Manhunt – Let the Sheep Flee

While on the run to safety, Booth (Anthony Boyle) dreams of the South rising again and he assumes the position of the second President of the Confederacy. But reality hits and Booth awakes to continue his journey to Rich Hill with David (Will Harrison) and their guide Swann (Roger Payano). They have a lot of terrain to cover if they hope to make it to safety.

Back in Washington, Stanton (Tobias Menzies) meets with President Johnson (Glenn Morshower) and tries to explain Lincoln’s (Hamish Linklater) plan for Reconstruction of the United States. Remembering his conversation with Lincoln on the matter, Stanton remembers arguing with Lincoln about the persecution of the rebels and holding them accountable for their part in the war. In present time, Johnson understands Lincoln’s vision and wants justice like Stanton….but finding Booth becomes the priority.

Under the direction of Detective Baker (Patton Oswalt), Conover (Josh Stewart) poses as a man named James Wallace and heads to Montreal to find out the whereabouts of John Surratt Jr. (Joshua Mikel). Meeting with George Sanders (Anthony Marble) in Montreal, Conover learns that Surratt is in Montreal meeting with his father. Learning that that is code, Stanton investigates and learns that Surratt was once studying to be ordained….he is hiding at the monastery in Montreal.

Booth, David, and Swann finally reach Rich Hill. Swann then demands his money, which causes Booth to balk at the demand. Eventually, Booth and David are greeted by Samuel Cox (Thomas Francis Murphy) and brought inside. While Booth is adamant that he needs to get to Richmond to share of his glory in assassinating Lincoln, Cox admits that Richmond is not a safe place and that Booth should look elsewhere. Rather than heeding the advice of Cox, Booth stands firm on going to Richmond. Cox eventually agrees and has Swann escort Booth and David to the pine thicket to wait for the River Ghost (Keith Brooks).

In Washington, Stanton’s health begins to affect his life and is told to take it easy for the next month. Unfortunately, the rest is short-lived. As black Union soldiers distribute rations outside, it becomes clear that the white members of the community are displeased and demand their fair share. When Union soldier Private Cuffy Stevens (Christian Robinson) orders for not only the people but the police to stand down and follow his orders for peace, the people then turn attention to fellow soldier Alec Leconte (Ja’Quan Monroe-Henderson) as he goes to grab his horse. Accusing Alec of stealing a horse, the altercation ends in one of the community members shooting Alec and killing him. As Stanton tries to intervene, he is reminded of the conversation that he had with Lincoln and Frederick Douglass (Elvis Nolasco) over black men enlisting and fighting on the Union side…their contribution helping the Union secure a win.

Eventually, Booth, David and Swann reach the pine thicket and Swann demands his payment. After providing Swann not only money for his services but to return their weapons, Swann leaves Booth and David to wait for their next escort. As the men wait and possibly freeze to death, the River Ghost arrives to provide supplies and tell the men to wait just a little longer until he can safely escort them to the next destination. The wait begins to take its toll on the horses and with the noise they make, Booth decides to shoot his horse. When David is told to do the same, he instead lets his horse go….something that Booth tells him makes him look weak.

In Montreal, Conover finally finds Surratt at the monastery. Convincing him that he needs to come with him, Surratt is willing to follow but quickly sees through Conover’s scam. Instead of going quietly, Surratt beats up Conover and ties him up before heading to his ship.

After the death of Alec, Stanton tries to push for the prosecution of the man that murdered Alec. However, he is informed that Johnson is willing to pardon the man and any Confederates for their crimes of the war. Stanton confronts Johnson for lying to him, but Johnson stands firm in his convictions. It is clear that he does not plan to honor Lincoln’s wishes. Stanton returns to his home to find his wife Ellen (Anne Dudek) packing. While Stanton needs to rest, he cannot do so for even a day and Ellen would rather get out of his way than try to stay. Later on his way to Montreal, Stanton writes a letter to Ellen from the train.

In Montreal, Stanton runs into Sanders….who is making a rather hasty getaway. Though Stanton believes he will see Surratt, he learns from Sanders that Johnson has brokered a deal with him and Sanders has procured ownership of a newspaper called “The Weekly” back in the states. Heading inside, Stanton also sees a battered, slightly conscious Conover on the ground. Surratt has managed to get on his ship but sinks it to create diversion as he joins a ship chartered by George Sanders. Later when authorities find a trunk with Booth’s name on the ship Surratt was originally on, it is clear that Surratt was trying to fake Booth’s death to throw the authorities off the scent.

During the funeral of Alec Leconte, Eckert (Damian O’Hare) speaks with Cuffy. The black Union soldiers are willing to help with whatever is needed of them. Eckert explains that he has been having a hard time trying to decode a message that the Confederates wrote. Knowing that the rebels used a decoder, Cuffy explains that he may know where to find it. As the men head into the ruins of Richmond and head straight to the Confederate capital, Cuffy quickly locates the decoder and Eckert sets to work on decoding the mystery message. When he has it decoded, Stanton goes to see Baker and the men quickly begin devising a way to take down Sanders and the other Confederates. But time is of the essence, especially as Sanders gathers his fellow sympathizers and tells them to leave the United States and head to Europe….where they will be greeted with open arms.