This episode emphasizes her competence and ruthlessness as a leader without Frank's direct influence.

She eventually chooses to let the ship sink to win the trade deal, which secures a diplomatic victory but further alienates Petrov.

Critics noted the "two-pronged approach" as a way to show the differing leadership styles of the Underwoods.

Frank meets with powerful figures like , Ted Brockhart , and Mark Usher .

Frank travels to a private, all-male gathering called "Elysian Fields" (a fictionalized version of Bohemian Grove ) to secure support for the upcoming Ohio and Tennessee elections.

The opening scenes at the retreat were described as "goofy" by some reviewers, though they served to highlight the shadowy, ritualistic nature of Washington's elite power structures.