House of Cards Season 5

Chapter 64 (Series 5 Episode 12)

In the Executive Residence, Frank tries to dissuade Cathy Durant from testifying before the committee, but she adamantly refuses his request. On her way out, Frank then pushes her down a flight of stairs, knocking her unconscious, and calls for help, claiming she’s fallen. Cathy is hospitalized and thus prevented from testifying.

Frank holds a press conference in the Oval Office regarding the Syrian gas bombings. However, reporters ask him about the growing possibility of impeachment. Frank is informed that Hammerschmidt is investigating Zoe’s death and believes that it was not an accident. Needing to focus attention away from them, Frank and Claire agree that someone must take the fall for this alleged investigation.

The next night, Claire and Frank hold a dinner for Doug, where they try to convince him to take the blame for Zoe’s murder. Though initially off-put, Doug goes to LeAnn and “confesses” to the murder, though she doesn’t believe him. It is revealed that Doug is in possession of birthday cards similar to those sent to Hammerschmidt.

Claire discovers that Tom has been continuing his manuscript, which includes her confessions about the deaths of Zoe and Peter Russo. She goes to visit Tom to convince him not to publish his recent work, but he refuses and threatens to blackmail her.

Claire and Tom have sex, but he suddenly dies from poison Claire had put in his whiskey. Mark then comes home the next morning and discovers his body, whereupon he is forced to quietly “dispose” of it.

LeAnn and Nathan Green give their testimony. Frank, watching, debates whether he should testify as well. While he is urged not to, Frank goes to the committee, and while he claims to have done nothing wrong, he accuses the committee of trying to sabotage his presidency and that he respects the office too much to allow the investigation to go on. As a result, he announces he will resign the following day.