House of Cards (2013)

:

Season 3
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Feb 1, 2013
Season #: 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 450 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 338 out of 450
  2. Mixed: 59 out of 450
  3. Negative: 53 out of 450
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User Reviews

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  1. nevermark
    Mar 9, 2015
    1
    Season 3 of HoC lost its three main characters to different weaker less-intelligent bumbling self-destructive people with the same names and faces. Francis J Underwood, Claire Underwood and Doug Stamper all lose their focus, lose about 30 points of IQ, and inexplicably take up shooting themselves in the foot as a new hobby.
    Maybe the original drunk Peter Russo story was so popular they    Season 3 of HoC lost its three main characters to different weaker less-intelligent bumbling self-destructive people with the same names and faces. Francis J Underwood, Claire Underwood and Doug Stamper all lose their focus, lose about 30 points of IQ, and inexplicably take up shooting themselves in the foot as a new hobby.
    Maybe the original drunk Peter Russo story was so popular they decided to apply it to everyone on the show.    … Expand
  2. Eireclare
    Mar 19, 2015
    3
    I was a fan of the first two series but unfortunately Season 3 has completely lost me.

    Every episode has been a chore to watch. The plot is plodding and slow moving without any real character development or suspense. Aside from a few scenes involving the Russians, I just kept finding that i was forcing myself to watch it rather than enjoying it so I've now officially given up.    I was a fan of the first two series but unfortunately Season 3 has completely lost me.

    Every episode has been a chore to watch. The plot is plodding and slow moving without any real character development or suspense.

    Aside from a few scenes involving the Russians, I just kept finding that i was forcing myself to watch it rather than enjoying it so I've now officially given up.

    Some of the main characters this season are just irritating, one dimensional and un-believable, and the long drawn out scenes between Remy and Jackie are just painful to watch sometimes.

    Claire Underwood had so many WTF moments in this series, I'm beginning to think that in season 4 it'll be revealed that she has been suffering from multiple personality disorder the whole time.    … Expand
  3. Tomas_Sweden
    Apr 1, 2015
    2
    Season 3 has become a boring collection of episodes where not much changes from 1 to 13. It lacks both thrill and wit. The domestic policy arguments are boringly flat. Having left out any serious political enemies, there's just the primary debates. The international policy crisis is badly written and lacks realism. Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright act with aplomb, but achieve less and lessSeason 3 has become a boring collection of episodes where not much changes from 1 to 13. It lacks both thrill and wit. The domestic policy arguments are boringly flat. Having left out any serious political enemies, there's just the primary debates. The international policy crisis is badly written and lacks realism. Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright act with aplomb, but achieve less and less for every episode. One thing stands out: Lars Mikkelsen's impersonation of a paranoid Russian president - excellent and chilling. It's worth watching series 3 only to see Danish Mikkelsen at his best.… Expand
  4. donteatstaples
    Mar 13, 2015
    3
    This season really was a let down, slow moving, no real movement in story, and a incredibly boring and awkward ending for the season finale. I was a huge fan of the past 2 seasons but this season was just a lack luster story with the same recycled characters with no growth or shown more depth. I still have hope that season 4 will step things up and make for a better story hopefully.
  5. tommie101swe
    Apr 1, 2015
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It is saddening to watch how season 3 of House of Cards has become a shoddy production that lacks both thrill and wit. Where Frank in the first two seasons was scheming and pursuing a real objective, his character has become a boring president with no ambition. He entirely lacks an agenda and pushes the same uninspiring America Works proposal for 12 full episodes, when the script writers could actually have made this an exciting partisan battle.

    It's really a pity, the plot could e.g. build around a series of fierce attacks from the Republicans on his domestic policies (the Republicans are absent from season 3) and a more realistic international policy crisis. While Lars Mikkelsen's portrayal of a paranoid Russian president is excellent and entertaining, the whole storyline with a "peacekeeping mission in the Jordan Valley" is flat - there's simply no reason why Israel's east border would be threatened by anyone, an international force containing Russian soldiers (>sigh< it's too unlikely), a parachute jump by US soldiers into the encampment of the Russians (to do what, exactly?), then have the US soldiers flee when the first shot is fired - it is simply laughable. When the Russian president demands Claire's resignation as ambassador, Frank just bows to his demand and in the next episode there is not even an attempt at retaliation.

    The attempt to deepen the female characters of the series is also a debacle. Both Claire and Jackie go to great lengths to satisfy the mens' desire to dominate and abuse their loyalty, then finally react halfheartedly but it adds nothing to the actual outcome of series 3.

