House of Cards backdrop
Drama

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.

Airs on
Netflix
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons6

All123456

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
    Click to reveal
    House of Cards Season 6 Episode 8 - Chapter 73
    2.5/10(9038 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. House of Cards Season 6 Episode 7 - Chapter 72
    4.0/10(5416 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. House of Cards Season 6 Episode 1 - Chapter 66
    4.4/10(7280 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. House of Cards Season 6 Episode 2 - Chapter 67
    4.4/10(5987 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. House of Cards Season 6 Episode 3 - Chapter 68
    4.4/10(5629 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. House of Cards Season 6 Episode 6 - Chapter 71
    4.4/10(5370 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of House of Cards

    READ
  7. House of Cards Season 6 Episode 4 - Chapter 69
    4.5/10(5448 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. House of Cards Season 6 Episode 5 - Chapter 70
    4.6/10(5531 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 8 - Chapter 8
    7.6/10(6066 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. House of Cards Season 5 Episode 6 - Chapter 58
    7.7/10(3318 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. House of Cards Season 5 Episode 5 - Chapter 57
    7.8/10(3404 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. House of Cards Season 5 Episode 9 - Chapter 61
    7.8/10(3256 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. House of Cards Season 4 Episode 1 - Chapter 40
    7.9/10(4639 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. House of Cards Season 5 Episode 2 - Chapter 54
    7.9/10(3631 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. House of Cards Season 5 Episode 3 - Chapter 55
    7.9/10(3524 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. House of Cards Season 5 Episode 8 - Chapter 60
    7.9/10(3271 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 7 - Chapter 7
    8.0/10(5852 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 4 - Chapter 4
    8.1/10(6393 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. House of Cards Season 3 Episode 5 - Chapter 31
    8.1/10(4398 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. House of Cards Season 3 Episode 7 - Chapter 33
    8.1/10(4457 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Worst Episodes Summary

"Chapter 73" is the worst rated episode of "House of Cards". It scored 2.5/10 based on 9038 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".