What kept bothering me was something that may seem trivial. They kept shooting scenes that are supposed to be inside the West Wing of the White House. In the background are the portraits of three men--one with long hair may be from the 1790's -1830's, however the other two are portraits of Confederate Civil War Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas Stonewall Jackson. I do not believe these portraits are actually in the White House, nor would I think them appropriate. For me, I took this and other American Civil War themes in this show to indicate that perhaps the nation , in the show is heading towards another civil war. Or, it may just represent the fracturing of the political world. Anyone else catch this or have thoughts on this?
- Reply
- Recommend
I take it to mean, like many Southerners, they'll never get over the fact that they lost the battle of Gettysburg. Robert E Lee and Stonewall Jackson being two of the finest generals in the confederate army. Lincoln offered Lee to take command of the Union forces. Lee declined. I think hanging their pictures in the White House pay tribute to Frank Underwood's roots in the south.
- Reply
- Recommend
Just finished it.
Sadly, this series Jumped the Shark sometime during the 4th season. This season it seems that the writers are flailing about, trying to fill up 13 episodes.
The core is that everyone lies, everyone. That means that the story can lurch in any direction that seems to move it's questionable arc forward.
One thing about the UK original (which I recommend entirely) they knew when and how to end it.
- Reply
- 1Recommend
1 day ago
Anyone have thoughts as to why the show creators mimicked the photo of the Obama situation room during the Osama Bin-Laden raid? They mimicked that photo for the scene in Claire's situation room right down to Hillary's hand over her mouth, Biden's blue shirt (Usher in the VP seat!), the way people are standing and even the coffee cups on the table. What's the message here? Just fun or some other foreshadowing other than Usher as VP?
- Reply
- 1Recommend
The season was dry and mundane with a few surprises and moments of entertainment. I do believe the writers use this season 2 develop this civil war between Frank and Claire and possibly season 6 will be as entertaining and nail-biting as season 1, however I feel like I wasted my time watching all 13 episodes. I really should have just read this column.
- Reply
- Recommend
This season is rigid and sparse, an echo-chamber for single-dimensional characters in Francis and Claire whose past intricacies have fallen away as they have achieved their goal of ascension to power at any cost, the cost being utter isolation. Pawns bounce (and fall) around them, and two lone power figures, Mark and Jane, emerge to offer a semblance of balance and real intrigue. A curious Seth, with relatively clean hands, presents an additional wildcard for next season. Unlike many others I am hopeful there will be a next season ... the emptiness of this season feels to me not like a cinematic failure but rather like the natural path for these two characters. The story needs one more season to complete itself.
- Reply
- Recommend
Just... bad. Overly contrived, no surprises, no suspense. Watching the characters get killed off was less suspenseful than watching someone swat flies with a rolled up newspaper. Such great actors, wasted. Like season 4, season 5 is dark and dull, with all the thrills, suspense and tensions of earlier seasons gone. They've fumbled the ball big time.
- Reply
- 1Recommend
How could you ignore Campbell Scott's multi-layered performance as Mark Usher and Paul Sparks as Tom Yates? Did you run out of space? Petrov and Cathy also deserved some attention. It was darker than dark and I am hoping for Season 6 to create some chiarascuro variations.
- Reply
- 1Recommend
PS the real life millionaires club that Ms Berman mentioned is the Bohemian Club located in the San Francisco bay area. The very rich and powerful come to frolic for several days and everyone including staff is sworn to secrecy about the goings on.
- Reply
- 2Recommend
I felt that too many episodes were devoted to the day of the election. This slowed down the narrative to a crawl. I found myself getting bored. I was also confused by what was going on at times.
It appears that Clare and Frank are truly birds of a feather.
I thought this was supposed to be the last season. While I have enjoyed this show immensely it is time to wrap it up as it is already at its sell by date.
- Reply
- 1Recommend
June 15, 2017
As one commenter here put it, I'm getting tired of anti-heroes. The Underwoods will continue to have to either play in parallel or one-up our current real-time set of political problems. The Trump card has been played, and House of Cards is no longer quite as exotic a storyline. I think the casting of the show was great, and the writing was good although not as good in the last few seasons. Chasing ghosts from season one for four seasons felt too long. And, as others have said, the format of each episode has become numbingly similar. Though Frank may be able to work outside the House should a sixth season be created, I cannot imagine that such a device will help to vary the pacing. It's had a good run but I would agree with those who think its day has passed.
- Reply
- 1Recommend
Season 5 is confusing, poorly directed, poorly acted, and at times, silly.
The editing is terrible as well. Characters have become comedic and linear.
- Reply
- 3Recommend
A bit too many dead bodies and 'deus ex machina' plot conveniences for my taste. If HoC is the love child of 'West Wing' and the 'Sopranos', I think it's slipping a little too far toward the 'Tony' end of that axis.
