[s7e11] God Bless — America

VANCE(Without looking up)Did you know the anthem has four stanzas, Marcus? Everyone stops at the first. We sing about the "glare" and the "bombs," and then we pack up and go home. We never get to the part about the desolation of war.

The room is silent except for the rhythmic thump-thump of a helicopter hovering somewhere over the Potomac. [S7E11] God Bless America

Should this episode focus more on the in the capital, or should we cut to a boots-on-the-ground perspective of the blockade? VANCE(Without looking up)Did you know the anthem has

MARCUSThe Joint Chiefs are in the Situation Room, Elias. They aren’t asking anymore. We never get to the part about the desolation of war

VANCE (CONT'D)God bless America, Marcus. Because at this rate, nobody else is going to. Vance presses the pen to the paper. The ink bleeds. TITLE CARD: GOD BLESS AMERICA

PRESIDENT ELIAS VANCE (60s, looking ten years older than the premiere) sits behind the Resolute Desk. He isn’t reading briefings. He’s staring at a small, chipped ceramic eagle—a gift from a campaign stop three years and a lifetime ago.

The heavy oak doors creak open. CHIEF OF STAFF MARCUS REED enters. He doesn't wait for permission.