Spinella is a worthy adversary. Frank looks at the big picture. Politics is never simple and Frank takes some lumps here and the President begins to look askance at him. This episode is a bit unbelievable. The brick throwing thing is a bit contrived and the fact that such subterfuge would work so well--I just don't quite buy it. Nevertheless, we see the delicate balance that exists and how nuance can lead to major decisions. However, it's really hard to swallow that someone with such a major national platform could fall into such a plot is suspect. Still, this is television, and Frank is a snake, and he has political capital to play his cards (no pun intended). The conclusion is pretty dramatic and further sharpens the cad's spear.
7 Reviews
"From this moment on you are a rock. You absorb nothing, you saying nothing, and nothing breaks you"
TheLittleSongbird4 February 2019
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
Sitting in the chair!!!
elo-equipamentos12 April 2017
House of Cards didn't was my choice, my son who also love movie too gave me the box of first season as gift, well if it's free let's go to screen. after the first chapter l'd found this series very good, because here in Brazil we had "our" Frank Underwood on the chamber, today he is in jail, is funny but Frank is manipulator and to press everyone like a toy and play like on chessboard, political matters aren't like that, somehow is very interesting and works as point of view from Americans, some odd situations like the vice-president sitting in chair!!! this episode was directed by the great Joel Schumacher!!!
House of Cards Chapter 6
dalydj-918-25517512 February 2013
Warning: Spoilers
The show is starting to feel more real as we see how the actual strike has gone on for so long and is both affecting the real world but creating yet another challenge for Francis. Francis is once again up to his tricks by faking the brick being thrown through his window which led to the punch and him finally able to end the strike and Marty. Claire is finally being given some meaty worthy material and Robin is playing these scenes so great. This episode was a highlight especially when she went to visit the guy Steve in the hospital and her speech's to him mixed with the hand job she gave him were just stunning to watch and listen to the rich dialogue. Peter now being taken into the mold of Underwood family is great to watch as he might be the Governor soon and he now is off the drugs for Francis. Francis did show some heart in the episode by getting Edward his job back after the brick incident but telling him to be a rock is both a smart idea and quite powerful on the part of Francis. Robin Wright stole the episode, Spacey and Stoll were great and less Zoe is both good and bad. Mara plays her character well but she seems wasted a couple of times even though she does have talent.
EPISODE GRADE: B+ (MVP: Robin Wright)
EPISODE GRADE: B+ (MVP: Robin Wright)
A M A Z I N G
Erdos0126 August 2018
A plot that's choosing the easy way out occasionally is beginning to impress with surprising ways taken
stillworkingfortheknife24 March 2014
With not the last time leap in the series, House of Cards positions itself roughly one month after the last chapter ended and the teacher strike is still ongoing. This leads to the battle Frank Underwood versus Marty Spinella being foregrounded and some of the Netflix project's most entertaining conversations up to that point taking place, one of them certainly being a television debate the two share and that actually had me chuckling quite a bit.
In a series as rich with characters as this one though, there's loads of things going on in the background too, most notably on Claire's side. The moments she shares with minor characters are a welcome enhancement to her character, partly even in a not fully decipherable, but thought- provoking fashion, and gain further quality through what is likely Robin Wright's strongest turn in the first season.
Even if Zoe and Peter taking a step out of the limelight slightly worked to the detriment of the quality, House of Cards' chapter six is the first to include genuine surprises and excels itself at character development through realistic scenes. However, as if attempting to appeal to a broader audience, Sam Forman's script could have benefited from more subtlety about conveying its message in scenes such as the aforementioned TV discussion and a moment between Frank and the President.
Memoranda: I've already praised her performance in this episode, but Robin Wright's oh-no look as Claire's name is brought up in the television debate was exceptionally great. That "I have to clear my head" phrase and the following rapid hand movement led me to a terribly wrong first assumption about what was going to happen in a scene with Frank polishing his shoes. How awkward would it have been if Frank had pushed the suitcase a little too far and it had fell of the table when he was talking with Marty? Not the cool schemer anymore after such a faux pas, Mr Underwood. The President is unimportant in this series already, but Linda is continuously topping that with unexceptionally all of her ideas denied and her presence persistently ignored. Sad, how House of Cards is crushing the dreams of young American girls and boys wanting to become Secretary of State when they're older. Best quote: "I love you, Francis." – "I know." – "We should say that more often to each other." – I'm not a very keen supporter of marriage, but Frank and Claire's is an A1 pro argument.
In a series as rich with characters as this one though, there's loads of things going on in the background too, most notably on Claire's side. The moments she shares with minor characters are a welcome enhancement to her character, partly even in a not fully decipherable, but thought- provoking fashion, and gain further quality through what is likely Robin Wright's strongest turn in the first season.
Even if Zoe and Peter taking a step out of the limelight slightly worked to the detriment of the quality, House of Cards' chapter six is the first to include genuine surprises and excels itself at character development through realistic scenes. However, as if attempting to appeal to a broader audience, Sam Forman's script could have benefited from more subtlety about conveying its message in scenes such as the aforementioned TV discussion and a moment between Frank and the President.
Memoranda: I've already praised her performance in this episode, but Robin Wright's oh-no look as Claire's name is brought up in the television debate was exceptionally great. That "I have to clear my head" phrase and the following rapid hand movement led me to a terribly wrong first assumption about what was going to happen in a scene with Frank polishing his shoes. How awkward would it have been if Frank had pushed the suitcase a little too far and it had fell of the table when he was talking with Marty? Not the cool schemer anymore after such a faux pas, Mr Underwood. The President is unimportant in this series already, but Linda is continuously topping that with unexceptionally all of her ideas denied and her presence persistently ignored. Sad, how House of Cards is crushing the dreams of young American girls and boys wanting to become Secretary of State when they're older. Best quote: "I love you, Francis." – "I know." – "We should say that more often to each other." – I'm not a very keen supporter of marriage, but Frank and Claire's is an A1 pro argument.
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