Frank's 4th wall monologues are clearly the highlight of any given episode (not to mention where Kevin Spacey seems to be enjoying the role the most).
The biggest question in my mind is what will come of the Underwoods. Will they finally get their delicious comeuppance, or will it be sweetly cynical to the end. Or perhaps we'll be treated to neither, similar to the 'Sopranos' finale.
- Reply
- 2Recommend
1) My family was jealous that I predicted early-on that Frank was the leaker. I said, "Who's the least likely to leak? Frank!" They were like, "Nah!!!" So of course the screenwriters made that happen. But no one else in my family believed it would...heh heh heh. Who else saw that coming a mile away?
2) The set-up of the poison was painfully obvious. That was a big fail in screenwriting. So was the Cathy fall. What's Frank gonna do? Say it's his word against hers? Slip some drug into her IV at the hospital? If he does either of those, YAWN.
3) The letter opener Doug took will come back. They've flashed on it too many times now for it not to matter later.
4) Tom was boring. Of course, he'll matter later since Usher froze the body.
5) My prediction for the climax of the whole series: Frank will be working on a Deep State team, and he and Claire will become mortal enemies. But an outside problem of huge proportions--something along the lines of the threat of nuclear holocaust--will happen, and these two will actually be forced to do good on behalf of the world by working with each other and giving up all power. They'll hate every minute of it, and they won't be happy to live the remainder of their lives out in the woods or something. But at the end, their sick need for each other will be enough to sustain them. It's actually the only real, "noble" thing about them--their rotten-to-the-core dynamic--& the weird irony is that it will be the means by which the world is saved.
- Reply
- 1Recommend
I hope you're right, that would be the strongest possible ending.
- Reply
- Recommend
Bring back Beau Willimon !
The script of Season 5 is just bad :
- who is Jane Davis ? She comes out of the blue, never explaining why she has access to all these infos, and is just plain nonsense.
- Aidan escape from Moscow is just laughable if not sad : to escape from Petrov, you just walk away through the door without anybody checking on you ? Really ?
- Aidan death : same stupidity. Why on earth give him a gun when you know this guy musty have zillions ones if he need it ... and how can he walk free after being the pawn he has been ? Really again ??
- Le Ann : can she be that stupid to believe for one second that giving away her leverage can escape Franck wrath ? Really ?
- who are the mysterious people doing all Franck murders ( Le Ann / Aidan ) and with live video ? Really ?
- Claire just kill somebody and dump the corpse at the house of one of the most famous manipulator in politics, giving Mark unlimited leverage on her ... Really ?
- Cathy Durant must be in a deep coma ... how comes she doesn't open her mouth so long after her fall ? Really ??
I could go on and on as the amount of senseless writing is the defining word of this season : stupidity has taken the lead.
Bottom line : Season 5 writers should be fired on the spot.
- Reply
- 7Recommend
....and ludicrously obvious election night meddling and Frank planning his own demise(as if).... both Frank and Claire not seeing the obvious manipulation of their 'Russian' advisors.... the writers miss the point, Frank is only fun to watch when he had a strong opponent to joust with. This year it was patsies all the way down. Snoozer of a season.
- Reply
- Recommend
Strongly agree!!
- Reply
- Recommend
Great stories have beginnings, middles, and endings. I wish HOC did. Unfortunately, it's limping into absurdity. The Secty of State wasn't killed--does Frank think she won't announce to the world the the President pushed her down the stairs? Claire tells Frank she killed Tom. Does she think he won't use that against her? A cub reporter goes from getting fired to counseling the President within two weeks? C'mon.
Time to wrap it up folks.
- Reply
- 5Recommend
Am I the only one who picked up on what appeared to be an homage to "The Godfather" in the final episode? While at a ceremony, Michael's five enemies are dispatched (one with a shot through the left eye). Surrounding the ceremony of Claire's swearing-in, the five enemies are dispatched: Aidan Macallan (with a shot through the left eye), Leann, Eric, Tom, and Cathy Durant (who may not be technically dead but was badly hurt). The whole thing struck me immediately, telegraphing Claire's cool rise to power and her willingness to get rid of anyone in her way. Was that really unintentional?
- Reply
- 2Recommend
Did anyone have thoughts about the line Claire says to Jane Davis "who are you to me?" Why IS she so interested in Clarie? I have a theory going back to Claire's parents... but curious if anyone else has ideas about this. If you've seen any speculating on it, would love to read other's thoughts.
- Reply
- 2Recommend
I really loved Patricia Clarkson's character in this-the best reason for watching. Campbell Scott was good too. Stellar work by both. Otherwise, really, the Underwood's are boring. And more murders? I agree, there was laziness in this season's script. Feeling done.
