One thing can be noticed in some of the previous episodes is another side of Frank Underwood is being shown.In a way,the Presidency is getting to him.The episode starts with his campaign and when people cheer-"Underwood,Underwood",you as viewer,just want to cheer for him.And then the whole Russian troop thing.Its getting more and more intense and it would be very interesting to see how Mr.President responds now as the episode ended at a cliffhanger, excitement has reached to some other level.And obviously I am not expecting a merciful Underwood in future episodes but this whole conundrum situation in Frank Underwood is fascinating to watch.
4 Reviews
"I'm not Peter Russo. I won't go out like he did"
TheLittleSongbird4 August 2019
While there hasn't been anything up to this point of Season 3 yet that matches the best of Seasons 1 and 2 (a very daunting task), Season 3 has been for me a very solid episode. Even liked, although with reservations, the more polarising episodes of the season "Chapter 29" and "Chapter 32" (namely being criticised for being anti-Russian for the former and the character writing for Claire for the latter). May be in the minority, but to me there wasn't a "bad" 'House of Cards' episode up to this point, all being good to brilliant.
Count me in as another person that loved "Chapter 35", it gets my vote as the best of Season 3 up to this point and also as one of the season's best. This site's ratings (always try and most succeed now in not take ratings to heart or get annoyed by them, am not the immature late-teens girl anymore) may disagree, with it being rated lower than one of the season's most divisive episodes which gets a fair share of hate. "Chapter 35" is another episode to just missing matching the best of the previous two seasons, which delivered just a little bit more on the tension and emotion (though this episode is hardly devoid of either).
If there was anything that could have been done better actually is that the character of Thomas doesn't feel quite as developed enough and is not advancing as much as everything else.
All the subplots though are hugely compelling on their own and are expertly handled together. Which was great for an episode that has quite a lot going on, yet it didn't feel over-stuffed and coherence was not a problem. Frank's is executed the best, there has genuine intrigue and tension and Frank has lost none of what makes him one of the fascinating lead characters of any show. He still has his increasing ruthlessness, without it dominating the show (which was an issue somewhat in the first half of Season 2) but there is a different side to him emerging, showing that again like "Chapter 33" he has a sensitive side that one didn't initially think was in him. Showing genuine concern for Doug, though the unscrupulousness is there in the exchange between him and Heather.
Doug's subplot does deliver on the emotion and intensity, if not quite as intriguing as Frank's. It also doesn't feel like it's come to a standstill, the character and plot progression is there. Doug is still an interesting and hardly un-rootable character, thanks to the fire brought out by Michael Kelly, and shares good chemistry with the promising one of Gavin.
Jackie has the fierce steel that was a major part of her appeal when she was introduced in Season 2, though she has become less likeable since admittedly. Did feel sorry for Remy, who was probably the most rootable character in the whole episode (yes even more so than Doug).
"Chapter 35" is slick and stylish visually, while Robin Wright directs her second, of ten, 'House of Cards' episode (the first being "Chapter 23", it is also the first of two Season 3 episodes with the second being "Chapter 38") and does as equally a good job for the same reasons. The music fits and doesn't intrude, while the sharp bite is still there in the writing. That Frank and Heather exchange stands out. Kevin Spacey and Michael Kelly give the standout performances of the excellent with no exceptions cast.
Overall, excellent and one of the best Season 3 episodes. 9/10
Count me in as another person that loved "Chapter 35", it gets my vote as the best of Season 3 up to this point and also as one of the season's best. This site's ratings (always try and most succeed now in not take ratings to heart or get annoyed by them, am not the immature late-teens girl anymore) may disagree, with it being rated lower than one of the season's most divisive episodes which gets a fair share of hate. "Chapter 35" is another episode to just missing matching the best of the previous two seasons, which delivered just a little bit more on the tension and emotion (though this episode is hardly devoid of either).
If there was anything that could have been done better actually is that the character of Thomas doesn't feel quite as developed enough and is not advancing as much as everything else.
All the subplots though are hugely compelling on their own and are expertly handled together. Which was great for an episode that has quite a lot going on, yet it didn't feel over-stuffed and coherence was not a problem. Frank's is executed the best, there has genuine intrigue and tension and Frank has lost none of what makes him one of the fascinating lead characters of any show. He still has his increasing ruthlessness, without it dominating the show (which was an issue somewhat in the first half of Season 2) but there is a different side to him emerging, showing that again like "Chapter 33" he has a sensitive side that one didn't initially think was in him. Showing genuine concern for Doug, though the unscrupulousness is there in the exchange between him and Heather.
Doug's subplot does deliver on the emotion and intensity, if not quite as intriguing as Frank's. It also doesn't feel like it's come to a standstill, the character and plot progression is there. Doug is still an interesting and hardly un-rootable character, thanks to the fire brought out by Michael Kelly, and shares good chemistry with the promising one of Gavin.
