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. 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
  2. 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.
  3. KelvinSelimor
    Dec 6, 2020
    10
    House of Cards. Season 3. Power is in the hands. A more intriguing and enticing season. Claire Underwood comes to the fore more showing what kind of person she really is. I liked the performance of Russian President Viktor Petrov very much, very similar to the acting one. Also, great intrigues, unexpected moves and all that is remarkable about the House of Cards series.
  4. Felindie
    Jul 15, 2019
    8
    Season three may no be the better, but brings some moments, especially the cast, as Kevin and Robin keep shining.
  5. Maarten95
    Feb 17, 2019
    7
    This season was a bit of a step back. The doug and remy story arc was dull and couldn't fill the void left by the abscene of places like Freddy's ribbar. Kevin Spacey was great again but there are just to few scenes with him. The struggle for the election isn't that great because there isn't anyone that can stand against Kevin Spacey. Maybe thats the biggest problem with this season. TheThis season was a bit of a step back. The doug and remy story arc was dull and couldn't fill the void left by the abscene of places like Freddy's ribbar. Kevin Spacey was great again but there are just to few scenes with him. The struggle for the election isn't that great because there isn't anyone that can stand against Kevin Spacey. Maybe thats the biggest problem with this season. The character Frank Underwood has become so great that everything else feels very dull.… Expand
  6. RuyWang
    Dec 23, 2018
    6
    The third season takes a major step back, the last few episodes this seems entirely like a marital drama. Sure their relationship has always been key to the show but here they start to act like children without any sense, they are not the powerful couple we saw in S1 but the problem isn't there, it's the reason behind it, it feels entirely like the sole reason they are fighting each otherThe third season takes a major step back, the last few episodes this seems entirely like a marital drama. Sure their relationship has always been key to the show but here they start to act like children without any sense, they are not the powerful couple we saw in S1 but the problem isn't there, it's the reason behind it, it feels entirely like the sole reason they are fighting each other is to give the show something to rely on, and that plot isn't nearly as good as the previous two seasons.… Expand
  7. SrPepe
    Mar 3, 2018
    8
    He seguido este espectáculo desde el principio. El valor de producción es excelente. La actuación es al menos buena y, a menudo excelente. La trama es demasiado divertida si está oscura. Es suficiente para que uno se pregunte qué es lo que realmente están haciendo los "líderes" en Washington. El único defecto realmente horrible es el patético intento de Kevin Spacey por el acento sureño.
  8. alejandro970
    Dec 9, 2016
    9
    Underwood, hhe machiavellian antihero realizes the absolut power has a higher price to pay. Loss of faith, moral dilemmas, and an imminent fracture on the own White House.
  9. TheApplegnome
    Jul 5, 2016
    8
    House of Cards continues to shine with its entertaining perspective on politics, but mostly -- characters. Season 3 got splendid inside to what drives specific characters. Much drama is a constant trait -- what you have to do to be sucessful, what you risk to loose, and what you can win. Fight -- don’t give up -- let it beat you and rise up from the ashes! House of Cards can be full ofHouse of Cards continues to shine with its entertaining perspective on politics, but mostly -- characters. Season 3 got splendid inside to what drives specific characters. Much drama is a constant trait -- what you have to do to be sucessful, what you risk to loose, and what you can win. Fight -- don’t give up -- let it beat you and rise up from the ashes! House of Cards can be full of positivity, but also despair and loss. Real in life events -- or at least similarities to such events is something new to the show and S03 is full of it! It’s a clever and wanted aspect to the show and we finally get even more linkage to the story! This is a pure drama-flick that’s full of personal dilemmas -- and yes not every episode is that cleverly written nor full of excitement. But It’s really something for the drama lover!

    Overall personal rating for each episode: 76.8/100

    Personal rating: 80/100
    Critical rating: 90/100    … Expand
  10. bruninho79
    Jan 31, 2016
    9
    I have watched the three seasons of this serie recently and I just love this tv show, it's awesome and have driven me crazy, it's really awesome and Kevin and Robin are incredible actors.
  11. TimW001
    Dec 24, 2015
    5
    This season of House of Cards is not the best. You can watch the first two seasons and feel pretty satisfied you watched a good show.
    But season three is really average melodrama portrayed with great character actors.
  12. Ripandread
    Nov 2, 2015
    4
    This show seems to have lost its ‘grit’ when Underwood went from being a scheming back-stabbing Congressional leader to the President of the United States.

