It's easy to lose yourself trying to analyze the political scenario in which the episode is built upon. But that is not the point of this episode. Previously Frank faced his demons and he came out on top. This time it is Claire who starts to question the path she took. This episode is about the distinction between Frank and Claire, it's about whether or not the means justifies the end, it's about courage and strength and how they define it differently. When the stakes are high will she stay firm, should she stay firm? A top notch episode that will shape the paths of both of our cold blooded, ruthless politicians in their future ambitions.
10 Reviews
The Russian Invasion
Hitchcoc2 March 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This is a remarkable episode, focusing on a trip to Russia to negotiate help in the Middle East. The Russian interest is for withdrawal of troops in some of the border areas and completely out of the Czech Republic. There is one more issue. A gay man named Corrigan has been held in prison for his crime of "corrupting" youth. More than his sexual orientation, he is serious activist, more so than the administration is aware of. It would be a showy thing for the Underwood administration to set up this deal with the Russians and to bring back this man who has been living under nasty conditions in a Russian prison. However, Corrigan is an idealist and refuses to betray the Russian prisoners who will not be able to leave, who will spend years in this prison. One has died after a hunger strike of 28 days. Petrov, the Russian President, needs Corrigan to read a made-up statement telling how well he was treated and how sorry he was for the actions leading to his arrest. He refuses. Claire has been given the task of getting him to change his mind. It is obvious this is not going to happen. While she rests on a cot in the interrogation room, Corrigan hangs himself, using her scarf. Frank manages to get the deal done, but in the press conference, after reading her prepared neutral statement, Claire goes off script, calling Petrov a few things, and destroying the pact that took months to work out. Frank is incensed. He even tells her that he should never have made her ambassador to the UN. Things are really raw between them.
The other plot line that continues is the search for Rachel. Doug is still in play, but we are not privy to what, exactly, he is up to. Lisa is being used as a conduit to Rachel.
The other plot line that continues is the search for Rachel. Doug is still in play, but we are not privy to what, exactly, he is up to. Lisa is being used as a conduit to Rachel.
Frank and Clare define courage differently
snoozejonc1 September 2020
Frank and Clare travel to Moscow to deal with the serious political situation involving an imprisoned US activist.
For the duration of the episode we see Frank locked in negotiations with Pretrov and Claire trying to persuade Corrigan to read a statement prepared for him by the Russian government that denounces all his personal beliefs. Everything that happens during these exchanges are the build up to a pretty explosive ending. There is also a sub-plot involving the continued search for Rachel which is not quite as compelling.
I'm not sure why other reviewers reacted so badly to how the episode ends. Yes, I agree that these events are not particularly realistic, but at the same time this is a television show and is not meant to be taken so seriously. The entire tone of House of Cards is unbelievable when you consider how everything works out just right for Frank, no matter what seemingly insurmountable odds he is up against every season. However, the point of the events shown are to make overall narrative of the series dramatic and develop the central characters.
I think it ended well, in that it made me wonder if Clare's character will now develop differently to how she's been portrayed so far. Has it made her more ethical and less cynically ruthless? Maybe it hasn't. Perhaps she is just reacting to a new opportunity she can see in the circumstance as a means to undermine Frank and achieve more of her own power. It could be neither. Perhaps it's just a bump in the road designed to test their partnership and loyalty to each other.
Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright are absolutely scintillating during their character's eventual confrontation and the episode themes of strength, courage and loyalty come through with the venom they shoot at each other.
As always the production values are top notch in terms of cinematography, editing and in particular the musical score.
For the duration of the episode we see Frank locked in negotiations with Pretrov and Claire trying to persuade Corrigan to read a statement prepared for him by the Russian government that denounces all his personal beliefs. Everything that happens during these exchanges are the build up to a pretty explosive ending. There is also a sub-plot involving the continued search for Rachel which is not quite as compelling.
I'm not sure why other reviewers reacted so badly to how the episode ends. Yes, I agree that these events are not particularly realistic, but at the same time this is a television show and is not meant to be taken so seriously. The entire tone of House of Cards is unbelievable when you consider how everything works out just right for Frank, no matter what seemingly insurmountable odds he is up against every season. However, the point of the events shown are to make overall narrative of the series dramatic and develop the central characters.
