The second episode of Manhunt, titled "Post-mortem," delves deeper into the aftermath of Abraham Lincoln's assassination, with Edwin Stanton (Tobias Menzies) at the helm of the investigation. The episode begins with a haunting slow-motion scene of Lincoln's murder, only to reveal it as a dream of Stanton's, a dream that underscores the urgency and personal nature of his quest to find John Wilkes Booth (Anthony Boyle).
As Stanton grapples with the reality of Lincoln's death, he is confronted with the daunting task of leading a nation without a president and piecing together a conspiracy that threatens to tear the country apart. The episode explores the political maneuverings following Lincoln's assassination, with Andrew Johnson (Glenn Morshower) being sworn in as the 17th president of the United States. Stanton's suspicions about Johnson's involvement in Lincoln's death are palpable, especially as he observes Johnson's affinity with southern senators and his reluctance to pursue Booth vigorously.
The investigation takes a significant turn when Officer Louis Weichmann (CJ Hoff) provides crucial information about Mary Surratt (Carrie Lazar), Booth's landlady, who may have been part of the conspiracy. As Lewis Powell (Spencer Treat Clark), still bloodied from his attack on Secretary of State William H. Seward, walks into the interrogation, the web of deceit tightens, leading to the arrest of both Powell and Surratt.
Stanton, Eckert, and Weichmann's inspection of the Surratt family's boarding house in Surrattsville uncovers a trove of coded telegrams, linking Mary's son John Jr. to Confederate leader Jefferson Davis. This discovery fuels Stanton's fears of a larger Confederate conspiracy and raises questions about the loyalty of those around him, including Weichmann, who is accused of being part of the plot.
The episode also highlights the personal danger Stanton faces as a target. With the discovery of a footprint matching John Surratt Jr.'s boot size, Stanton realizes that the conspiracy reaches closer to home than he thought. Meanwhile, Booth and his accomplice David Herold (Will Harrison) are on the run, seeking refuge and struggling to evade capture. They find temporary sanctuary at the home of Dr. Samuel Mudd (Matt Walsh), who tends to Booth's broken leg.
As the manhunt intensifies, Stanton receives a breakthrough when "Peanuts" (Daniel Croix) reports that Booth was limping heavily on the night of his escape, indicating a broken leg. This leads Stanton to deduce that Booth must have sought medical help, narrowing down the search. The interrogation of Mudd and the discovery of a boot inscribed with JWB at his home further connect the dots in the conspiracy.
The episode concludes with Stanton's decision to honor Lincoln's legacy by putting his body on a train for a nationwide tour, allowing the country to grieve and remember. This poignant gesture also serves to keep the focus on Lincoln's vision for the country, rather than the man who sought to destroy it. As the train carrying Lincoln's body departs, Mary Todd Lincoln's (Lily Taylor) final words to Stanton echo the nation's desperate plea: "Find the man who killed my husband." This command sets the stage for the relentless pursuit that will define the remainder of the series.