What I’m Watching: House of Cards

House of Cards: Season 5, Episode 7 “Chapter 59” (B)

This was an interesting episode, but didn’t manage to continue the very compelling narrative involving disputed election results that I think has made this season very strong so far. Opening with Frank chastising Claire for thinking that the position she currently holds actually means anything and reminding her that it’s all part of an effort to get him back where he rightfully belongs was disconcerting, and he’s just doing more and more to push Frank out since this is her moment to be in the spotlight. He didn’t waste any time starting an inquisition to figure out why he was left out of a meeting, and he swiftly discovered just what was going on and who was scheming to make sure that he and Claire were out of the picture enough to swing the election back to Conway. Usher experienced a serious fall from grace when Frank played the recording of Brockhart saying that the president would need to be put out of his misery, so that’s one player who’s out of the game, at least in the way he was up until now. I like the increasing closeness between Doug and Leann, two volatile, driven characters who are sure to destroy each other. I’m also very intrigued by the addition of the dependably great Patricia Clarkson as the mysterious Jane Davis, who got herself a front-row seat to time in the bunker with the current and former – and likely future – leader of the country, with unknown motivations but a very memorable personality.