I think it ended well, in that it made me wonder if Clare's character will now develop differently to how she's been portrayed so far. Has it made her more ethical and less cynically ruthless? Maybe it hasn't. Perhaps she is just reacting to a new opportunity she can see in the circumstance as a means to undermine Frank and achieve more of her own power. It could be neither. Perhaps it's just a bump in the road designed to test their partnership and loyalty to each other.
Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright are absolutely scintillating during their character's eventual confrontation and the episode themes of strength, courage and loyalty come through with the venom they shoot at each other.
As always the production values are top notch in terms of cinematography, editing and in particular the musical score.
Mrs Underwood seals the day!!
akshat-jain2043 August 2015
Warning: Spoilers
The President and the First lady/UN Ambassador are on their way to Moscow.The episode fittingly starts with Claire gazing out of the plane window and that has been the real take-away of the show in this season-Role of Claire Underwood.The makers have intelligently improvised on the character of Claire Underwood as she constantly fights her way into the mainstream diplomacy and this episode just takes the cake.The episode was all about how Claire deals with a "stubborn" gay activist in Moscow jail and how she decides to stand for courage irrespective of what repercussions it might have on the deal that the she as well as Frank had been working on for months.And then their was the best dialogue-"I wish I hadn't made you the President." That just sealed the episode for me.Her character has just grown to some other level and it would be really interesting to see her role in subsequent episodes and seasons.
"No we're not. We're survivors"
TheLittleSongbird20 July 2019
Although there hasn't at this point of Season 3 yet an episode on the same level as the best of Seasons 1 and 2, "Chapter 28" comes closest, there still has not been a bad episode in my opinion. Not even the more controversial "Chapter 29". Both seasons too were higher in quality and more consistent than this season, which is still a more than solid one on the whole though not as settled, back when 'House of Cards' was good.
Did like "Chapter 32" much more than most of the other commentators, while understanding and agreeing with some of the criticisms. There is a lot to like, its best elements being fantastic, but for me this was the weakest episode up to this point of Season 3, a lesser episode of the season and perhaps the weakest 'House of Cards' episode since "Chapter 8". Despite the ratings indicating otherwise. "Chapter 32" is to me a masterpiece of character chemistry and for anybody who loves to see the Underwoods together, but when it comes to logic other episodes do a much better job on that front and am putting that lightly.
Will begin with the drawbacks. Will agree that Claire is out of character, something of a polar opposite period episode, a strong, cold, ruthless character, reduced to a comparitively over-emotional wreck who had suddenly grown a conscience. Although the chemistry and scenes between Claire and Corrigan are beautifully played and poignant, one cannot help feeling annoyed when it all ends on one of the most unrealistic suicides in the history of television.
Don't know about you as well, but did anybody else find Frank's final breaking the fourth wall comment unnecessary, out of place and something of a groaner?
For all those annoyances, "Chapter 32" does have a lot working in its favour. As said, the character chemistry really elevated the episode. Have already said what my thoughts were on the one between Claire and Corrigan. Even better was the tension between Frank and Petrov and especially the blistering one between Frank and Claire. Frank is still a fascinating character, one of the fascinating leads on television in my view, and in my view Petrov is a good foil and matches Frank in the ruthlessness stakes. Have no issues with the acting, Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright are both brilliant and are dynamite in their chemistry together. Christian Camargo is moving in his role, while Lars Mikkelsen may not be subtle but has the right amount of authority as Petrov.
James Foley paces things very nicely and his cinematic experience shows. "Chapter 32" has lost none of the slickness and stylishness present throughout 'House of Cards', has increased my want of wanting to go to Russia, while the music is some of the show's best. The writing is thought-provoking and has not lost its bite, especially Frank's dialogue and his exchange with Claire. The story is compelling, apart from my frustration from that one bit, and has tension and poignancy.
All in all, well done episode but it had all the ingredients to be the episode where Season 3 would hit its stride, only to be infuriatingly spoilt by a few things that could easily have not been there or done differently. 7/10
Did like "Chapter 32" much more than most of the other commentators, while understanding and agreeing with some of the criticisms. There is a lot to like, its best elements being fantastic, but for me this was the weakest episode up to this point of Season 3, a lesser episode of the season and perhaps the weakest 'House of Cards' episode since "Chapter 8". Despite the ratings indicating otherwise. "Chapter 32" is to me a masterpiece of character chemistry and for anybody who loves to see the Underwoods together, but when it comes to logic other episodes do a much better job on that front and am putting that lightly.
