 Ruthless and cunning, Congressman Francis Underwood (Kevin Spacey) and his wife Claire (Robin Wright) stop at nothing to conquer everything. This wicked political drama penetrates the shadowy world of greed, sex and corruption in modern D.C. Kate Mara and Corey Stoll co-star in the first original series from David Fincher and Beau Willimon. Storyline: Majority House Whip Francis Underwood takes you on a long journey as he exacts his vengeance on those he feels wronged him - that is, his own cabinet members including the President of the United States himself. Dashing, cunning, methodical and vicious, Frank Underwood along with his equally manipulative yet ambiguous wife, Claire take Washington by storm through climbing the hierarchical ladder to power in this Americanized recreation of the BBC series of the same name. Written by Jacob Oberfrank 5.01 Chapter 53 - While Claire films a commercial for the campaign, chaos erupts on the congressional floor as Frank enters. Frank steals the floor and demands that Congress formally declare war on ICO. When the Speaker insists that Frank yield the floor, he insists that he "will not yield". Later, Frank and Claire attend the funeral of Jim Miller, which is also attended by Will Conway and his wife. During the service, Melissa Miller claims that Frank is the reason why her father is dead, before whispering something in his ear. Claire, on Charlie Rose, defends Frank against Hammerschmidt, who claims that the declaration of war is a diversion. Meanwhile, Conway goes into damage control when his wife claims that the mother of Josh Masterson, is a victim too. Claire speaks with Ms. Masterson, and asks that she tell her son to surrender. The manhunt for Masterson heats up as the FBI closes in on a location on the Virginia border. However, Masterson has been held captive by Frank in an unknown location for some time and has him summarily executed, informing the press that he "wishes" he had been taken alive. Frank calls to speak with the Millers, but the mother hangs up on him. Afterwards, Frank and Claire greet people outside the White House, telling them they have nothing to be afraid of. 5.02 Chapter 54 - At an event in New York, Claire is informed that one of Frank's old friends has gone missing and is presumed dead. Frank, meanwhile, holds a luncheon for the Governors of all states, but needs to get in good with the Governors of five critical states for the election. Secretary Durant states her opposition to Frank's "war" on terror, while Donald believes, politically, it's a smart move because he seems to be doing well in the polls. Meanwhile, Aidan Macallan needs to hack into a telecom switching center and delete everything that may implicate him, the President, and the First Lady. As Aidan nervously awaits the file deletion, phones and Wi-Fi around D.C. start to go on the fritz. GPS signals are lost, phones are buzzing randomly, and TV signals are cut out. Frank addresses the nation, saying the cyber attack was ICO inspired and designed to disrupt travel. He uses this to ask Congress to accelerate his declaration of war. Meanwhile, Conway takes his kids trick or treating, but as the military rolls in, he has an outburst on live TV, which Frank and Claire drink to. 5.03 Chapter 55 - The day before the election, Conway is holding a 24 hour live-stream between him and voters. Conway is asked a question by someone who knows him about his time in the military which Hannah Conway insists that Will is too humble to discuss his time in the military. Claire and Frank separately campaign in key states but campaign together in Pennsylvania. Doug confronts Governor Matthews, giving him an earful about not establishing voting centers or bringing in the National Guard, all promises he made in exchange for help with his slag heap. Back in D.C., Cathy alerts Frank to a Syrian national with strong ICO connections named Mohammad Kalabi. With Conway getting all the publicity, Frank calls into the 24-hour live stream and tells Conway that he can ask him any question he wants. Will responds by asking about why he was never given a chance to complete the mission and save Mr. Miller after successfully negotiating the release of his wife and daughter. Frank says that the terrorists could tell Conway was weak, meaning that Frank had to step in and take control. Frank's last-minute call grabs the morning headlines. However, Frank and Claire, while watching Double Indemnity in the White House movie theater , are given worrying news: voter turnout is unsettlingly low across the country. Frank, however, insists that they are not going anywhere. 