In this episode we learn more about Claire Underwood and how she truly feels about her relationship with “Francis” (this is how she refers to him). While Claire understands the need for her husband to grow closer to Zoe, like any woman she gets jealous. Personally I don’t believe in open relationships, with it being a symbol of cheating. Dating and marrying a politician can be tricky and I understand there has to be give in take, but in my mind this is a deal breaker. I think Claire sees the bigger picture but still that “green monster” comes out and as a woman she wants to protect what’s “hers”. She uses her old flame Adam as a way of “getting even” with  Francis but eventually she realizes what she has done and leaves Adam.

Back at home Frank has a difficult time with the head lobbyist for the teacher’s union. A prevalent thing in these episodes have been the education bill, serving as a platform to take down the President in the mind of Frank Underwood. A few weeks ago he made arrangements with teacher unions, finding ways to make amendments that made them happy. After realizing that this wasn’t sincere, the unions grew angry.

As a result they decide to protest outside of the Underwood’s home when they are holding a gathering/party. One thing the head lobbyist didn’t think about was food. The Underwoods thought quickly and brought the starving protesters food, creating happy protestors and a positive media outlet. All the media saw was a generous congressman, lending a hand, throwing him back into a positive light, taking down the lobbyists attempts to ruin their fundraising plans.

Again, how could I forget about Peter Russo, who is still feeling the backlash from closing the shipyard. While he wasn’t the one that decided the shipyard was closed he failed to speak at the meeting, which the members of his district saw as cowardly. Christina, his secretary and girlfriend, decided to leave the office. She thought that it wasn’t the place for her and it was wrong to work with the man she was sleeping with. This threw Peter back into depression, causing him to drink again.

I just want to reflect on Peter Russo. While he isn’t considered one of the main characters, I find his story line interesting. Being a member of the House of Representatives, responsible for conveying the ideas of all of his members, walking on egg shells not to disappoint someone, must come with a lot of stress. Knowing that you are something these people are relying on and then letting them down must be taxing. For an alcoholic this must have been 10 times more difficult for Russo. I wonder about all those Congressmen in Washington, D.C, do they ever feel like this? Are there hidden things that we don’t know? Possibly drug charges or drinking charges? The government tells us what they choose to tell us unless someone leaks a story – take for example the Edward Snowden stuff, we had no idea the government was doing that. I know the ending got a little sidetracked but this show has made me think so much about how this plays out in real life. Let me know what you guys think about all of this.

Russo at the Hearing, clearly distraught over his decision