The primary focus of this episode is the negotiations to get back three hostages being held by Islamic terrorists. Frank is strictly in charge but Conway gets to actually negotiate with the bad guys. The terrorists are American and are holed up somewhere in the USA. Since the Underwoods and the Conways must share quarters briefly, it allows for some serious interaction. The arrogant Conway battles wits with Frank. It would appear that the President has something up his sleeve. There is a great dialogue between Claire and Mrs. Conway. She asks Claire if she ever regretted not having children. Claire responds by asking if she ever regretted having them. Frank is orchestrating an effort to find the hiding place of the terrorists. Conway continues to gloat, full of himself to the nth degree. This situation sets up the final episode. Doug, by the way, is starting a relationship with the transplant widow. If she only knew.
5 Reviews
Dense and tense penultimate.
TouchTheGarlicProduction5 March 2016
Warning: Spoilers
This was a great penultimate episode. It mainly focuses on a hostage situation, but also furthers the Hammerschmidt storyline. It has some very tense scenes, some great development of Will, and the return of yet another character from the first two seasons.
When a family is kidnapped by Islamic extremists and they refuse to speak to no-one but Will Conway, it puts Frank into a difficult position. He is forced to bring Conway in. This makes for some great scenes involving the Conways and the Underwoods living under the same roof, providing great development for the Conways. The hostage negotiation scenes were tense. Hammerschmidt contacts Garrett Walker to dig up more dirt on Frank, then begins to set his plan in motion. It was great to see Michel Gill in the show again.
In conclusion, this is a well-constructed penultimate that makes you want to watch the finale right away.
When a family is kidnapped by Islamic extremists and they refuse to speak to no-one but Will Conway, it puts Frank into a difficult position. He is forced to bring Conway in. This makes for some great scenes involving the Conways and the Underwoods living under the same roof, providing great development for the Conways. The hostage negotiation scenes were tense. Hammerschmidt contacts Garrett Walker to dig up more dirt on Frank, then begins to set his plan in motion. It was great to see Michel Gill in the show again.
In conclusion, this is a well-constructed penultimate that makes you want to watch the finale right away.
"I think you're excellent at running for the president, but I don't think you're equipped to actually be one"
TheLittleSongbird5 February 2020
For me, Season 4 of 'House of Cards' was a very solid season and as good as the previous three seasons. With all the thirteen episodes making it up ranging from good to outstanding. Unfortunately, as has been said a few times before by me and frequently by a lot of fans, the show declined to "feeling like a different show" after with a disappointing last two seasons. The only real reason to see Season 6 particularly is if you want to see every 'House of Cards' episode.
"Chapter 51" is Season 4's penultimate episode. And it is a great one and lightyears away from disgracing the season or 'House of Cards' in general, with almost everything being top notch. It is suspenseful, has a lot of bite, great character interaction and it doesn't feel like character development is going backwards (far from it) or the storytelling has screeched to a halt (the complete opposite) and one character in particular is well developed. As far as the Season 4 episodes go, "Chapter 51" is towards the better half.
The kidnapping plot may be somewhat basic and not much different from kidnapping plots seen in other shows etc. This is "Chapter 51's" only real weak point though, and personally don't even consider it a major criticism.
Everything else though is exceptionally done and more than makes up for that. The story still has nail-biting suspense at its best and a genuine sense of edge of the seat dread. "Chapter 51" is brilliant when it comes to the character interaction, the tense interplay between Frank and Conway is where the episode is at its best, because of the ways in which the two push each other's buttons. It was great as well to see development to Conway, development that adds so much to his character in a way that was not character distorting or un-illuminating.
As with prime-'House of Cards', the writing has sharp bite that provokes thought. The pace is taut throughout, as is the direction that really helps make the scenes between Frank and Conway exciting and come alive. Kevin Spacey and Joel Kinnaman give electrifying performances. The production values are class personified and the music complements well, not coming over as over-scored.
Overall, a great penultimate episode to a solid fourth season. 9/10
"Chapter 51" is Season 4's penultimate episode. And it is a great one and lightyears away from disgracing the season or 'House of Cards' in general, with almost everything being top notch. It is suspenseful, has a lot of bite, great character interaction and it doesn't feel like character development is going backwards (far from it) or the storytelling has screeched to a halt (the complete opposite) and one character in particular is well developed. As far as the Season 4 episodes go, "Chapter 51" is towards the better half.