- Reply
- 3Recommend
We do NOT know definitively that LeAnn is dead. Doug tried to call her, LeAnn knew someone was after her, but she grabbed her gun, and then we only see a crashed car after.
Jane Davis is filled with nuance and easily the best new character of this season. She could not have withstood the private tete-a-tete with Francis downstairs if he didn't know she was right most of the time. Alex Romero caved too quickly - Francis really has something on him.
Clair respected Tom's emotional intelligence, and needed the outlet until events conspired to make him too great a risk given everything he knew. Not the poisoning itself, but how deeply she buried her feelings for the benefit of removing that risk (she literally rode him to death), was a more terrifying murder than Zoe's, and it will haunt her.
Conway was always weak and undeveloped. I never once saw him as a serious candidate - there was no backstory about who he really was and how he got the nomination.
Elysian Fields felt like the secret gathering in 'Eyes Wide Shut', and of course they exist.
Doug will be pardoned by Claire, but she may drag out pardoning Francis.
Secretary Durant knows she was pushed, and we assume she's hurt badly enough to be in a protracted recovery in some hospital and remain silent during the ensuing power transfer.
Is Tom Hammerschmidt slathered with Underwood kryptonite? How has he survived their wrath to continue his investigation?
Oskar Eustis is my hero today.
- Reply
- 2Recommend
Nothing to see here folks. Just keep moving.
Past its sell date. Messy. Silly.
Next.
- Reply
- 1Recommend
After 7 insufferable episodes, things finally seemed to get back to the original spirit of the show in 8 and 9, but then the last 4 episodes completed this slow-motion train wreck. This really was nothing more than an exceedingly long set up for Claire's presidency, one that could have been arrived at much sooner as far as the plotting was concerned. Smelling more seasons to come, the writers essentially turned House of Cards into a soap opera. The problem is that whatever feelings one might have harbored for Claire are pretty much gone as she becomes the Ice Queen by season's end.
Getting rid of Tom took way too long, as this guy lingered around the White House like a bad rug. It was kind of clever how Claire finally chose to be rid of him. As for Francis' "boy toy," this never rose beyond a very puerile interest, kind of like the Monica Lewinsky affair. Too bad it never became public. That would have made for a far more interesting way to bring Frank down than the ever-shifting allegiances within his inner circle.
In the end, everything is pretty much left hanging for another season. We don't even know LeAnn's fate, which was left to the imagination much like Rachel's fate. It is doubtful Tom or anyone else will ever get to the bottom of the bodies piling up. Anyway, House of Cards suffers from the fact it can't match the drama of the current White House.
- Reply
- 4Recommend
Predictions: Doug will take out Frank and Jane as he avenges LeAnn's death and seeks redemption for Rachel's murder. Then he will kill himself because he only knows how to spiral downward and that's sorta the next step. Claire will hook up with Victor when he offers sanctuary for her after she kills VP Mark Usher when his coup against her fails. Utterly reprehensible characters will be poised to take over the W.H. in TV times to come. Also, the Padres will win the World Series.
- Reply
- 1Recommend
Like others I watched HOC 5 in the vain hope that a bit of the originality that drove Seasons 1 and 2 would emerge. My first clue that this wasn't going to happen was that I kept falling asleep during the final three chapters of Season 5. The now predictable script which has each subplot end with a killing rather than taking the cast in a new direction is BORING! As others have written: let's end it now. HOC your time is over.
- Reply
- 2Recommend
I was very uncomfortable throughout the entirety of this season. It wasn’t the corruption of the show that got me – I’m used to that from House of Cards. It was the thought of how much this corruption in a TV show pales in comparison to the corruption in the current administration.
- Reply
- 2Recommend
Is it just me, or does anyone feel that they just lifted ideas from the media headlines over the last year or so? I have immense media/politics fatigue and was expecting something a bit more creative. Claire and Francis are still, by far, my favorite characters... Francis especially. However, I just did not find myself glued and enraptured as I did with the previous seasons. Am I alone in this?
- 2Recommend
Didn't Frank say that now he has to kill Bernie that she has not pardoned him as she promised? Can't wait to see it happen.
- Reply
- Recommend
Correction: Frank said that now he has to kill Claire because she did not pardon him as she had agreed!
- Reply
- Recommend
Season 5 is a good way to end a great show!
There were moments that let me down in season 5.
1. Killing Tom
2. Will's tense election with Frank fizzled, I wanted more from that
Over all one of the top 5 shows Netflix has created!
Looking forward to more great programming!
M.Ardieta Rochester, NY
- Reply
- 1Recommend
Like a romantic comedy sitcom where the tension between the male and female leads disappears after they finally get together, so goes House of Cards. Once Frank became president the intrigue has been declining. The show has been on a decline for a while as it has had to resort to more fantastical subplots and Season 5 takes the cake. There were moments n the earlier seasons where, for fleeting moments, we FELT for select characters because they showed some (often minor) kindness. Sad that even folks who we thought were guided by something other than power or money (e.g. Tom Yates) were sucked down to these lowest common denominators in the end.