    Now instead of trying to destroy his political and media enemies, which was the backbone of the show, Frank Underwood and his wife seem hell bent on destroying each other.
  13. NRNSW
    Sep 13, 2015
    8
    This great series continues to entertain, there was probably one or two episodes that were a little slow. But that happens in any TV series. Worth the time.
  14. callumjsouth
    Aug 6, 2015
    7
    The Underwoods are finally where they want to be and this is both a positive and a negative. Their position takes away what was a hugely captivating part of the first two seasons, getting to see them scheme and snake episode after episode as they completed their jigsaw one piece at a time. Now that the jigsaw is complete you would be forgiven for believing that there is not really muchThe Underwoods are finally where they want to be and this is both a positive and a negative. Their position takes away what was a hugely captivating part of the first two seasons, getting to see them scheme and snake episode after episode as they completed their jigsaw one piece at a time. Now that the jigsaw is complete you would be forgiven for believing that there is not really much point anymore. However it is actually very entertaining to see the Underwoods attempt to hold the jigsaw together. We finally get to see them in a vulnerable position. Ironic considering they are the world's most important couple. This evolving characterisation is essential in a good drama and is evidence of the class present in this show. We get less Underwood and fourth wall breaking which is disappointing however it is only a minor nuisance considering how rich this show is both in content and character.… Expand
  15. OMGmyFACE
    Jul 24, 2015
    5
    It's as if the first two seasons emulated those of the UK House of Cards with some changes while the third season, realizing it was going to end, had to come up with a completely different path out of nowhere so it could get a fourth season. However, in doing so, the writers predictably made some considerable mistakes. You could tell they were running out of steam when **** Riot showed upIt's as if the first two seasons emulated those of the UK House of Cards with some changes while the third season, realizing it was going to end, had to come up with a completely different path out of nowhere so it could get a fourth season. However, in doing so, the writers predictably made some considerable mistakes. You could tell they were running out of steam when **** Riot showed up during the Russia So Nasty arc but when the show kept sliding downward afterwards, it was just embarrassing. The first half of the season resembles none of the latter half, which is a shame since the last half was dreadful and boring.… Expand
  16. esm
    Jun 19, 2015
    8
    House of Cards can be described with one word "brilliant". This T.V series shows us how the rest of the T.V drama series should be. Beau Willimon knows how to keep you interested in the series. The actors are just the best that you could find in a series right now. Kevin Spacey does a great job and Robin Wright looks brilliant in the T.V series but I think that in all the seasons the leastHouse of Cards can be described with one word "brilliant". This T.V series shows us how the rest of the T.V drama series should be. Beau Willimon knows how to keep you interested in the series. The actors are just the best that you could find in a series right now. Kevin Spacey does a great job and Robin Wright looks brilliant in the T.V series but I think that in all the seasons the least good was this one. Sure the problems with Viktor keep you interested but I think that this series can be resumed in 10 chapters. I have the feeling that they make the chapters longer than should be because I find a lot of scenes that could be resumed for more story specially the season finale. I hope that the next season be better. I can´t wait to watch the next season… Expand
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. jeremyismediocr
    Apr 21, 2015
    4
    This season felt nothing like Season 1. If not for the likelihood of the House of Cards universe continuing I never would have finished watching Season 3. Gone are the interesting schemes. Gone are the subplots that the viewer can already see colliding in interesting ways. Gone is any resemblance of research in to the political world the show is exploring. Political issues that come upThis season felt nothing like Season 1. If not for the likelihood of the House of Cards universe continuing I never would have finished watching Season 3. Gone are the interesting schemes. Gone are the subplots that the viewer can already see colliding in interesting ways. Gone is any resemblance of research in to the political world the show is exploring. Political issues that come up never go beyond buzzword form. And Underwood's asides are too numerous to consider as a reward for the viewers, they feel more like a redaction from the conversation you were hoping to see add some more depth to this underdeveloped collection of episodes. Despite carrying the name 'House of Cards' it is difficult to picture a 13 episode season starring a US president with so little to balance.… Expand
  20. DPtdryste
    Apr 18, 2015
    6
    I'm interested in politics, so I watch HoC. But this is no longer a show about politics. In fact, this season makes you realize that it never was: it is a drama, with politics as the canvas the show is painted on. Season 3 is the worst HoC season, but it has its good moments. The show has to deal with the complications involving Frank attaining his coveted position, and striving to makeI'm interested in politics, so I watch HoC. But this is no longer a show about politics. In fact, this season makes you realize that it never was: it is a drama, with politics as the canvas the show is painted on. Season 3 is the worst HoC season, but it has its good moments. The show has to deal with the complications involving Frank attaining his coveted position, and striving to make that interesting. S1 and S2 benefited from what felt like dominoes falling against each other; S3 starts with us having to accept that Frank was the last domino, and he's supported (and trapped) by a wall.

    It suffers from the overly-emotional and absurd performances of our anti-hero. TV tropes that attract the general public are ignored in favor of unexpected plot twists, but the twists never seem groundbreaking in hindsight, and the show leaves you wondering why it doesn't just try to simply entertain using an action or sex scene. Hell, halfway through you may realize that you're already halfway through, you can't stop watching now. It is a show damned by being a topic of conversation, in that aspect.

