Frank Underwood is now the Vice President. He is having his house completely renovated because he and the second lady don't want to move to conventional quarters. He seems to have more machismo than the President who seems to be awfully wishy washy. Lucas is totally in on trying to find evidence of Zoe's death that has been ruled a suicide. Jackie betrays everyone to get the job of majority whip. She is about to destroy the person who has been the kindest to her, even though he has his own agenda and isn't exactly a stellar citizen. China is on the table and terrible advice gets the Secretary of State in a no win situation. Meanwhile, Claire must deal with the fact that one of the top ranking generals raped her in college. Frank finds out but must bide his time since he is now being seen for the first time as a heartbeat away from the Presidency.
4 Reviews
"If you don't like how the table is set, turn over the table"
TheLittleSongbird30 April 2019
Liked to loved all of the episodes from Season 1, even with a slight finding its feet quality that most shows have when they first start, so it was a consistent more than solid and mostly brilliant season. Was eagerly anticipating the Season 2 opener "Chapter 14" and was blown away by it, an example to all season openers and how to do it. Also found it up to this point of 'House of Cards' one of the show's best episodes along with "Chapter 11" and the first two David Fincher-directed episodes.
After loving "Chapter 14" that much, found myself rather disappointed by Season 2's second episode "Chapter 15", and maybe the high expectations has something to do with it. It is far from a bad episode, actually thought on the most part it was very good. Just that it wasn't outstanding, and it is hard to not expect that after such a high quality previous episode and that the second episode of the previous, the first, season was equal in quality to the season, and show, premiere. Ranking it with the previous episodes, consider this the second weakest, the weakest being the still decent "Chapter 8". Am really hoping that nothing here comes over as judgmental or too stupid.
Like "Chapter 14", "Chapter 15" does excel in follows on from previous events and builds upon them, all without being repetitive, introduces new conflicts and such and it does feel like the storytelling and characterisation are advancing. Do like the darker tone (well in comparison to Season 1), the mystery aspect, which does intrigue but has a long way to go with it being in its infancy, and what it has to say about politics, which had a cynical edge and is intelligently handled without falling too much into heavy-handedness. Carl Franklin directs his final episode (of four, having directed "Chapters" 10, 11 and 14), Again providing alert yet accomodating direction and showing that he had a sure hand and knew what he was doing.
Visually, as ever "Chapter 15" looks 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, Frank and Claire's plots being the most successful. The mystery aspect is interesting but as said has only really just been introduced. Frank is as ever a juicy and fascinating character and a good job is done with Claire. The most successful of the new characters to me is Jackie. The acting is very good to great, Kevin Spacey taking top honours but a big shout out too goes to the fierce steel of Molly Parker as Jackie.
However, the pace doesn't quite have the lustre and energy of the previous episode.
More problematic is that from personal opinion although Frank is such a juicy character, and a truly great one, he dominates the episode too much and it doesn't properly allow the rest of the characters to shine or the conflict to be as tense as the conflicts in Season 1 and the previous episode.
Despite that being a big problem the numerous good things about "Chapter 15" were so great that it is hard to be too hard on it. Very good episode, but a big part of me felt that it should have been outstanding. 8/10
After loving "Chapter 14" that much, found myself rather disappointed by Season 2's second episode "Chapter 15", and maybe the high expectations has something to do with it. It is far from a bad episode, actually thought on the most part it was very good. Just that it wasn't outstanding, and it is hard to not expect that after such a high quality previous episode and that the second episode of the previous, the first, season was equal in quality to the season, and show, premiere. Ranking it with the previous episodes, consider this the second weakest, the weakest being the still decent "Chapter 8". Am really hoping that nothing here comes over as judgmental or too stupid.
Like "Chapter 14", "Chapter 15" does excel in follows on from previous events and builds upon them, all without being repetitive, introduces new conflicts and such and it does feel like the storytelling and characterisation are advancing. Do like the darker tone (well in comparison to Season 1), the mystery aspect, which does intrigue but has a long way to go with it being in its infancy, and what it has to say about politics, which had a cynical edge and is intelligently handled without falling too much into heavy-handedness. Carl Franklin directs his final episode (of four, having directed "Chapters" 10, 11 and 14), Again providing alert yet accomodating direction and showing that he had a sure hand and knew what he was doing.
Visually, as ever "Chapter 15" looks 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, Frank and Claire's plots being the most successful. The mystery aspect is interesting but as said has only really just been introduced. Frank is as ever a juicy and fascinating character and a good job is done with Claire. The most successful of the new characters to me is Jackie. The acting is very good to great, Kevin Spacey taking top honours but a big shout out too goes to the fierce steel of Molly Parker as Jackie.
However, the pace doesn't quite have the lustre and energy of the previous episode.
More problematic is that from personal opinion although Frank is such a juicy character, and a truly great one, he dominates the episode too much and it doesn't properly allow the rest of the characters to shine or the conflict to be as tense as the conflicts in Season 1 and the previous episode.
