Chapter 65

After watching the first five seasons, I can say the show died officially in the third one.

When Frank makes it to the presidency, the interesting part of the story ends, with very few exceptions. Seasons 3, 4 and 5 are mainly about how the Underwoods are trying to cover up their crimes and how to retain power.

On top of that, you find yourself lost trying to understand what is going on. It is hard to know who is sided with whom. Speaking of siding, Doug is loyal to Frank to a degree you just can't swallow.

And what's truly frustrating is that Frank never gets caught even though The Herald editor, Tom, is digging deeply into it.

If Frank was to get caught and put in prison that would make a better ending for this season.

I have to agree that this didn't have the splash of the previous seasons. Frank resigns and finds himself at the mercy of his own wife. There are a few problems to be solved and a few people to be gotten rid of. Frank continues to try to save his power, even though, in a political sense, he has no power. The love of his life is now President and she is becoming Frank (or she always was). In the past seasons, when the final episode played out, it left me with a desire to get to next year. I will certainly watch it, but I don't have that unfulfilled element in my mind. By the way, does anyone ever feel that deaths seem to happen with a lot of frequency.

'House of Cards' for 2/3 of its six season run was a great show. Even the weakest episodes of the first four seasons had a huge amount to be impressed by and to me still managed to be well above decent, yes even the more divisive episodes. Season 5 didn't feel as strong, the show doesn't completely crash down and there are a good deal of fine things. Yet almost all the episodes are quite majorly flawed and the best episodes are not classics, by "Chapter 64" the show did feel like something different.

Season 5's finale "Chapter 65" is one of those finales that ends the season on a underwhelming whimper than a thrilling explosion. It is better than the mess of storytelling and characterisation that was "Chapter 64" and is certainly better than the whole of Season 6, but considering that it was the season finale and that there were a good deal of intrigue on paper a large part of me was expecting so much more. Especially when the best episodes of Seasons 1-4 were so brilliant, and those seasons had plenty of those. As far as the fifth season goes, "Chapter 65" is one of the weaker episodes.

As always, it is beautifully shot and atmospheric. It is well scored, with the last individual score from all the 'House of Cards' to make a completely positive impression. The acting as expected is extremely good, with scorching performances from Kevin Spacey (in his last episode before being fired) and Robin Wright (in her last good performance of the show, was not impressed by her acting in Season 6).

Frank and Claire still compel as characters and their chemistry is dynamite. The writing has some thoughtful moments.

Sadly, "Chapter 65" also lacks tension, other than between Spacey and Wright (and would even say that it was better previously). The pace lacks tautness and energy, some of it due to that but also because there is the sense that 'House of Cards' had run out of material and steam and instead including material that moves aimlessly and feels like padding. The story also can feel muddled from not being fully explored and even for Season 5 (though not as badly as "Chapter 64", which took ridiculous to a whole new level) it lacked clarity and realism.

Did feel that the big reveal was pretty absurd and quite difficult to get the head around, while other than Frank and Claire the characters lack distinction and are quite simplistically written. Everything with the pardon was not that much of a surprise and was almost too anti-climactic and definitely undeserved. Although in a way it did serve as set up for what was to come next season, somehow it didn't feel finished at the end and is fairly abrupt, definitely not a sizzler. Have always thought it dangerous for any franchise film or episode for any show to end in this type of way, just in case any intended follow ups or another season does not happen and gets cancelled.

All in all, there are some things to like but a rather unsatisfying conclusion to an uneven season. Even worse was to follow though. 5/10

House Of Cards is the best political show on television. Season 5 might be my favourite they have ever done. By this point a core group of main characters has been established. It is very easy to dive right into the season. The pace is solid and consistent. Each episode ends with key revelations and the next carries the momentum on towards a strong finish. I feel the characters and plot lines are more unified this season. It is the Underwood administration against the world with all the dirty tricks and vicious back stabbing you could hope for. This episode ties the season together beautifully and completely opens the story up for next season. I really have no idea what will happen. Another thing I appreciate is that the show does not force feed you the writers own political opinions. You can probably find that in it if you want to, but, you don't have to. The Underwoods are smart, charming and willing to do anything they can to acquire power. Who cares what their political opinions are? I enjoyed this a lot and already look forward to season 6.

Season 5 has been good throughout, however unlike the previous seasons, this one has been a little slow and uneven. It starts off promising, with a very good first episode, only to drag out on the election, which has been happening since season 3-4, it got a bit tiring after a while.

While this season's strongest points come from the brilliant acting by Kevin and Robin, this season has been very slow. Around 90% of season 5 takes place in the White House, and eventually it gets boring. Seasons 1-4 was very open, and had much more interesting characters, and a more throughout story. This did not.

That doesn't mean that this season was bad, this episode in particular was very well written and directed. House of Cards has always been a beautifully shot season, with some great moments.

One of the biggest complaints and what I think is the reason this season got so many bad reviews, is it felt pro-feminist. Almost every male character in this season is portrayed as been dumb, with all the females being the strongest. Claire​ Underwood appears to be smarter than Frank this season, which is completely stupid.

Season 5 has been good, it's had great moments, but overall it felt very feminist, slow and I got sick of seeing the damn White House. So I'll give the season along with this episode a 6.4/10, most of which comes from Kevin's acting.