5.04 Chapter 56 - The credits to Double Indemnity begin rolling, but Claire and Frank have left the viewing room to deal with the low voter turnout on Election Day. Conway is given news that the low voter turnout is working in his favor, yet remains cautious. Frank calls the Governor of Tennessee and tells him that the White House has raided the home of a suspected terrorist and found bomb-making material. They suspect that he could attack polling stations at any time, which leads to the polls being shut down. A riot sparked by barking bomb-detection dogs occurs at a Tennessee polling station, injuring several. Frank is able to convince the Governor of Tennessee to shut down voting and declare a state of emergency. A curfew is enacted, much to Conway's dismay. Amid terrorist threats, the Ohio governor closes down the polling stations while Frank sits back and pretends that he doesn’t want that to happen. Frank then calls Conway to concede the election. But as more states hold their election results in the wake of terrorist threats, the election remains contested. Frank and Claire discuss remaining in power for years to come by abolishing term limits. 5.05 Chapter 57 - Nine weeks have passed since the historic no-decision in the presidential election. Frank explains that in an event of a tie, the House decides who will become President. Each state will get one vote for President, and the first to surpass 26 votes will win. A frustrated Conway believes he was fairly elected and should be President. LeAnn informs Claire that the President's approval rating has fallen to 19%, just barely higher than Congress's approval rating, but still lower than Claire's 30% approval rating. Claire remains optimistic, saying they are done winning the American people and have to win over Congress now. Claire argues that there should be a Democrat in the executive branch to keep the Republicans in check. Hammerschmidt meets with Lisa Williams regarding information regarding Doug, but Hammerschmidt is hesitant to believe her. Frank talks to Alex Romero, a Democratic congressman who Frank tries to get to sway other Democratic congresspeople. Aidan, who has been missing for a while now, calls LeAnn to tell her that he will leak incriminating information on the Underwoods if she doesn't get the authorities off his back. While LeAnn is able to flip Maine, Doug fails to win New Hampshire. The day of the vote, Claire asks Donald to prevent a filibuster and keep Republicans off the floor, but when he refuses, Claire begins insulting him and his late wife. Neither Conway nor Frank receive 26 votes in the House vote, meaning that the Senate's Vice Presidential selection between Claire and Ted Brockhart will immediately ascend to the Presidency and serve until the House votes again. 5.06 Chapter 58 - Claire becomes Acting President of the United States until the House of Representatives votes again, which is days away. Frank congratulates her on the position, even if it's just for a few weeks. Cathy Durant informs Claire and Frank that a research facility in Antarctica has been taken over by an unidentified military group, suspecting the Russians. The Congressional Black Caucus is considering supporting Conway instead of Frank. Meanwhile, it appears that Aidan Macallan has been kidnapped and may be forced to reveal secrets. Conway, meets with the Black Caucus, but the meeting goes very poorly. On the plane back to New York, Conway berates the pilot for not giving him controls of the plane, and declares maniacally that he will be President. Hammerschmidt discovers that Sean visited Lisa Williams, prompting Hammerschmidt to fire him. Hammerschmidt later looks further into the death of Zoe Barnes. To avoid a mixed-ticket White House, Frank and Claire are able to convince Conway's campaign manager, Mark Usher, to support new elections in Ohio and Tennessee, so long as the Speaker of the House approves. Claire, Frank and Cathy learn that the Russians are the ones who have kidnapped Aidan. 