- Reply
- 4Recommend
Completely agree; once Frank got to the White House, hijinks started getting harder for him to pull off. Not nearly as much fun anymore.
- Reply
- Recommend
I'm loving the body count, it's so funny to watch Frank be his nefarious self. He's so bad, that Claire has caught the fever. Watching Tom Yates die was the funniest thing I've ever seen on TV. I'm still not sure how she did it, but I couldn't stop laughing.
- Reply
- Recommend
June 12, 2017
Claire used the Chinese herbal medicine Jane Davos gave her for her "splitting headache" and put more than the necessary two drops in his brown spirit....
- Reply
- Recommend
This is a perfect example of a great series being destroyed by the ego of the two Hollywood stars. Are Robin and Kevin not be getting any juicy movie scripts that they are clinging to this carcass of a show. The original season of House of Cards was a realistic portrayal of political deviousness and cunning (like it's English TV original) rooted in some real life political maneuvering. This new season is just a complete farce (worse than the 4th season). I haven't felt this ill after watching a series since George Clooney's hard nippled Batman (with Arnie in tow), took down that series. The America portrayed in this season is more outlandishly despotic than a 1980s Latin American Military Junta, BUT without the charming uniformed generalissimo with hundreds of medals! Half way through the fifth episode I started to feel this was a Robin Wright and Kevin Spacey ego-fest but without any emotional onscreen chemistry. All the characters have became one dimensional with one liners passing as dialog. Even the sex/romance scenes are so one liner they sound cartoonish. Please Netflix end this now. How about we do a quick season six, one single episodes - Frank and Claire look into the camera and apologize for season 3, 4, and 5 then fade to black, the end.
I just watched The Crown and all I can say is WOW, that is so much better than this rubbish.
- Reply
- 16Recommend
apples and oranges happy together,
in the fruit bowl of television
- Reply
- 2Recommend
I bailed out in the middle of episode one this season. Too much awfulness, too theatrical, nothing whatsoever to trademark any of it. I get enough of that in the news.
- Reply
- Recommend
What lazy writing! Remember the first season? It was so rich! So many complex goings-on: Peter Russo the alcoholic and his sweet girlfriend Christina; Zoe Barnes the sociopath reporter so sympathetically awful, trampling over senior writer Janine Skorsky; Evelyn Baxter, Claire's associate at the non-profit, who Claire threw under the bus; Freddy Hayes and his BBQ place, where Frank revealed a genuinely sympathetic side; Adam Galloway, the sexy photographer who showed us what Claire could be and what she gave up for Frank. Back then, Doug Stamper wasn't psychotic, just really sad. He should've taken early retirement. Even Frank's driver was interesting! But this season, no-one was interesting. It looked like they tried to cook up something with Will Conway but didn't have the energy to go with it. I personally was hoping he and Claire would get together (rid us of that dull, nasally writer, Tom), but he was dangled and dropped. It doesn't matter if you bring in talent like Patricia Clarkson and Scott Campbell if they're one-dimensional. Boring. I kept watching mostly out of inertia, but also hoping against hope that they'd kick things up a notch, not just fill up time with another of Frank's arch asides.
- Reply
- 20Recommend
What a big yawn fest! So boring, convoluted and drawn out! Thank goodness for online recaps. Zoe and Rachel seem so long ago that I have forgotten most of what happened and who is who. I only kept watching the entire season because I read that it got really good near the end. I enjoyed the last two or three episodes and wished they had arrived in the middle so they could have wrapped up this series after 5 seasons. I am hesitant to invest my time in the next season. I did love Jane but am disappointed that she is in cahoots with Frank especially after she told him that she doesn't like him. I can't figure out what it is that she wants.
- Reply
- 6Recommend
I am puzzled by those who find parallels to the Trump presidency in HOC (other than in the general unsavory things that all Presidential administrations have in common). Clearly, the Underwoods are inspired by the Clintons, particularly Lady Macbeth of Chappaqua. HOC would far more closely resemble reality if Hillary had won - a thoroughly corrupt and unscrupulous power couple occupying the White House.
- Reply
- 1Recommend
Rushed ending. My question: How does Frank think pushing Kathy (or anyone) down 6 stairs is going to kill them? There's, what a 50% chance of no injury at all if not more right? But what percent chance of death on that move - 5%? 2%? At best right? Lazy effort to deal with Kathy.
- Reply
- Recommend
I love the new character Jane! Thank goodness for her and all her mystery.
But HUGE jump shark moment was him pushing Cathy Durant down 4 stairs!! Really?!! Best case she falls and hurts her ankle but not all consciousness! She's not 90!
