House Of Cards Season 2 Episodes 11-13 Recaps: Never EVER Bet Against Frank Underwood (Season Finale)

And so we come to the end of season 2 of "House Of Cards". If you did not see the final episodes you should turn back now. If you need a refresher, see my previous reviews here House Of Cards Recaps There is always LOTS going on this show and it's hard to keep track.

Tricia backs out of an interview with Claire regarding the sexual assault bill (because she needs to distance herself after the Peter Galloway scandal). Meanwhile Jackie Sharpe is actively trying to block the bill (even after Frank told her to whip the votes or else). Claire instead sends Megan on the interview circuit. Megan is emotionally imbalanced and eventually tries to kill herself. Claire visits her but Megan says "I wish I had never met you". Apparently Claire hears this a lot (since Peter also said it to her).

Frank is interviewed by the congressional committee investigating what the White House knew about the influx of foreign money (from the Chinese and Mr Feng) and Raymond Tusk. White House Special Prosecutor Heather Dunbar in charge of the inquires. "Our investigation is much bigger than just the investigation of Douglas Stamper" she says. Of course you and I both know that Garrett Walker IS innocent (and Tusk, Fend, and Underwood are NOT).

The president FINALLY catches on to what Frank is doing and says "You've set me up Frank." Frank of course denies, denies, denies but that's exactly what he has done. When Frank sees his break he works every angle and every person in play. He convinces Cathy Durant (Secretary of State) to join him. He convinces Jackie Sharpe (Majority Whip) to whip the votes in support of impeachment (even before they have the committee's findings). His rationale to both is that if they dont do this, they will lose the House or Senate during the next election. They also leak that the President has been taking medication and visiting a marriage counselor (Dr Larkin).

Durant contacts Mr Feng (who is in Dubai fleeing extortion charges). The US will give him complete immunity in exchange for his testimony. Feng verified that Tusk was his partner in laundering foreign money to Super PACS.

Linda Vasquez (former Chief of Staff) is brought in to testify at the committee hearings also. Linda is unofficially working with Garrett again. They are out get Frank. Team Underwood and Team Walker are both trying to use Tusk as a hand grenade to lob at each other. It looks like Garrett might get the upper hand. Claire tells Frank to do whatever he has to (including ripping out his own heart and handing it to Walker). Frank types a letter to the President (who reads it while he's as Camp David) saying that he will take responsibility for everything if its what the President wants. Walker tells Linda to revoke the offer of a pardon to Tusk. When Tusk goes to visit the committee he pleads the fifth on everything until he blurted out "he knew" (meaning the President knew about the contributions). And that was the final blow to President Garrett.

Garrett voluntarily resigns before he can be impeached. Thanks to all his scheming, Frank becomes President of the United States (and manages to remain friends with Garrett in the process). His first acts as President is smoothing relations with the Chinese by sending Mr Feng back to China (where he will be executed).

In Other Happenings:

Remy tries to play both sides (Tusk and Frank). Frank sends Seth to let Tusk know and Remy is fired. He later joins forces with Jackie again (but not romantically). He says she has changed.
Doug continues to be obsessed with Rachel. He knows she is in love with Lisa and then sends her away. He then tells her they've been found out (which is true) and drives away to a wooded area with her. Rachel bolts from the car. Doug follows her. Is he going to kill her? We're not sure. And in a big shocker she sneaks up behind him and bashes his head in with a rock. He looks pretty dead to me. Hey, a girl can only take so much.
Gavin tells Green he has access to ATT data centers. He says your wife uses ATT and so does her lover (who is a chiropractor). In exchange for keeping quiet about who he knows (including who Rachel Posner is) he wants three things: 1. I'm not longer your bitch; 2. All of my charges are dropped; 3. All of Barrett Browning's charges are dropped. And speaking of Gavin, we haven't heard anything from Lucas in several episodes. If he just left to rot in jail?
All the calculations and backhandedness is great fun to watch but how could someone possibly be that many steps ahead in real life? I'm afraid people are not that predictable. I couldnt even keep track of what Frank was doing and I was keeping notes.
There is a three way between Claire, Frank and Secret Service Agent Meechum. OK, I have no idea what to say about that but it seemed very out of character for everyone involved. Not sure where they're going with that unless it's to later set up Meechum so have some VERY damaging evidence that could take down the President. The other person with the most damaging evidence was Doug but he appears to be DOA.
There has been no sign of Cashew for several episodes. I hope he's OK.

Favorite Quotes:

"I feel as exposed as the skin where my ring used to be."- Frank when questioned about his fidgeting. Frank had previously buried his ring but we're not sure exactly why. When asked why he tapped his ring/hand on a table when getting up. "Something my father taught me. It's meant to harden your knuckles so you don't break them if you get into a fight. It also has the added benefit of knocking on wood. My father believed that success is a mixture of preparation and luck. Tapping the table kills both birds with one stone." Claire later buys him a replacement ring after he becomes president.
"To improve is to change. To perfect is to change often"- what Frank had engraved on the watch he gave to Remy.
"Tell the president that it saddens me that we have to talk through lawyers"- Frank.
"I promise you of all the sacrifices you've had to make, divorcing a convict wont be one of them."- Frank to Claire.
"I wish I had never met you."- Megan to Claire.
Jackie: "You want impeachment?" Frank: "Why fight a losing battle if this party fails to distance itself from a toxic president." Jackie: "What's your asking is just shy of treason." Frank: "Just shy, which is politics."
"Hubris is giving you delusions of grandeur Frank."- Raymond Tusk
"When they put you in that box a little bigger than a coffin, remember how beautiful the music was tonite."- Tusk to Frank.
"Sometimes you have sacrifice the one for the many."- Frank to Catherine regarding sending Mr Feng back to China (where he will be executed).

Grade: 4 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). A truly addictive show that goes WAY too fast. What will happen next season? What else is there for Frank to do besides hold onto power? Regardless of what it is, I'll still be watching.