This episode, has, I hope, finally set up what is to come. We have been brought into all of the various facets at play, going all the way back to Zoey Barnes. Claire has become President for two weeks until a duly elected one can be established. She starts out as Frank's soulmate, but if the camera doesn't lie, she is enjoying the power granted her, including the nuclear codes. There is a push and pull again among those who will vote to decide the election, with Frank and Claire continuing to push at them. The Russians, wanting to meddle in the election (lo and behold) have put troops in Antarctica, supposedly protecting their oil rights. Also, there is a leaker with them who knows all about Frank's previous actions. Meanwhile, Conway is becoming unhinged. He is apparently suffering from a bit of PTSD and has some anger issues. He goes to the Congressional Black Caucus and rants (even though much of what he is saying is correct), embarrassing himself. We see the loss of confidence from his beautiful wife and his campaign manager. There is an ugly scene where he insists on flying the airplane he is on. Also, back at the Washington Herald some you know what hits the fan but it leads to some further investigation. Can't wait to see what's next.
4 Reviews
Subplots Coming to Fruition
Samuel-Shovel7 September 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Things are heating up once again in Washington. A rift seems to be appearing between the Underwood's as Claire enjoys her role as temporary president, maybe a little bit too much. (Side note: I'm still not 100% sure why she got to take on this role. Shouldn't it be Donald?) Conway appears to be cracking at the seams as the mixture of the high pressure of the election and some uncovered PTSD has him high strung and on edge. In other subplots, Yates appears to be drifting away from Claire, Hammerschmidt is on the verge of uncovering something big, and Petrov has nabbed Aidan from under Doug's nose.
This was one of the weaker episodes of Season 5 thus far. We're at a weird point in the season where we're trying to jam as much back story into each episode so that the later portion of the season has that emotional payoff we so crave. But the pacing for me is all wrong, some of the subplots are moving along too quickly while others have stopped to a crawl. I appreciate Conway's character arch thus far but it's all happened a bit too quickly for me. He's turned from the cool, calm, collected presidential candidate of late Season 4 to an absolute bipolar head case in the span of a few episodes. Yes, I realized we've jumped forward in time since then but show me that fall from grace. It feels like he woke up one day and was a new person.
Despite all this, I've enjoyed Season 5 so far and am excited to see in which direction they take the back end.
This was one of the weaker episodes of Season 5 thus far. We're at a weird point in the season where we're trying to jam as much back story into each episode so that the later portion of the season has that emotional payoff we so crave. But the pacing for me is all wrong, some of the subplots are moving along too quickly while others have stopped to a crawl. I appreciate Conway's character arch thus far but it's all happened a bit too quickly for me. He's turned from the cool, calm, collected presidential candidate of late Season 4 to an absolute bipolar head case in the span of a few episodes. Yes, I realized we've jumped forward in time since then but show me that fall from grace. It feels like he woke up one day and was a new person.
Despite all this, I've enjoyed Season 5 so far and am excited to see in which direction they take the back end.
Good episode with standout moments
snoozejonc24 April 2023
Claire takes the reigns and Conway shows signs of falling apart.
This is a good episode carried by the presence of the lead characters.
Frank and Claire have the best scenes with the change of power dynamic being the most interesting. Claire being the president and Frank at her side trying to be the de facto leader gives plenty of standout moments.
The supporting characters like Doug Stamper and Conway have some good scenes, but the show is reaching a point when the momentum developed by the character Tom Hammerschmidt's investigation will likely soon be destroyed by Kevin Spacey's dismissal from the show. The closer we get the less engaged I feel with this plot thread. The effect Spacey's absence will have on 'House of Cards' is a creeping death that generally hangs over everything.
As always the visuals are incredibly good, with wonderful interior cinematography. The symmetry of the shot framing, use of props and reflections is outstanding, as is the beautiful art design.
This is a good episode carried by the presence of the lead characters.
Frank and Claire have the best scenes with the change of power dynamic being the most interesting. Claire being the president and Frank at her side trying to be the de facto leader gives plenty of standout moments.