I'm happy to see Claire to be king..but they needed to do that in episode 5 of this season..this was just too long. I feel bad for the writers cuz they had no clue a Trump would make all of this seem impossible! Kevin Spacey is too smart to be president and to think Conway loses the election to some mean talk in the cock pit is childs play to our current president. Overall they need to maybe try to make Claire have some morals..beacause if everyone is the devil, it's no fun to watch. Her killing her love the way she did just seemed random, she never killed before and now she kills her love?! What?! She either needs to have a breakdown, kill her husband or become a person with some brand new values. Either way..We basically were forced to watch the Titanic sink for 9 episodes.
- Reply
- 6Recommend
Campbell Scott and Patricia Clarkson were welcome additions, but they came too late to save the season for me. Claire's turn should have come half-way through this season, which dragged in too many spots. Frank's resignation should have come sooner.
Tom Yates did nothing different from previous seasons and could have died sooner. It was hard to see the reason for his emotional involvement with Claire. Most of the characters are merely props for the Underwoods to use and discard — Seth tries half-heartedly to escape, but continues doing their bidding. Catherine Durant complains a lot, but still follows orders. Donald Blythe gives Claire what she wants without much of a struggle. That's my complaint for every season since Frank took over the presidency.
Doug Stamper has overstayed his welcome as well, but this season he was slightly on edge, wondering whether the Underwoods were losing faith in him. As usual, HoC kills off its best characters. Neve Campbell's Leann Harvey and Damian Young's Aidan Macallan made the series watchable for me.
Overall I watched it due to inertia. The Underwoods have overstayed their welcome and deserve their comeuppance. But I fear that may never come. I'm getting tired of anti-heroes. I stopped watching Nurse Jackie for similar reasons.
I may not stick around for season 6. Or if I do, I'll read the summaries online to get my fix. That would be a much more effective use of my time than giving the Underwoods 13 hours of my life.
- Reply
- 10Recommend
We are about half way through the episodes for this season.
It is getting tiresome and dragged out.
If it weren't for Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright, we would have bailed after the first couple of episodes.
- Reply
- 2Recommend
Youight want to skip to episode 11. Episodes 7-10 are just as boring as the first 6 episodes. You can read recaps online for episodes 7-10 so you are not lost
- Reply
- 1Recommend
Phew! I thought I was the only one left tired and underwhelmed by season 5. Most others have said it better, but for me the CONSTANT cycle of scandal, blackmail, escape has become boring. I wish there was more focus on the other players in the show as well. I really wanted the reported thread to be broader and more impactful. And what did Claire think Tom would do when she eventually discarded him as she knew she would have to do someday, just go away quietly without writing a book? For all their planning and forethought, this seemed silly. I believe the show's fatal flaw and they tried to overcome it (ineffectively) was that the Underwood's motivation was always the presidency and the power of that office, now that they achieved that, despite this new goal alignment (presidency and private sector domination), I kinda feel like the ride is over, and I am not that interested anymore. I liked Lea Ann a lot this season, but my favorite was Mark Usher (Campbell Scott) and his just under the surface manipulations. You always suspect everyone around them, but he has zero alliances, and now knows the President murdered someone. Talk about a trump card in your hand.
Sorry to see the show go this way. Like almost all great TV shows here in the US, they just don't know it is better to stop when it makes sense rather than to continue until no one cares.
- Reply
- 4Recommend
Although Season 5 has now been ruined for me before it comes out on DVD I find it incredible that President Underwood would resign just like that!! After watching Frank Underwood plot, plan, lie, cheat, steal and murder his way into the Oval Office for 4 Seasons, he just unconditionally surrenders the presidency to his wife without a whimper. Oh I suppose Frank could become the power behind Claire's new throne but it's just not going to be the same. Now, all of a sudden, he wants to tackle the private sector where "the real power is"? That makes absolutely no sense at all. I'll just have to wait a little longer to see how this plays out.
- Reply
- 1Recommend
We watched season 5 with growing alarm and disinterest - the show really jumped the shark this season! How many ridiculous and improbable events and conspiracies are we to follow? Got through it just to see if it got any better, but no. Not even worth discussing after, and we certainly won't be watching any more of it.
- Reply
- 4Recommend
June 7, 2017
Season 5 generated in me a kind of evil fatigue. Frank, Claire, and Doug have done so many appalling and illegal acts that I've grown tired of their getting away with them all for so long. Season 6 will have to run without my watching it, unless we hear that the evil-doers are dealt the comeuppances their malignant acts deserve. Frank should face a firing squad for the federal crime of first-degree murder, and Claire and Doug should go to prison for life. Now that would be a satisfying ending!
- Reply
- 2Recommend
Frank chewed the scenery too much in this season.