5.07 Chapter 59 - Claire and Frank argue over the Mark Usher meeting and are briefed in the War Room about the potential location of Ahmed Al Ahmadi, the leader of ICO. The generals believe Ahmed is in Damascus, but they’re divided on how to approach the situation. Hammerschmidt continues his investigation into Rachel Posner and whatever connection she may have to Doug. Claire holds a meeting with Cathy and Jane Davis, but the three are moved to a bunker underground; learning that a truck containing radioactive material is missing. In the bunker's situation room, Doug calls LeAnn and Seth from the bunker, saying to keep calm, but they don't know where the truck is. Frank and Claire question Davis' security clearance. Doug informs Frank that there is a hot-mic recording of Brockhart, saying he’d actively tell his soldiers to disobey the President’s orders should he put soldiers on the borders. Frank leaves the bunker, and discovers that one of the Generals who advocated evacuating D.C. is close friends to Brockhart. The truck is later found. Claire forces the General to resign, who later says that neither she nor her husband deserves to be in the White House. The next day, Claire and Frank have a meeting with Usher, and suspect that he may have been involved with the General's insubordination. Frank plays the Brockhart audio tape. When Usher insists he stop, Frank says that it was just getting interesting. 5.08 Chapter 60 - Frank is at an elite weekend retreat to firm up support in time for the upcoming elections in Ohio and Tennessee. Among those attending are Raymond Tusk, Ted Brockhart, Mark Usher, and Benjamin Grant; the head of Pollyhop. Claire is woken up in the middle of the night and hurried into the situation room, informed that a Russian research vessel has begun to sink in the Antarctic, containing more than a hundred people. The next morning, Frank and Brockhart chat about the Al Ahmadi situation. After negotiating trade deals with China, Jane reveals to Claire that China is willing to help with the rescue, as there’s an American on board the ship. Claire asks for proof of the American before moving forward. In the woods, Frank tries to get into contact with Doug, and tells him that Brockhart is making a deal with Tusk and he needs to stop it. Frank remembers something that Tusk mentioned and tells Doug not to act on it. Claire plays hard ball with China on the trade deal and the rescue operation. Though China is hesitant at first, the rescue mission goes through and China gets credit, but the lost American was not found. On his way out, Grant gives Frank a recording of Conway in the airplane swearing at the pilots. The next day, Frank and Claire meet with Usher in the Oval Office, informing him that they have the Conway recording. With Usher knowing all about it, Claire and Frank are able to recruit Usher to their side as Usher advises them on how to release the recording. 5.09 Chapter 61 - Frank, after winning the new election in Ohio, becomes President-elect of the United States. Conway calls Frank to concede, and Frank offers him a menial position, prompting Conway to curse him out, before publicly dropping out of the election. Frank and Claire celebrate with champagne in the Oval Office. The next day, Frank welcomes every member of his old cabinet into his new cabinet, and thanks Claire for the work she did the last month as Acting President. Doug believes it is not a smart move to bring Mark Usher into the administration and believes LeAnn should be gone. Frank agrees that LeAnn's connection to Aidan MacAllan is worrying, but Usher should stay. Meanwhile, LeAnn has lunch with Kate Baldwin, revealing she is being kicked out of the Underwood administration because Aidan stole NSA files and might leak classified material in Russia. Tom informs Claire that he is finished being her speechwriter. Alex Romero threatens the Underwood administration, saying he will convince Congress to reopen the Declaration of War committee to investigate the President and Vice President. Romero wants two seats on the dais at Frank's inauguration, two days away, and a line in Frank's inaugural address about medicare. At the inauguration, Frank is sworn in to his new term as President. In his inaugural address, however, he does not address Romero or his concerns. Aidan unwillingly agrees to do an interview in Russia with Kate Baldwin. However, Aidan calls LeAnn, who tells him that there are police outside his building who will arrest him. During the inaugural ball, Frank takes Eric Rawlings, the civil war re-enactor and personal trainer, to the staircase where Frank and Petrov had cigars years ago. After an intimate moment, Frank grabs Eric's throat and the two begin kissing. Frank sits in the West Wing halls, contemplating, when Claire shows up. Frank tells Claire that Congress is reopening its investigation into Frank. Claire insists this is big, but Frank asks that they just enjoy the party. As the party breaks up, Frank confronts Tom over