Chapter 50

The episode was pretty to look at, as usual, with beautiful set decoration and Claire's stunning dresses etc. Director Kari Skogland did a fine job behind the camera.

The problem in this particular episode is the writing. The actors did their best with what they were given, but a lot of what went on should have been better. I love that Freddy is back, and Reg E. Cathey sells the hell out of that scene, but his actions are mostly abrupt and exaggerated, out of nowhere.

However, nothing in the entire run of "House of Cards" came close to the scene where the guy who's running for veep on Will Conway's ticket says "BS" while walking into a cow farm and suddenly we hear a lot of "moo". That crossed the line and entered ludicrous territory. Also, that wasn't funny at all.

The writing wasn't much better with the handling of Claire's extramarital relationship with Tom, and Frank's acceptance of it. It's not hard to swallow that the character Frank would accept it, but the Frank we got here doesn't fully feel like the Frank of the best episodes.

Apparently, "Chapter 50" is Tian Jun Gu first episode as a main writer. I hope he can do better than this if he is going to return. It was a letdown following one of the very best episodes in the series.

We are two episodes away from the end of Season 4, which was a very impressive season and one of 'House of Cards' better ones. It settled much quicker than the for me still solid Season 3, people won't agree with this, and even the season's, or at least as far as the previous episodes of it go, weakest "Chapter 45" was still more than decent. "Chapter 43", "Chapter 46" and "Chapter 49" though were exceptional and reminded me so fondly of the previous seasons of 'House of Cards' at their best.

"Chapter 50" has a lot of great things and is a very well done episode on the whole, doing absolutely nothing to disgrace the season or 'House of Cards' overall. At the same time, with it following on from one of Season 4's, and 'House of Cards', best episodes (so it did have a Herculean task to equual or better that episode's quality) part of me wished that it could have been more and much better than it turned out to be.

Do agree that the writing could have been a little better. Most of it is fine, with enough bite and intrigue, but there is some decision making that are not given an awful lot of prior build up and seemed on the extreme side. Could sort of see where Frank was coming from when he said that Freddy was coming over as over-sensitive and took offense too quickly, while also understanding Freddy's point of view as well considering Frank's poor choice of words that a lot of people could easily misinterpret.

Also didn't buy how too quick and easy Frank's acceptance was, something that didn't really fit his character at all (with him being a manipulative and ruthless one, and this is something he would have fought against) and just came over as strange.

However, "Chapter 50" is beautifully made as usual, the classy photography adding a lot to the atmosphere. The music complements very well, the direction is both alert and sympathetic and the writing is thought-provoking on the most part. The story is absorbing, with Frank and Claire's chemistry being unusual but fascinating and Doug's subplot just about avoiding being melodramatic. The high point is Frank and Freddy's, making a welcome brief return, confrontation, which seared with intensity.

Cannot find fault with the performances, Kevin Spacey is wonderful as always and Reg E. Cathey's turn is a scene stealing one. Michael Kelly brings intensity and pathos to Doug.

In conclusion, very well done if a slight let-down after such a brilliant previous episode. 8/10

More exposition/setting the table. This focuses in on the necessity of Claire continuing her ambition. Frank has been forbidden to go on the road more than one time per week. This allows Claire to take her favorite speech writer with her and continue some dalliance. Frank continues to bait his opponent but he is having none of it. Tom Hammerschmidt continues to investigate and gets beaten up. There is a great scene in the White House where the man who used to run the rib joint, Freddy, confronts Frank. Frank asks him to make him some ribs before he leaves and Freddy goes ballistic, calling him a colorful expletive. Claire and the other Tom split because he feels a relationship with her is unfair to Frank, but our guy in the White House tells her she should get him back because he can't give her what she needs. Meanwhile, Conway still holds the double digit lead and is indignant when Frank calls to get him to support an invasion near the Euphrates to counter terrorists. Meanwhile, Doug meets with the widow of the man who died because Frank got the transplant ahead of him at Doug's urging. We are ready to roll into the next three episodes.