Will begin with the drawbacks. Will agree that Claire is out of character, something of a polar opposite period episode, a strong, cold, ruthless character, reduced to a comparitively over-emotional wreck who had suddenly grown a conscience. Although the chemistry and scenes between Claire and Corrigan are beautifully played and poignant, one cannot help feeling annoyed when it all ends on one of the most unrealistic suicides in the history of television.
Don't know about you as well, but did anybody else find Frank's final breaking the fourth wall comment unnecessary, out of place and something of a groaner?
For all those annoyances, "Chapter 32" does have a lot working in its favour. As said, the character chemistry really elevated the episode. Have already said what my thoughts were on the one between Claire and Corrigan. Even better was the tension between Frank and Petrov and especially the blistering one between Frank and Claire. Frank is still a fascinating character, one of the fascinating leads on television in my view, and in my view Petrov is a good foil and matches Frank in the ruthlessness stakes. Have no issues with the acting, Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright are both brilliant and are dynamite in their chemistry together. Christian Camargo is moving in his role, while Lars Mikkelsen may not be subtle but has the right amount of authority as Petrov.
James Foley paces things very nicely and his cinematic experience shows. "Chapter 32" has lost none of the slickness and stylishness present throughout 'House of Cards', has increased my want of wanting to go to Russia, while the music is some of the show's best. The writing is thought-provoking and has not lost its bite, especially Frank's dialogue and his exchange with Claire. The story is compelling, apart from my frustration from that one bit, and has tension and poignancy.
All in all, well done episode but it had all the ingredients to be the episode where Season 3 would hit its stride, only to be infuriatingly spoilt by a few things that could easily have not been there or done differently. 7/10
Straight Fall from a cliff (Worst Episode in terms of Logic)
sagar-swapna13 July 2016
Warning: Spoilers
This episode defied all logic...
1- The voice and pitch at which Corrigan was talking to the first lady nobody in their right minds will do it. She is not your family member nor a friend but a person with a very respectable position.
2- Russians removed the Bugs:- I mean no one will ever blame that Russians bugged the cell room sitting inside a Russian cell room even if you know it is bugged secondly No govt official will ever agree that the room is bugged even if you blame them.
3- Corrigan Suicide- come on give me a break, When a person commits suicide and you are in that room you ll know even if you are sleeping. Unless you are on drugs.
4 - First lady insults Russian president and the govt in front of the press - Really can you do that even if you know they did wrong. Serious global political blunder this is not expected from the writers.
Writers took the lazy way out, They could have presented the same situation in a logical way. I praised House of Cards for some intelligent writing and I am amazed this episode is so highly rated at 9.2 on IMDb.
1- The voice and pitch at which Corrigan was talking to the first lady nobody in their right minds will do it. She is not your family member nor a friend but a person with a very respectable position.
2- Russians removed the Bugs:- I mean no one will ever blame that Russians bugged the cell room sitting inside a Russian cell room even if you know it is bugged secondly No govt official will ever agree that the room is bugged even if you blame them.
3- Corrigan Suicide- come on give me a break, When a person commits suicide and you are in that room you ll know even if you are sleeping. Unless you are on drugs.
4 - First lady insults Russian president and the govt in front of the press - Really can you do that even if you know they did wrong. Serious global political blunder this is not expected from the writers.
Writers took the lazy way out, They could have presented the same situation in a logical way. I praised House of Cards for some intelligent writing and I am amazed this episode is so highly rated at 9.2 on IMDb.
blatant gay propaganda
chiazna2 March 2015
Warning: Spoilers
The hole episode evolves around the gay activist held hostage in Moscow. All the tension is focused towards the injustice that Petrov maintains against the gay people, "due to Russian people tradition" and hotter subjects like middle east peace are left behind.
It is a pretty boring episode and Claire is very out of character in this episode. She is emotional, moral, the inner gay militant ism of her builds up towards the end and erupts in the press conference. Not like Clair, however you take it and put it. They probably tried an experiment, tried to push Clair into some other nuances but it was a mistake in my opinion.
Overall it is a very weird episode and really breaks down the flow we are used to in this great series.
As a side note, Petrov character is very unrealistic and poorly acted both in this episode and in previous ones. Too bad they could not find a better actor or find a better solution for the acting, scenes and reflexes of such a grave and potential figure that Petrov is supposed to imitate (aka Putin).