having sex with the tour guide in the press room. He tells him not to cheat on Claire again. Meanwhile, Hammerschmidt calls Zoe Barnes' father over the investigation into her death. Her father hangs up, but later meets with Hammerschmidt, saying he had no idea that Zoe was in trouble. LeAnn, under the impression that giving up Aidan was good enough to save her job, is shocked when Doug fires her. In the Oval Office, Claire and Frank meets with Jane Davis. Frank says that he wants Aidan back on American soil. 5.10 Chapter 62 - As Frank discovers that Jackie Sharp will be testifying in front of the declaration of war committee, Claire is informed that the American from the Antarctic expedition froze to death. Claire wants the body to get lost in transit. With Alex Romero heading the committee, Frank tries to get in Romero's good graces again by offering him party Whip. Romero, however, isn't interested anymore, and is not looking to negotiate. Meanwhile, Jackie Sharp will be pleading the fifth during her testimony. LeAnn, after being fired from the White House, is concerned about the well being of Aidan Macallan, who isn't willing to reveal what he told the Russians. After talking to Jane Davis, it becomes clear that what is important is what exactly Aidan told the Russians. Jane tells Claire and Frank that a gas attack is imminent in Homs, Syria. 30,000 American soldiers would be required to send in after the attack, but it would force the declaration of war committee to focus on that and not the Underwood investigation. When Frank and Claire tell Durant, she begins questioning the operation, and later voices her protest to Jane. Doug confronts a frightened Lisa Williams. Afterwards, Lisa calls Hammerschmidt and tells him about the encounter. LeAnn is confronted in a parking garage by Aidan, who is alive. The two share a close moment before he leaves. Frank is informed that Garrett Walker will be testifying. Though he is expected to plead the fifth, tension arises when Frank and Walker meet before he testifies. Walker testifies and breaks his silence, revealing that Frank was the one who got Walker involved in the China/money dealings. That night, LeAnn is given a voice recording, revealing that Aidan is dead. In his hotel room, he has been shot in the head. Meanwhile, Jane shreds files regarding the dead Antarctic worker and Aidan. 5.11 Chapter 63 - On MSNBC, Seth and Hammerschmidt debate the credibility of Garrett Walker in the wake of his groundbreaking testimony. Frank, Claire, Doug, and Usher discuss impeachment and the idea of censure, which Frank and Doug oppose. The next day, Hammerschmidt discovers leaked information: that the White House staged a terrorist attack on Election Day. Seth panics in his office while Frank discusses spying on all White House personnel to find out who the leak is. LeAnn is told by the FBI that Aidan MacAllan was shot in the head and it looks like a suicide, but the gun is missing. Meanwhile, Claire tells Tom that she wants him to leave. Frank is confronted by Bob Birch and Terry Womack, who want Frank to consider the idea of resigning. Frank is speechless, partially because Womack himself is under investigation. Doug is spying on all West Wing staffers, and is intrigued when LeAnn gets something unknown from Aidan. After confessing to Laura Moretti that he is the reason her husband died, Doug goes to LeAnn's apartment and the two have sex. An article breaks the next day: that a source from within the White House confirmed that Frank used questionable intelligence to close voting centers on election day. Frank confronts Cathy about this, who is cooperating with Alex Romero. Frank later states that he believes Cathy is the leak, and that he has held on to her resignation. News breaks that Cathy will testify in front of the Declaration of War committee. Hammerschimdt is given a "birthday card" with a computer chip in it from an unknown source. 