Chapter 9 

Directed by James Foley, the ninth chapter of House of Cards combines political intrigues, characters standing their ground, articulate conversations, gorgeous cinematography, and plot surprises and thereby becomes the series's first episode in a long time to hold up all of the pilot's promises.

Many things are happening with many people involved, as scribes Beau Willimon and Rick Cleveland prepare the audience for the season finale with some things not going the way planned for once. This adds further interest to some characters like Claire, who impresses with scheming talents similar to those of her husband in this chapter and wonderful looks that could kill by Robin Wright. Corey Stall as Peter is a second huge merit, presenting his character as the likable and competent man he can actually be in a grandly written and performed interview between him and a New York Times journalist or in his scenes with Vice President Jim Matthews.

The tension is fuelled for the ending of the episode and a promising fundament for the final four instalments of the series's first season is laid, giving House of Cards more positive attributes than just the fact that it is interesting to see the way politics work realised with such accuracy and talent. From now on, it's about to get heavy.

Memoranda: • I wonder whether Christina was tweeting during that campaign meeting at the beginning of the episode and if yes, what it was. "lol, no idea what i'm doing here. better smile when somoene mentions my name. #afreshstart #iblowpeterrusso" • Another unnecessary usage of breaking the fourth wall: Frank stating that he despises children right after screaming at Peter's son similarly to the way Voldemort used to scream at Harry in the Harry Potter films. • Peter telling Christina "F me" after he first gets to experience the VP ignoring him – plus ten sympathy points for him. • House of Cards mostly refrains from being overly explanatory, which I greatly approve of, so I was rather surprised to see another scene of Rachel working at the restaurant again cut in after Stamper's conversation with the manager made it all rather clear. • Best quote: "I don't do waiting." – Frank may be moping around all he wants because of his relationship with Zoe, but he still knows how to express himself with quotable phrases.