OVERVIEW The stress on the Underwoods thickens. Frank's cabinet is questioning his ability to run due to his unpopularity through congress and in the view of the public, and they have recommended he does not run for presidency in 2016. He also has the Solicitor General putting pressure on him from the mistakes of the previous president where an American citizen was injured in a zone strike. Claire is also shown in weakness as her questioning for UN Ambassador backfires, what Frank expected. Doug is still being pushed out with no contact from Frank.
What proceeds is the true start of Frank's push to take the bull by the horns and stay i the White House, trying to receive funding from as many entities as possible, and trying to sway members of the doubtful leadership, with little or no return. Claire mirrors his effort as she scrambles to achieve the senator's approval for UN Ambassador position after the media slammed hearing. This is the central premise of the episode, and its interesting to see both characters' grasp of frustration and their extensive means of political persuasion. With a passionate and strange toned sex scene between Frank and Claire it sparks the turning point in their endeavours, both coming to a conclusion for their current problems.
PERFORMANCES Kevin Spacey yet again takes the cake. There are a few scenes yet to mention but he's just great at the part. Again, not much changing in regards to supporting cast, with Robin Wright being solid, and Mahershala Ali (Remy) getting more screen time, but still unable to show his abilities. I always get the impression that it will always boil down to two performances, Robin Wright and Kevin Spacey. With the feeling of a somewhat Shakespearian play, it seems like these two will always be the grand front of the series, and the support cast are just minor story telling tools. A majority of the emotional impact is in the hands of the Underwoods.
NOTEWORTHY MOMENTS Two scenes in particular really made me engaged. The first was the realisation that Frank comes to in regards to downplaying his run for presidency. He decides to tell the leadership he will not run, but for his own sake to leave a legacy, the America Works program. What follows is a fantastic monologue of Frank fixing his condition to stepping down for 2016, that he wants America Works to be passed within the next 18 months. Its such a great scene filled with passion and frustration that is depicted in both the leadership's thought of his lost cause and Frank's ambition to be a remembered President.
Without knowing the cabinet's stance on the proposal, he delivers what I believe is a fantastically accurate and real perspective on countless government social systems, that 'We are entitled to nothing'. The government should provide the tools to thrive and build our lives and business ambitions, and we can only help ourselves with the support of governance. It's such an engaging speech and I personally feel the most relative I have been to the show in it's never ending catalogue of thought provoking dialogue.
VERDICT This episode establishes the plans for both Clair and Frank, with Claire being re- nominated for UN ambassador by Frank, and himself nominating that the best way forward for his presidential aspirations, America Works success, and making piece with the Justice System over the civilian injury is by adopting an honest policy. Things are looking bright at the moment for the President and the First Lady, however, the skeletons are still in the closet, ready to come out. Lets hope that happens soon.
What proceeds is the true start of Frank's push to take the bull by the horns and stay i the White House, trying to receive funding from as many entities as possible, and trying to sway members of the doubtful leadership, with little or no return. Claire mirrors his effort as she scrambles to achieve the senator's approval for UN Ambassador position after the media slammed hearing. This is the central premise of the episode, and its interesting to see both characters' grasp of frustration and their extensive means of political persuasion. With a passionate and strange toned sex scene between Frank and Claire it sparks the turning point in their endeavours, both coming to a conclusion for their current problems.
PERFORMANCES Kevin Spacey yet again takes the cake. There are a few scenes yet to mention but he's just great at the part. Again, not much changing in regards to supporting cast, with Robin Wright being solid, and Mahershala Ali (Remy) getting more screen time, but still unable to show his abilities. I always get the impression that it will always boil down to two performances, Robin Wright and Kevin Spacey. With the feeling of a somewhat Shakespearian play, it seems like these two will always be the grand front of the series, and the support cast are just minor story telling tools. A majority of the emotional impact is in the hands of the Underwoods.
NOTEWORTHY MOMENTS Two scenes in particular really made me engaged. The first was the realisation that Frank comes to in regards to downplaying his run for presidency. He decides to tell the leadership he will not run, but for his own sake to leave a legacy, the America Works program. What follows is a fantastic monologue of Frank fixing his condition to stepping down for 2016, that he wants America Works to be passed within the next 18 months. Its such a great scene filled with passion and frustration that is depicted in both the leadership's thought of his lost cause and Frank's ambition to be a remembered President.
Without knowing the cabinet's stance on the proposal, he delivers what I believe is a fantastically accurate and real perspective on countless government social systems, that 'We are entitled to nothing'. The government should provide the tools to thrive and build our lives and business ambitions, and we can only help ourselves with the support of governance. It's such an engaging speech and I personally feel the most relative I have been to the show in it's never ending catalogue of thought provoking dialogue.
VERDICT This episode establishes the plans for both Clair and Frank, with Claire being re- nominated for UN ambassador by Frank, and himself nominating that the best way forward for his presidential aspirations, America Works success, and making piece with the Justice System over the civilian injury is by adopting an honest policy. Things are looking bright at the moment for the President and the First Lady, however, the skeletons are still in the closet, ready to come out. Lets hope that happens soon.