Chapter 60
- Episode aired May 30, 2017
- TV-MA
- 45m
While Frank attends an elite men's weekend gathering to firm up support, Claire deals with a stranded Russian ship and threats from Petrov.While Frank attends an elite men's weekend gathering to firm up support, Claire deals with a stranded Russian ship and threats from Petrov.While Frank attends an elite men's weekend gathering to firm up support, Claire deals with a stranded Russian ship and threats from Petrov.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFrancis enters a private and exclusive club named Elysian Fields. The attendants, apart from being the richest men in the country, wear hooded cloaks, idolize an owl-like figure and carry torches. This is a reference to the famous conspiracy video allegedly taken at the Bohemian Grove club, a private estate in California said to be the gathering place to the most powerful men in the United States.
- GoofsWhen President Frank Underwood hangs up on Doug Stamper while they are both on their cell phones, Doug hears a dial tone on his end upon Frank hanging up. Cell phones don't have dial tones.
- Quotes
Francis Underwood: I like dirt - and rocks - and facts.
Ted Brockhart: No argument here. I trust only what I can hold in my hand or see on my horizon.
Francis Underwood: Well, but you can't just sit back and admire the view. I've learned you've got to grab the present by the balls. That's where the American people live.
Ted Brockhart: You sound more like a salesman than a president, Mr. President.
Francis Underwood: Well, if we're Americans, then we are salesmen, right? That's our birthright. Cars and phones and a gallon of gas.
Ted Brockhart: That's not how I see America. I'm a patriot. I serve.
Francis Underwood: Well, then, we salute you, General. But you serve to what purpose? So the rest of America can sell. I mean, you and I, right now, this weekend, we're here at this camp selling ourselves.
Ted Brockhart: Character speaks for itself. People want a president they can trust.
Francis Underwood: No, they don't. They want a president they know. And I know *them*. The only future I'm interested in is the next four years. So, yes, I'm selling tomorrow and the day after that and the day after that. I'm selling a boy who used to live on a peach farm who now lives in the White House. I'm selling a tomorrow that you can see and touch and feel. Now, you take that away, and I don't know what this country has left. Except a group of grown men standing around in a circle, all staring at a small screen. Looking in instead of looking out. Heck, give me a peck of dirt any day of the week.
"Chapter 60" is the mid-way point of Season 5, seventh episode out of thirteen, and it is not a bad one. Don't really consider any of the Season 5 episodes terrible, though they are all pretty patchy. As far as comparing with the previous episodes it's towards the weaker end along with "Chapter 55", "Chapter 57" and "Chapter 58". A quite big step-down from the surprisingly good big improvement that was the previous episode, which also had the least amount of flaws.
The slick style and class of the photography hasn't been lost. Nor has the atmosphere of the settings and lighting. The same goes for the music. With the writing, which generally is flawed, there are thought-provoking and biting moments like with Frank. Raymond Tusk's return is a delight and far from squandered. Jane and Brockhurst are interesting enough characters, although Brockhurst's motivations are clearer.
Frank hasn't lost any of his ruthlessness and he has been one of the main reasons as to why to the show has been stuck with. One in my view can see why Usher acts the way he does and it's buyable. Despite not being present physically in the episode, Conway's presence can be felt and it comes over as threatening. Kevin Spacey stands out of the uniformly great acting.
On the flip side of things, "Chapter 60" also can lack tautness. Not just the pace, which can suffer from events being too drawn out, but also some of the writing which could have been more succinct. Development-wise, Frank is fine but there is also melodrama and political jargon that may go over viewers' heads. The Russia and China story doesn't hugely advance and some intriguing moments aside it is also a little too convoluted and could have been paced a little tighter.
Everything with Claire and Yates is pointless in "Chapter 60" and is as dull as dishwater. Very like the character of Yates himself throughout the season. Also very nearly forgot to mention the cheesy and somewhat irrelevant beginning.
So far from a bad episode, but could have been more. 6/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- May 19, 2020
Details
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- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime45 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
- 2.00 : 1