House of Cards (TV Series) Chapter 59 (2017) User Reviews

False Alarm

[Samuel-Shovel · 8/10 · 13 September 2017]

After jumping forward in time earlier in the season and moving at an incredibly fast pace, the last few episodes have really slowed the pace to a halt (so much so that we hang out in a bunker for the majority of this episode). The special Presidential election seems as if its been looming on the horizon forever and there feels like there's no end in sight.

That being said, I did enjoy this episode. The writers may have slowed it down but they've done it for a reason. We can really start to feel the tension that this election has placed on all parties involved. Conway's one breakdown away from the loonie bin, the Underwood's are practically in an arm wrestling match over Oval Office control, and we can just see Doug's world and work crumbling around him as Hammerschmidt gains more evidence in the conspiracy.

A new player has seemed to enter the game as well. Who is this Jane Davis? Its too early to get a good read on her but she seems compelling and Patricia Clarkson is a nice addition to the cast.

How will Yates' infidelity affect Claire as we move forward? She doesn't readily display her emotions but I have a feeling that it will break her heart more than we'll ever know once she inevitably finds out.

We're hitting the midway point of the season and there are lots of compelling story lines for us to watch. This election is obviously the main plot line and ironically it is the most muddled and confusing. It seems like a whole lot of political jargon gets tossed around regarding it but it's hard to grasp the full picture as a viewer. I think this is intentional. The Underwood's have created chaos, so much so that even the viewer can't see it fully. This may clear up as we draw to the end if the season, time will tell.

"There is no justice, only conquest"

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 28 April 2020]

After a disappointing "Chapter 58", which had the opportunity to improve upon the problems that the previous Season 5 episodes had but didn't and made them worse, a large part of me was not sure what my expectations were for "Chapter 59". Part of me was intrigued, as it is 'House of Cards' which on the most part was a great show with many outstanding episodes and so many fantastic things. Part of me was also apprehensive, as Season 5 generally could have been so much better.

"Chapter 59" luckily is the best episode up to this point of Season 5 and one of the season's best. A huge improvement over "Chapter 58" at any rate, though of course that is personal opinion. There is much more of what made 'House of Cards' so great when on form than in the previous Season 5 episodes, and those good things are done extremely well. And less of their problems, even if a couple of the problems are still here (don't consider any of the Season 5 episodes perfect just to say).

Will start with the bad things this time. Once again, everything with Claire and Yates really doesn't compel, slows the episode down when present, is quite soapy in writing and Yates as a character really lacks spark.

The episode though looks slick and classy as always. Apart from one subplot as aforementioned, the writing is mostly a return to the sharp, thought-provoking bite and not the rambling over-talkiness evident in a couple of the previous episodes. Even when a little more deliberate, the pacing actually feels much tighter. And while Seasons 1-4 were more cohesive, "Chapter 59" doesn't feel as muddled as the previous Season 5 episodes or as try too hard. Also more consistently absorbing and there is more political intrigue.

Furthermore, the character writing isn't as simplistic here (apart from Yates) and the tension is definitely there. Love Frank and Claire, wonderfully ruthless characters and their chemistry at its best brings shivers down the spine.

Tom Hammerschmidt's character also shows a lot of promise and of the just introduced characters (pretty much) Jane Davis fits that distinction too. There is definitely more room for clearer motivations, but at least she is a character one in my view wants to see more from. In terms of performances, one doesn't expect anything less than terrific from Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright and one is not disappointed. Boris McGiver and Patricia Clarkson are also standouts.

Summing up, very good and one of the best episodes of Season 5. 8/10

Claire Has Big Decisions to Make

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 25 June 2017]

Will Claire decide to be the last Underwood standing? If I were a member of the citizenry where this is playing out, I would wonder what the hell is happening to our world. Even with the Trump administration, things are being scrutinized every day. In the fictional world, who's actually running the country? There have to be hard choices to make for an interim (even with a diminishing windbag husband) that would take up her day. Most of the activities of these people are so self serving and directed at the upcoming vote, we would be so vulnerable. Meanwhile, certain things are happening. Doug continues to live on a fault line bigger than San Andreas. The Washington newspaper editor is following up on leads fed to him by an ambitious reporter he fired. One thing that bothers me. The generals and the military advisers seem to be so frightened of the Underwoods. Obviously, Claire is the chief executive, but some of these guys seem to be so weak. They also seem to have a collective Achilles heel that can be exploited over and over. This seems true of the entire Congress and Senate.

Solid episode with good character moments for Frank and Claire

[snoozejonc · 8/10 · 5 May 2023]

A potential terrorist incident prompts Frank and Clare into the safety bunker.

Frank and Claire are on good form dealing with an incident whilst also fighting for their political lives. There are several good moments as both characters deal with threats coming from various directions. Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright are excellent as always.

The scenes involving Tom Hammerschmit would be more intriguing if we didn't already know that Spacey's character will soon be removed from the show. Boris McGiver is great as always and it feels a shame when the writers were developing this plot nicely that it is unlikely to be seen through to its intended conclusion.

As ever the visuals are incredible good, particularly the composition of interior shots.

It's a 7.5/10 for me but I round upwards.