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The Best Episodes of House of Cards

Every episode of House of Cards ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of House of Cards!

The Best Episodes of House of Cards

Set in present day Washington, D.C., House of Cards is the story of Frank Underwood, a ruthless and cunning politician, and his wife Claire who...
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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    House of Cards Season 2 Episode 13 - Chapter 26
    9.5/10(7616 votes)

    #1 - Chapter 26

    S2:E13

    Francis faces annihilation while the nation is in an uproar. Stamper must tie up loose ends. Claire feels the cost of ruthlessness.

    Director:James Foley
    Writer:Beau Willimon

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  2. House of Cards Season 2 Episode 1 - Chapter 14
    9.4/10(11916 votes)

    #2 - Chapter 14

    S2:E1

    The Underwoods tackle two threats that could bring their plans to ruin. Francis grooms his replacement as Whip. Claire goes on the offensive.

    Director:Carl Franklin
    Writer:Beau Willimon

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  3. House of Cards Season 4 Episode 13 - Chapter 52
    9.4/10(6750 votes)

    #3 - Chapter 52

    S4:E13

    As the hostage situation continues, Claire secretly negotiates with Yusuf al Ahmadi. Frank confronts Hammerschmidt.

    Director:Jakob Verbruggen
    Writer:Beau Willimon

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  4. House of Cards Season 4 Episode 4 - Chapter 43
    9.3/10(5055 votes)

    #4 - Chapter 43

    S4:E4

    Claire threatens Frank. Frank makes a politically bold move that may provoke Russia. An event at a campaign stop changes everything.

    Director:Robin Wright
    Writer:John Mankiewicz

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  5. House of Cards Season 4 Episode 10 - Chapter 49
    9.2/10(4875 votes)

    #5 - Chapter 49

    S4:E10

    As Frank deals with a new threat to his candidacy, Claire has doubts about their plan. Claire faces a difficult decision concerning her mother.

    Director:Robin Wright
    Writers:Kenneth Lin, Melissa James Gibson

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  6. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 11 - Chapter 11
    9.0/10(6198 votes)

    #6 - Chapter 11

    S1:E11

    Zoe extends her time away from The Hill while Francis tracks down Russo and engages in damage control.

    Director:Carl Franklin
    Writers:Keith Huff, Kate Barnow, Beau Willimon

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of House of Cards

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  7. House of Cards Season 2 Episode 4 - Chapter 17
    9.0/10(5607 votes)

    #7 - Chapter 17

    S2:E4

    A terror scare at the Capitol traps Francis with a resentful Donald Blythe. Claire gives a live interview that rocks the media.

    Director:James Foley
    Writer:Laura Eason

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  8. House of Cards Season 3 Episode 6 - Chapter 32
    9.0/10(5885 votes)

    #8 - Chapter 32

    S3:E6

    Frank and Claire travel to Moscow to negotiate the return of an imprisoned U.S. citizen. Claire takes a stand that jeopardizes their plans.

    Director:James Foley
    Writer:Melissa James Gibson

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  9. House of Cards Season 3 Episode 11 - Chapter 37
    9.0/10(4738 votes)

    #9 - Chapter 37

    S3:E11

    Things turn ugly when Frank, Jackie, and Heather square off during their first debate. Tom joins Claire on the campaign trail.

    Director:Agnieszka Holland
    Writer:Melissa James Gibson

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  10. House of Cards Season 5 Episode 12 - Chapter 64
    9.0/10(4025 votes)

    #10 - Chapter 64

    S5:E12

    Frank attempts to stop Cathy from testifying. With Hammerschmidt sniffing out the truth, the Underwoods throw someone close to them under the bus.

    Director:Robin Wright
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. House of Cards Season 3 Episode 13 - Chapter 39
    8.9/10(5249 votes)

    #11 - Chapter 39

    S3:E13

    In the midst of the Iowa caucuses, Frank and Claire must confront hard truths about each other.

    Director:James Foley
    Writer:Beau Willimon

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  12. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 13 - Chapter 13
    8.8/10(5847 votes)

    #12 - Chapter 13

    S1:E13

    Frank scrambles to keep his plan on track. Gillian is planning to sue Claire. Zoe, Janine, and Lucas investigate Rachel Posner and her relationship with Peter Russo.

