Chapter 53
- Episode aired May 30, 2017
- TV-MA
- 55m
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
3.8K
YOUR RATING
As congress debates investigating Frank, he and Claire attempt to stoke fear of terrorism. Tom Yates continues his stay in the White House.As congress debates investigating Frank, he and Claire attempt to stoke fear of terrorism. Tom Yates continues his stay in the White House.As congress debates investigating Frank, he and Claire attempt to stoke fear of terrorism. Tom Yates continues his stay in the White House.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaOn the same day as President Donald J. Trump's inauguration, Netflix announced a May 30, 2017 release date with the caption, "We Make The Terror".
- GoofsDuring the news coverage of the search for the ICO terrorist (approx 0:44:15), the text at the bottom of the screen reads "Large Scale Action on the Virgina Border" (instead of "Virginia").
- Quotes
Claire Underwood: We need to dial up the terror.
Featured review
"Well, you know how the Republicans are. Anything but a decision. They mistake complaint for leadership"
Was a fan of 'House of Cards' for the first four seasons, which made for often incredible television and some of the most addictive as well. Seasons 1 and 2 are especially true to this. They were seasons where even the weakest episodes were still quite a lot better than the weakest episodes of a number of shows, even liked the controversial episodes. Was less taken by Season 5 personally when it was starting to lose what made the show so great, but it was better still than the disaster (widely considered so) that is the last season.
"Chapter 53" was surprisingly not a bad start at all for Season 5. It is nowhere near a 'House of Cards' high point, is a bit of a disappointment compared to what came before it and the decline was beginning to show, but it still made for one of the season's better episodes with one particularly brilliant scene and is quite good if judging it on its own two feet. Also doing well introducing and setting up what was to come for the rest of the season, and doing it with some promise.
The episode's photography is suitably stylish and in perfect keeping with the show's, and story's, tone. Likewise with the music. The political tensions and intrigue still remain, if not as much as before perhaps, and at its best it fascinates. The dialogue has not lost its thoughtfulness and didn't to me sound rambling or confused like later episodes did. This includes one of Frank's all-time great 4th wall breaks.
Which honestly did give me the chills. One of the most chilling and best moments of Season 5 and a great way to end the episode. There is strong character interaction throughout and the tension is definitely there. As well as great performances all round, especially Kevin Spacey for namely the end.
However, part of me did feel that with "Chapter 53" that the show was starting to get tired and running out of ideas. At least though it is not as convoluted or as ridiculous as later Season 5 episodes and especially the whole of Season 6.
Generally the character development has been much meatier in previous episodes, Frank being the only one properly of the characters to show much complexity or meat. At times the story is a little muddled from trying to do too much, it is busy events wise and it felt a bit crowded at times.
In summary, pretty good start for the fifth and penultimate season but 'House of Cards' was capable of much better. 7/10
"Chapter 53" was surprisingly not a bad start at all for Season 5. It is nowhere near a 'House of Cards' high point, is a bit of a disappointment compared to what came before it and the decline was beginning to show, but it still made for one of the season's better episodes with one particularly brilliant scene and is quite good if judging it on its own two feet. Also doing well introducing and setting up what was to come for the rest of the season, and doing it with some promise.
The episode's photography is suitably stylish and in perfect keeping with the show's, and story's, tone. Likewise with the music. The political tensions and intrigue still remain, if not as much as before perhaps, and at its best it fascinates. The dialogue has not lost its thoughtfulness and didn't to me sound rambling or confused like later episodes did. This includes one of Frank's all-time great 4th wall breaks.
Which honestly did give me the chills. One of the most chilling and best moments of Season 5 and a great way to end the episode. There is strong character interaction throughout and the tension is definitely there. As well as great performances all round, especially Kevin Spacey for namely the end.
However, part of me did feel that with "Chapter 53" that the show was starting to get tired and running out of ideas. At least though it is not as convoluted or as ridiculous as later Season 5 episodes and especially the whole of Season 6.
Generally the character development has been much meatier in previous episodes, Frank being the only one properly of the characters to show much complexity or meat. At times the story is a little muddled from trying to do too much, it is busy events wise and it felt a bit crowded at times.
In summary, pretty good start for the fifth and penultimate season but 'House of Cards' was capable of much better. 7/10
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- TheLittleSongbird
- Feb 25, 2020
Details
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- Runtime55 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
- 2.00 : 1
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