Episode 6 of House of Cards is good to the last line - which I won't give away

I've heard that Season 3 of House of Cards has gotten generally weak reviews and I don't see why that should be so. Look, it's not the most profound series over on TV but it's a great examination of the destructive and seductive qualities of power, with a very credible Washington setting and a pretty sharp ear and eye for electoral politics and, especially in this season, for international protocol. By far the most interesting episodes, so far, are those involving the conflict with Russia - President Underwood's treaty negotiations with "Petrov" and, in particular, Claire's emerging role as a very sharp negotiator. I for one thought it was absurd that Frank had placed her as UN ambassador, but she's shown her ability to get her way in this sphere - particularly in a great scene at the end of episode 5 in which she totally humiliates the Russian UN ambassador. Episode 6 (along w/ the state dinner which was, I think, episode 3?) was one of the best of the entire series, as Claire tries to negotiate the release of a U.S. citizen imprisoned in Russia for gay activism - won't give stuff away for those who haven't seen it yet - but the writers/directors do a great job developing two stories in counterpoint: treaty negotiations alongside discussions to free the prisoner. Claire emerging as a far more formidable character than in previous episodes, where she was ice cold, vile, villainous, and a joke: I'm beginning to see where this is heading: My prediction, Frank's underhanded bid for election in his own right will fall apart along w/ his jobs plan and Claire will decide to run for President - and may have to blackmail her own husband to get his blessing, or at least acquiescence. The two other plot lines are withering a little: Doug as campaign aide to Underwood's rival is chugging along though not all that interesting; the search for the DC hooker who helped the Underwoods kill a political rival has much more potential, but it really has to get off square one as the FBI guy is spending a long time in finding out where the woman has gone into hiding. The end of episode 6 - with Frank finally losing his cool and he and Claire at last going at one another with bared fangs - is great, as is the last line of the episode - which I won't give away.