    The last chapter of season 3 epitomizes the script writers' inability to make the story move forward. Doug now seeks revenge on Rachel, which adds nothing and is only painful to watch (oh no, not another CSI where man murders woman). Why is this even in series 3? Doug is supposed to be dead, or else busy himself drafting strategies to help Frank defeat political enemies. I thought HoC was a different and intelligent TV series!

    Where series 1 and 2 kept the suspense and the viewer only slowly realized what was going on, series 3 is unfortunately rather predictable. Obviously, the end of season 3 promises us that seasons 4 and 5 will mash the primary and the presidential campaign very, very slowly.    … Expand
  6. Felixneu
    Apr 21, 2015
    0
    Shallow and not thought threw I think sums it up quite nicely. Seasons 1 &2 were brilliant, but this one was a gigantic leap backwards. I found it not only boring over very long periods, but one actually had the feeling that they started filming the first few episodes without having decided on how the season is supposed to end. There was no greater plan - it was merely a collection ofShallow and not thought threw I think sums it up quite nicely. Seasons 1 &2 were brilliant, but this one was a gigantic leap backwards. I found it not only boring over very long periods, but one actually had the feeling that they started filming the first few episodes without having decided on how the season is supposed to end. There was no greater plan - it was merely a collection of loosely connected episodes.
    After 13 Episodes, nothing was achieved, besides the destruction of nearly everything that was touched.
    If that were not enough, Francis and Claire degraded to a shadow of their original characters.
    A women threatening a women with killing her child an not loosing a word about her husband committing a murder gets weak and throws away a huge political success over the death of one man - seriously???
    Not to mention the vast selection of illogical story pieces which make this season a pain to watch. Both the internal and the external struggle do not make sense and were truly amateurishly handled.
    Please, for the next season, find someone with a bare minimum of common sense to tell you what is plausible and what is not.
    I must say, considering the bright future suggested by the first two seasons, for me season 3 was one of the biggest disappointments in resent TV history.    … Expand
  7. marco34la
    Mar 8, 2015
    3
    I loved Seasons 1 & 2, I barely like Season 3. It's too much of a departure from the first two seasons.
    It's lacks the suspense, violence, corruption and deceptions that made the show. This season is very boring. Both the main characters seem to be acting 'out of character' by seemingly have developed consciences.
  8. brewistmonk
    Mar 3, 2015
    2
    all the acting is great as usual but the story lines this time around were a complete bore. a big problem I had from early on was when Frank Underwood announced he was dismantling social security because Americans are entitled to nothing... sorry, that doesn't work for me since we are entitled to social security because it is our money the fed govt' has taken out of our pay every week.all the acting is great as usual but the story lines this time around were a complete bore. a big problem I had from early on was when Frank Underwood announced he was dismantling social security because Americans are entitled to nothing... sorry, that doesn't work for me since we are entitled to social security because it is our money the fed govt' has taken out of our pay every week. There is not a single person who would vote for underwood after he said and did that. Unless you're one of the Koch brothers.
    There were a couple decent episodes but it doesn't come close to the first two seasons.    … Expand
  9. Orlandu84
    Mar 7, 2015
    1
    What happened to "House of Cards?" The more I watched this season, the less I cared about the characters, the story, and the show. Instead of political machinations and witty remarks, the show was full of forced dialogue and simplified solutions. Although many people will likely find the depths of Frank Underwood interesting, I cannot. Here lies the problem this season encountered. ByWhat happened to "House of Cards?" The more I watched this season, the less I cared about the characters, the story, and the show. Instead of political machinations and witty remarks, the show was full of forced dialogue and simplified solutions. Although many people will likely find the depths of Frank Underwood interesting, I cannot. Here lies the problem this season encountered. By focusing so much on the interior of the Underwoods and less on the battlefield of politics, the show robbed itself of dramatic tension and flair. Moreover, the Underwoods do not have much inside of them worth knowing about or examining closely. I hope that they learn from their mistakes of this season.… Expand
  10. sabrishamchi
    Mar 7, 2015
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. frank Underwood was a genius corrupt politician who was very effective when focused his mind into a goal in first two seasons. a man who was two step ahead of everyone else but now he is boring selfish president . he is trying a sell a stupid plan (America Works) to voters and instead of watching interesting characters and battles like the one with Raymond tusk we have to watch boring sessions of therapy with a writer.… Expand
  11. aelder
    Feb 28, 2015
    2
    This was the weakest season. The writing became less about political maneuvering and watching Frank Underwood's psychopathic genius and almost entirely about petty relationship issues between Frank and Claire.