5.12 Chapter 64 - In the Executive Residence, Frank tries to convince Cathy to not testify, to no avail. Frank then pushes Cathy down a flight of stairs, and calls for help, claiming she's fallen. Cathy is hospitalized and thus prevented from testifying in front of the Declaration of War committee. Frank holds a press conference in the oval office regarding the Syrian gas bombings. However, the press ask him about the growing possibility of impeachment. Frank is informed that Hammerschmidt is investigating the death of Zoe Barnes, and believes that it is not an accident. This prompts him to throw Doug under the bus. The next night, Claire and Frank hold a dinner for Doug, where they try to convince him to take the blame for Zoe's murder. Doug is off-put at first. He goes to LeAnn and "confesses" to Zoe's murder, though she doesn't believe him. Meanwhile, Hammerschmidt is continuing to receive messages via birthday cards from someone within the administration. It is revealed that Doug is in possession of birthday cards that have been used to send to Hammerschmidt. Claire discovers that Tom has been continuing his manuscript, including the things she confessed to him, such as Zoe and Russo's murder. Frank asks how she could be so careless. Claire goes to visit Tom, who blackmails her. Claire and Tom have sex, where he suddenly dies from poison he ingested at the hands of Claire. LeAnn and Nathan Green give their testimony. Frank, watching, debates whether he should go down and give his testimony. While he is urged not to, Frank goes to the committee and testifies. Frank admits to doing nothing wrong, but claims to respects the office of the presidency to allow the investigation to go on. As a result, he announces he will resign the following day. 5.13 Chapter 65 - Claire is surprised at Frank’s resignation and protests, but Frank concludes it's the best outcome for everyone. Frank reveals that he has been planning this since the meeting of the secret society , where he concluded that the real power is not in who occupies the White House, but who “owns” it. He says he has been the one behind the Birthday Card leaks to Hammerschmidt. Claire assumes the presidency and tracks down the elusive ICO terrorist plaguing the US. Doug gets interviewed by Hammerschmidt, who is continuing his investigation into Zoe's death. LeAnn is appointed as Claire’s Chief of Staff with the agreement that she turn over everything she knew about Macallan to Jane Davis. However, shortly after she does so, Claire, Davis and Usher claim that the impending war means a more experienced Chief of Staff is needed, and LeAnn is presumably fired or forced to resign. That night, on her way to meet with Doug, LeAnn’s car is run off the road by another car and she is presumed dead. Seth is also replaced at Claire's behest. Frank asks for a pardon from Claire for both him and Doug. When he calls her to pressure her further, Claire declines the call, stares towards the audience and declares "My turn!" Reviewer's Note: Reviewed by Martin Liebman, October 4, 2017 As House of Cards grows ever more complex and, if it weren't so serious, comically absurd, the more it proves to be ever-so-slightly ahead of the curve, mirroring not the exact ins-and-outs of Washington today but certainly the wide-reaching qualities that have turned it into the "swamp" that, in real life, the American people elected an outsider to drain. The show seems to be leading the charge in depicting with some depth and detail and seemingly all-too-true realities the ever-widening chasm not between the two political parties, but between political parties and the populace. The show offers increasingly lurid but still enthralling glimpses into the madness behind the power brokers who have mastered the art of operating in the shadows even in broad daylight, with cameras rolling, microphones in their faces, and all eyes on them. Season five continues the show's fascinatingly steady glimpse into the seedy world of Washington's power players, growing even more preposterous but, at the same time, eerily familiar and easily believable as a make-believe reflection of the very real cesspool where, for everyone with a good heart, a thousand stand in their way, each with their own hearts set on only enriching themselves no matter the cost. Before proceeding further, newcomers should be sure to start back at the beginning and work forward. For reviews of the previous three seasons on Blu-ray, please click through the links below: Official synopsis: In the midst of the presidential election, tensions mount in the White House as Frank (Golden Globe winner Kevin Spacey) and Claire (Golden Globe winner Robin Wright) continue to navigate their political careers and redefine their relationships -- particularly with each other. Season five of the Emmy Award-winning political drama is marked by violent power plays, new alliances, stunning betrayals and, as always, a desire to win at any cost -- and not just from Frank Underwood. Season five maintains a steady cadence, a beat-beat-beat of political and personal upheaval, widespread and intimate manipulation, all of the sordid permutations