Despite that being a big problem the numerous good things about "Chapter 15" were so great that it is hard to be too hard on it. Very good episode, but a big part of me felt that it should have been outstanding. 8/10
15 Episodes in and starting to get disappointed...
rsarkisian14 February 2015
Is it me or every character in the show not too bright? Only Frank Underwood knows how to wield and use power? He has become the President's most trusted adviser...why? The President has no loyal allies in his cabinet? He disdains the last VP, but holds Underwood up as infallible? There seems to be a lack of believable subplots. If Underwood was sooo much more clever than everyone else, how did he not see his snubbing as Secretary of State? Also, a top-notch dramatic story needs to have conflict. The lone newspaper reporter battling against insurmountable odds hardly makes it worthwhile. I hope it improves soon as I am watching it on NetFlix.
Please just one Coherent Scene?
bobbybits16 February 2014
Warning: Spoilers
I understand at times a realist, while some find entertainment in the theatrics, that pomp performance with all the sprinkles. Amounting to often containing credibility, although often missing out on simple fact. Where do you draw the line on what is great and what is ridiculous? In imagination land, where some people have so made there homes away from reality. Everything is possible, but often falling short of much fact.
I won't get votes, because anybody can write praise, worshipping their gods, so easily done in a chorus of agreement.
Back to this show. Personally I will start watch TV, which doesn't try so hard, unrealism that opposite, those shows that don't try as much. When watching I can turn my brain off and enjoy. Unfortunately here I won't make it past this episode on awful attempts.
Here Zoe's estranged death and we see 10 seconds of CCTV camera on a screen shot of the platform cam facing up the platform, showing her ruled suicide only. The police response is so nonprocedural, I am assuming they must be on prescription MEDS. Her colleague gave them a report of stating a possible Underwood connection. The detective on case says give me evidence outside of conspiracies. Therefore a warrant couldn't be obtained for Underwood phone. Gee Sherlock? Why don't you just use Zoe's record which would be obtained on questionable death via the number her colleague gave you. Ascertaining why she was in the station. Not to mention checking both platform cameras for the who dun it in the tunnel in between platforms. Or possibly the person she was talking to which could clearly be seen via the platform cam facing up the platform on angle.
Next we wouldn't get the stupid infomerical for Tor. Cmon now. Most know the NSA has a back door, the programming is sound to extent in theory, but how come so many are getting caught there? Other ways to mask identity then running a program with somebodies else software. Hey Mr hackers please hacks the vice president. I really needs evidence of a phone greeting. Hacker are you joking cop?
The whip plot a juvenile comparison to a prostitute. A woman selling herself in whatever means to gain profit when compromising dignity and principle. It was vile. A woman of worth, visits a child with a terminal condition regularly. When taking money to fund her career from the father of this child who is her personal friend, but blackmails him to pay the fatman's price.
Underwood's house, the secret service must have been bullet proofing the back yard, when he has no agents posted later.
The Chinese. Madam secretary has no say on foreign policy, but what is her job description? America then considers, almost making apology for selected staff, to keep puppet presidents not losing their business partners. In steps indecisive Underwood to redirect only after hearing the puppetmaster trying sever those ties, so maybe ha can be sworn in.
Underwood already preparing his next kill, as his wife no longer keeps secrets. Shsh pin the medal, no don't create a scene. Why wasn't this pursued when it was an issue.
What am I watching here? It will no longer hold my attention
I won't get votes, because anybody can write praise, worshipping their gods, so easily done in a chorus of agreement.
Back to this show. Personally I will start watch TV, which doesn't try so hard, unrealism that opposite, those shows that don't try as much. When watching I can turn my brain off and enjoy. Unfortunately here I won't make it past this episode on awful attempts.
Here Zoe's estranged death and we see 10 seconds of CCTV camera on a screen shot of the platform cam facing up the platform, showing her ruled suicide only. The police response is so nonprocedural, I am assuming they must be on prescription MEDS. Her colleague gave them a report of stating a possible Underwood connection. The detective on case says give me evidence outside of conspiracies. Therefore a warrant couldn't be obtained for Underwood phone. Gee Sherlock? Why don't you just use Zoe's record which would be obtained on questionable death via the number her colleague gave you. Ascertaining why she was in the station. Not to mention checking both platform cameras for the who dun it in the tunnel in between platforms. Or possibly the person she was talking to which could clearly be seen via the platform cam facing up the platform on angle.
Next we wouldn't get the stupid infomerical for Tor. Cmon now. Most know the NSA has a back door, the programming is sound to extent in theory, but how come so many are getting caught there? Other ways to mask identity then running a program with somebodies else software. Hey Mr hackers please hacks the vice president. I really needs evidence of a phone greeting. Hacker are you joking cop?
The whip plot a juvenile comparison to a prostitute. A woman selling herself in whatever means to gain profit when compromising dignity and principle. It was vile. A woman of worth, visits a child with a terminal condition regularly. When taking money to fund her career from the father of this child who is her personal friend, but blackmails him to pay the fatman's price.
Underwood's house, the secret service must have been bullet proofing the back yard, when he has no agents posted later.
The Chinese. Madam secretary has no say on foreign policy, but what is her job description? America then considers, almost making apology for selected staff, to keep puppet presidents not losing their business partners. In steps indecisive Underwood to redirect only after hearing the puppetmaster trying sever those ties, so maybe ha can be sworn in.
Underwood already preparing his next kill, as his wife no longer keeps secrets. Shsh pin the medal, no don't create a scene. Why wasn't this pursued when it was an issue.
What am I watching here? It will no longer hold my attention
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