    I give this a 6 because I enjoyed it sometimes. I liked the arcs involving Remy, Jackie, Dunbar, Doug, the hacker, and Rachel. Frank and Claire's arcs could have been better. Yates takes up half the screen this season, there's not even a reference to ex-president Walker; it all feels a bit unreal. Nowhere near enough Lucas or Raymond Tusk this season, Seth's teeth are vastly dulled, and the sexy Christina is relegated to a cameo appearance where her acting and beauty are muted by producer incompetence. Seriously, as a male watcher, I was upset we only see her once!

    The end of S3 doesn't have me as excited for S4 as S1 had me for S2, or S2 for S3. But I won't give up on this show just yet. I'll be watching Daredevil now, hoping Orange keeps our summer TV-watching simultaneously lighthearted and interesting, and praying that HoC makes a venerable return next year. Oh, and Netflix, please, Frank's F-bombs are cringeworthy... let's not do that anymore haha.    … Expand
  21. SchroederRock
    Apr 2, 2015
    9
    The struggles of a president that nobody elected are on blast in the third season of House of Cards. The struggles between congress and the executive branch are interwoven with a drama between Frank and Clare Underwood that finally come to light after all the lies and work done to get to the head of the table. House of Cards is as good as ever, though season 3's best moments are foundThe struggles of a president that nobody elected are on blast in the third season of House of Cards. The struggles between congress and the executive branch are interwoven with a drama between Frank and Clare Underwood that finally come to light after all the lies and work done to get to the head of the table. House of Cards is as good as ever, though season 3's best moments are found beyond the first few episodes. When all is said and done, a fourth season is not only guaranteed but also more intriguing than ever. It's no longer the earning of the presidency that is the hook of the show, but Frank Underwood holding to that presidency while some of his most loyal allies are jumping ship.… Expand
  22. 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
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. podaddy
    Mar 24, 2015
    4
    Just finished season three. Season One was a breeze, bouncing from episode to episode, it was so good. Season Two was not quite as stellar as S1, but still quite good, but Season Three was a huge disappointment. The writing and story lines just weren't there. I won't say it quite jumped the shark, as it was still better the most TV dramas, but if Season Four doesn't offer a markedJust finished season three. Season One was a breeze, bouncing from episode to episode, it was so good. Season Two was not quite as stellar as S1, but still quite good, but Season Three was a huge disappointment. The writing and story lines just weren't there. I won't say it quite jumped the shark, as it was still better the most TV dramas, but if Season Four doesn't offer a marked improvement over the lackluster effort of S3, I'll be done with this series. Seems the viewers have a better pulse on this show than the critics, as critics deemed Season One only marginally better than Season Three (7.6 vs 7.2), while the drop with viewers is significant (9.0 to 7.2)… Expand
  26. Nitroussoda
    Mar 20, 2015
    5
    When I first started watching house of cards, season 1 and 2 were absolutely captivating for me. I was watching 4 or 5 episodes well in to the night. Season 3 however, just did not have that same power to hook me as the first 2. Whereas seasons 1 and 2 had unpredictable twists and turns everywhere, it seemed like the writers were just throwing disaster after disaster at the Underwoods andWhen I first started watching house of cards, season 1 and 2 were absolutely captivating for me. I was watching 4 or 5 episodes well in to the night. Season 3 however, just did not have that same power to hook me as the first 2. Whereas seasons 1 and 2 had unpredictable twists and turns everywhere, it seemed like the writers were just throwing disaster after disaster at the Underwoods and every time they would manage to scrape by, really making things predictable and offering little excitement. Still an entertaining show but a seemingly lacklustre effort compared to the first two seasons.… Expand
  27. 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
  28. josephkokomo
    Mar 16, 2015
    10
    I feel compelled to finally join metacritic, after all this time, to say this one thing: the performances between these two (Spacey and Wright) give me goosebumps. It reminds me of the caliber of Edie Falco and James Gandolfini in 'The Sopranos'. The episode on House of Cards this season, with the gay activist in Russia, is one of the best hours of television I've ever seen. I getI feel compelled to finally join metacritic, after all this time, to say this one thing: the performances between these two (Spacey and Wright) give me goosebumps. It reminds me of the caliber of Edie Falco and James Gandolfini in 'The Sopranos'. The episode on House of Cards this season, with the gay activist in Russia, is one of the best hours of television I've ever seen. I get goosebumps thinking about Robin Wright and Kevin Spacey (and Christian Carmago's performance). Can't believe this only got a '73' rating.… Expand
  29. 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.
  30. ParagonMichael
    Mar 11, 2015
    8
    I thought they couldn't make a season 3, but then they went on and did it. Safe to say that i was kind of impressed by how good the season managed too be.
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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

All reviews »
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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