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Timeless Recap: “The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln”

History has always been something that I am fascinated with – and that’s part of why my love for Timeless runs so deep. Some of the biggest moments played out on TV and though we know that they affected life as we know it – we are able to see the alternate life if they hadn’t happened. For every choice, there is a consequence.

As a kid part of what fascinated me with history was the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. I couldn’t understand how it was that someone was able to get close enough to harm the President that had done so much to change the world. In the second episode of the season, the crew travels back to 1865.

In the first episode, the Hindenberg was saved and it’s caused major change in Lucy’s life. Her Mom is healthy and her sister was no longer born.

Garcia Flynn is screwing up history and affecting the present. He’s gone back to change what is one of the most important moments in history – the assassination of Lincoln. Flynn has made his way back and the crew follows. The Civil War has just ended and Booth looks pissed as hell. Flynn introduces himself to Booth – letting him know that he knows just what he is about to do. Will they change this moment in history?

Lucy gives us some insight into history, telling us about how John never measured up to his brother, and Rufus compares it to people that we know today. The Wahlbergs. I mean no offense Rufus – it’s kinda debatable which Wahlberg brother is more famous. Ever heard of one of the most successful boy bands in history – NKOTB? Mark just makes bad movies.

But I digress.

So turns out Flynn was the one who wanted Lincoln dead. But it’s not just Lincoln. There were more – other men were supposed to die too. They wanted to revive the confederacy. Lucy may not know why it is that Flynn went back – but she’s written a book on this part of history, so she knows a lot.

Lucy meets Robert Todd Lincoln and is a little swoony, and he tells her that his father is due to come to the play that night. She asks what it’s like to have Robert as a father. He says that it’s not so bad basically. Booth comes in and Robert says he’s seen him in something before. But then he brings up Booth’s brother and you can see his demeanor change.

Lucy’s convincing the team that some deaths need to happen – that it’s their job to protect history. Rufus has a point – a lot of his history sucks. The team is tailing Booth and Flynn catches sight of them. Gunfight ensues.

Robert had returned the tickets, but turns out that Ulysses S. Grant can now attend the play. We all know that’ not a good sign. History is changing as we speak.

Fast forward a hot minute and Lucy’s piecing everything together. Grant, Vice President Andrew Johnson, and Secretary of State William H. Seward were all supposed to die, in addition to Lincoln. Lucy is on a mission and another run in with the hottie – Robert Todd Lincoln scores her a date to the play. I wouldn’t have said no to the hottie either.

Flynn and Lucy run into each other and Flynn is on his self serving path. Lucy has a lot of spunk, I will give her that. She wants to know what Rittenhouse is – but Flynn tells her that she will help him one day. Lucy isn’t convinced.

Flynn is determined to make the death of all these peeps happen and after Booth refuses the advanced weaponry, Flynn decides to take matters into his own hands. The douchebag is determined to really screw up history. And it turns out that he’s the one that ends up assassinating the President.

We already hate him – but he’s made it easier to keep that feeling.

Lucy is in the box to watch the play, when Flynn comes in. She’s torn (and who wouldn’t be) – does she warn the President or no? She knows that she can change history – maybe a little too much. I don’t blame her for her struggle though – I would have told him everything. She has a change of heart – but it’s too late. She can’t save Lincoln. But she struggles with Flynn and ends up effectively saving Grant’s life.

Now let’s remember back to the beginning – remember how Lucy’s pissed as fuck that her sister is gone? Well turns out that she still is. In this timeline Lucy’s Mom and her Dad never met. That’s why her sister is not there. This has really screwed up for Lucy. Her Daddy isn’t her Daddy. That’s gotta suck.

Lucy returns home to her own engagement party – only she doesn’t know who the man that she is marrying is. Umm… that’s some screwed up shiz. Can you imagine? I can’t. We see him for a hot second.

Guys this is only episode 2 and this is really complex and that’s part of what we are loving about Timeless.