Have made no secret of loving the first four seasons of 'House of Cards', the overall standard being absolutely brilliant and making for one of the best shows in recent years at its best. Have also made no secret of being deeply disappointed in the fifth season and disliking Season 6 even more, while also having the same problem as Season 5 of feeling like a different show (that's how bad the show's decline was) that season made the further mistake of being pointless.
Season 1's "Chapter 6" is another very good and nearly great episode, back when 'House of Cards' wasn't quite at its very best but was already hitting its stride and settling very well. It is the second of two episodes directed by Joel Schumacher, the other being the previous episode "Chapter 5" (prefer that episode to this), after two episodes each directed by David Fincher and James Foley. Prefer their episodes, and Schumacher's directing style does not quite have the same tightness, control and cinematic approach of especially Fincher's. On paper, one does worry as to whether Schumacher is a good fit for the material, especially for anybody who still has a bad taste in the mouth from 'Batman and Robin' (sorry for bringing it up but that is the first thing that comes to my, and other people's, head when thinking of Schumacher), but one can breathe a big sigh of relief. Seeing that Schumacher's 'House of Cards' episodes are generally some of his better work and there is none of the overblown excess or cartoonish camp one worries naturally would be here.
"Chapter 6" does though disappoint ever so slightly in comparison to the previous five episodes, with there being agreed parts where the central conflict was uncharacteristically, or certainly at this early point for the show it was, forced and in need of disbelief suspension.
Would have liked Zoe to have been a little more interesting when the previous episodes had done so well with her.
However, visually "Chapter 6" is again exceptionally well made, the stylishness and atmosphere really shining. The music knew when to have presence and when to tone things down to let the dialogue and characters properly speak, with again some very clever sound quality.
Lots of bite, thoughtfulness and tautness in the writing, with no signs of childishness or cheese. The political elements again don't make the mistake of being heavy-handed, are intelligently handled and didn't go too much over my head. None of those were problems in prime-'House of Cards'. Much of the story is compelling, suitably intricate and not hard to follow, and the balance of characters and storytelling is getting better all the time and more equal. It also still feels like the storytelling is progressing and that characterisation is being advanced
Good to see that the characterisation has yet to falter, or certainly drastically as Zoe is not quite as interesting as previously. Frank even at this very early stage was well on the way of becoming one of contemporary television's most fascinating lead characters, but "Chapter 6" in terms of character writing was at its most striking in Claire having her meatiest material yet, complete with some lovely character-enhancing little character moments that tell a lot. The tension with Spinella similarly rivets and entertains, if not quite as much in "Chapter 5" where it was more subtle. One of the most consistent elements, as well as the production values, has always been the acting, and it doesn't disappoint here. Kevin Spacey, Al Sapienza and Corey Stoll keep one glued to the screen, while Robin Wright brings more nuances to her acting than she did previously thanks to having more to work with.
In summary, very good and nearly great. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Season 1's "Chapter 6" is another very good and nearly great episode, back when 'House of Cards' wasn't quite at its very best but was already hitting its stride and settling very well. It is the second of two episodes directed by Joel Schumacher, the other being the previous episode "Chapter 5" (prefer that episode to this), after two episodes each directed by David Fincher and James Foley. Prefer their episodes, and Schumacher's directing style does not quite have the same tightness, control and cinematic approach of especially Fincher's. On paper, one does worry as to whether Schumacher is a good fit for the material, especially for anybody who still has a bad taste in the mouth from 'Batman and Robin' (sorry for bringing it up but that is the first thing that comes to my, and other people's, head when thinking of Schumacher), but one can breathe a big sigh of relief. Seeing that Schumacher's 'House of Cards' episodes are generally some of his better work and there is none of the overblown excess or cartoonish camp one worries naturally would be here.
"Chapter 6" does though disappoint ever so slightly in comparison to the previous five episodes, with there being agreed parts where the central conflict was uncharacteristically, or certainly at this early point for the show it was, forced and in need of disbelief suspension.
Would have liked Zoe to have been a little more interesting when the previous episodes had done so well with her.
However, visually "Chapter 6" is again exceptionally well made, the stylishness and atmosphere really shining. The music knew when to have presence and when to tone things down to let the dialogue and characters properly speak, with again some very clever sound quality.
Lots of bite, thoughtfulness and tautness in the writing, with no signs of childishness or cheese. The political elements again don't make the mistake of being heavy-handed, are intelligently handled and didn't go too much over my head. None of those were problems in prime-'House of Cards'. Much of the story is compelling, suitably intricate and not hard to follow, and the balance of characters and storytelling is getting better all the time and more equal. It also still feels like the storytelling is progressing and that characterisation is being advanced
Good to see that the characterisation has yet to falter, or certainly drastically as Zoe is not quite as interesting as previously. Frank even at this very early stage was well on the way of becoming one of contemporary television's most fascinating lead characters, but "Chapter 6" in terms of character writing was at its most striking in Claire having her meatiest material yet, complete with some lovely character-enhancing little character moments that tell a lot. The tension with Spinella similarly rivets and entertains, if not quite as much in "Chapter 5" where it was more subtle. One of the most consistent elements, as well as the production values, has always been the acting, and it doesn't disappoint here. Kevin Spacey, Al Sapienza and Corey Stoll keep one glued to the screen, while Robin Wright brings more nuances to her acting than she did previously thanks to having more to work with.
In summary, very good and nearly great. 8/10 Bethany Cox