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The Worst Episodes of House of Cards

Every episode of House of Cards ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of House of Cards!

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Betrayed by the White House, Congressman Frank Underwood embarks on a ruthless rise to power. Blackmail, seduction and ambition are his weapons.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    House of Cards Season 6 Episode 8 - Chapter 73
    3.7/10(37 votes)

    #1 - Chapter 73

    S6:E8

    Claire tries to tarnish Frank's legacy. Doug provokes Claire by releasing excerpts from Frank's diary. A rift develops between the Shepherds.

    Director:Robin Wright
    Writers:Melissa James Gibson, Frank Pugliese

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  2. House of Cards Season 6 Episode 7 - Chapter 72
    4.5/10(35 votes)

    #2 - Chapter 72

    S6:E7

    While the Shepherd family attempts to diminish Claire's power, Doug goes off the grid but continues angling to advance his agenda.

    Director:Alik Sakharov
    Writers:Melissa James Gibson, Frank Pugliese

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  3. House of Cards Season 6 Episode 6 - Chapter 71
    4.6/10(35 votes)

    #3 - Chapter 71

    S6:E6

    Claire makes staff changes. The Shepherds try to recruit Doug to their side. With Mark facing intense scrutiny, Jane offers advice.

    Director:Louise Friedberg
    Writers:Jason Horwitch, Jerome Hairston

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  4. House of Cards Season 6 Episode 5 - Chapter 70
    4.7/10(34 votes)

    #4 - Chapter 70

    S6:E5

    Claire allows her enemies to think she's incapacitated as they plot to remove her from office. Doug's investigation leads him to uncover a secret.

    Director:Thomas Schlamme
    Writers:Jason Horwitch, Charlotte Stoudt

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  5. House of Cards Season 6 Episode 2 - Chapter 67
    5.0/10(37 votes)

    #5 - Chapter 67

    S6:E2

    Claire clashes with the Shepherds and Mark Usher, who pressure her to sign the Future Act. Doug makes an unexpected move.

    Director:Ami Canaan Mann
    Writers:Melissa James Gibson, Frank Pugliese

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  6. House of Cards Season 6 Episode 3 - Chapter 68
    5.0/10(36 votes)

    #6 - Chapter 68

    S6:E3

    The Shepherds push Claire on a Supreme Court nomination. Doug works to find a new path for himself. Claire consults with Jane on Syria.

    Director:Stacie Passon
    Writers:Charlotte Stoudt, Sharon Hoffman

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  7. House of Cards Season 6 Episode 4 - Chapter 69
    5.0/10(37 votes)

    #7 - Chapter 69

    S6:E4

    As a crisis mounts in Syria, Russian President Viktor Petrov wants to make a deal with Claire. Questions arise about Tom Yates's whereabouts.

    Director:Ernest R. Dickerson
    Writers:Tian Jun Gu, Jerome Hairston

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  8. House of Cards Season 6 Episode 1 - Chapter 66
    5.5/10(44 votes)

    #8 - Chapter 66

    S6:E1

    As the first woman president, Claire faces increased scrutiny and threats. Sibling power couple Annette and Bill Shepherd attempt to influence policy.

    Director:Alik Sakharov
    Writers:Melissa James Gibson, Frank Pugliese

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  9. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 8 - Chapter 8
    6.8/10(68 votes)

    #9 - Chapter 8

    S1:E8

    Frank is honored at his alma mater, while Peter returns to Philly. Both men tackle unfinished business.

    Director:Charles McDougall
    Writer:Beau Willimon

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  10. House of Cards Season 5 Episode 9 - Chapter 61
    6.8/10(41 votes)

    #10 - Chapter 61

    S5:E9

    Petrov tries to influence affairs in the U.S. Jane discusses her agenda with Claire. With her job at stake, Leann reaches out to a reporter for help.

    Director:Roxann Dawson
    Writer:Bill Kennedy

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  11. House of Cards Season 3 Episode 1 - Chapter 27
    7.2/10(62 votes)

    #11 - Chapter 27

    S3:E1

    A rocky start for the Underwood Presidency. Frank wants to introduce an ambitious jobs program, while Claire sets her sights on the United Nations.

    Director:John David Coles
    Writer:Beau Willimon

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  12. House of Cards Season 2 Episode 10 - Chapter 23
    7.3/10(59 votes)

    #12 - Chapter 23

    S2:E10

    With a military stand-off overseas and potential violence at home, Frank wants to finish off Tusk for good. Claire and Jackie Sharp collide.

