‘Manhunt’ Recap: ‘The Secret Line’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

Tobias Menzies as Edwin Stanton in Episode 104 of ‘Manhunt’ – ‘The Secret Line’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘Manhunt’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. 
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It really is quite amazing, what the Apple TV+ series, Manhunt, is teaching us about the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Simply because we understood in school that John Wilkes Booth was the man responsible out of general displeasure for emancipation, and that justice was served for his crime. The end. But this series is making it clear that it was a far more complex affair than that. Since we are now learning that the socio-political climate at the end of the Civil War was similar to now, with deep rooted division and ideology. Which were also motivating factors to the execution of this crime and allowed for John Wilkes Booth to have robust resources to evade capture, and of course… the desire for peace over all was keeping justice at bay as well. Since it enabled bad agents to distract and deflect and further push Booth into the abyss surrounding Lincoln’s death.

If anything, this series has made it clear that it was nothing short of a miracle that Booth was captured. To the point where we are all wondering what kind of breaks took place to bring law enforcement in his stead and well, the next episode of this fascinating series thankfully explored that. For ‘The Secret Line’ informed us early on that Stanton was deeply frustrated about not being able to bring Booth to bear, and that prompted him to take some unique measures to uncover the Secret Line Booth was using, to intercept him and arrest him at long last. The kind that involved… sticking it to the rich jackasses of New York City. Simply because, no one that has money, in any timeline… likes to be exposed in the slightest, and they’ll do what they must to not experience that again.  

Which is why Stanton had Detective Baker, stop the flow of money. By arresting the fat cats in the Big Apple. Because then they looked the fool, and that kind of embarrassment would prompt pressure and form cracks in the foundation. The kind that could indeed provide Stanton with an understanding of who to really go after and put even more pressure upon, to get everything he ever wanted and well… his plan worked. The long way round of course. Because at first, solidarity came out of the arrests. But eventually, Stanton’s own, rich, father-in-law was eager to offer ideas and honesty about how best to go after Mister Sanders to stave off further embarrassment. Which involved offering Sanders what he loved the most, money, and well, Sanders agreed to a meeting regarding a chance to be richer… one that transformed into quite the showdown between these foes.

For Sanders immediately rebuffed any offer, and instead worked to intimidate Stanton. In the hopes of winning the day and embarrassing a man he deeply despised, and that was shockingly… what Stanton hoped would happen. All because he wanted bravado to get Sanders to slip up, so Stanton could get his hands on any intelligence regarding the Secret Line, and well… this bold and scary gambit paid off in spades. Because by sizing Sanders up and standing tall, he was able to get the man to screw up, and being that close to Sanders, allowed for Stanton to put himself in the mind of his enemy and he figured out that there would be no map or firm document stating where Booth could be. It would be done in arrogant code, such as through shipping manifests, and once Stanton figured that out, he was able to find the Secret Line and head out into the world post haste… to bring a monster to justice.  

All of which made, for a satisfying episode. Because at last, Stanton was able to go on the offensive, and enjoy huge wins because of it. Thanks to the fact, that Sanders and the other buffoons in his stead truly thought inaction would rule the day. Plus, they never expected anyone to stand up to them. But Stanton did and the payoff was glorious and just like that, progress is finally being made, despite the fact that Booth is on the water and headed for Virginia. But above all, it was just joyous to see Stanton make rich slimeballs squirm and deal with frustration and aggravation over the fact that they cannot just sit around and collect interest while stonewalling justice and well, now that Stanton is on the trail, it will be interesting to see if the manhunt at hand gets any easier. Or if Sanders and his good ol’ boys club will do their best to retaliate to preserve their egos and images. Until next time. 

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