Claire has become as one - dimensional as Frank
Doug needs to locate his spine
Jane Davis is some sort of Russian plant / sociopath
Usher got more and more tedious by the end
Hopefully we will never have to see the Conways ever again, especially the wife, here's hoping Leann didn't die in the crash , although her Porsche should have out run or out handled the assasins SUV.
- Reply
- 5Recommend
Did not read all 317 comments, but surprised that in the Reader's Picks selection, only one mentioned uncomfortably close plot points (vote manipulation and crisis creating diversions) to our current political reality.
- Reply
- 4Recommend
That's for sure!
- Reply
- 1Recommend
Perhaps a few of us didn't comment because it was so very obvious. You are right, the writers simply looked to the daily news and voila, the next chapter.
- Reply
- 1Recommend
It was a very underwhelming season in my opinion. Frank and Claire are the protagonists, but I think that this season was too focused on them. I would have loved to see a more complex plot. Perhaps more about the investigations against Frank, both the money laundering and the murders. I would have liked to see his machinations against President Walker, Jackie Sharp etc. resulting in his downfall. I would have been interesting to watch Conway becoming president and Claire becoming his VP and fight for more power with Frank working behind the scenes. I felt that his resignation from the presidency was too abrupt. This whole season felt like a race to cover their dirt rather than an elaborate political game.
I am looking forward to Season 6 though because I think that we will see Frank turning against Claire. She will not pardon him, easily at least.
- Reply
- 3Recommend
My take is that Claire will now be the voice over. She will talk to the camera. I felt like this season you started to them shift to making Claire the focal point for next season.
I felt like Sean Jeffries was a bit underdeveloped but I am sure he is coming back next season (if they have a season 6) and we will see more of him.
I do think they need to stop killing everyone. I am curious as to what will happen to Seth, he seems like the one to to really look out for
- Reply
- 1Recommend
Doug Stamper’s willingness to take the fall for Zoe Barnes death puzzled me at first. Why the idiotic allegiance to the Underwoods? But he has demonstrated he’s not a psychopath and more emotionally complex than Frank or Claire; his capability for remorse was evident the when he made a donation to the Moretti fund along with his own admission he has done terrible things.
I may be off, but the dinner was equivalent to hitting rock bottom with the Underwoods. He isn't taking the blame for them, it’s for him. He has the opportunity to atone for killing Rachel Posner, it just happens to be in the name of Zoe Barnes instead.
- Reply
- 8Recommend
Interesting take. Michael Kelly is such an extraordinary actor. I feel that the character is driven by something, although I don't know what it is. The fact that he was willing to drug Rachel Posner's friend shows me that he doesn't necessarily feel remorse for what he did to Rachel. He still seems so willing to do almost anything for Frank. I'm confused and would love to know what drives him.
- Reply
- 3Recommend
Doug's loyalty has a homoerotic charge to it--they came so close to an embrace before Doug left the Oval Office, saying goodbye to Frank. Doug has a deep, conflicted love for Frank, that he cannot allow himself to express, except through his political and other actions on Frank's behalf. His alcoholism is fueled in part by these unexpressed longings, and the guilt he carries from misdeeds. Note his heterosexual love life, lacking any emotional connection.
- Reply
- 4Recommend
Eighth time's the charm? Been trying to post this since early yesterday...
While I agree with Frank that the real powers lies with those at Bohemian Gr-- Excuse me, "Elysium Fields"-- I don't think it's fitting for his character to give up the presidency. It's an ego thing. His ego is not unlike Conway's; they want public recognition, they CRAVE it, whereas members of Bo- Elysium have to work in the shadows, their importance in global events often downplayed or even dismissed as "conspiracy theory." I don't think Frank could handle that, especially with Claire getting so much attention as the first female POTUS.
I also actually LOVED Alex Romero and hope he stays on. I of course loved Jane too, but frankly, more for the actress than for the character. I feel like her rise was too fast, not developed enough. It was not believable to me that Claire would trust her so quickly. The Underwoods are typically more discerning in who they let in vs. who they reject, and it seemed like Jane landed in the inner circle like 1-2 episodes after we first meet her. Where has she been all this time? If she is really so influential and well-connected, how is it possible that the Underwoods have been in politics for so long and never encountered her?
- Reply
- 8Recommend
That is exactly what is cool about Usher and Jane--who are they really? What is their personal connection? They are a perfect foil for Frank and Claire, if this pas de deux (x2) is played out well.
- Reply
- 4Recommend
Watching the last few episodes felt like work. There's no one to root for, it was like an orgy of nihilism. I doubt I'll watch a sixth season.
- Reply
- 4Recommend
"Don't cheat on my wife" is also an over the top bon mot.
