House of Cards (TV Series) Chapter 3 (2013) User Reviews

"Humility is their form of pride"

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 12 January 2019]

'House of Cards' in its prime (Seasons 1-4) was a brilliant show. Unfortunately it went downhill dramatically in Season 5 and has been even worse, yes hasn't been cancelled and that unfortunately has been a mistake, since Kevin Spacey was fired. The prime brilliance can be seen in the first two episodes, both directed by David Fincher, both great in nearly every way and both among the better-directed 'House of Cards' episodes.

While missing Fincher's touch, which had more of a cinematic quality that could have passed for one of his films (a big compliment), "Chapter 3", the first of twelve episodes to be directed by 'Glengarry Glen Ross' James Foley, is still as an overall episode on the same level as the previous two. In a way, while not quite as strikingly directed (Foley's direction though is still highly impressive, keeping things always engaging), things feel more settled here than in the first two episodes. Found this to be particularly true with the pace, tighter here and a little less mechanical (as seen occasionally in the previous two episodes), and the writing, here continuing to get tighter and sharper.

Visually, "Chapter 3" is very stylish and atmospheric with really quite wonderful photography and locations. Foley directs with control and tautness. The music knew when to have presence and when to tone things down to let the dialogue and characters properly speak, with again some very clever sound quality.

Writing bites, thought-provokes and engages even more than it already did, with Frank's eulogy being a major highlight. The political elements again (namely in Zoe's storyline) aren't heavy-handed, are handled intelligently and didn't go too much over my head, never problems in prime-'House of Cards'. The story is compelling, with Frank's, Claire's and Zoe's storylines being equally as interesting though Frank has the slight edge due to him being the more interesting character.

Characterisation has yet to falter. Frank is at this point of the show at his slimiest and one can see why he further went on to be one of contemporary television's most fascinating lead characters. One of the most consistent elements, as well as the production values, has always been the acting, and it doesn't disappoint here. Spacey, Robin Wright and Kate Mara are all on top form.

Overall, great yet again. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Frank at His Slimy Best

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 26 January 2015]

Frank Underwood finds himself in his home town in South Carolina. A young woman who was texting is killed when she runs into a water tower, an historical site, whose maintenance Frank supported. His rival wants the family to sue and Frank is given the task of trying to dissuade them. He is a man who speaks out of both sides of his mouth and he always manages to land on his feet. We get to see our nasty protagonist in his own milieu, schmoozing and manipulating. He is determined to get the funding for his education bill. Meanwhile, Zoe oversteps her bounds and puts herself under Frank's magnifying glass. This may prove interesting in the future. She talks to the people at her newspaper after being warned not to betray sources, getting caught up in her ambition.

Performance As Truth & Manipulation Together Forever

[alannalinramage · 8/10 · 4 March 2015]

This episode is brilliant because there is a depth to Frank's sermon (on the cruelty of God begetting true faith) that sets it leagues apart from the standard drivel spouted from television show pulpits by Christians and non-Christians. The congressman speaks the truth in spite of being motivated purely by political necessity / desire to manipulate his constituents. I loved that it was such a theologically correct load of bullshit. Played by Kevin Spacey with layered perfection.

I wanted to liken it to something sexually complicated, and then I wanted to liken it to a Thanksgiving dish popular in some parts of the world: Turducken?

Suffice it to say it was a triple rapture. For the writing, for the performance, for the performer.

House of Cards Chapter 3

[dalydj-918-255175 · 3 February 2013]

Francis is in a meeting but is called out by his assistant because a story involving his hometown has come up with a young girl dying. Francis must then fly home at the same time the education bill is being talked about. A women Gillian Cole (Sandrine Holt) comes by Claire's company sick with Claire looking to go into business with her. Zoe has made such an imprint lately the owner of her news paper comes to speak to her but still she says nothing about Francis being her source which gets her story on the front cover. Frances arrives in his home town and obviously he does not like being there. At the same time as problems involved with the education bill Francis attention is taken to deal with this hometown scandal. Peter's girlfriend is considering another job so no problems come up for the two while in work. Zoe and Francis next each other about more stories even though they are so far away from each other. Zoe does another TV interview and this time we can see her boss is not impressed by some choice words she is saying. Francis goes to the church to try get on Jessica's parents good side by giving a eulogy. His eulogy is quite inspiring even with quick sentence to the camera. Zoe gets given out by her boss and while she has developed some fight back she is now on TV probation for a month. The bill talk once again is not going well and Francis is still not back as he try's to impress the family. Claire drops by Gillian's still wanting to work with her. Francis still talks to the parents and after causing the mother to cry he is able to convince the couple to do something good with the name of their daughter. Peter's girlfriend decides to stay working with him. The tables have all been turned and Francis is back on top even when he arrives back to the offices and the bill is not in as much trouble. Anotehr strong episode and Spacey blew me away especially his eulogy speech. Mara and Wright's characters make no sense to me but I feel they are building to something at least I hope they are. The writing was great and for the first episode not directed by Fincher I could see his style was not as present as in the first two.