It is a pretty boring episode and Claire is very out of character in this episode. She is emotional, moral, the inner gay militant ism of her builds up towards the end and erupts in the press conference. Not like Clair, however you take it and put it. They probably tried an experiment, tried to push Clair into some other nuances but it was a mistake in my opinion.
Overall it is a very weird episode and really breaks down the flow we are used to in this great series.
As a side note, Petrov character is very unrealistic and poorly acted both in this episode and in previous ones. Too bad they could not find a better actor or find a better solution for the acting, scenes and reflexes of such a grave and potential figure that Petrov is supposed to imitate (aka Putin).
Laughable and Ludicrous
george-84128 April 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Other reviewers here have noted the great unlikelihood thank Frank would pursue this Middle East deal with Russia. That's script content that could be debated and it's fun to do so. I'm targeting the ludicrous plot twist in which the First Lady spends the night in a Russian prison cell with an imprisoned activist WHO HANGS HIMSELF WITH THE FIRST LADY'S SCARF unbeknownst to anybody, including the First Lady sleeping in a cot nearby. Now maybe she is a deep sleeper and, despite spending the night in a Russian prison, is so deep in slumber she can't sense him stealing her scarf, climbing up the bars on the window and hanging himself.
Even a man bent on suicide by self-strangulation will likely react involuntarily and make considerable noise in his death throes, but let's allow the writer that degree of suspension of disbelief. But do we REALLY believe both the U.S. Secret Service AND the Russian security people would leave the First Lady of the United States unattended and alone in a prison cell with a man who they must all consider to be, however possibly noble, a bit unhinged? Heck, the last thing either side wants is a suicide so even if they weren't concerned about Claire, one would think they'd both pay careful attention to the well-being of the activist, at least until the President and his wife board Air Force One and leave Moscow.
While watching this with my jaw dropping I postulated that the only HOPE to save this episode was for it to be disclosed afterwards that Frank, Claire and Petrov had made a devil's pact to string up the activist and make it look like a suicide, to do away with the guy's demands about refusing to be repatriated and insisting on a trial. That plot twist would still have been amateurish writing but it would have been far more consistent with the amoral pragmatism of all parties involved. For us to believe that an amoral murderess like Claire would suddenly start "doing the right thing" because of concerns for gay rights in Russia.... well it just doesn't work.
Good show, mediocre third season... horrible, ludicrous episode.
Even a man bent on suicide by self-strangulation will likely react involuntarily and make considerable noise in his death throes, but let's allow the writer that degree of suspension of disbelief. But do we REALLY believe both the U.S. Secret Service AND the Russian security people would leave the First Lady of the United States unattended and alone in a prison cell with a man who they must all consider to be, however possibly noble, a bit unhinged? Heck, the last thing either side wants is a suicide so even if they weren't concerned about Claire, one would think they'd both pay careful attention to the well-being of the activist, at least until the President and his wife board Air Force One and leave Moscow.
While watching this with my jaw dropping I postulated that the only HOPE to save this episode was for it to be disclosed afterwards that Frank, Claire and Petrov had made a devil's pact to string up the activist and make it look like a suicide, to do away with the guy's demands about refusing to be repatriated and insisting on a trial. That plot twist would still have been amateurish writing but it would have been far more consistent with the amoral pragmatism of all parties involved. For us to believe that an amoral murderess like Claire would suddenly start "doing the right thing" because of concerns for gay rights in Russia.... well it just doesn't work.
Good show, mediocre third season... horrible, ludicrous episode.
A huge disappointment
safergus14 April 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Season 3 seems to be plodding along at best, but this episode took the biscuit. Claire's behavior makes no sense. Supposedly a strong (unscrupulous) woman with high political ambitions of her own, she behaves like a bratty teenager and torpedoes a hugely important Middle East peace process because a "naive", "selfish" gay activist hangs himself in a Russian jail cell. Note: kills himself. He was not murdered by the Russians, nor even badly treated, as he himself admits.
Up to that point the activist had already been painted in a fairly unfavorable light. Sure, he was a political pawn, but he had largely brought it on himself, and his ungrateful justifications and posturings towards Claire for their efforts to free him beggar belief. He refuses to leave on principle for all sorts of ridiculous reasons. He berates Claire for not getting the Russians who were captured along with him freed also. Is he a moron? Does he really think an American government could have that sort of influence over Russia?!?! He would rather make his case in court!! As if the Russian government would give him a pulpit to denounce them! Claire's responses to him are weak.
