Chapter 32
- Episode aired Feb 27, 2015
- TV-MA
- 54m
Frank and Claire travel to Moscow to negotiate the return of an imprisoned U.S. citizen. Claire takes a stand that jeopardizes their plans.Frank and Claire travel to Moscow to negotiate the return of an imprisoned U.S. citizen. Claire takes a stand that jeopardizes their plans.Frank and Claire travel to Moscow to negotiate the return of an imprisoned U.S. citizen. Claire takes a stand that jeopardizes their plans.
- White House Press Corp.
- (uncredited)
- White House Staff
- (uncredited)
- Frank Underwood Security
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe episode won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score).
- GoofsWhen speaking about the death of Michael Corrigan, Claire twice says that he "hung" himself when the correct word is "hanged". Claire is usually very precise in her choice of words and doesn't often make mistakes of this nature.
- Quotes
Claire Underwood: He had more courage than you'll ever have.
Francis Underwood: Do you really want to discuss "courage", Claire? Because anyone can commit suicide, or spout they're mouth in front of a camera. But you want to know what really takes courage? Keeping your mouth shut, no matter what you might be feeling. Holding it all together when the stakes are this high.
Claire Underwood: We're murders Francis.
Francis Underwood: No we're not, we're survivors.
- ConnectionsReferences Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
Did like "Chapter 32" much more than most of the other commentators, while understanding and agreeing with some of the criticisms. There is a lot to like, its best elements being fantastic, but for me this was the weakest episode up to this point of Season 3, a lesser episode of the season and perhaps the weakest 'House of Cards' episode since "Chapter 8". Despite the ratings indicating otherwise. "Chapter 32" is to me a masterpiece of character chemistry and for anybody who loves to see the Underwoods together, but when it comes to logic other episodes do a much better job on that front and am putting that lightly.
Will begin with the drawbacks. Will agree that Claire is out of character, something of a polar opposite period episode, a strong, cold, ruthless character, reduced to a comparitively over-emotional wreck who had suddenly grown a conscience. Although the chemistry and scenes between Claire and Corrigan are beautifully played and poignant, one cannot help feeling annoyed when it all ends on one of the most unrealistic suicides in the history of television.
Don't know about you as well, but did anybody else find Frank's final breaking the fourth wall comment unnecessary, out of place and something of a groaner?
For all those annoyances, "Chapter 32" does have a lot working in its favour. As said, the character chemistry really elevated the episode. Have already said what my thoughts were on the one between Claire and Corrigan. Even better was the tension between Frank and Petrov and especially the blistering one between Frank and Claire. Frank is still a fascinating character, one of the fascinating leads on television in my view, and in my view Petrov is a good foil and matches Frank in the ruthlessness stakes. Have no issues with the acting, Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright are both brilliant and are dynamite in their chemistry together. Christian Camargo is moving in his role, while Lars Mikkelsen may not be subtle but has the right amount of authority as Petrov.
James Foley paces things very nicely and his cinematic experience shows. "Chapter 32" has lost none of the slickness and stylishness present throughout 'House of Cards', has increased my want of wanting to go to Russia, while the music is some of the show's best. The writing is thought-provoking and has not lost its bite, especially Frank's dialogue and his exchange with Claire. The story is compelling, apart from my frustration from that one bit, and has tension and poignancy.
All in all, well done episode but it had all the ingredients to be the episode where Season 3 would hit its stride, only to be infuriatingly spoilt by a few things that could easily have not been there or done differently. 7/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jul 20, 2019
Details
- Runtime54 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
- 2.00 : 1