The kidnapping plot may be somewhat basic and not much different from kidnapping plots seen in other shows etc. This is "Chapter 51's" only real weak point though, and personally don't even consider it a major criticism.
Everything else though is exceptionally done and more than makes up for that. The story still has nail-biting suspense at its best and a genuine sense of edge of the seat dread. "Chapter 51" is brilliant when it comes to the character interaction, the tense interplay between Frank and Conway is where the episode is at its best, because of the ways in which the two push each other's buttons. It was great as well to see development to Conway, development that adds so much to his character in a way that was not character distorting or un-illuminating.
As with prime-'House of Cards', the writing has sharp bite that provokes thought. The pace is taut throughout, as is the direction that really helps make the scenes between Frank and Conway exciting and come alive. Kevin Spacey and Joel Kinnaman give electrifying performances. The production values are class personified and the music complements well, not coming over as over-scored.
Overall, a great penultimate episode to a solid fourth season. 9/10
Great build up to the series 4 finale
snoozejonc15 April 2021
Frank and Conway conduct a televised debate just before a crisis situation starts.
This is a strong episode that very effectively sets up the series four finale.
It is a plot-driven story that I found to be very compelling and it took a lot of discipline not to watch the finale immediately afterwards.
There are a number of memorable scenes, especially those in the situation room and the interaction between the Underwoods and Conways. Also the scenes involving the investigations into Frank's past are starting to get very intriguing.
The only scenes that are starting get a bit distracting are the ones with Tom. This one seemed out of place with so much going on.
As ever the cinematography is beautiful with a number of great interior shots. There is also strong editing, especially during the debate sequence.
As ever Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright are excellent along with Boris McGiver.
This is a strong episode that very effectively sets up the series four finale.
It is a plot-driven story that I found to be very compelling and it took a lot of discipline not to watch the finale immediately afterwards.
There are a number of memorable scenes, especially those in the situation room and the interaction between the Underwoods and Conways. Also the scenes involving the investigations into Frank's past are starting to get very intriguing.
The only scenes that are starting get a bit distracting are the ones with Tom. This one seemed out of place with so much going on.
As ever the cinematography is beautiful with a number of great interior shots. There is also strong editing, especially during the debate sequence.
As ever Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright are excellent along with Boris McGiver.
A Shiver of Sharks
wisely_said21 March 2016
There is always blood in the water when you watch House of Cards but for a different reason this time.
Shark #1. The "terrorists" are blonde Tennessee boys.
Really? REALLY???
House of Cards has been so well done I think the fact that these Underwood snakes are Democrats was beginning to bleed over into the real world and they needed to do an extra hit on flyover country in time for the 2016 election. Maybe they should have just made the terrorists sharks so they could jump over them in full view of God and everybody and be done with it.
Shark #2. The family of an opposing candidate would come spend the night in the White House? During a campaign? Really? Really?? I laughed and laughed when FLOTUS-wannabe gave that dreamy love speech to the Claire. Give me a break.
Shark #3. A member of the mainstream media is going to do something to hurt a Democrat candidate? I laughed until I cried.
These three sharks are all swarming around the previous shark: Claire running for VP.
This episode was a HUGE disappointment and far below what I expect from the series.
Shark #1. The "terrorists" are blonde Tennessee boys.
Really? REALLY???
House of Cards has been so well done I think the fact that these Underwood snakes are Democrats was beginning to bleed over into the real world and they needed to do an extra hit on flyover country in time for the 2016 election. Maybe they should have just made the terrorists sharks so they could jump over them in full view of God and everybody and be done with it.
Shark #2. The family of an opposing candidate would come spend the night in the White House? During a campaign? Really? Really?? I laughed and laughed when FLOTUS-wannabe gave that dreamy love speech to the Claire. Give me a break.
Shark #3. A member of the mainstream media is going to do something to hurt a Democrat candidate? I laughed until I cried.
These three sharks are all swarming around the previous shark: Claire running for VP.
This episode was a HUGE disappointment and far below what I expect from the series.
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