    Director:Allen Coulter
    Writer:Beau Willimon

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  13. House of Cards Season 2 Episode 9 - Chapter 22
    8.8/10(4905 votes)

    #13 - Chapter 22

    S2:E9

    Things get personal when Tusk blindsides the Underwoods with a scandal. Freddy and his BBQ joint get caught up in the mix.

    Director:Jodie Foster
    Writer:Beau Willimon

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  14. House of Cards Season 2 Episode 12 - Chapter 25
    8.8/10(4698 votes)

    #14 - Chapter 25

    S2:E12

    Francis finds himself shut out and Claire makes a difficult sacrifice. Stamper tries to regain control.

    Director:James Foley
    Writer:Beau Willimon

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  15. House of Cards Season 3 Episode 12 - Chapter 38
    8.7/10(4239 votes)

    #15 - Chapter 38

    S3:E12

    Heather Dunbar goes for the jugular, forcing Claire to confront her worst fears. The rift between Frank and Claire widens.

    Director:Robin Wright
    Writer:Beau Willimon

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  16. House of Cards Season 4 Episode 3 - Chapter 42
    8.7/10(4234 votes)

    #16 - Chapter 42

    S4:E3

    Claire joins Frank as he stumps in South Carolina, but he doesn't trust her. A disastrous scandal blindsides Frank's campaign on primary day.

    Director:Robin Wright
    Writer:Frank Pugliese

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  17. House of Cards Season 4 Episode 9 - Chapter 48
    8.7/10(3844 votes)

    #17 - Chapter 48

    S4:E9

    At the convention, Frank and his team publicly push for Catherine Durant to be chosen as his running mate, but privately pursue a different agenda.

    Director:Robin Wright
    Writer:Frank Pugliese

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  18. House of Cards Season 4 Episode 12 - Chapter 51
    8.7/10(3858 votes)

    #18 - Chapter 51

    S4:E12

    Frank asks Will to help deal with extremists threatening to murder hostages. Hammerschmidt digs deeper into the allegations against Frank.

    Director:Jakob Verbruggen
    Writers:Laura Eason, Bill Kennedy

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  19. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 10 - Chapter 10
    8.6/10(5618 votes)

    #19 - Chapter 10

    S1:E10

    Claire fuels an old flame. Peter wrestles with his demons. Francis crosses the point of no return.

    Director:Carl Franklin
    Writer:Sarah Treem

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  20. House of Cards Season 2 Episode 11 - Chapter 24
    8.6/10(4896 votes)

    #20 - Chapter 24

    S2:E11

    A Special Prosecutor interrogates Francis. Remy Danton tries to keep his options open. Stamper wrestles with his demons.

    Director:John David Coles
    Writers:John Mankiewicz, Beau Willimon

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  21. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 1 - Chapter 1
    8.5/10(9165 votes)

    #21 - Chapter 1

    S1:E1

    When the newly elected President reneges on a promise, Francis and Claire decide to sever all allegiances and toss the rules out the window.

    Director:David Fincher
    Writer:Beau Willimon

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  22. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 2 - Chapter 2
    8.5/10(7353 votes)

    #22 - Chapter 2

    S1:E2

    Francis and Doug plan to frame Secretary of State nominee, Michael Kern. Meanwhile, Zoe's popularity at the Washington Herald continues to grow.

    Director:David Fincher
    Writer:Beau Willimon

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  23. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 6 - Chapter 6
    8.5/10(5980 votes)

    #23 - Chapter 6

    S1:E6

    The strike between Frank and Marty starts to get out of hand. Russo has decided to run for Governor of Pennsylvania.

    Director:Joel Schumacher
    Writer:Sam Forman

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  24. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 12 - Chapter 12
    8.5/10(5387 votes)

    #24 - Chapter 12

    S1:E12

    The President sends Frank to St. Louis to persuade Raymond Tusk into becoming the new Vice President. Zoe and Janine investigate Peter Russo's death.

    Director:Allen Coulter
    Writers:Gina Gionfriddo, Beau Willimon

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  25. House of Cards Season 2 Episode 8 - Chapter 21
    8.5/10(4592 votes)

    #25 - Chapter 21

    S2:E8

    The war with Tusk intensifies. Claire influences Tricia Walker politically and domestically. Francis has a show-down with Linda Vasquez.

    Director:James Foley
    Writer:David Manson

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Best Episodes Summary

"Chapter 26" is the best rated episode of "House of Cards". It scored 9.5/10 based on 7616 votes. Directed by James Foley and written by Beau Willimon, it aired on 2/14/2014. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Chapter 14".