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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!

Binge this in 2d 15h•Peaking at 9.5/10

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
    2.5/10(9037 votes)

    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
    4.0/10(5415 votes)

    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 1 - Chapter 66
    4.4/10(7276 votes)

    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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  4. House of Cards Season 6 Episode 2 - Chapter 67
    4.4/10(5984 votes)

    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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  5. House of Cards Season 6 Episode 3 - Chapter 68
    4.4/10(5627 votes)

    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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  6. House of Cards Season 6 Episode 6 - Chapter 71
    4.4/10(5369 votes)

    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:Jerome Hairston, Jason Horwitch

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  7. House of Cards Season 6 Episode 4 - Chapter 69
    4.5/10(5447 votes)

    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 5 - Chapter 70
    4.6/10(5530 votes)

    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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  9. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 8 - Chapter 8
    7.6/10(6062 votes)

    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 6 - Chapter 58
    7.7/10(3317 votes)

    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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  11. House of Cards Season 5 Episode 5 - Chapter 57
    7.8/10(3403 votes)

    S5:E5

    Nine weeks after Election Day, the Underwoods work to consolidate their power. Leann tries to track down a missing Aidan Macallan.

    Director:Michael Morris
    Writer:Beau Willimon

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  12. House of Cards Season 5 Episode 9 - Chapter 61
    7.8/10(3253 votes)

    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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  13. House of Cards Season 4 Episode 1 - Chapter 40
    7.9/10(4640 votes)

    S4:E1

    Claire's absence causes problems for Frank on the campaign trail amid rumors of a marital rift. Claire tries to strike out on her own.

    Director:Tucker Gates
    Writer:Beau Willimon

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  14. House of Cards Season 5 Episode 2 - Chapter 54
    7.9/10(3630 votes)

    S5:E2

    Frank and his team work to leverage support in key states by any means necessary. Claire learns some upsetting news about one of Frank's friends.

    Director:Daniel Minahan
    Writer:Melissa James Gibson

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  15. House of Cards Season 5 Episode 3 - Chapter 55
    7.9/10(3523 votes)

    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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  16. House of Cards Season 5 Episode 8 - Chapter 60
    7.9/10(3269 votes)

    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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  17. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 7 - Chapter 7
    8.0/10(5848 votes)

    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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  18. House of Cards Season 3 Episode 1 - Chapter 27
    8.0/10(5262 votes)

    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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  19. House of Cards Season 4 Episode 8 - Chapter 47
    8.0/10(3801 votes)

    S4:E8

    Formidable as ever, both Underwoods have their eyes on the big picture as they manipulate a potential running mate and push the gun bill.

    Director:Alex Graves
    Writer:John Mankiewicz

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  20. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 4 - Chapter 4
    8.1/10(6389 votes)

    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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  21. House of Cards Season 3 Episode 4 - Chapter 30
    8.1/10(4544 votes)

    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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  22. House of Cards Season 3 Episode 5 - Chapter 31
    8.1/10(4397 votes)

    S3:E5

    Frank declares war on Congress to jump-start his jobs program. Claire spars with the Russian Ambassador.

    Director:James Foley
    Writer:Kenneth Lin

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  23. House of Cards Season 3 Episode 7 - Chapter 33
    8.1/10(4456 votes)

    S3:E7

    The damage is done and the Underwoods must repair it. But deep wounds don't heal fast, and sometimes not at all.

    Director:John Dahl
    Writer:Beau Willimon

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  24. House of Cards Season 3 Episode 8 - Chapter 34
    8.1/10(4267 votes)

    S3:E8

    A hurricane endangers more than just the entire East Coast and Frank must make a difficult choice.

    Director:John Dahl
    Writer:Bill Kennedy

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  25. House of Cards Season 3 Episode 10 - Chapter 36
    8.1/10(4223 votes)

    S3:E10

    Frank needs to deal with Petrov one on one while Claire tries to preserve the peace-keeping mission. Sacrifices must be made.

    Director:Agnieszka Holland
    Writer:Frank Pugliese

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Chapter 73" is the worst rated episode of "House of Cards". It scored 2.5/10 based on 9037 votes. Directed by Robin Wright and written by Melissa James Gibson, Frank Pugliese, it aired on 11/2/2018. This episode scored 1.5 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Chapter 72".