Ep 7. Chapter 59

Frank and Claire are both fighting against their own dark deeds as they try to distract the public from their recent scandals. While Claire takes on a risky venture with Tom Yates to write her memoirs, Frank tries to keep the country focused on a potential war with ICO. However, as pressure from various fronts begins to mount, their schemes may not be enough to keep their secrets hidden forever.

The episode begins with Claire meeting with Tom Yates, the author she hired to write her memoirs. While discussing their plans, Tom suggests that they take a more creative approach to the project, rather than simply recounting Claire's life story. Claire agrees, but as they begin to work together more intensely, their relationship becomes strained. Tom thinks that he knows Claire better than she knows herself, and Claire starts to feel smothered by his intrusive behavior.

Meanwhile, Frank is making a push to refocus the country's attention on the threat of ISIS-style terrorist group, ICO. He meets with a group of military leaders to discuss their options for dealing with the group, which has recently set off a bomb in the United States. Frank is convinced that a military response is necessary, but some of the generals are skeptical. They worry that a full-scale war could destabilize the region even further, and that the American public may not be willing to support such a move. Frank brushes off their concerns, insisting that he knows what's best for the country.

As Claire and Tom continue to work on her memoirs, their personal relationship becomes more tangled. Tom reveals that he has feelings for Claire and implies that their work on the book is somehow connected to their romantic connection. Claire, however, is more focused on using the book to further her own political ambitions. She sees it as an opportunity to shape her public persona and win support from the American people. Eventually, their tension comes to a head, and Claire has to make a difficult decision about her personal and professional priorities.

Frank's focus on ICO also leads to him making some difficult decisions. He orders a covert operation to kill the group's leader, despite warnings from his advisors that it could lead to retaliation. The mission ultimately goes wrong, and Frank is forced to deal with the consequences of his reckless actions. Meanwhile, a journalist who has been investigating Frank's activities begins to publish a series of articles that could expose his secrets to the world. Frank is left wondering if he can survive another scandal, or if his past sins will finally come back to haunt him.

Overall, "Chapter 59" is an intense and complex episode of House of Cards. It shows the dual struggles of both Frank and Claire as they try to protect their interests in the face of mounting pressure. The episode's themes of power, ambition, and corruption are all on full display, giving viewers a glimpse into the dark and twisted world of Washington politics. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how these characters continue to evolve and what further challenges they will face.