Chapter 19
- Episode aired Feb 14, 2014
- TV-MA
- 52m
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
4.4K
YOUR RATING
In the middle of an energy crisis, Francis and Tusk end their fragile alliance. Lucas must make a difficult choice. Stamper gets closer to Rachel.In the middle of an energy crisis, Francis and Tusk end their fragile alliance. Lucas must make a difficult choice. Stamper gets closer to Rachel.In the middle of an energy crisis, Francis and Tusk end their fragile alliance. Lucas must make a difficult choice. Stamper gets closer to Rachel.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhen Frank (Kevin Spacey) meets with Hammerschmidt (Boris McGiver) regarding the article alleging Frank's involvement in Zoe's death, Frank asks, "Why don't you just ask when I stopped strangling people's pets?" In the opening scene of the very first episode, we see Frank do just that.
- GoofsRachel states that she learned who Rachel was at church. She says Jacob worked 7 years to marry her, and she had one son named Joseph who became king. In actuality, Jacob worked 14 years for Rachel since her father played a trick on him. She had two sons, Joseph and Benjamin. Joseph became an overseer of Egypt, but never actually became king.
- Quotes
Francis Underwood: I'm a good Christian, Remy, like your mother. I would tell you the truth if you wanted more.
Remy Danton: You trying to send a message?
Francis Underwood: Perhaps.
Remy Danton: Which is?
Francis Underwood: That stubbornness is far costlier than obedience.
- SoundtracksThe Star-Spangled Banner
(uncredited)
Lyrics by Francis Scott Key
Music by John Stafford Smith
Performed by Rachael Price
Featured review
"Stubbornness is far costlier than obedience"
Season 2 had the difficult task of following on from a great Season 1, one where all thirteen episodes comprising ranged from good to brilliant. Up to this point, so from "Chapter 14" to this episode, Season 2 is not as great, but was never less than very good despite the tendency of Frank dominating too much and the newer characters not being as interesting as ought (Jackie being an exception though). Production values, writing and acting throughout the season were consistently of top standard.
"Chapter 19" to me is one of Season 2's best episodes, along with as far as the previous episodes go "Chapter 14" and "Chapter 17". It does see on the whole the newer characters standing out more, the tensions building, the storytelling and characters progressing in development and Frank still being a fascinating and juicy character becoming increasingly dominant and unscrupulous but not dominating too much. The last point being something that tended to be present in the previous Season 2 episodes.
Could care less though for Lucas, the previous episodes did not see him really as a very interesting, and at times like with "Chapter 16" frustrating, character and his subplots have also been one of the least compelling in comparison to the others in each episode.
That is my one real issue with an otherwise great episode. Do like that things continue to progress and things introduced, set upon and built upon in the previous Season 2 episodes build on further with nothing going round in circles. Loved the tension and suspenseful character interaction throughout, especially between Frank and Tusk. Was very much involved with everything with Claire, loved Jackie's fierce steel and also that there is more of Remy and that he is not wasted at all (far from it, found him one of the better-written characters actually). The political intrigue is not laid on too thick or hard to understand, the cynical edge of it intelligently done, and the darker tone of the season works.
John David Coles again returns as director and does a solid job, not as tight as the directing in previous episodes (especially James Foley) and his episodes are not as cinematic-feeling as the first two episodes directed by David Fincher. But it is also not too methodical and not indicative of somebody not interested in the material, there is both momentum and breathing space. "Chapter 19" looks slick and stylish, with lots of atmosphere with a darker look and no trouble with cohesion. Nothing to complain about there. The music knew when to have presence and when to tone things down to let the dialogue and characters properly speak. The writing is sharp and has bite and the story does engage for the reasons described in the above paragraph.
Of the newer characters, my favourite is Jackie. Love her steel, spirit and ferocity. Frank and Claire are both brilliantly written and the acting all round is never less than very good. Cannot fault either Kevin Spacey or Robin Wright, while Molly Parker and particularly Mahershala Ali are major standouts as well.
Altogether, a great episode and one of Season 2's best. 9/10
"Chapter 19" to me is one of Season 2's best episodes, along with as far as the previous episodes go "Chapter 14" and "Chapter 17". It does see on the whole the newer characters standing out more, the tensions building, the storytelling and characters progressing in development and Frank still being a fascinating and juicy character becoming increasingly dominant and unscrupulous but not dominating too much. The last point being something that tended to be present in the previous Season 2 episodes.
Could care less though for Lucas, the previous episodes did not see him really as a very interesting, and at times like with "Chapter 16" frustrating, character and his subplots have also been one of the least compelling in comparison to the others in each episode.
That is my one real issue with an otherwise great episode. Do like that things continue to progress and things introduced, set upon and built upon in the previous Season 2 episodes build on further with nothing going round in circles. Loved the tension and suspenseful character interaction throughout, especially between Frank and Tusk. Was very much involved with everything with Claire, loved Jackie's fierce steel and also that there is more of Remy and that he is not wasted at all (far from it, found him one of the better-written characters actually). The political intrigue is not laid on too thick or hard to understand, the cynical edge of it intelligently done, and the darker tone of the season works.
John David Coles again returns as director and does a solid job, not as tight as the directing in previous episodes (especially James Foley) and his episodes are not as cinematic-feeling as the first two episodes directed by David Fincher. But it is also not too methodical and not indicative of somebody not interested in the material, there is both momentum and breathing space. "Chapter 19" looks slick and stylish, with lots of atmosphere with a darker look and no trouble with cohesion. Nothing to complain about there. The music knew when to have presence and when to tone things down to let the dialogue and characters properly speak. The writing is sharp and has bite and the story does engage for the reasons described in the above paragraph.
Of the newer characters, my favourite is Jackie. Love her steel, spirit and ferocity. Frank and Claire are both brilliantly written and the acting all round is never less than very good. Cannot fault either Kevin Spacey or Robin Wright, while Molly Parker and particularly Mahershala Ali are major standouts as well.
Altogether, a great episode and one of Season 2's best. 9/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- May 19, 2019
- Permalink
Details
- Runtime52 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
- 2.00 : 1
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