Manhunt: Explaining the Ending

Apple TV+ has recently received critical acclaim for their WWII epic Masters of the Air. Their latest historical drama centers around the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

Manhunt portrays the events leading up to the assassination of the President, as well as the nationwide search for his killer John Wilkes Booth and the subsequent trial, while shifting between different points in time.

The seventh and final episode of Manhunt, titled ‘The Final Act,’ aired today, bringing the series to a close. Here’s a rundown of how the story unfolded, but be warned, SPOILERS AHEAD…

Manhunt: Understanding the Conclusion

After the capture and death of John Wilkes Booth in Episode 5 – ‘A Man of Destiny’, the remaining episodes of Manhunt focused on bringing his accomplices to justice. War Secretary Edwin Stanton achieved this through a show trial, although some of the conspirators were ultimately acquitted.

The events take place in a military court at the War Department, where Dr. Samuel Mudd, Lewis Powell, Edward Spangler, George Atzerodt, Mary Surrat, and David Herold are all standing trial. Additionally, John Surratt Jr, George N. Sanders, and Jefferson Davis are being charged despite their absence.

Prosecution witnesses take the stand to recount their stories, which include eavesdropped conversations, secret codes, and a last-ditch strategy known as the “Hail Mary plan”to secure victory in case of defeat on the battlefield.

Testimony from Mudd’s ex-slaves, Mary Simms and Milo Simms, is crucial in revealing both his racist beliefs and his close relationship with numerous conspirators.

After deliberation, the judge delivers a verdict, finding Surrat, Powell, Surratt, and Herold guilty and sentencing them to hanging. Spangler receives a six-year prison sentence, while Mudd is sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labor. Despite belief in Jefferson Davis’s involvement in the conspiracy, legal complications and unreliable evidence prevent an inconclusive outcome for the charges against him.

What Happens Next in the Ending of Manhunt

After many attempts to resolve remaining issues, President Andrew Johnson ultimately removes Stanton from his position. However, Stanton puts up a strong resistance and barricades himself in his office, continuing to work. During this time, Johnson is impeached and almost expelled from his own position.

After four years, the show returns to find that Stanton’s health has deteriorated significantly. Despite being appointed as a Justice of the Supreme Court, he passes away due to asthma caused by organ failure before he can take up his position.

Just two months after Stanton’s death, the final Reconstruction Amendment was ratified by Lincoln, effectively ending slavery and providing citizenship and equal rights to Black Americans. This amendment also granted all US citizens, regardless of their race or past enslavement, the right to vote. This marked the completion of Stanton and Lincoln’s efforts to fully emancipate the nation.

All seven episodes of Manhunt can currently be accessed on Apple TV+, and there are also additional shows scheduled to debut on streaming platforms this month.