Season 4 up to this point has returned the series to top form...but nothing has topped this episode, the best so far in what has been an outstanding season. "House of Cards" has always been at its best when both Frank and Claire are scheming in tandem to get what they want...and things reach a crescendo here. I concur with other reviewers: the Oval Office scene between Frank and Catherine Durant is not to be missed; it is jaw-dropping and an absolute tour-de-force performance from Kevin Spacey.
But Claire has her moments, too...and the seemingly adversarial relationship between she and her mother comes to a touching conclusion...and arms Claire with the ammunition needed to accomplish the next conquest for the Underwoods.
Meanwhile...in the background, two old nemeses are snooping around, gathering intelligence that threatens the table Frank and Claire have so nicely set for themselves.
And Doug's frustration at no longer being at the President's side all the time is boiling over. One almost wonders, with the way this season is going, if the screws might not tighten some more and find him on the verge of getting held accountable for Rachel's murder; the writers have brought back many blasts from the past this season so I'm not ruling out anything.
Only time will tell...and only three episodes left in this spectacular season. The remaining three will be hard-pressed to match this one for advancing the story line in such a grandiose way.
But Claire has her moments, too...and the seemingly adversarial relationship between she and her mother comes to a touching conclusion...and arms Claire with the ammunition needed to accomplish the next conquest for the Underwoods.
Meanwhile...in the background, two old nemeses are snooping around, gathering intelligence that threatens the table Frank and Claire have so nicely set for themselves.
And Doug's frustration at no longer being at the President's side all the time is boiling over. One almost wonders, with the way this season is going, if the screws might not tighten some more and find him on the verge of getting held accountable for Rachel's murder; the writers have brought back many blasts from the past this season so I'm not ruling out anything.
Only time will tell...and only three episodes left in this spectacular season. The remaining three will be hard-pressed to match this one for advancing the story line in such a grandiose way.