The second installment of "Manhunt," entitled "Post-mortem," delves into the aftermath of Abraham Lincoln's tragic assassination, with Edwin Stanton (portrayed by Tobias Menzies) at the forefront of the gripping investigation. The episode kicks off with a chilling, slow-motion recreation of Lincoln's murder, swiftly revealed as a haunting dream of Stanton's, emphasizing the poignant urgency and deeply personal stakes of his mission to apprehend John Wilkes Booth (Anthony Boyle).
As Stanton grapples with the stark reality of Lincoln's demise, he is confronted with the monumental challenge of steering a nation leaderless and unraveling a conspiracy that looms over the country like a dark shadow, threatening to tear it asunder. The narrative delves into the political intrigues that followed Lincoln's assassination, marking the swearing-in of Andrew Johnson (Glenn Morshower) as the 17th President of the United States. Stanton's suspicions towards Johnson's potential involvement in Lincoln's death are palpable, particularly as he watches Johnson cozy up to southern senators and exhibit a noticeable reluctance to vigorously pursue Booth.
The investigation takes a crucial turn when Officer Louis Weichmann (CJ Hoff) comes across vital information about Mary Surratt (Carrie Lazar), Booth's landlord, who might have been entangled in the conspiracy. The tense atmosphere thickens as Lewis Powell (Spencer Treat Clark), still smeared with the blood of his attack on Secretary of State William H. Seward, enters the interrogation room. This revelation tightens the web of deceit, ultimately leading to the arrest of both Powell and Surratt.
During their inspection of the Surratt family's boarding house in Surrattsville, Stanton, Eckert, and Weichmann uncover a treasure trove of coded telegrams, implicitly linking Mary's son, John Jr., to Confederate leader Jefferson Davis. This discovery fuels Stanton's growing fears of a broader Confederate conspiracy and casts aspersions on the loyalty of those in his inner circle, including Weichmann, who is accused of being part of the sinister plot.
This episode starkly illuminates the personal peril Stanton confronts as a prime target in the conspiracy. Upon uncovering a footprint that aligns perfectly with the boot size of John Surratt Jr., Stanton realizes with a chill that the sinister plot's tendrils extend far closer to his own doorstep than he had ever feared.
Concurrently, Booth and his cohort David Herold (Will Harrison) are on a desperate fugitive trail, seeking elusive shelter and wriggling to dodge capture's clutches. They eventually find a fleeting haven at the residence of Dr. Samuel Mudd (Matt Walsh), who compassionately attends to Booth's shattered leg.
As the relentless manhunt tightens its grip, Stanton's fortunes take a sudden turn when "Peanuts" (Daniel Croix) reveals that Booth was seen limping heavily on the night of his getaway, a telltale sign of a broken limb. This revelation prompts Stanton to deduce that Booth must have sought medical assistance, thereby narrowing the scope of his search. The subsequent interrogation of Mudd and the discovery of a boot inscribed with the initials JWB at his abode further interlinks the pieces of this grim puzzle.
The episode draws to a close with Stanton's resolute decision to uphold Lincoln's legacy by embarking on a nationwide tour with the President's body, thereby allowing the country to mourn and cherish its fallen leader. This poignant gesture serves as a poignant reminder of Lincoln's vision for the nation, rather than the shadowy figure who sought to dismantle it. As the train carrying Lincoln's body departs, Mary Todd Lincoln's (Lily Taylor) final, heartfelt words to Stanton resonate with the nation's desperate plea: "Find the man who took my husband's life." This poignant command sets the stage for the relentless pursuit that will become the defining theme of the series' remaining chapters.