EPISODE GRADE: B+ (MVP: Kevin Spacey)

CHAPTER 3

[kumaruttara · 8/10 · 21 November 2019]

Francis and Claire both are dealing and managing crisis in their professional life. Francis has promised to deliver on education reform bill, president's first hundred days commitment to correctly repair budget and schools across the nation. In episode three Congressman Francis Underwood is managing all administrative activities on bill and meeting with heads of teachers union, while he has to deal with a tragic event happened in his home district, from there he has started his journey as local leader to a prominent political figure. On the hand Claire is meeting with Gillian Cole (Sandrine Holt) and convincing that her together they can establish something but she has feeling of uncertainty about Claire present situation and her work beliefs. A seventeen years old girl died in terrible car accident, while driving and sending text she got unfocused by the strange design of a water tank. But how congressman get involve? It was built when he was a local leader so an old political rival setting accountability for district administration and congressman. It is quite funny and ridicules. Those who set other people accountable after something occur they get attention, it up to them how hard they hold ground in front of people like Francis Underwood. At his home district congressman (Kevin Spacey) is talking people into letting him work for them because their leader knows and understand them. And here what he conveyed in a church hall full of people that our ability to understand something should not come in between what god has already decided for us, we can be angry on a tragic event that happens in our life and hate other people but there is his point, we have capacity to love others without questioning his plan. "What you have to understand about my people is that they are a noble people. Humility is their form of pride. It is their strength; it is their weakness. And if you can humble yourself before them they will do anything you ask". What can be basic understanding for this, it is like he is putting his ego aside and showing insignificant side of his character so that people take him as noble as they are. Zoe Barnes gains reputation on base of lead provided by Francis Underwood. She also gets her own space.

South Carolina as a location contributes to great visuals, while the dialogue is also greatly improving

[stillworkingfortheknife · 9 March 2014]

Surprisingly, since the plot actually got duller, House of Cards improved in its third chapter, and, for the first time in a series about politics, included great conversations. Nevertheless, Frank visiting the place he grew up, Claire trying to convince a young woman to start working for her, Christina thinking about getting a new job, and Zoe having problems with her boss and making television interviews were not at all story arcs I've expected when starting to watch this series.

In a disappointingly stereotypical fashion, House of Cards continues to pursue smaller plots somehow related to the bigger picture for one episode only and in chapter three, the series's protagonist gets a new chance to show off just how good he is with words, as a fatality in his hometown threatens his political career in the capital. He does so accompanied by beautiful photography of South Carolina, but I wasn't at all excited about it – the only really surprising thing about this lengthy trip is Frank breaking the fourth wall being used in an acceptable way for the very first time by the screenwriters. With that, I'm referring to the eulogy he's holding in a church, in which he slyly tells the audience, and the audience only, about his father in fact being someone to be better off under the earth instead of the great inspiration he still mourns about as he claims in his speech, and the talk he shares with the parents of the girl killed in an accident, in which he turns to the side to explain the schemes with which he is oh so persuasive.

An interesting comparison to gain from watching this episode is that same goes for his wife Claire, whose otherwise forgettable story in these 50 minutes I've already mentioned. There is also some symbolism going on with her that I'm not sure to grasp completely, but I do feel that the series spends way too much time on things as trivial as her running through Washington D.C. (although it includes great views on the city). The most interesting character in this episode turns out to be Zoe, for the first time really being able to stand her ground when talking with her boss Hammerschmidt and Frank. Both of these conversations (the latter entirely held in text messages and facial expressions, which director James Foley captures superbly) are great fun to listen to/read and the two best of the series so far.

There are additional moments of well-written dialogue to be found (a highly philosophical sphincter/clitoris discourse, for one), thus making chapter three of House of Cards a worthwhile and entertaining episode, also indicating how much potential the series has.

Memoranda: • Let's elaborate on the beautiful photography thing I've talked about before: there's one gorgeous establishing shot of Oren Chase's house, another perfectly lighted one when Frank steps on that man's lawn later on, the phenomenal idea of filming Frank from above while lying on a crammed table, and the colourful flowers, positioned in the perfect midst of the Underwoods' black kitchen. • Frank licks his fingers when turning pages – ain't no sympathy points for that. • I love how Frank uses the same phrase ("I can't even imagine") on both his wife and Zoe in just a matter of minutes. • I do not love how an iPhone is smiling at me every couple of minutes when watching this series. But if non-stop product placement brings the money in for an otherwise good series, I guess that's fine with me. • Best quote: "Move Zoe's piece to the front page." – "Let me think that over." – "You think that over as much as you want, then move it to the front page." Oh, Kathleen Chalfant, her character isn't needed very often, but when she's on screen, she delivers.