Before Watching House of Cards, Brush Up on How Season 4 Ends

It's not news to anyone who watches House of Cards that Doug Stamper has some major issues. Alcoholism, violent tendencies, and a ruthless drive to do whatever he thinks will help Frank no matter the consequences. After Doug gets a candidate for a liver transplant bumped from the donation list to make way for Frank, Doug finds himself feeling guilty about the widow, Laura. He makes a huge donation to her husband's memorial fund and starts spending a lot of time with her near the end of the season.

It's not easy to forget what happened last time Doug had to deal with a woman with whom he had a distracting emotional connection (RIP Rachel Posner). It appears that history is about to repeat itself in the finale when Frank tells Doug to go "do what you have to do," just before we see Doug meeting up with Laura again. But he doesn't hurt her — they just sit and talk.

It seems almost impossible that this woman knows about all the less-than-savory things in Doug's past, especially his role in her husband's death, because she genuinely likes him. She worries about his well-being with no ulterior motive, and it looks like Doug is enjoying it more than he knows he should.