An assassination attempt leaves Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) out of commission, Meechum (Nathan Darrow) dead, and the assailant, Lucas Goodwin (Sebastian Arcelus) dead as well. Vice President Blythe (Reed Birney) becomes acting president and turns to Claire (Robin Wright) for guidance on dealings with Russia.
With Claire’s support, they decide to involve China and deviate from Frank’s original plan, much to Doug Stamper’s (Michael Kelly) dismay. Blythe seems incapable of making any decision on his own as he lets Claire listen to his conversation with Russian leader Petrov (Lars Mikkelsen). Claire’s intentions are murky at best as she guides Blythe to reveal that Frank needs a liver transplant.
The fallout from Lucas Goodwin’s (Sebastian Arcelus) death could potentially bring about Frank’s presidency. Lucas left a suicide note bringing up the deaths of Zoe Barnes (Kate Mara), Peter Russo (Corey Stoll), and Rachel Posner (Rachel Brosnahan).
Doug learns about Seth Grayson’s (Derek Cecil) role in leaking the picture of Frank with a rebel soldier and fires Seth, who fights for his job by saying he can end Dunbar’s campaign. Doug, who previously fired the Attorney General, asks her to speak up about Heather Dunbar’s admission of meeting with Lucas.
In a twisted scene, Doug attacks Seth in his home by trying to suffocate him with a glass. He doesn’t kill him, but he rattles him — and then drinks water out of the glass he used.
Claire recruits Remy Danton (Mahershala Ali) by leveraging photos of his affair with Jackie Sharp (Molly Parker). The idea is to get Remy to convince Raymond Tusk (Gerald McRaney) to get involved in matters of China.
Meanwhile, Claire admits to Blythe that she feels nothing at the thought of the death of both her mother and Frank. Claire makes a statement about Frank’s medical condition while getting ahead of the story of Lucas’s suicide note.
Doug shows the extent of his loyalty to Frank in a surprising turn of events, ultimately offering to donate his liver. But he’s turned down when the doctor informs him that Frank is too ill for a partial liver — he needs a full one.
Claire maneuvers her way to an international summit and opts against being at the hospital went Frank undergoes his liver transplant. She further puts her politics first when she refuses to speak to Frank on the phone until her dealings with Petrov are done.
Frank and Claire seemingly reconcile their marriage and political agenda after the former admits that he is nothing without her. Are the Underwoods back?
