House of Cards (TV Series) Chapter 54 (2017) User Reviews

The Seeds are Planted

[Samuel-Shovel · 9/10 · 7 June 2017]

As Chapter 54 comes to a close, Frank & Claire continue to spin their web of fear through the hearts and minds of the American people, deluding them into the belief that ICO is attacking their technology, disrupting the DC area and causing general chaos.

This was a good episode, better than the season opener in my opinion. More so than the opener, we really got to see the direction some of the plot points will take moving forward in Season 5:

The relationship between Tom & Claire seems dynamic yet tense. Their relationship remains undefined and with Claire's incoming transition (assuming an Election Day win) from First Lady to Vice President, time will tell whether Tom has a future in the White House or with Claire.

Has Aidan completely covered his tracks? Aidan wanted to quietly go in and delete his evidence but Frank's insistence on total chaos has caused a major event. While this may help Frank's fear-mongering in the short run, long term this may mean that Aidan's work will be put under advanced scrutiny.

Will seems reluctant to talk about his military past. It looks like it is well-decorated and would be a value tool for a Presidential candidate. Why does he not want it mentioned? Could there be something more insidious underneath the surface?

With Ken's "big mouth", will anything be unearthed regarding Frank's previous (romantic?) relationship with his missing friend?

Is Seth looking for a way out of the Underwood administration? Does Durant have something up her sleeve to double cross the Underwoods? Will Donald be willing to help?

All these plots are progressed during Chapter 54 and make for a titillating season ahead!

Good and involving season so far

[851222 · 9/10 · 16 January 2018]

Greetings from Lithuania.

With only first two episodes in season 5 i'm officially hooked for this season - as usual. Great and involving writing, terrific acting and story kept me glued to my screen during first two episodes.

Overall, first two episodes got me very involved and i do looking forward to see next episodes. All aside, seeing Kevin Spacey doing what he did best its a shame what a terrific actor we lost, so to speak.

"The older I get, I learn that assumptions are dangerous"

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 10 March 2020]

Was pleasantly surprised by the Season 5 opener of 'House of Cards', a brilliant and addictive show at its best, "Chapter 53". Generally was not as taken with the fifth season as much as the previous four seasons from personal view, and consider it one of the weaker 'House of Cards' seasons (the worst will always be the sixth though, a very wide consensus and for good reason) but that episode is one of its better episodes and set things up quite well with promise evident.

"Chapter 54" is about the same in my estimations, but if to choose which is better between the two maybe this marginally (but partly because it feels a little more settled on a story level). It is a quite good episode and fares quite well as far as Season 5 goes, but like the previous episode it feels like something is missing. "Chapter 54" again still has a good deal of things that made the show so great, but there are a few things that aren't as strong.

Lets start with the good. The photography is still stylish and classy, things that were the case through the show's run. The music again fits the atmosphere well and has presence without sounding like it belonged somewhere else, unlike Season 6 where all the episodes felt over-scored and like they had forgotten what they were scoring for. The direction is expertly when necessary, the rapport being increasingly ruthless Frank and icy in demeanour Claire is brilliantly written. Full of intrigue and chills.

The politics are hardly neglected and they are interesting. Frank and Claire continue to be well written characters, Frank especially has been one of the most fascinating lead characters on contemporary television (am not joking, and it's all personal opinion, even in the lesser episodes when he was still part of the show he was one of the main reasons to keep watching). There is some nice tension in particularly the interaction between Frank and Claire, which was one of the more interesting components throughout the season even in the lesser episodes. The performances are all great.

On the other hand, everything with Claire and Yates really didn't grab me at all. Yates is bland here, and throughout the season, the chemistry between them is nowhere near as electrifying as with Frank and Claire (didn't detect very much actually) and the writing between and for them is far too melodramatic. This was something that was apparent throughout Season 5 and one of the main things that dragged it down, am not kidding here.

Even when being less muddled than the previous episode, the season opener, and thankfully not as convoluted or as ridiculous as 'House of Cards' would be later, "Chapter 54" shouldn't have been afraid to adopt the "less is more" approach. Again, a little too much going on. The show is losing its freshness somewhat as well, personal opinion of course.

Again, a pretty good episode but not a great one. 7/10

Frank's Foibles Follow Him

[Hitchcoc · 10/10 · 22 June 2017]

There's a lot to this episode. Frank continue to extort (subtly) those who can be of service to him. These include the governors of five states. The governors are at first hesitant because bringing in National Guard troops seems a sign of weakness. Of course, Frank and Claire are playing at manipulation of the public, and what they want is to frighten the people so much that they will see Frank as the only solution to the threats to their safety. But the Underwoods have a lot of baggage, so enter the is-beginning expert to make up a terrorist hack and while there is chaos in popular media, get rid of a host of problems that Frank and the Mrs have on record. Doug is on top of things. Of course, Frank presents the hack as that of ISO, the terrorist group, so he creates a double whammy. As his opponent goes trick or treating with his children, there are already troops on the streets. There is a kicker. A man has disappeared as he travels over water in the South. This is Frank's lover from the past. It is delicate balance time. Meanwhile Claire is suspicious of an old friend "with a big mouth." It is said on three occasions. Also, Tom is beginning to be a liability.

Fear is un-American

[snoozejonc · 8/10 · 30 April 2021]

Frank starts to influence key individuals to help ramp up the fear during the campaign.

This is a strong episode with some entertaining moments, beautiful visuals and great central performances.

The story packs in a fair bit of content and appears to kick off plot threads that could go in fairy dramatic and confrontational directions, such as what appears to be happening with Seth and what is hinted at with Conway's history. Much of it requires a fair bit of suspension of disbelief, but it entertains nonetheless.

My favourite scenes are mainly the ones with Frank, such as his opening speech and one confrontation with Claire. There are some good moments involving her, but as ever the Thomas Yates interaction tends to drag it all down. This character better make a significant contribution to the overarching narrative before the show ends.

Visually it is stunning. Almost every shot is perfectly framed, lit, coloured and the placement of people and props is perfect. Some shots have more symmetry than the Taj Mahal.

Most performances are strong, especially Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright.