Season 2 of 'House of Cards' may not quite be as good as the consistently good to brilliant first season, but up to this point of it despite reservations the episodes (so between "Chapter 14" and this) have not been less than very good if slightly disappointing. With "Chapter 14", "Chapter 17" and "Chapter 19" being excellent. This was back when 'House of Cards' was one of my most watched and personal favourite shows, before Seasons 5 and especially 6 disappointed so badly.
"Chapter 20" is one of Season 2's best episodes to me. Frank may be more dominant and his unscrupulousness is increasing all the time, but "Chapter 20" is another episode where he doesn't over-dominate meaning the newer characters have more room to be more interesting, which is an improvement over a few of the previous Season 2 episodes. It also doesn't have the un-compelling and sometimes frustrating character of Lucas. What is great about the episode is that it does see the tensions building and the storytelling and characters progressing in development, which actually the darker Season 2 has been very good in doing.
Loved the tension and suspenseful character interaction throughout, especially between Frank and Tusk, who is becoming more malevolent with each episode. Love Jackie's steel and that Stamper's dialogue and conversations with Feng are highlights of the episode and really quite great writing. Speaking of Feng, he made a big impression when introduced in "Chapter 18" and continues to do so here. One sees a darker tone with Season 2, like the increasingly tense political edge the episode and show has, which is cynical and intelligently handled, didn't find it dull or unrealistic here and it has yet to be laid on too thick.
James Foley returns as director, his direction stylish and never less than assured and often tight. The pace is not rapid-fire but doesn't need to be, and with a lot going on it doesn't feel dull. As always, the episode looks great, the slickness has not been lost and neither has the atmosphere. he music knew when to have presence and when to tone things down to let the dialogue and characters properly speak. The writing is sharp and has bite and the story does engage for the reasons described in the above paragraph. All the acting is spot on, with Kevin Spacey being brilliant and Michael Kelly close behind.
For me, the part Frank first trying to start to cosy up to the president came over as a little too awkward.
Otherwise, an excellent episode. 9/10
