Season synopsis
Contains spoilers for this season and earlier seasons.
Now president, Frank Underwood tries to make America Works, a jobs program financed with emergency funds, the proof of his administration’s success. He gives vice president Donald Blythe and temporary chief of staff Remy Danton important work while Doug Stamper recovers from the assault that left him in the woods. Doug returns to Frank’s orbit and uses FBI informant Gavin Orsay to search for Rachel Posner. His pain, drinking and fixation on finding her repeatedly threaten his recovery and his place in the White House.
Claire seeks the United Nations ambassadorship and becomes central to a confrontation with Russian president Viktor Petrov. After she helps negotiate activist Michael Corrigan’s release, Corrigan refuses to apologize for protesting Russia’s anti-gay laws and dies by suicide in his cell. Claire publicly condemns the laws, derailing the agreement. At home, Frank’s insistence that Claire serve his political plans strains their marriage. In Congress, Frank tries to secure AmWorks and positions himself for re-election, while Heather Dunbar enters the race and Jackie Sharp briefly becomes a rival before endorsing Dunbar.
Doug learns Gavin has found Rachel alive under an assumed identity. He tracks her to New Mexico, kidnaps her and takes her into the desert. After briefly letting her go, he changes his mind, kills her and buries her; the finale confirms she is dead. In Iowa, Frank defeats Dunbar in the caucuses, while Claire stays in Washington and refuses to return to him. After Frank comes back, Claire tells him she is leaving. The season closes with Frank preparing for the next primary and Claire walking out on their marriage.