Love 'House of Cards' first two seasons, with the first especially being remarkably consistent in being of exceptionally high quality, the weakest episode "Chapter 8" still being good. The second half of Season 2 was every bit as consistently great, the whole season was good to outstanding but the outstanding episodes mostly came from the second half of the season when Lucas was no longer in it.
Found a lot to admire about the previous three Season 3 episodes, especially "Chapter 28" thanks to the tension and thrilling character dynamic, but at this point of the season there was to me a slightly unsettled feel in the story direction. Particularly understandably in "Chapter 27". On the most part to me, "Chapter 30" was a very good episode with many excellent things. Anybody that finished the previous episode with a sour taste in the mouth ("anti-Russian" being the most common criticism), not the case with me but can see why others did, should not find this too much of a problem.
Where "Chapter 30" is at its least successful is with the ending. For me, and some others, it was an ending that felt too heavy-handed on the symbolism. The sentiment was already very strong, but at this point it was too overtly in your face.
Claire's story line could have been explored and rounded off a touch more.
However, the great components are numerous and they are far from minor. The production values as always look slick and stylish, the best shots of which worthy of a David Fincher film. Tucker Gates returns as director and his direction stands out even more here, delivering on the stylishness and intrigue without being self-indulgent. The writing is sharp and biting as well as provoking a lot of thought, with one of the season's (and 'House of Cards' overall actually to me) best and most powerful lines coming from Dunbar, the "how can you live with yourself" one. The political elements deliver on the sense of unease and it does feel like things are progressing enough.
Other than the ever fascinating Frank, whose ruthlessness has far from diminished, the character that left the biggest impression on me was Dunbar. Anybody who dares attempt to stand up to Frank is immediately more memorable in my mind. The story, some of which is setting things up for what's to come, is compelling and doesn't take the deliberate pace too far, the tension very much there. Especially between Frank and Dunbar. Can find nothing to fault Kevin Spacey, who chills in his line delivery while also telling so much with his eyes and face, and Elizabeth Marvel is every bit his equal.
In conclusion, very good. 8/10
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