In the midst of uncertainty, suspected Russian forces take over an American station in Antarctica. Meanwhile, a damaging news leak could hurt Frank.In the midst of uncertainty, suspected Russian forces take over an American station in Antarctica. Meanwhile, a damaging news leak could hurt Frank.In the midst of uncertainty, suspected Russian forces take over an American station in Antarctica. Meanwhile, a damaging news leak could hurt Frank.
Storyline
Did you know
- GoofsWhen the head of the Congressional Black Caucus is talking about unity, he has his hands folded in front of him in one shot, but when the camera changes angles, one of his hands is now down at his side.
- Quotes
Mark Usher: [getting right to the point] Okay. The Black Caucus? Really?
Francis Underwood: [to the camera] I like Mark, because I always know where he stands. It's usually on someone's neck.
Featured review
"I like Mark, because I always know where he stands. It's usually on someone's neck"
The previous five episodes ranged from just above average to good. None of them terrible episodes with much to like, actually don't consider any of the Seasons 1-5 episodes irredeemable. At the same time, none of them were great, in all of them and for all of Season 5 there was the feeling that something was missing and that what made 'House of Cards' so great when on form was starting to get lost (before being lost completely in the sixth and mercifully final season).
Do agree with a previous reviewer that "Chapter 58" is one of the weaker episodes of Season 5. It is certainly an above watchable episode with the usual good things, but what was particularly problematic about the season is present and the flaws are hardly small. Up to this point of the season, "Chapter 58" is for me the episode to execute these problems worst. If it worked for some, there is absolutely no problem with that. It just left me frustrated personally and do feel bad saying that.
"Chapter 58" still looks stylish and classy, and the music is a good fit in tone and placement. Some of the politics is intriguing. Frank and Claire are still frighteningly ruthless, Claire especially.
Some great acting here, which was always the case with 'House of Cards' at this point of its run. Particularly Robin Wright playing Claire's meaty material to the hilt. There are also some good moments in the writing, like Frank's personality burn and Doug's FBI sarcasm.
However, "Chapter 58" has too many subplots, giving it an over-crowded feel. With so much going on and too much of it not fully explored, "Chapter 58" felt muddled and convoluted, such as everything to do with the citizens vote and the election plot lacks clarity. And the time jump the season had doesn't help matters. Do agree that the pace is a major problem here, Conway's subplot is intriguing but rushed.
Other subplots don't really progress at all, didn't see the point in Seth's and everything with Claire and chronically dull and dumbed down Yates goes nowhere. Petrov's inclusion is too out of the blue. The dialogue is not quite as rambling as in "Chapter 57", but the sharpness and bite is missing. Replaced by soapy melodrama at times. On the most part, the character writing has lost its meat and is pretty simplistic by now actually. Really did question Yates' purpose in the episode other than plot device reasons, when his presence is so bland and his material weak.
Concluding, watchable but a disappointment. 5/10
Do agree with a previous reviewer that "Chapter 58" is one of the weaker episodes of Season 5. It is certainly an above watchable episode with the usual good things, but what was particularly problematic about the season is present and the flaws are hardly small. Up to this point of the season, "Chapter 58" is for me the episode to execute these problems worst. If it worked for some, there is absolutely no problem with that. It just left me frustrated personally and do feel bad saying that.
"Chapter 58" still looks stylish and classy, and the music is a good fit in tone and placement. Some of the politics is intriguing. Frank and Claire are still frighteningly ruthless, Claire especially.
Some great acting here, which was always the case with 'House of Cards' at this point of its run. Particularly Robin Wright playing Claire's meaty material to the hilt. There are also some good moments in the writing, like Frank's personality burn and Doug's FBI sarcasm.
However, "Chapter 58" has too many subplots, giving it an over-crowded feel. With so much going on and too much of it not fully explored, "Chapter 58" felt muddled and convoluted, such as everything to do with the citizens vote and the election plot lacks clarity. And the time jump the season had doesn't help matters. Do agree that the pace is a major problem here, Conway's subplot is intriguing but rushed.
Other subplots don't really progress at all, didn't see the point in Seth's and everything with Claire and chronically dull and dumbed down Yates goes nowhere. Petrov's inclusion is too out of the blue. The dialogue is not quite as rambling as in "Chapter 57", but the sharpness and bite is missing. Replaced by soapy melodrama at times. On the most part, the character writing has lost its meat and is pretty simplistic by now actually. Really did question Yates' purpose in the episode other than plot device reasons, when his presence is so bland and his material weak.
Concluding, watchable but a disappointment. 5/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Apr 20, 2020
- Permalink
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- Runtime55 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
- 2.00 : 1
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