Ep 4. Episode 4

Francis Underwood is now the President of the United States but his ascendancy to power has not quelled his energy to attain even more political power. In this episode, Francis' administration gets rocked by a political crisis when a veteran, Michael Kern, files a lawsuit against the Federal government. Kern accuses the government of withholding benefits to which he is entitled, which his wife and children are dependent on, due to inconsistent and too lengthy processing.

As a result, the government's public image is badly tarnished. However, Underwood is determined to mitigate the situation. His public relations team comes up with a plan to change the public focus from the lawsuit to the upcoming State of Union Address. They plan on releasing catchy, meme-friendly teaser trailers for the speech that can go viral. The idea is to change the narrative and take the attention away from the lawsuit and focus on promoting the president's address.

Meanwhile, Claire Underwood, Francis' wife, has her own political struggles. She is questioning her role in Francis' administration and feels overshadowed by his achievements. Even though she is the First Lady, she feels useless because she has no role or authority in the White House. This prompts her to seek out a counselor to help her come to terms with her feelings.

Another key character in this episode is Seth, Francis' press secretary. After the Kern lawsuit, Seth begins to feel disillusioned with the administration because he believes that he is being kept in the dark. He also gets upset with Francis because he did not acknowledge or appreciate his hard work and loyalty. Seth decides to make a bold move that may put his career and reputation on the line.

Throughout the episode, there are also several minor characters that contribute to the plot. Cathy Durant is dealing with a hot button issue in the State Department, Jackie and Remy are exploring their personal and professional boundaries, and Gavin Orsay is monitoring the core governmental surveillance data. But at the heart of the episode is the Kern lawsuit and how it will impact Francis' administration. With a budget soon to be presented to Congress and other significant developments on the line, Francis is pulling out all the stops to stay on top.

The cast's performances in this episode are top-notch and help to portray the show's unrelenting cynicism. Kevin Spacey's masterful portrayal of Francis Underwood is complex and nuanced. Robin Wright as Claire is a highlight, exuding a cold and calculating nature. Michael Kelly as Doug Stamper is the open wound that never heals. What House of Cards does best is to explore the various power dynamics among individuals in Francis' administration.

Overall, House of Cards season 3 episode 4 is full of political intrigue, personal struggle, and emotional turmoil. The plot is intricate, and every character is essential to the story. The power struggle in Washington continues, and it seems that no one is entirely safe.