Mr. Lincoln Goes to The Play begins on the night of April 14, 1865, just before the tragic assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. The episode opens with a somber reminder of the historical significance of this date, setting a tone of foreboding. As the story unfolds, we are transported back to the day before the assassination, where Lincoln is faced with the decision of whether to attend a theater performance. His wife, Mary, encourages him to take a break from his burdensome duties, suggesting they attend a comedy at Ford's Theater instead of Grover's Theater, where John Wilkes Booth has plans of his own.