    Midway through the season Claire essentially leaves character and jumps the emotional shark. From that point on, the entire primary plot is overshadowed by petty emotional unrest.    This was the weakest season. The writing became less about political maneuvering and watching Frank Underwood's psychopathic genius and almost entirely about petty relationship issues between Frank and Claire.

    Midway through the season Claire essentially leaves character and jumps the emotional shark. From that point on, the entire primary plot is overshadowed by petty emotional unrest.

    For his part, Frank loses every political fight he enters and the viewer receives scant few moments of feel-good payoff.

    This is a season without enjoyable victories or satisfying political payoffs and instead is emotionally draining the watch for the entirety.    … Expand
  12. Beeboop
    Mar 1, 2015
    1
    No spoilers here. Season 3, Boring.

    The whole reason I liked season 1 and 2 is because it dealt with government corruption from a different view point, the corrupt. In season 3, Frank isn't doing anything corrupt and nor does he manipulate anyone. Frank has nothing to lose or fear in Season 3. He's just working as a normal president with failed politics and getting pushed around. This    No spoilers here. Season 3, Boring.

    The whole reason I liked season 1 and 2 is because it dealt with government corruption from a different view point, the corrupt. In season 3, Frank isn't doing anything corrupt and nor does he manipulate anyone. Frank has nothing to lose or fear in Season 3. He's just working as a normal president with failed politics and getting pushed around. This is not a DRAMA! This is like watching CNN but with prettier videography.    … Expand
  13. Meshblorg
    Mar 1, 2015
    0
    Boring! I loved Season one and two but three is horribly boring. This is not a drama! This is a simulation of a normal presidential life. This season betrays the earlier two.

    I loved the first two seasons of HOC because it delt with government corruption from a different point of view, the corrupt. In season 3, Frank no longer has anything to lose, does nothing corrupt, and nor does he    Boring! I loved Season one and two but three is horribly boring. This is not a drama! This is a simulation of a normal presidential life. This season betrays the earlier two.

    I loved the first two seasons of HOC because it delt with government corruption from a different point of view, the corrupt. In season 3, Frank no longer has anything to lose, does nothing corrupt, and nor does he manipulate anyone. Season 3 is more like a simulation of a presidential life, like watching CNN but with better videography. Boring.    … Expand
  14. jfla
    Feb 27, 2015
    0
    I loved the first season of HOC. I thought the performances and directing were great. When I got to season 2, I was disappointed, I wasn't a fan of the China storyline and I started to feel that the show thought it was smarter than it really was. Even though I really didn't like season 2 (I gave it a 5/10), I thought the premiere was great and the episode with Claire's interview was greatI loved the first season of HOC. I thought the performances and directing were great. When I got to season 2, I was disappointed, I wasn't a fan of the China storyline and I started to feel that the show thought it was smarter than it really was. Even though I really didn't like season 2 (I gave it a 5/10), I thought the premiere was great and the episode with Claire's interview was great also. I had high hopes for this season, because I thought the writers would take into consideration the critical backlash the show faced in the second half of its final season, but unfortunately they did not. Season three is better than season two, but is nowhere close to season one. The character of Frank Underwood is great, but I feel that Spacey isn't really being challenged enough and living up to his potential (He was great in Chapter 28 though). Wright, like last season, is great, and like last season the most interesting parts of the show is when it revolves around her. Overall, while season three is a bit better than season two, I'm still going to give it a 5/10.… Expand
  15. joef123
    Feb 27, 2015
    0
    Not as good as it used to be. The acting (especially Wright and Spacey) is good, but writing is just really bad. I miss the old House of Cards. Now its just unbelievable, it was way to easy for Frank to become President.
  16. Bo33y
    Mar 2, 2015
    0
    Whatever was there has left. What are we watching here. Season 2 the plot was bad. Season 3 the plot what plot, and the acting is getting worse.

    I couldn't even watch all of episode one, not gonna bother with episode two. The amount of care less errors is beyond reproach. He just won the globe. Yet in the first TV speech watch how he conducts his presidency, his eyes didn't even look    Whatever was there has left. What are we watching here. Season 2 the plot was bad. Season 3 the plot what plot, and the acting is getting worse.

    I couldn't even watch all of episode one, not gonna bother with episode two. The amount of care less errors is beyond reproach.

    He just won the globe. Yet in the first TV speech watch how he conducts his presidency, his eyes didn't even look at the camera, they darted around quicker then any tweaker. His golf caddie look as he represents America, peacoat, baggy trousers, and loafers, does it come with a baseball hat and golf club?

