President Frank Underwood is in office, but his marriage to Claire Underwood, the First Lady, is fractured as Claire seeks to forge her own political path, separate from her husband's influence. She aims for a congressional seat in Texas, while Frank attempts to undermine her. Their relationship is a constant power struggle, with Claire demanding more agency.

A major scandal erupts when a photo linking Frank's father to the KKK surfaces, causing him to lose a primary. Claire reveals she orchestrated this to force Frank to accept her as his running mate. At a rally, Lucas Goodwin, a journalist seeking revenge, shoots Frank, and Frank's Secret Service agent, Meechum, dies protecting him. Frank is critically wounded, and Vice President Donald Blythe becomes acting President, heavily influenced by Claire. After a life-saving liver transplant, Frank recovers and agrees to Claire's terms, making her his running mate. They then work together to undermine their political rival, Will Conway, and navigate a growing investigation into Frank's past by journalist Tom Hammerschmidt. Claire's mother, Elizabeth Hale, dies with Claire's assistance.

As the election approaches, a hostage crisis involving an American family taken by ICO escalates. Frank and Claire manipulate the situation, with Claire secretly negotiating with the terrorist leader. When one of the hostages, James Miller, is brutally murdered online, the Underwoods decide to capitalize on public fear to consolidate their power and distract from Hammerschmidt's intensifying investigation. Frank declares, "We make the terror," as Claire breaks the fourth wall.

Season 4 of House of Cards covers episodes 1-13. Here's everything that happened:

Season 4, Episode 1: Chapter 40 - Claire's absence disrupts Frank's campaign as rumors of marital issues spread. Claire seeks to establish her own political path by vying for a congressional seat in Texas. Lucas Goodwin is released from prison and enters witness protection. Frank blackmails Claire, revealing her mother's cancer to the public. The episode concludes with Frank and Claire reaching a compromise: Claire will attend the State of the Union address in exchange for Frank not interfering with her campaign aspirations.

Season 4, Episode 2: Chapter 41 - Claire and Frank engage in political maneuvering, but not as allies. Claire seeks support for a congressional run, facing opposition from her mother, Elizabeth, who plots against Frank. Frank sabotages Claire's plans during a speech by publicly endorsing Doris Jones's clinic and Celia Jones for Congress. Petrov refuses to negotiate with Frank regarding a Russian seeking asylum. Claire tells Leann they need to "think bigger". The episode concludes with Claire and Frank's relationship strained and Claire's political aspirations thwarted.

Season 4, Episode 3: Chapter 42 - Claire helps Frank in South Carolina, though trust is absent. A scandal erupts when a photo of Frank's father with a KKK member surfaces, hurting his campaign. Frank loses the primary. Claire reveals she orchestrated the scandal and demands to be his running mate. Frank refuses, leading to an ultimatum from Claire.

Season 4, Episode 4: Chapter 43 - Claire threatens Frank with divorce. Frank plans a move against Russia. At a rally, Lucas Goodwin shoots Frank, while Meechum dies killing Lucas. Frank is critically wounded, and Donald Blythe becomes acting President. Claire influences Blythe, setting a new course.

Season 4, Episode 5: Chapter 44 - Frank is in critical condition, needing a liver transplant. Claire advises VP Blythe, manipulating his call with Petrov. Lucas Goodwin's suicide note surfaces, accusing Frank and Doug. Doug, desperate, is deemed an unsuitable donor. The episode concludes with Frank's life hanging in the balance and Claire consolidating power.

Season 4, Episode 6: Chapter 45 - Claire clashes with Secretary Durant over Russian negotiations, while Dunbar's presidential bid falters after admitting to meeting with Lucas. Frank hallucinates about his victims as Doug manipulates the transplant list. A teenager's suicide provides Frank with a liver. Frank recovers, agreeing to Claire's terms for their future.

Season 4, Episode 7: Chapter 46 - Frank and Claire adjust to their new dynamic and begin strategizing against Will Conway. Frank seeks a running mate, initially offering the position to Blythe. The Underwoods also work to undermine Conway by exposing his campaign's connection to the search engine Pollyhop. Frank approves a strike on ICO, and the Underwoods vow to destroy the Conways.

Season 4, Episode 8: Chapter 47 - Frank and Claire manipulate Dean Austin into supporting Claire's gun bill to force him to withdraw as a potential running mate. Tom Yates shares a book excerpt with both the Underwoods and the Conways. Hammerschmidt investigates Zoe Barnes' death, discovering Meechum's frequent visits to her neighborhood. Frank then persuades the party to choose Cathy Durant as his running mate.

Season 4, Episode 9: Chapter 48 - At the Democratic National Convention, Frank and Claire publicly support Catherine Durant for VP while manipulating events to favor Claire. Louisiana unexpectedly throws its support to Durant for President, disrupting the Underwood's plan. Meanwhile, Doug's obsession with Heather Dunbar's past intensifies. The episode concludes with Claire and Yates preparing a potential VP acceptance speech.

Season 4, Episode 10: Chapter 49 - Frank pressures Cathy Durant while Claire is in Texas with her dying mother. Elizabeth asks Claire to help her die, and Claire complies. Elizabeth Hale dies, and Claire and Tom Yates sleep together. Frank secures Claire's spot as VP nominee. The episode concludes with the Underwoods watching a live video of a hostage execution.

Season 4, Episode 11: Chapter 50 - Frank escalates the war on terror to compete with Conway. Tom joins Claire on the campaign trail, and their affair intensifies. Remy reveals Underwood's past crimes to Tom Hammerschmidt. Frank approves of Claire's affair with Yates, and the trio shares an awkward breakfast. The episode concludes with Hammerschmidt pursuing the truth.

Season 4, Episode 12: Chapter 51 - Frank and Claire face Conway in a debate while a hostage crisis unfolds involving an American family taken by ICO. Conway attempts to negotiate with the terrorists, seeking the spotlight. Tom Hammerschmidt gains momentum in his investigation, securing key testimonies against Frank. The episode concludes with Frank taking over negotiations with the terrorists.

Season 4, Episode 13: Chapter 52 - As the hostage crisis escalates, Claire secretly negotiates with terrorist leader Yusuf al Ahmadi. Frank manipulates Conway and confronts Hammerschmidt, whose exposé threatens his presidency. James Miller is brutally murdered online, and the Underwoods decide to capitalize on fear. The episode concludes with Frank declaring, "We make the terror," as Claire breaks the fourth wall.