User Reviews

Lucas continues to get deeper and deeper in the layers of secrecy. As he pursues his theory that Frank killed Zoe, he starts to encounter these humorless, driven automatons. The question is, "Who are these people and what is their foundation?" Doug informs Frank that he will be following up on information as to what Lucas is up to. The most significant series of events here has to do with the passing of an "Entitlement" bill in the Senate before the State of the Union address. At times, Frank seems almost superhuman. Where are the checks and balances? How has he attained so much power? There have to be some equally nasty people out there who would be keeping an eye on him. He is so slimy and so duplicitous that he can't hide under the radar all the time. Of course, he now states that he was once on the edge in the Senate, but now is three feet from the President. Also, Doug continues to Rachel under wraps with his cold, evil agenda. She is starting to show that she is fed up, however.

In its prime, 'House of Cards' was one of my most watched shows, fascinating and entertaining with a high addictive factor. Something that was completely lost in the big decline that was Season 5 and the even worse Season 6, which were enough to give up on the show altogether. Like to love all the episodes of Season 1 and had high hopes for Season 2, a season that started off brilliantly with its first episode but was disappointed by but still liked "Chapter 15".

"Chapter 16" again doesn't quite live up to the high standard of the Season 2 opener and Season 1. It is still a very solid episode, and, despite giving the two the same rating, if asked which is the better episode between this and "Chapter 15" the marginal edge would be given to this, with the character interaction/relationships being stronger and that there is more character and plot progression. Still do feel that the newer characters have yet to properly hit their stride.

There are a lot of things that are done well. What was introduced previously continues to be built upon without repetition and it does feel like the storytelling is progressing. One sees a darker tone with Season 2, due to more political tension, like with Frank and Tusk, and Frank becoming more dominant and unscrupulous. Also with the mystery aspect, still in its infancy yet but it intrigues. Like the political edge the episode and show has, which is cynical and intelligently handled, didn't find it dull or unrealistic here and it has yet to be laid on too thick. My opinion though.

James Foley is back as director, and he allows the drama to breathe while still giving it kick, it's very stylish too if not quite cinematic level (not that that was expected). ooks 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 interest on the most part. The tension between Frank and Tusk is getting stronger and more intriguing, and Doug is at his coldest here up to this point of the show. Love Jackie's steely ferocity, courtesy of Molly Parker, but a big highlight of the episode is the scene between Janine, at her most compassionate, and Lucas. Can't fault the acting, Kevin Spacey is brilliant as ever.

On the other hand, again Frank, one of the most fascinating and juiciest characters on television, dominates the episode a little too much and it got in the way of other characters, like the newer ones, being as interesting (though not as much as the previous episode, so another improvement).

Similarly found Lucas rather stupid here, everything with the fingerprints struck me as on the absurd side and he should have known better than that and realising that doing what he did would have serious repercussions on him.

In conclusion, very solid episode if again a slight disappointment. 8/10