Firstly, why the Underwoods are in Russia. After a terrible first meeting in DC with the Russian President, they decide to go to Moscow to patch things up and to achieve something very concrete, important and hitherto elusive: progress on Middle East peace. Frank and Viktor reach a workable agreement, despite their suspicions of each other (this was the strongest part of the episode because we could understand where each side was coming from, without being judgmental). It only remained for the final press conference, beginning with Claire saying a few words about the activist's death. She reads the prepared speech, then pauses and turns to insult the Russian President publicly in his own country, thereby destroying all the potentially lifesaving, peace-bringing plans that had been agreed. Who is petulant and selfish now, Claire? Her self-justification to Francis afterwards was pathetic, and, thankfully, he exploded with rage - rightfully!
This is the second time Claire has deliberately sabotaged Francis, but, with the stakes so high this time, her behavior is unconscionable. It is impossible to take her political ambitions seriously anymore.
The whole logic of the episode is ridiculous, devoid of reality and credibility, which was this program's forte early on.
Up to that point the activist had already been painted in a fairly unfavorable light. Sure, he was a political pawn, but he had largely brought it on himself, and his ungrateful justifications and posturings towards Claire for their efforts to free him beggar belief. He refuses to leave on principle for all sorts of ridiculous reasons. He berates Claire for not getting the Russians who were captured along with him freed also. Is he a moron? Does he really think an American government could have that sort of influence over Russia?!?! He would rather make his case in court!! As if the Russian government would give him a pulpit to denounce them! Claire's responses to him are weak.
Firstly, why the Underwoods are in Russia. After a terrible first meeting in DC with the Russian President, they decide to go to Moscow to patch things up and to achieve something very concrete, important and hitherto elusive: progress on Middle East peace. Frank and Viktor reach a workable agreement, despite their suspicions of each other (this was the strongest part of the episode because we could understand where each side was coming from, without being judgmental). It only remained for the final press conference, beginning with Claire saying a few words about the activist's death. She reads the prepared speech, then pauses and turns to insult the Russian President publicly in his own country, thereby destroying all the potentially lifesaving, peace-bringing plans that had been agreed. Who is petulant and selfish now, Claire? Her self-justification to Francis afterwards was pathetic, and, thankfully, he exploded with rage - rightfully!
This is the second time Claire has deliberately sabotaged Francis, but, with the stakes so high this time, her behavior is unconscionable. It is impossible to take her political ambitions seriously anymore.
The whole logic of the episode is ridiculous, devoid of reality and credibility, which was this program's forte early on.
The writers killed it
p_wokke15 March 2015
Warning: Spoilers
If you're reading this review, you're probably as disappointed by this episode as i was. One advise: just stop here. What was a once a brilliant series, is in season three completely destroyed by the horrible story and this episode embodies that change completely. Let's first discuss season three: we know Frank as a very realistic cynic, so what in God's name does he want to do in the Jordan valley? Any western politician knows that the first rule of politics is not to talk about Israel if you can avoid it all, not to mention sending troops there. Why would this man, who only cares about himself and maybe America, do all this work to go there? Second problem is Stamper. Why is he completely ignored? FU might want to protect him, but surely he knows him long enough that politics is this man's life. The way he treats his "friend" is simply ridiculous, regardless of whether you believe he cares about him. (If not, why create an influential enemy?) What makes this episode so bad though is Claire. If You've Seen The English HoC you know something must change . However, remember the woman from the first season who fired her personal aid with whom she'd worked with for over a decade, knowing that this woman was too old to get another good job, without a single momen of hesitation. Would this woman really put a historical achievement on the line because she'd spent one night with a stubborn gay rights activist who kills himself? (Not to mention the fact that she had also conspired with her husband to get rid of a us president in the previous season and had already done a number of other heartless things). There's more, unfortunately, (like amworks; if you manage a restaurant and you could hire a dishwasher with a subsidy, wouldn't you just throw your old guys out?), and more, all the great shots and great acting and suspense that the makers manage to create can't fix it in this season. So if you've felt disappointed by this episode, just stop watching and remember the brilliance of the first to seasons.
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