that have made the show so popular. It would be amazing escapism if it weren't hitting so close to home with every episode, were it not so capable of revealing at least a hint of the real calculus going on behind the scenes. It's impossible to watch the show and, even through the excitement of plot developments, the enjoyment of the quality performances, and the highlights of its narrative and construction, not feel in some way turned off simply because it so often feel like watching the news, not watching a show. But season five marches forward through a fierce elections campaign, Frank Underwood's push to wage war on the terror group ICO, and his relationship with wife Claire. In traditional House of Cards fashion, there are plenty of twists and turns that lead to a major swerve by season's end. But it's not really the macro level shenanigans that make the show what it is. Sure the crude maneuvers, which ultimately lead to the season's big twist, propel the show upward and onward, but it's the micro level character details that allow the show to shine. Kevin Spacey's career will be remembered for his portrayal of Frank Underwood, not because it's coming at the tail end of his career but because he's so adept at micromanaging the character and presenting him in a full 360-degree field of view where only he and the audience, and perhaps not even the latter even through five full seasons, truly understand the man's depths, his personal and political ambitions and ambivalence to anything that doesn't further his stature. Now as President, the man remains unchanged. Cold, calculating, often operating -- and particularly in this season, as a big reveal at the end of the first episode shows -- outside of the law he is charged with upholding and the morality he is to espouse on his pillar, which stands higher than anyone else's in the world, he has proven to be one of the most complex and despicable, but for his calculus in a way admirable, characters on television. He's matched by Robin Wright as his wife Claire, herself now a major power player on the political scene with aspirations of her own and, again going back to that final episode, changing the game with her own guile and ambition that must at least match, if not overpower, that of her husband. Season five is certainly not shy about digging into the Underwood underworld very deeply. It's satisfying, it's sad that it feels all too plausible, but it's ultimately very rewarding television if only to witness the terrifically drawn characters, first-rate performances, and discover the next layer of personal and political muck that these characters will somehow turn to gold. The following episodes comprise House of Cards' fifth season. Summaries are courtesy of the Blu-ray insert. Spoilers follow. --- Disc One ---
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From a very base perspective, considering what fans have come to expect from the show, House of Cards' fifth season doesn't upset the proverbial apple cart. It just keeps pushing it along, traversing all of the cracks and crevices and pitfalls and minefields through which it so happily maneuvers. Characters are unchanged yet go through many new trials that test the Underwood brand and shape and strain the political world like never before. It's good television, often riveting, though at the same time it's hard to watch without feeling some sort of morbid fascination; the show often feels like a reflection of Washington, not a make-believe variation of it. House of Cards: The Complete Fifth Season's Blu-ray is disappointingly absent any extra content. Video and audio are fine. Recommended. Cast Notes: Kevin Spacey (Francis Underwood [52 episodes, 2013-2016]), Robin Wright (Claire Underwood [52 episodes, 2013-2016]), Michael Kelly (Doug Stamper [51 episodes, 2013-2016]), Nathan Darrow (Edward Meechum [35 episodes, 2013-2016]), Mahershala Ali (Remy Danton [33 episodes, 2013-2016]), Derek Cecil (Seth Grayson [30 episodes, 2014-2016]), Lamont Easter (Underwood Secret Service [29 episodes, 2014-2016]), Molly Parker (Jackie Sharp [25 episodes, 2014-2016]), Michel Gill (President Garrett Walker [24 episodes, 2013-2016]), Marla Aaron Wapner (WH Press Corp /....[24 episodes, 2013-2016]), Jayne Atkinson (Catherine Durant [23 episodes, 2013-2016]), Elizabeth Marvel (Heather Dunbar [23 episodes, 2014-2016]), Gary Ayash (White House Press Corp Reporter /....[21 episodes, 2013-2016]). IMDb Rating (03/13/15): 9.1/10 from 193,482 users
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