After a month-long teacher's strike, Linda tells Frank that President Walker will modify the education reform bill in order to appease the teachers union. Frank, reluctant to concede to their demands, asks Linda to give him a week to end the strike without compromising the bill. After Claire invites their bodyguard Edward Meechum inside the house for a cup of coffee, a brick is thrown at the Underwoods' window. When Frank demands Meechum be fired for leaving his post, Meechum pleads for mercy. Frank initially refuses, but eventually has Meechum reinstated. Zoe receives a call from Frank, who wants her to write a story blaming Spinella for the brick incident. Public opinion turns against Spinella and the union, who tries to figure out a way to strike back. Meanwhile, with a newly-sober Russo agreeing to run for governor ofPennsylvania, Frank tasks Claire with drafting a bill that will create jobs in Peter's district. Claire agrees in exchange for getting CWI's water filters through Sudanese customs, which Durant has put a hold on. On Frank's instruction, Doug orchestrates a fake protest throwing foam bricks at Spinella, causing the striking teachers to retaliate with violence. In the wake of the public outcry, Spinella's media relations team suggests a televised debate against Frank, to which he reluctantly agrees. Spinella performs better than expected during the debate, deflecting Frank's characterization that his union is violent and blaming Congress for failing the nation's children. Frank also embarrasses himself when he confuses his vowels, leading to widespread ridicule. Shortly afterwards, Frank persuades DNC Chair Patricia Whittaker to support Russo's gubernatorial campaign. Frank demands that Russo attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and assigns Doug as his sponsor. Claire comes up with a plan to develop 1,100 acres of land made available by the closing of the shipyard, creating thousands of jobs in Russo's district. Russo leaves a voicemail message for Christina. Walker, having lost confidence in Frank following the debate, orders him to gut the bill so that the strike will end. Frank argues that they must not concede to the teachers' demands. Surprised by Frank's defiance, Walker allows him to keep the bill intact. After hearing about a drive-by shooting, Frank instructs Zoe to tweet about the 8-year-old child killed in the crossfire, who had been home from school due to the strike. Spinella arrives at the Capitol, believing Frank is ready to negotiate. Instead, Frank hurls insults at Spinella and reveals that he staged the brick attack. Spinella is goaded into punching Frank, who threatens to press charges unless the strike is immediately put to an end. Claire makes regular hospital visits for the Underwoods' former bodyguard, Steve, who is dying of pancreatic cancer. During one of these visits, Steve takes the opportunity to express his loathing for Frank and his fantasies of being with Claire. Claire defends Frank and declares that he is the only man who understood her. She then performs a handjob on Steve, embarrassing the man enough for him to ask her to stop. Later that night, she informs Frank of the visit, telling him that they are to pay for Steve's funeral.
Cast
Following is the list of billed cast.
Main cast
Kevin Spacey as U.S. Representative Francis J. Underwood
The episode received positive reviews from critics. In a lukewarm review, Ryan McGee of The A.V. Club said, "That's a problem with the show in general, which focuses as much on process as character development through this, the nearly halfway point in the first batch of episodes we're still calling a "season" of "television." Both need to simultaneously exist in order for House Of Cards to operate at maximum efficiency, but the show hasn't struck the balance effectively to date."
