As Claire begins her ascendancy to the throne, Kathy seems willing to let her get there. This is a real political drama to be sure. Why is Kathey being so calm? The fun thing about this episode is the convention itself. It is masterfully presented in all its glory. We watch as the states spar over the Vice Presidency. One vote for Claire seems to plant the seed for the rest of the time. I don't know if this is even a plausible events, although I suppose strange things happen. So much depends on sympathy for Frank, but it also relies on fear of his health degenerating. Deals and lies are there for one purpose: to see these creeps continue to bide their time. The scene with Conway and the Pres in the private room with the ham and turkey (who is who?) is priceless. It reminds me of a time when I was on the debate team. We were allowed to spend time researching in the library, but we only talked about football. These guys are shifty politicians and each knows the other quite well. This is a great setup for the coming offering.
4 Reviews
Strong episode with the battle starting to heat up
snoozejonc23 November 2020
The democratic convention is in full swing as the battle between Frank and Will intensifies.
I enjoyed this episode as it shows the Underwood masterplan in full motion before something quite interesting and unexpected happens involving one of their latest pawns.
The tone of the episode is still in the 'Frank and Claire vs The World' mould with Frank addressing the camera to good (albeit gimmicky) effect. He and Claire do their individual scenes of manipulation as the scenes cross cut into each other. These for me are the most enjoyable moments along with a pretty entertaining sequence where Frank and Will share the stage together alone.
When the story twists, it does so well and makes the plot far more compelling, yet after almost four seasons you do sense this is just a small bump on the road to yet more power and success for the main protagonists.
Some of the sub-plots are decent such as the infighting between LeAnn, Doug and Seth, but I don't hold much promise for Doug's obsession with the wife of the organ donor. Thomas Yates' somewhat psychic ability to read Frank and Claire's minds is beginning to get tiresome and ever so slightly creepy.
As always the cinematography, editing and music is excellent and the performances of the cast is top-drawer.
I enjoyed this episode as it shows the Underwood masterplan in full motion before something quite interesting and unexpected happens involving one of their latest pawns.
The tone of the episode is still in the 'Frank and Claire vs The World' mould with Frank addressing the camera to good (albeit gimmicky) effect. He and Claire do their individual scenes of manipulation as the scenes cross cut into each other. These for me are the most enjoyable moments along with a pretty entertaining sequence where Frank and Will share the stage together alone.
When the story twists, it does so well and makes the plot far more compelling, yet after almost four seasons you do sense this is just a small bump on the road to yet more power and success for the main protagonists.
Some of the sub-plots are decent such as the infighting between LeAnn, Doug and Seth, but I don't hold much promise for Doug's obsession with the wife of the organ donor. Thomas Yates' somewhat psychic ability to read Frank and Claire's minds is beginning to get tiresome and ever so slightly creepy.
As always the cinematography, editing and music is excellent and the performances of the cast is top-drawer.
"Do you know the main thing that separates a politician from the rest of the species? A politician is the one who would drown a litter of kittens for ten minutes of prime time
TheLittleSongbird12 November 2019
All the previous episodes of Season 4 from personal opinion were decent or more, with "Chapter 43" and "Chapter 46" outstanding. Although those that disliked "Chapter 29" and "Chapter 32", and can understand why because they did have their problems and lesser episodes of the period back when 'House of Cards' was good and brilliant even at its best, will disagree, to me up to this point there wasn't a bad episode.
"Chapter 48" didn't make me feel any different. Consider it actually one of the better episodes of Season 4 and much better than the previous episode, which was still very well done with a lot of terrific things but let down by the problematic Yates subplot. While it is excellent in pretty much every aspect, with only Yates not being very interesting and the odd far fetched part being close to complaints (and even the latter is more of a nit-pick) it is a must watch for one scene alone.
That scene being, as aforementioned by others, the scene between Frank and Will Conway, which is a masterclass of writing and is both funny and unsettling. One of those scenes, like Frank's imagining the duel in front of former presidents' portraits in "Chapter 46", that is reminiscent of classic 'House of Cards'. Conway is already an interesting character and spars with Frank with wit and tension. Also shining in "Chapter 48" is Catherine, especially when she turns it back on Frank in a genius move he himself used on Claire harkening back to the season's first half.
Frank's reaction to Conway's apology demand is classic Frank, as is his talking to the camera moment (so happy that that has come back) that is a contender for the episode's best line and one of Frank's best lines in a while. The writing is both entertaining and thought-provoking and, like "Chapter 46", the story here has the political edge and intrigue worthy of the show at its best.
Kevin Spacey gives the performance of the episode, with Joel Kinnaman and Jayne Atkinson close behind. Can't fault the photography or directing either.
Altogether, excellent episode. 9/10
"Chapter 48" didn't make me feel any different. Consider it actually one of the better episodes of Season 4 and much better than the previous episode, which was still very well done with a lot of terrific things but let down by the problematic Yates subplot. While it is excellent in pretty much every aspect, with only Yates not being very interesting and the odd far fetched part being close to complaints (and even the latter is more of a nit-pick) it is a must watch for one scene alone.
That scene being, as aforementioned by others, the scene between Frank and Will Conway, which is a masterclass of writing and is both funny and unsettling. One of those scenes, like Frank's imagining the duel in front of former presidents' portraits in "Chapter 46", that is reminiscent of classic 'House of Cards'. Conway is already an interesting character and spars with Frank with wit and tension. Also shining in "Chapter 48" is Catherine, especially when she turns it back on Frank in a genius move he himself used on Claire harkening back to the season's first half.
Frank's reaction to Conway's apology demand is classic Frank, as is his talking to the camera moment (so happy that that has come back) that is a contender for the episode's best line and one of Frank's best lines in a while. The writing is both entertaining and thought-provoking and, like "Chapter 46", the story here has the political edge and intrigue worthy of the show at its best.
Kevin Spacey gives the performance of the episode, with Joel Kinnaman and Jayne Atkinson close behind. Can't fault the photography or directing either.
Altogether, excellent episode. 9/10
Frank spars with a worthy opponent in an episode worthy of the first two seasons.
TouchTheGarlicProduction5 March 2016
Warning: Spoilers
This felt like a true House of Cards episode. There was a ton of political sparring, specifically between Will and Frank. Will proves himself to be a worthy opponent, making some surprising moves. It also marks the first time we really get to see Frank and Will in a room together, going at each other. This makes for some great twists, some great burns, and some great comedic moments.
This episode felt more like an episode of the first two seasons than anything in the third one and even to a certain extent this one so far. This season really built some momentum in the first four episodes, then fell into a bit of a lull. But now, it's back on its feet, and I'm looking forward to the final four episodes.
Overall, a pretty great episode that feels like one of the classic episodes.
This episode felt more like an episode of the first two seasons than anything in the third one and even to a certain extent this one so far. This season really built some momentum in the first four episodes, then fell into a bit of a lull. But now, it's back on its feet, and I'm looking forward to the final four episodes.
Overall, a pretty great episode that feels like one of the classic episodes.
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