Chapter 49
- Episode aired Mar 4, 2016
- TV-MA
- 57m
As Frank deals with a new threat to his candidacy, Claire has doubts about their plan. Claire faces a difficult decision concerning her mother's health.As Frank deals with a new threat to his candidacy, Claire has doubts about their plan. Claire faces a difficult decision concerning her mother's health.As Frank deals with a new threat to his candidacy, Claire has doubts about their plan. Claire faces a difficult decision concerning her mother's health.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaConway states that after leaving Atlanta he will be going to Utah - a state where a Republican candidate would hardly need to campaign.
- GoofsIn Chapter 49 after his argument with Seth, Doug goes to his laptop where Seth had brought up a newspaper web page. The newspaper misspelled Independence in their story summary at the top of the page"Indepedence still a hot issue in Spain".
- Quotes
Francis Underwood: It's all true.
Catherine Durant: What is?
Francis Underwood: Everything Lucas Goodwin claimed. I killed them both, just like he said I did.
[Catherine looks at Francis in horror]
Francis Underwood: But of course, nobody believes it, and nobody ever will. Because that's how good we are... at making things... disappear.
[Francis points a letter opener at Catherine's stomach. Francis laughs as he turns the letter opener away. Catherine exhales deeply in relief]
Francis Underwood: No, we didn't kill anybody.
[Francis laughs again, then sighs]
Francis Underwood: But we would have... if it was necessary,
Found "Chapter 49" to be absolutely brilliant. Easily one of the high points of Season 4, along with "Chapter 43" and "Chapter 46" as far as previous episodes go, and one of the best episodes of the period where 'House of Cards' was actually good and even brilliant at its best (Seasons 1-4). "Chapter 49" is a tremendously powerful episode, with lots of tension and emotion and one of the season's, and show's, best ever scenes. Like "Chapter 46" and "Chapter 48" it is one of the episodes of the fourth season to come particularly close to feeling like classic 'House of Cards'.
It is one of the few episodes of the season to not have anything wrong with it, or at least that is the case with me. Nothing is unnecessary here and Yates is the most interesting he was all season with his involvement being sympathetic and quite affecting. Loved his chemistry with Elizabeth, whose subplot with Claire really wrenches the heart. Holding back tears will be very hard and that is further embodied by Ellen Burstyn's very touching performance here.
The character that is most memorable in "Chapter 49" is Frank. His intimidation of Catherine is classic Frank manipulation, something that Frank always was a master in. He also plays a major part in the highlight of the episode (and a season and show highlight), the hair-raising Oval Office scene between him and Catherine. The taut writing, the scintillating chemistry between the two characters and Kevin Spacey's terrifying performance in that scene are a perfect marriage. A lot goes on in "Chapter 49" without feeling too much, while showing both character and plot progression in a way that's poignant and especially intense.
While all the acting is without fault, a terrifying Spacey and affecting Burstyn take top honours and in a league of their own. The production values are also high quality and the direction especially has a ball in the Oval Office scene.
Summing up, brilliant. 10/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Nov 19, 2019
Details
- Release date
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- Runtime57 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
- 2.00 : 1