in as president. A Union Army spy named Lafayette Baker suspects Wall Street investors and Johnson could be behind Lincoln's murder. Johnson benefited the most from Lincoln's death, making him a potential suspect. Booth and Herold stay at Dr. Samuel Mudd's place before heading to Richmond, Virginia. Mudd decides not to gather supplies and Herold advises Booth to remove his moustache as his sketch is up everywhere. Booth, a man with a distinctive moustache, refuses to shave and asks Herold for whiskey and horse feed. However, Herold discovers horse feed is banned in Maryland, so they must leave for Virginia. Booth is displeased with Mudd's housekeeper Mary, who shaves him too close to his neck. Stanton discovers that John Jr. Surratt, the son of Mary Surratt, applied for a clerk position in his department and was suspected of being a Confederate agent. Stanton's team finds evidence that Booth had approached Wall Street to invest in an 'oil rig' in Pittsburg, which was code for the assassination. Booth's involvement with the Confederate Secret Service is also proven, suggesting he received protection from them. Stanton doubts Weichmann's connection to Confederate sympathizers and admits to being friends with Booth before the war. They had no idea Booth was planning to assassinate Lincoln. Stanton meets with Mrs. Surratt in prison and offers her the option of facing trial or helping him find her son. She refuses to cooperate and denies any involvement in the murder. Stanton sends his men to search for Booth at Dr. Mudd's residence in Maryland. Mudd admits to helping a man with a broken leg, but lies about not recognising him. Stanton questions Mary and her brother about Booth, but Mary answers Mudd's way. Shoe prints on Stanton's house are thought to be from John Jr. Surratt, who sought refuge at Mudd's place and planned to help kidnap Lincoln. Mudd is scared of being linked to the assassination but denies his involvement. Surratt is planning an escape from the United States due to the manhunt, and the Confederacy is assisting him. The Confederacy is hunting for Stanton, proving they are on the right track. Booth and Herold head to Rich Hill, where a Native American offers to guide them in exchange for money. They agree to the deal, even hesitantly. The episode ends with Lincoln's funeral train heading to Springfield, Illinois. This new crime drama series is refreshing, with a protagonist using his hunches and old-school skills to track a murderer.
3 Reviews
"Post-mortem"
allmoviesfan11 May 2024
Warning: Spoilers
In "Post-mortem", Tobias Menzies' Edwin Stanton, Secretary of War in a country recently at war with itself but currently adjusting to peacetime, must balance the preparations for President Lincoln's funeral with trying to put together a full picture of who killed the POTUS at Ford's Theatre, and figure out whether it is part of a conspiracy enacted by Confederate forces.
Meanwhile, the actor turned assassin John Wilkes Booth is on the run, trying to stay several steps ahead of federal forces, receiving assistance from various sympathisers.
Less action than the first episode, but nonetheless a strong one: good writing and good acting, especially from Tobias Menzies. I recognise characters from history as they are introduced.
Meanwhile, the actor turned assassin John Wilkes Booth is on the run, trying to stay several steps ahead of federal forces, receiving assistance from various sympathisers.
Less action than the first episode, but nonetheless a strong one: good writing and good acting, especially from Tobias Menzies. I recognise characters from history as they are introduced.
Episode 2
bobcobb30124 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
This was a bit of an increase in pace from the premiere, but does highlight a lot of the logic concerns around this program, and I guess the time period in general. How quickly were people actually able to relay messages when they were traveling by horseback? For the Confederacy to be laundering money with The Bank of Montreal it would be weeks between each visit.
But this show does have me hooked in. They've eliminated a lot of the boring aspects of the time period and the usual traps that period dramas fall into and just focused on some of the more juicy topics, a wise choice for this Apple TV+ program.
But this show does have me hooked in. They've eliminated a lot of the boring aspects of the time period and the usual traps that period dramas fall into and just focused on some of the more juicy topics, a wise choice for this Apple TV+ program.
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