    Remy acting like the bouncer, when at the camera question time, and again when firing in that room publicly trying to do a lord sugar .

    Seriously what kind of stupidity is 500billion and I want it nawwwww dollars for 10million unemployed back to work program. WTF? Who in the what the hell done those maths. Throw away the DOD's annual budget, too get back less on tax annually, because guess who dumb the pie charts, when assuming that those would be within the top bands minimum salary.

    Meanwhile the president wife is privy to black ops, those secret drone strikes, the president cleared her security pass, making her part of the team.

    The president going on a late shows satire.

    A waste of time.......    … Expand
  17. Mr_Maldoror
    Feb 27, 2015
    2
    It just seems to get worse with each season. The UK series wasn't perfect either, but it got it right with making the seasons 6 episodes each. Shorter, tighter. This always pads things out with useless relationship drama. I won't be back for the fourth season. I can already bet money that it will end with Frank being assassinated with Claire pulling the strings. Anti-hero cliche #5,041. NoIt just seems to get worse with each season. The UK series wasn't perfect either, but it got it right with making the seasons 6 episodes each. Shorter, tighter. This always pads things out with useless relationship drama. I won't be back for the fourth season. I can already bet money that it will end with Frank being assassinated with Claire pulling the strings. Anti-hero cliche #5,041. No need to slog through another tedious season to get to that.… Expand
  18. Anwar-Mkayed
    Mar 26, 2015
    1
    Devious, Deceitful, and devoid of any Human Morals. A show that revolves around a 'person' that is beyond saving, obsessive in purposeless accomplishments with a dozen other psychological disasters pursuing a social status that does not only control those in his perceptible environment, but that which extends it's tragic field all over the planet's course of events.

    An adverse influence    Devious, Deceitful, and devoid of any Human Morals. A show that revolves around a 'person' that is beyond saving, obsessive in purposeless accomplishments with a dozen other psychological disasters pursuing a social status that does not only control those in his perceptible environment, but that which extends it's tragic field all over the planet's course of events.

    An adverse influence upon the viewer is almost imminent.

    one point for the background music & camera angles.    … Expand
  19. Skulb
    May 27, 2015
    3
    The first two seasons were decent, if somewhat milquetoast. But season three is just a disgusting train wreck of miserable writing, disjointed and pointless plot lines combined with absolutely embarrassing and low-grade propaganda. The portrayal of the Russian President alone is worthy of the 2015 Joseph Goebbels award. But of course HoC also manages to propagandize for austerity, droneThe first two seasons were decent, if somewhat milquetoast. But season three is just a disgusting train wreck of miserable writing, disjointed and pointless plot lines combined with absolutely embarrassing and low-grade propaganda. The portrayal of the Russian President alone is worthy of the 2015 Joseph Goebbels award. But of course HoC also manages to propagandize for austerity, drone striking civilians and the entirely unconstitutional notion that the "first lady" has any business whatsoever engaging in domestic or international affairs. All in all watching season 3 of HoC is like dumping a trash bin over your own head. If you`re not dumb already, watching this season a few times should do it for you.… Expand
  20. geewah
    Jan 12, 2021
    3
    What a fall from grace for this show. Once an edgy political thriller, now a trashy soap opera. Dull & lazy writing.
  21. imaroacateran
    May 10, 2022
    3
    In season 3 the Underwoods are going through recycled motions from the first two seasons, and at a slower pace. The new characters and new settings are window dressing at best. Season 2 had flaws but this season was the beginning of the end

Awards & Rankings

58
#58 Best TV Season of 2015
20
#20 Most Discussed TV Season of 2015
69
#69 Most Shared TV Season of 2015

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Uncle Barky
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Mar 12, 2015
    91
    Whatever your takeaway, the performances of Spacey and Wright remain assured and now ingrained in a series that ranks as the best body politic drama ever.
    Read full review
  2. Slant Magazine
    Reviewed by: Chris Cabin
    Mar 4, 2015
    63
    House of Cards is at its best when investigating the uneasy balance of studied, built-up political performance and personal dogmas, obsessions, gripes, and fears, but as many of these masks begin to give way in the story, the series noticeably struggles to keep up its addictive tension.
    Read full review
  3. PopMatters
    Reviewed by: Evan Sawdey
    Mar 3, 2015
    70
    Ultimately, House of Cards Season Three is a great continuation of a show that remains deliciously dramatic even with a few glaring flaws.
    Read full review
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