- Reply
- 9Recommend
While I agree with Frank that the real powers lies with those at Bohemian Gr-- Excuse me, "Elysium Fields"-- I don't think it's fitting for his character to give up the presidency. It's an ego thing. His ego is not unlike Conway's; they want public recognition, they CRAVE it, whereas members of Bo- Elysium have to work in the shadows, their importance in global events often downplayed or even dismissed as "conspiracy theory." I don't think Frank could handle that, especially with Claire getting so much attention as the first female POTUS.
I also actually LOVED Alex Romero and hope he stays on. I of course loved Jane too, but frankly, more for the actress than for the character. I feel like her rise was too fast, not developed enough. It was not believable to me that Claire would trust her so quickly. The Underwoods are typically more discerning in who they let in vs. who they reject, and it seemed like Jane landed in the inner circle like 1-2 episodes after we first meet her. Where has she been all this time? If she is really so influential and well-connected, how is it possible that the Underwoods have been in politics for so long and never encountered her?
Just a small point, about the relationship between Claire and Tom. For me, every scene with them or just him was a boring bummer. He mopes around like a dog -- how could Claire possibly find that attractive ? Thankfully they killed him off so it won't plague another season. A mystery why the writers thought this plot line -- with Tom anyway -- would bring something important to the show.
- Reply
- 67Recommend
June 5, 2017
The moment when he pushed Cathy Durant down the stairs was absurd and completely weak.
- Reply
- 64Recommend
This season left me with a sick taste in my mouth. It's probably the most over-rated and predictable series on any network.
How much more interesting it would have been if the season ended with the Underwoods' empire crashing down around them. When Doug was sending out the envelopes, I was hoping they would contain information that would crush them, and we'd see Hammerschmidt opening them as Doug committed suicide.
You're spot-on - the murders have become far too predictable. Again, it would have been more interesting if Cathy and/or Leann had survived their "accidents." As Leann was about to meet her end, it was too cute by half to cut to Frank. Moreover, Neve Campbell brought more warmth to the show than we've seen in quite some time. I really wanted to see her pull through.
Lastly, I'd recommend the showrunners check out The Americans to see how truly great TV series are created. (It's the writing, stupid.)
- Reply
- 44Recommend
Jane Davis is definitely my favorite new character this year. She appeared out of nowhere, speaks Mandarin and Arabic, and makes big promises that she sometimes keeps. I look forward to learning more about her back story and how she's going to use her seemingly deep influence on Madame President.
- Reply
- 40Recommend
I love "House of Cards," but it should have ended a season or two ago, maybe when Claire left Frank. The problem now is that they have to keep getting more and more outlandish to justify the fact that the Underwoods are still in the White House. On a "minor" point, how could they have Frank push Cathy down the stairs and then never tell us what happened to her. After all, if she survived (which apparently she did), wouldn't the first thing she would say is, "Frank Underwood tried to kill me?"
Will I watch season 6 (if there is one): Yes. Why? Robin Wright, plain and simple. She is one of the most compelling actresses of the current era.
- Reply
- 39Recommend
Why watch House of Cards when the current presidency is so bizarrely cynical and at the same time smarmy, disgusting and twee? How could fiction possibly compete for our interest and rapt attention with this reality?
- Reply
- 35Recommend
House of Cards jumped the shark when Claire killed Tom Yates during sex in Mark Usher's house with Secret Service sport utes outside with their lights flashing. That, followed by Usher's making a call to a "cleaning crew" to remove Yates's body and all evidence of his being there and Claire's crime was simply too destructive of any sense of believability.
- Reply
- 33Recommend
House of Cards has become a cartoon character of real life, it is time to move on. Season One was different and exciting, but even the best of writing has a normal life span.
Looking back on all productions of House of Cards I still prefer the original British one. Perhaps the plus there was it was over and done and not drug out over endless seasons.
"Always leave them wanting more."
- Reply
- 31Recommend
Robin Wright's acting reminds me of Dorothy Parker's description of another actress: She runs the gamut of human emotions from A to B.
.
- Reply
- 29Recommend
I think three seasons would have been just right. Season One for Frank to become VP. Season Two for Frank to become POTUS. Then Season Three -- the downfall. It would have kept the punch it seems to have lost.
- Reply
- 27Recommend
I thought the first season of "House of Cards" was top shelf - the best ever. The second season was pretty darn good too. But good grief, the storylines began to drag with the occasional "I didn't see that coming" aspect thrown in for good measure. If it weren't for Kevin Spacey and his brilliant and funny spin on various lines, I would have thrown in the towel after the third season. For me, it just lost its luster and allure and its punch. Sometimes I feel as if I am in a junior high civics class, listening to the teacher go on and on about the electoral college and the voting process. Yawn. But thank goodness for Mr. Spacey. He is truly awesome and magical.
- Reply
- 25Recommend
I agree that season five is coming close to jumping the shark, but I like the new character Jane Davis. She's dangerous and unpredictable and just a little kooky. Both Underwoods need to watch out for her.
