Ep 5. Chapter 18

In House of Cards (2013) season 2 episode 5, titled "Chapter 18," the tension between Frank and Jackie Sharp continues to mount. Frank is trying to consolidate his power as Vice President, and Jackie is determined to become the House Majority Whip. As they both work to gather support from their colleagues in Congress, tensions rise, and the two of them engage in a political struggle that threatens to tear apart their relationship.

Meanwhile, Claire is dealing with the fallout from her decision to terminate her pregnancy. She is still grieving and struggling to come to terms with her loss, and her emotional state is affecting her work as the head of the Clean Water Initiative. She begins to lash out at her colleagues and make rash decisions that could have serious consequences.

Throughout the episode, we see Frank and Jackie struggling to win over their colleagues, often resorting to manipulative tactics to achieve their goals. Frank turns to Remy Danton, a former lobbyist who now works for him, to try to sway a key vote, while Jackie seeks the support of her old boss, Senator Greene.

As the episode comes to a close, Frank and Jackie's competition reaches a fever pitch. They both believe they have the votes they need to win the Majority Whip position, but everything comes down to one final vote. In a dramatic scene, we see the tension in the room as each person casts their vote, and the result is too close to call.

Overall, "Chapter 18" is a tense and gripping episode that shows the darker side of politics. We see the lengths to which people will go to gain power and advance their own agenda, even if it means betraying those closest to them. The episode also touches on important social issues, such as the debate over abortion and the corruption that often permeates government. Fans of the show will not be disappointed by this intense and thought-provoking episode.