The supporting characters like Doug Stamper and Conway have some good scenes, but the show is reaching a point when the momentum developed by the character Tom Hammerschmidt's investigation will likely soon be destroyed by Kevin Spacey's dismissal from the show. The closer we get the less engaged I feel with this plot thread. The effect Spacey's absence will have on 'House of Cards' is a creeping death that generally hangs over everything.
As always the visuals are incredibly good, with wonderful interior cinematography. The symmetry of the shot framing, use of props and reflections is outstanding, as is the beautiful art design.
"I like Mark, because I always know where he stands. It's usually on someone's neck"
TheLittleSongbird21 April 2020
The previous five episodes ranged from just above average to good. None of them terrible episodes with much to like, actually don't consider any of the Seasons 1-5 episodes irredeemable. At the same time, none of them were great, in all of them and for all of Season 5 there was the feeling that something was missing and that what made 'House of Cards' so great when on form was starting to get lost (before being lost completely in the sixth and mercifully final season).
Do agree with a previous reviewer that "Chapter 58" is one of the weaker episodes of Season 5. It is certainly an above watchable episode with the usual good things, but what was particularly problematic about the season is present and the flaws are hardly small. Up to this point of the season, "Chapter 58" is for me the episode to execute these problems worst. If it worked for some, there is absolutely no problem with that. It just left me frustrated personally and do feel bad saying that.
"Chapter 58" still looks stylish and classy, and the music is a good fit in tone and placement. Some of the politics is intriguing. Frank and Claire are still frighteningly ruthless, Claire especially.
Some great acting here, which was always the case with 'House of Cards' at this point of its run. Particularly Robin Wright playing Claire's meaty material to the hilt. There are also some good moments in the writing, like Frank's personality burn and Doug's FBI sarcasm.
However, "Chapter 58" has too many subplots, giving it an over-crowded feel. With so much going on and too much of it not fully explored, "Chapter 58" felt muddled and convoluted, such as everything to do with the citizens vote and the election plot lacks clarity. And the time jump the season had doesn't help matters. Do agree that the pace is a major problem here, Conway's subplot is intriguing but rushed.
Other subplots don't really progress at all, didn't see the point in Seth's and everything with Claire and chronically dull and dumbed down Yates goes nowhere. Petrov's inclusion is too out of the blue. The dialogue is not quite as rambling as in "Chapter 57", but the sharpness and bite is missing. Replaced by soapy melodrama at times. On the most part, the character writing has lost its meat and is pretty simplistic by now actually. Really did question Yates' purpose in the episode other than plot device reasons, when his presence is so bland and his material weak.
Concluding, watchable but a disappointment. 5/10
Do agree with a previous reviewer that "Chapter 58" is one of the weaker episodes of Season 5. It is certainly an above watchable episode with the usual good things, but what was particularly problematic about the season is present and the flaws are hardly small. Up to this point of the season, "Chapter 58" is for me the episode to execute these problems worst. If it worked for some, there is absolutely no problem with that. It just left me frustrated personally and do feel bad saying that.
"Chapter 58" still looks stylish and classy, and the music is a good fit in tone and placement. Some of the politics is intriguing. Frank and Claire are still frighteningly ruthless, Claire especially.
Some great acting here, which was always the case with 'House of Cards' at this point of its run. Particularly Robin Wright playing Claire's meaty material to the hilt. There are also some good moments in the writing, like Frank's personality burn and Doug's FBI sarcasm.
However, "Chapter 58" has too many subplots, giving it an over-crowded feel. With so much going on and too much of it not fully explored, "Chapter 58" felt muddled and convoluted, such as everything to do with the citizens vote and the election plot lacks clarity. And the time jump the season had doesn't help matters. Do agree that the pace is a major problem here, Conway's subplot is intriguing but rushed.
Other subplots don't really progress at all, didn't see the point in Seth's and everything with Claire and chronically dull and dumbed down Yates goes nowhere. Petrov's inclusion is too out of the blue. The dialogue is not quite as rambling as in "Chapter 57", but the sharpness and bite is missing. Replaced by soapy melodrama at times. On the most part, the character writing has lost its meat and is pretty simplistic by now actually. Really did question Yates' purpose in the episode other than plot device reasons, when his presence is so bland and his material weak.
Concluding, watchable but a disappointment. 5/10
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