Jackie has the fierce steel that was a major part of her appeal when she was introduced in Season 2, though she has become less likeable since admittedly. Did feel sorry for Remy, who was probably the most rootable character in the whole episode (yes even more so than Doug).
"Chapter 35" is slick and stylish visually, while Robin Wright directs her second, of ten, 'House of Cards' episode (the first being "Chapter 23", it is also the first of two Season 3 episodes with the second being "Chapter 38") and does as equally a good job for the same reasons. The music fits and doesn't intrude, while the sharp bite is still there in the writing. That Frank and Heather exchange stands out. Kevin Spacey and Michael Kelly give the standout performances of the excellent with no exceptions cast.
Overall, excellent and one of the best Season 3 episodes. 9/10
Hanging by a Thread in the Middle East
Hitchcoc3 March 2015
The episode begins with a Russian patrol (eight men) being ambushed and killed. What happens, however, is that they refuse to have any oversight, even from UN forces. This now brings the Israelis into the conflict and Frank must mediate from a distance. He is quite sure that the Russians killed their own men to embarrass the President and destroy any autonomy in the region. Now the terrorists are putting their stamp on things. There are some really gut wrenching scenes in the war room as American soldiers are sent in to investigate.
The second plot concerns Doug. He meets with Gavin one more time and Gavin gives him evidence that Rachel has died, her body found in a ditch. Doug's reaction to the woman who practically beat his head in with a rock is great sadness. He has become obsessed with her as a real mother figure (he hearkens back to her reading to him). Anyway, back to the booze. Gavin is apparently not going to get his passport and all his work has gone for naught. He ends up seeing the President, admitting that everything he did was to show that he was still relevant.
Remy is also focused on. He is still in love with Jackie. There is an ugly scene where a cop pulls him over for speeding and he is treated like a criminal. He has just been embarrassed by an Iowa politician who has called him a chauffeur and refused to talk to him as an equal.
These are the episodes that make this so great. Everything is done with such polish.
The second plot concerns Doug. He meets with Gavin one more time and Gavin gives him evidence that Rachel has died, her body found in a ditch. Doug's reaction to the woman who practically beat his head in with a rock is great sadness. He has become obsessed with her as a real mother figure (he hearkens back to her reading to him). Anyway, back to the booze. Gavin is apparently not going to get his passport and all his work has gone for naught. He ends up seeing the President, admitting that everything he did was to show that he was still relevant.
Remy is also focused on. He is still in love with Jackie. There is an ugly scene where a cop pulls him over for speeding and he is treated like a criminal. He has just been embarrassed by an Iowa politician who has called him a chauffeur and refused to talk to him as an equal.
These are the episodes that make this so great. Everything is done with such polish.
Trouble at home and abroad
snoozejonc23 September 2020
Frank faces problems on the campaign trail and in the Middle East while Doug Stamper comes to him with some interesting information.
This is a more plot driven episode with some relatively suspenseful moments of tension. Frank and Doug are the main focal points with Doug seemingly as burnt out in his world as Frank is stressed out in his.
Doug cuts quite a sorry figure and some of his scenes are very effective. The creeping cinematography in the sequence where he throws up works very well and his drunken behaviour in the bar is rather pitiful to watch.
Frank appears as any president should, like someone with the world on his shoulders. In the same breath he seems like he was born for the hefty responsibility that comes with the job. His two most dynamic moments are his speech to a crowd of supporters and a rather nasty private conversation with Heather Dunbar.
Remy has quite a bit of screen time and he has some further character development as we see some of his vulnerabilities exposed in a couple of difficult scenes.
The cinematography, music and editing is as strong as always. The scene in the war room is very well done and although we don't get to see what's happening it is so effectively put across we are on the edge of our seats with those listening on screen.
This is a more plot driven episode with some relatively suspenseful moments of tension. Frank and Doug are the main focal points with Doug seemingly as burnt out in his world as Frank is stressed out in his.
Doug cuts quite a sorry figure and some of his scenes are very effective. The creeping cinematography in the sequence where he throws up works very well and his drunken behaviour in the bar is rather pitiful to watch.
Frank appears as any president should, like someone with the world on his shoulders. In the same breath he seems like he was born for the hefty responsibility that comes with the job. His two most dynamic moments are his speech to a crowd of supporters and a rather nasty private conversation with Heather Dunbar.
Remy has quite a bit of screen time and he has some further character development as we see some of his vulnerabilities exposed in a couple of difficult scenes.
The cinematography, music and editing is as strong as always. The scene in the war room is very well done and although we don't get to see what's happening it is so effectively put across we are on the edge of our seats with those listening on screen.
See also
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