House of Cards Chapter 22 (2013–2018) watch online HD

One way you can tell that a season is preparing to come to a close is when the stories of minor recurring characters finish their arc. Such is the case in this episode with both Freddie and Adam Galaway. And although their plot lines are quite different, these characters (both, one could argue, with a strong moral fiber), need to disappear into the night in order to protect the Underwoods' their image; their power; their ascent to the top.

The Freddie back-story involves criminal activity from his distant past, and his son's current trouble with guns and the law. This is the kind of press that Frank cannot afford right now. Freddie's words as Frank leaves his apartment are particularly poignant. "You was a good customer, that's it. You ain't got to pretend to be my friend." We next see Frank breaking the 4th wall and asking us "Do you think I'm a hypocrite? Well, you should. I wouldn't disagree with you. The road to power is paved with hypocrisy. And casualties. Never regret." Another one bites the dust. So long, Freddie.

Speaking about getting left the in the dust, I don't believe we will see anymore of Adam. Tusk and Remy make a valiant effort to publicly destroy the Underwoods through Adam and his affair with Claire, but their tactics don't quite work. The ammunition behind their blackmailing Adam is the fact that Adam's fiancée's father is in trouble in Colombia. Problem is, only Frank and his ties to Jackie as the Secretary of State can help the father. You can see in Adam's eyes as he speaks into the camera and begins to disparage himself, that there goes one more soul destroyed by the ruthlessness and lack of conscience of Claire and Frank.

The episode ends with a promise from Frank to hit back at Tusk, and hit him hard. Five episodes left. Fasten your seat belts, folks, and prepare for final descent.

This episode gets down to dealing with anyone who may be harmful to the Underwoods. Claire goes after Adam, the photographer with whom she had an affair. He loved Claire and she is only interested in her own butt. Of course, Frank knows all about the affair, like he has several times before. And of course, he is now a heartbeat from the big white house. It shows what the common person's chances are when there are powers that could simply flip you in the river. Frank destroys the man whom he always respected, the man who ran the little rib shop that he frequented, whom he actually had in his house. Remy and Tusk continue to lob missiles at the Underwoods, so the heavy hitters are about to face off. Frank wants Tusk obliterated and Claire wants him obliterated.