- Reply
- 22Recommend
you're literally reading an article headlined "'House of Cards' Season 5: Watched It All? Let's Discuss" and you're complaining about spoilers in the comments? Seriously? Why are you even reading this super spoiler-laden article if you haven't watched the season/want to watch it?
- In Reply to JR
- Reply
- 22Recommend
This show is unwatchable, and this season was the worst yet. There's no dramatic tension in the show, since Underwood always ends up on top. The back-stabbing and double-dealing and such isn't the really depressing thing about this show's view of US politics; what's depressing is the idea that the nation's political life boils down to a few people working out their purely personal demons. I have no doubt that the show runners will continue to strangle out seasons of the show as long as they're able.
- Reply
- 21Recommend
I've been a fan of the show over the years but I couldn't get through the first episode of season 5. The pacing was straight out of a 1980s soap opera. I literally fell asleep.
- Reply
- 21Recommend
What lazy writing! Remember the first season? It was so rich! So many complex goings-on: Peter Russo the alcoholic and his sweet girlfriend Christina; Zoe Barnes the sociopath reporter so sympathetically awful, trampling over senior writer Janine Skorsky; Evelyn Baxter, Claire's associate at the non-profit, who Claire threw under the bus; Freddy Hayes and his BBQ place, where Frank revealed a genuinely sympathetic side; Adam Galloway, the sexy photographer who showed us what Claire could be and what she gave up for Frank. Back then, Doug Stamper wasn't psychotic, just really sad. He should've taken early retirement. Even Frank's driver was interesting! But this season, no-one was interesting. It looked like they tried to cook up something with Will Conway but didn't have the energy to go with it. I personally was hoping he and Claire would get together (rid us of that dull, nasally writer, Tom), but he was dangled and dropped. It doesn't matter if you bring in talent like Patricia Clarkson and Scott Campbell if they're one-dimensional. Boring. I kept watching mostly out of inertia, but also hoping against hope that they'd kick things up a notch, not just fill up time with another of Frank's arch asides.
- Reply
- 20Recommend
I miss Mahershala Ali and Molly Parker!
I agree with others who feel the plot has gotten too outlandish. I can't suspend disbelief the way I could in the first 2 seasons. I spend a lot of time admiring the sets and nice camera work instead of being swept up in the world of House of Cards.
Let season 6 be surprising, engaging, well written, and final.
- Reply
- 20Recommend
My fav line was "Clair your missing two initials -N and T"
- Reply
- 19Recommend
I wish we were back in Season 1 when politics was central. This has become a soap opera & moves slowly. The writer who suggested it is a 3 season show was correct. KS
- Reply
- 18Recommend
This is a perfect example of a great series being destroyed by the ego of the two Hollywood stars. Are Robin and Kevin not be getting any juicy movie scripts that they are clinging to this carcass of a show. The original season of House of Cards was a realistic portrayal of political deviousness and cunning (like it's English TV original) rooted in some real life political maneuvering. This new season is just a complete farce (worse than the 4th season). I haven't felt this ill after watching a series since George Clooney's hard nippled Batman (with Arnie in tow), took down that series. The America portrayed in this season is more outlandishly despotic than a 1980s Latin American Military Junta, BUT without the charming uniformed generalissimo with hundreds of medals! Half way through the fifth episode I started to feel this was a Robin Wright and Kevin Spacey ego-fest but without any emotional onscreen chemistry. All the characters have became one dimensional with one liners passing as dialog. Even the sex/romance scenes are so one liner they sound cartoonish. Please Netflix end this now. How about we do a quick season six, one single episodes - Frank and Claire look into the camera and apologize for season 3, 4, and 5 then fade to black, the end.
I just watched The Crown and all I can say is WOW, that is so much better than this rubbish.
- Reply
- 16Recommend
Did you not read the headline?
- In Reply to michael
- Reply
- 16Recommend
The script writers really do need to go back to the original British series. It was tight, fast, credible, and had a 'just deserts' ending. The current US version has milked the cow dry.
- Reply
- 16Recommend
The show has really jumped the shark. This season was idiotic. Whatever suspense there might have been with the noose tightening around Frank, was undermined by the over the top plot elements. Big mistake to get rid of the great Molly Parker, aka Jackie Sharp. Let's just hope OITNB has a much better new season!!!!
- Reply
- 16Recommend
I was bored from the start of the season. The Underwoods are too one dimensional. The plot had few surprises, then became ridiculous (Claire poisoning Tom Yates, for example. I just don't believe anyone would do that and expect to get away with it.) Something was missing and my guess is that it was Beau Willimon, the creator, who left after season 4.
- Reply
- 14Recommend
With all the cynicism in our current government the fictional kind has lost all its appeal. I always look forward to House of Cards but lost interest halfway through episode 3.