Here’s how I broke out the sequences in terms of the “A” story, the struggle to win passage of the 13th Amendment. My demarcation for the end of each sequence is a festering problem, an impending threat, that raises tension and suspense, gives rise to a cliffhanger question to be answered later. SEQUENCE #1 Lincoln wants to push for passage of the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery before his second term. But his wife, Mary, and Secretary of State Seward tell him not to waste his political capital. Cliffhanger question: “You’ll begin your second term with semi-divine stature. Imagine the possibilities peace will bring! Why tarnish your invaluable luster with a battle in the House?” SEQUENCE #2 His cabinet objects to the idea. But Lincoln is determined to pass the amendment. Page 30: He orders the floor manager for the amendment to bring it up for a vote by January 31st. Dramatic question of the movie: Will Lincoln win passage? SEQUENCE #3 Seward’s dispatches a crew of ethically challenged men to go about the dirty business of procuring votes. Page 42: Preston Blair beseeches Lincoln to meet with a Confederate peace delegation on its way to Washington. But Lincoln doesn’t commit to the meeting. Cliffhanger question: Will Lincoln have to meet the Confederate delegation despite the political risk? SEQUENCE #4 Problems mount, tension escalates on every front. Seward’s Crew has scant success in winning votes. The Confederate peace delegation is on its way. Lincoln’s son Robert has dropped out of college, wants to enlist despite Mary’s adamant opposition. And Lincoln must counsel radical Republican Thaddeus Stevens to look beyond the moral compass of his righteous certainty to the broader political landscape. Cliffhanger question: Page 60: Lincoln to Stevens, “If in pursuit of your destination you plunge ahead, heedless of obstacles and achieve nothing more than to sink in a swamp, what’s the use of knowing True North? For the sake of the amendment, will Stevens compromise his moral certainty? SEQUENCE #5 For me this is a very instructive sequence. Because I was unable to see one, central cliffhanger question about the main story, the struggle for the amendment. Nope, not one. Instead I see three cliffhanger questions, all germane to the central dramatic issue, passing the amendment. Page 65: The minority Leader, George Pendleton, connives to provoke Thaddeus Stevens in a way that will doom the amendment. Cliffhanger question: Will Thaddeus Stevens rise to the bait? Page 69: Seward’s Crew have reached an impasse, but Seward urges them on. Cliffhanger question: Can the Crew procure more votes, enough votes to pass the amendment? Page 76: After meeting the Confederate delegation, General Ulysses S. Grant telegraphs Lincoln for instructions. Lincoln tells Grant to have the delegation cool their heels outside Washington. Cliffhanger question: How long can Lincoln postpone meeting them before the story leaks, jeopardizing passage of the amendment? That’s how I see it, three cliffhanger questions ratcheting up tension and suspense. SEQUENCE #6 The pivotal sequence for the psychological journeys. Thaddeus Stevens doesn’t rise to the bait. Mary Lincoln gives her consent for Robert to enlist. Page 90: Because Seward's Crew can do no more, it’s time to call in the Commander and Closer in Chief, Lincoln himself. Cliffhanger question: Can Lincoln close the deal, win enough votes? SEQUENCE #7 Lincoln brings the full force of his office, personality and political skills to bear. But on the day of the vote, the rumor leaks out that the Confederation peace delegation is in transit to Washington. Page 102: Voting is postponed pending a Congressional query to Lincoln about the rumor. Cliffhanger question: Will Lincoln’s response doom the amendment? SEQUENCE #8 And so the story crests at maximum emotional intensity and suspense. Page 105: Voting proceeds after Lincoln’s non-denial denial. Page 113: the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery, is passed. Thaddeus Steven savors the moment with his Black mistress. SEQUENCE #9 Maybe this is merely an extension of the Sequence #8, but I opted to break it out as a denouement, payoffs and closures, that wraps up the story. Lincoln finally meets the Confederate delegation. Lee surrenders at Appomattox. With the war won, the Lincolns look forward to happier, peaceful times. And then he goes out for that fateful, fatal evening at Ford’s Theater...

Once again, Paul, excellent work. As I was going through your scene-by-scene breakdown, I was struck by the appearance of 8 or 9 sequences which aligns with the 'official' sequence theory, 8 per movie. But your analysis about SQ5 is illustrative that even with a 'traditional' approach, stories have a way of being organic. So instead of building to one cliffhanger ending question, you note three in play within the sequence. The other thing to notice is the ratcheting up of tension and the scope of events, sequence by sequence. It's helpful, of course, to have the congressional vote as the Final Struggle toward which the narrative inevitably builds and which provides added tension - a ticking clock. Thanks again for your superb analysis!