House of Cards (TV Series) Chapter 57 (2017) User Reviews

Stalemate

[Samuel-Shovel · 8/10 · 14 August 2017]

In this episode we take a huge leap forward in time, something we haven't really done before if my memory serves me right. Nine weeks have transpired since the botched election and the US is still without a president. It is now up to the Congress to decide the next leader of the Free World. Can Frank & Claire wheel and deal their way to the Oval Office?

This kind of came out of left field; I was not ready for a jump cut to the future. Regardless though it doesn't seem like much has changed. The main difference is Conway's new persona; this election has caused him to become much more high-strung and irritable. Also Macallan's disappearance is an interesting development. We'll see where that comes up in the future. It wouldn't surprise me to see him have some type of interaction with Hammerschmidt.

Speaking of Hammerschmidt, it looks like his investigation has been coming along fine. He may have just found the smoking gun however. Lots of plot threats moving in and out, will be interesting to see how this progresses.

The Rats Are Chewing the Ropes

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 24 June 2017]

I would like to get to the point in this series. This one is a bit talkie but necessary. The interesting thing in the eye of the law is that when the vote comes, it is possible that we could have a split ticket. This means a President and a Vice President from different parties (namely, Conway as President and Claire as Vice President). I have not looked ahead, so I am positing this as a way things could go. Through most of this episode, we have both parties, but mostly the Underwoods, strong-arming House members. It's hopeful that there will be some more resolution in Episode 58. One significant member has disappeared and is being sought. Also, there is a tense scene as Frank doubts Doug's loyalty. Granated, Frank dragged Doug out of the depths of depression and drunkenness and saved his life, but Doug is so right to feel betrayed, considering what he has done for Frank (both good and evil). Meanwhile, we are watching Claire prancing around considering her own possibilities.

"I don't know what's worse, the sound of their chanting or the sound of silence when they're not"

[TheLittleSongbird · 6/10 · 14 April 2020]

The first two episodes of Season 5 were surprisingly pretty good if a bit disappointing by 'House of Cards' standards compared to the previous two seasons. "Chapter 55" was also not bad at all, but found the same problems with the previous two episodes except even more problematic. "Chapter 56" is about the same quality of the season's first two episodes with this episode just a little bit better.

Did think Season 5 could have been so much better on the whole and the first four seasons are far superior, having a significantly higher number of good and more episodes. But it is certainly far more watchable than Season 6 (seen after my initial review for the whole show before hearing there was definitely going to be a sixth season). "Chapter 57" is no exception to this, though for me it is on the same level as "Chapter 55" with the same good things pretty much but the problems are also similar here to that episode. So not a bad episode but way off from the best of 'House of Cards', which proved in Seasons 1-4 that it could be absolutely amazing.

Starting with the good things, the production values are uniformly great. The photography's high quality throughout the show's run has never been in doubt. The music complements well. Standing out quite a lot is Claire's intimidation of Blythe, Claire's icy demeanour is quite frightening then.

And Frank shows why he is one of the most fascinating lead characters on contemporary television, that is not a joke on my part. Doug's conflict and loyalty questioning is indeed tense. Seeing a different and harsher side to Conway was interesting and appreciated, it didn't feel like it came too suddenly either. The performances are uniformly great with no real exception.

"Chapter 57" for my tastes was too talky. Frank's dialogue does tend to ramble. It would have benefitted from not being quite as cramped, because it feels like new promising ideas are being introduced but not completely followed through all the way.

There are character relationships that did start here to feel confused with some decisions not really ringing true, too many of the characters are fairly bland and not as compelling or plausible as before. Am really not a fan of Yates as a character or how he has been used this season.

In conclusion, another above average episode but a long way from this mostly great show being on top form. 6/10