• S1 and S2 are the best
• S4 and S5 are good but not as good as S1/S2
• S3 is the worst

Thanks. I just wanted to know what to expect before watching. I was so into Shameless. I really grew to love the characters and the writing for three seasons and then season four was like the writers decided to change the personalities of the characters. They had the characters doing things that they wouldn't possibly do in the previous seasons. I don't really like any of the characters anymore. I ended up skipping season 4. I didn't miss much according to the summary that is shown at the beginning of ever episode. But even season 5 isn't really that much better than season four. I keep watching hoping that things will get better although the show hasn't been as good as the first three seasons. So I just wanted to be prepared before I watch this series.

Over the whole series there are just a couple of moments where the characters behave inconsistently (or so I felt), and it's never over anything big. This isn't really an issue with the House of Cards.

The problem for many viewers was that, while the show in general is very realistic, some developments that take place later on feel less believable. This was an issue for some in S4 and particularly S5. I also felt like that with the ending episodes of S1 but I think not many shared this view.

With S3 the problem is different altogether. The pace gets too slow at times, and the plot diverges into side stories that have little to do with the essence of what the House of Cards is about, and what people have come to expect. The main story is still good though.

In light of recent events, don't even start it if they won't provide a damn ending!

@Thebridge said:

In light of recent events, don't even start it if they won't provide a damn ending!

Out of all the possible scenarios for HOC, not finishing it is the only true unacceptable route the producers could take. IMO.