    Director:Robin Wright
    Writers:Beau Willimon, Laura Eason

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  13. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 7 - Chapter 7
    7.4/10(67 votes)

    #13 - Chapter 7

    S1:E7

    Frank wins a major battle, but doesn't pause to rest on his laurels. Peter must face his past. Stamper hushes a secret.

    Director:Charles McDougall
    Writers:Kate Barnow, Beau Willimon

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  14. House of Cards Season 2 Episode 11 - Chapter 24
    7.4/10(62 votes)

    #14 - Chapter 24

    S2:E11

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

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

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  15. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 4 - Chapter 4
    7.5/10(69 votes)

    #15 - Chapter 4

    S1:E4

    Frank shakes down the Congressional leadership. Peter Russo must choose between politics and family.

    Director:James Foley
    Writers:Rick Cleveland, Beau Willimon

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  16. House of Cards Season 2 Episode 5 - Chapter 18
    7.5/10(57 votes)

    #16 - Chapter 18

    S2:E5

    Frank back-channels with a Chinese billionaire. Lucas uses extreme measures to expose the Vice President. A shadowy figure joins Team Underwood.

    Director:John David Coles
    Writer:Kenneth Lin

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  17. House of Cards Season 2 Episode 7 - Chapter 20
    7.5/10(56 votes)

    #17 - Chapter 20

    S2:E7

    Despite some friction, the Walkers deepen their friendship with the Underwoods. But it's all-out war between Frank and Tusk.

    Director:James Foley
    Writer:Bill Kennedy

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  18. House of Cards Season 3 Episode 2 - Chapter 28
    7.5/10(51 votes)

    #18 - Chapter 28

    S3:E2

    Claire's U.N. bid runs into trouble. Frank fights off mutiny with a bold address to the country.

    Director:John David Coles
    Writer:John Mankiewicz

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  19. House of Cards Season 3 Episode 4 - Chapter 30
    7.5/10(49 votes)

    #19 - Chapter 30

    S3:E4

    Claire bypasses Russia at the U.N. Frank tries to outmaneuver a potential challenger and ends up face to face with a higher power.

    Director:Tucker Gates
    Writer:Laura Eason

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  20. House of Cards Season 5 Episode 3 - Chapter 55
    7.5/10(43 votes)

    #20 - Chapter 55

    S5:E3

    The day before the election, Conway holds a 24-hour Skype session with voters, while Frank and Claire stump in key states and try to discredit him.

    Director:Alik Sakharov
    Writer:Beau Willimon

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  21. House of Cards Season 5 Episode 6 - Chapter 58
    7.5/10(43 votes)

    #21 - Chapter 58

    S5:E6

    In the midst of uncertainty, suspected Russian forces take over an American station in Antarctica. Meanwhile, a damaging news leak could hurt Frank.

    Director:Michael Morris
    Writer:Bill Kennedy

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  22. House of Cards Season 5 Episode 8 - Chapter 60
    7.5/10(40 votes)

    #22 - Chapter 60

    S5:E8

    While Frank attends an elite men's weekend gathering to firm up support, Claire deals with a stranded Russian ship and threats from Petrov.

    Director:Roxann Dawson
    Writer:John Mankiewicz

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  23. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 12 - Chapter 12
    7.6/10(67 votes)

    #23 - Chapter 12

    S1:E12

    Frank must make an unforeseen detour. Zoe, Lucas and Janine get closer to the truth.

    Director:Allen Coulter
    Writers:Beau Willimon, Gina Gionfriddo

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  24. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 13 - Chapter 13
    7.6/10(71 votes)

    #24 - Chapter 13

    S1:E13

    Frank scrambles to keep his plan on track. Claire is haunted by choices old and new. Zoe poses a serious threat.

    Director:Allen Coulter
    Writer:Beau Willimon

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  25. House of Cards Season 2 Episode 2 - Chapter 15
    7.6/10(62 votes)

    #25 - Chapter 15

    S2:E2

    Frank puts China in the cross-hairs. Claire confronts a painful trauma from her past. Lucas Goodwin presses for the truth.

    Director:Carl Franklin
    Writer:Beau Willimon

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Chapter 73" is the worst rated episode of "House of Cards". It scored 3.7/10 based on 37 votes. Directed by Robin Wright and written by Melissa James Gibson, Frank Pugliese, it aired on 11/2/2018. This episode scored 0.8 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Chapter 72".