House of Cards (TV Series)

Chapter 52 (2016)

Kevin Spacey: Francis Underwood

Photos 

Quotes 

• [last lines] 

  Joshua Masterson : We do this in the name of the Islamic Caliphate, in the name of Yusuf Al Ahmadi, in the name of God.

  James Miller : [his head being pulled back]  Melissa, I love you. Caroline, I love you. Please, dear God, look out...

  Claire Underwood : [watching from Whitehouse situation room]  Turn off the sound.

  Francis Underwood : That's right. We don't submit to terror. We *make* the terror.

• Francis Underwood : My fellow Americans, over the past two years - certainly within the last several days and hours - I have asked myself, "What does it mean to be president? What does true leadership look like?"It's a question many of you have asked yourselves as November approaches. Right now, as I sit in this chair, in this office, where so many of my predecessors have steered our nation through turbulent times, I realize that this job is one that transcends politics and rhetoric. Entrusted to anyone who sits behind this desk is something far more elemental, the very survival of our nation. And I, as your president, must confront the storm before us. That storm is terror. More dangerous and unpredictable than any hurricane. It has endangered us abroad. It has endangered us at home. And right now, it has placed James Miller in the gravest of dangers.

  Francis Underwood : We attempted to communicate with his captors. We hoped for a peaceful solution. We're relieved that Caroline and Melissa Miller are safe and sound. But terror is blind to reason. Given the opportunity to renounce terror, Yusuf Al Ahmadi chose to encourage it. So, unfortunately, we must now move beyond reason. We must respond with force. Because there is no scenario in which we will release him. He will remain in United States custody until his dying breath. If the captors call again, we will not answer. The time for conversation is over, no matter the consequences. Regardless of whether James Miller is released or not, rescued or not, killed or not, ICO will be destroyed.

  Francis Underwood : We are at war. It will be a war more total than anything we have waged thus far in the fight against extremism. Soldiers will die. Civilians may die. There will be pain. There will be suffering. We will be confronted with the most horrific aspects of humanity. We will confront the inhuman. Evil itself. But we will triumph. It is not a war we will lose. And if the worst happens to James Miller, we must remember, to mourn is not to fear. To grieve is not to admit defeat. God bless America, and all of those who believe in freedom and democracy.

• Claire Underwood : We can't fight everything off one by one, Francis. But if we make this - we make it work for us.

  Francis Underwood : Create chaos...

  Claire Underwood : More than chaos.

  Francis Underwood : War...

  Claire Underwood : Fear.

  Francis Underwood : Fear. Brutal. Total.

  Claire Underwood : I'm done trying to win over people's hearts.

  Francis Underwood : Let's attack their hearts.

  Claire Underwood : We can *work* with fear.

  Francis Underwood : Yes, we can.

  Claire Underwood : You should put on a fresh suit.

  Francis Underwood : The navy blue.

  Claire Underwood : Yes, the navy blue.

• Francis Underwood : We don't submit to terror. We make the terror.

• Francis Underwood : Do you trust your instincts, Tom?

  Tom Hammerschmidt : I always have.

  Francis Underwood : Then look me in the eye. I've told you the truth. What you said is it on the record now? Do you believe me?

  Tom Hammerschmidt : Not for a second.

• Tom Hammerschmidt : He was right about your soul. What's in your bones. That you're ruthless. You're corrupt. You destroy whatever's in your path.

  Francis Underwood : Hmm. Name me a president you wouldn't describe in exactly the same way. We're all ruthless. We all destroy. But corruption? That's a matter of perspective.

  Tom Hammerschmidt : No. It's a matter of law.

• Francis Underwood : So what is the story? That I'm some sort of psychopath? That I'm a killer?

  Tom Hammerschmidt : Oh, I never believed you were a murderer, and I still don't. But it's becoming harder not to entertain the thought.