document_title: House of Cards (season 3)

question_text: house of cards season 3 physical therapist actress

text: House of Cards (season 3)

text: Production[edit]

text: On February 4, 2014, Netflix announced it had renewed House of Cards for a third season of undisclosed length.[1] On December 1, 2014, Netflix announced that the third season would be available on February 27, 2015.[2]  On February 11, 2015, 10 episodes from the third season became accidentally available on Netflix for approximately 25 minutes due to "a bug in the system"; however were quickly removed.[3]

text: Filming[edit]

text: In February 2014, Kevin Spacey stated that the show would again film in the Baltimore metropolitan area.[4] On July 3, the show was denied filming access to the Security Council chamber at the Headquarters of the United Nations by Russia through its representative Mikael Agasandyan despite encouragement from Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-Moon.[5] Russia questioned the propriety of filming in the chambers and felt that the room should be kept available for normal uses.[6]

text: For a third consecutive season, the show filmed episodes at the offices of The Baltimore Sun, which in prior seasons served as the setting for the fictional Washington Herald.[7] Among the municipalities filmed in for the season were Havre de Grace, Maryland, and Aberdeen, Maryland.[8] On August 9, filming of a fictional motorcade at the National Mall caused road closures on Pennsylvania Avenue, Constitution Avenue and Independence Avenue.[9] On October 6, filming occurred at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.[10] Other D.C. filming occurred at George Washington University and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.[11]

text: The season finale was planned to be filmed in Northern New Mexico areas in and around Santa Fe and Las Vegas, New Mexico in December 2014.[12][13] On December 20, 2014, creator Beau Willimon tweeted that principal photography for the season had completed that day.[14][15]

text: Tax incentives[edit]

text: Netflix, which had received $26 million in tax benefits for the first two seasons was only offered a $4 million incentive for season 3 by Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, which resulted in Netflix delaying production and threatening to move production.[16] By March 2014, it was clear that the requested state tax incentives would not be approved by the Maryland Legislature.[17] In response to Netflix's threat to move production if "sufficient tax incentives" were not provided, the Maryland House of Delegates threatened to use eminent domain power to purchase, condemn, or seize the production assets, equipment, and other property that remained in the state because the production had already been the beneficiary of tens of millions of dollars in tax benefits.[18][19]  By April 6, 2014, the Maryland General Assembly considered various methods to avail the tax incentives.[20] However, the April 7 state budget only included a total of $15 million in tax incentives for filming,[16] leaving a $3.5 million shortfall for House of Cards, which production company Media Rights Capital said might force them to move production.[21] Baltimore Sun longtime television critic David Zurawik felt that the $3.5 million would not keep House of Cards from returning to resume production in the area.[22] As of April 11, some predicted that no matter what happened the season 3 release date would be delayed.[23] On April 25, a deal was reached to leave the 2015 fiscal year budget with the $3.5 million shortfall, but to allow the producers to collect the $11.5 million unallocated filming credit that remained in the 2014 fiscal year budget.[24][25][26]

text: Casting[edit]

text: On May 19, 2014, a May 19–21 casting call was posted in the Baltimore Sun for an NSA Director as well as senators, reporters, military colonels, emergency room doctors and a few other roles with projected shooting availability: June 12 – July 15, 2014.[27][28] On June 3, 2014, an announcement for a June 7 casting call for extras and day players was made.[29] In August 2014, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina of the punk band Pussy Riot were confirmed to be in the cast for season 3.[30] In October 2014, two recurring roles were cast; Kim Dickens in an unspecified role, and Jenna Stern as an ambassador at the United Nations.[31][32] Elizabeth Norment, who played Frank's secretary Nancy Kaufberger, died on October 13.[33]

text: Cast[edit]

text:
Kevin Spacey as Francis J. Underwood, the President of the United States
Robin Wright as Claire Underwood, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations and First Lady of the United States
Michael Kelly as Douglas "Doug" Stamper, Frank Underwood's Chief of Staff
Elizabeth Marvel as Heather Dunbar, the United States Solicitor General who announces her candidacy for President of the United States.
Mahershala Ali as Remy Danton, the White House Chief of Staff
Derek Cecil as Seth Grayson, the White House Press Secretary/White House Communications Director
Nathan Darrow as Edward Meechum, a United States Secret Service agent
Molly Parker as Jacqueline "Jackie" Sharp, the House Deputy Minority Whip and a Democratic U.S. Representative from California
Jimmi Simpson as Gavin Orsay, a computer hacker and FBI informant
Paul Sparks as Thomas Yates, an author hired by Underwood to write a biography on him
Kim Dickens as Kate Baldwin, a journalist and White House Correspondent for the Wall Street Telegraph
Alexander Sokovikov as Alexi Moryakov, the Russian Ambassador to the United Nations
Jayne Atkinson as Catherine Durant, the United States Secretary of State
Lars Mikkelsen as Viktor Petrov, the President of the Russian Federation
Kelly AuCoin as Gary Stamper, Doug Stamper's brother
Benito Martinez as Hector Mendoza, the Senate Majority Leader and a Republican United States Senator from Arizona
Larry Pine as Bob Birch, the House Minority Leader and a Democratic U.S. Representative from Michigan
Reed Birney as Donald Blythe, the Vice President of the United States
Jenna Stern as Eliana Caspi, the Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations
Christina Bennett Lind as Sharon, Doug Stamper's physical therapist
Rachel Brosnahan as Rachel Posner / Cassie Lockhart
Reg E. Cathey as Frederick 'Freddy' Hayes
Mozhan Marnò as Ayla Sayyad, a journalist for the Wall Street Telegraph
Kate Lyn Sheil as Lisa Williams
Eisa Davis as Cynthia Driscoll, Heather Dunbar's campaign manager
Curtiss Cook as Terry Womack, the House Minority Whip
Christian Camargo as Michael Corrigan, an LGBT rights activist
John Doman as Bishop Charles Eddis
Shawn Doyle as Alan Cooke, a cardiovascular surgeon and Jackie's boyfriend (and later, husband)

text: Episodes[edit]

text:
No.overallNo. inseasonTitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release dateProd.code271"Chapter 27"John David ColesBeau WillimonFebruary 27, 2015 (2015-02-27)HOC-301
President Frank Underwood visits his father's grave in rural South Carolina to maintain a public appearance of respect, only to privately urinate on it out of spite. Doug Stamper is found beaten in the woods and requires extensive surgery and care; he makes a slow and painful recovery. Remy Danton has been filling in as Underwood's White House Chief of Staff. Frank also enlists Donald Blythe as his Vice President. In an effort to show some form of progress by his administration, Frank pushes for a jobs program called America Works (or "AmWorks"). Gavin Orsay has accepted working for the FBI despite not wanting to work for the people who had been oppressing him. Doug asks for his help in locating Rachel Posner, who is still missing after assaulting Stamper and stealing his car. Meanwhile, First Lady Claire Underwood has set her sights on becoming the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. Frank orders a drone airstrike that successfully takes out a foreign target. Doug finally gives in to the pain from his injuries and has a prostitute squirt bourbon into his mouth from a syringe, thus breaking his sobriety.
282"Chapter 28"John David ColesJohn MankiewiczFebruary 27, 2015 (2015-02-27)HOC-302
During Claire's nomination hearing before a Senate committee, she makes a casual comment which escalates into a heated argument that leaves the committee with the impression that Claire is hot-headed and thus not fit to be UN Ambassador. Frank meets with the Democratic leadership to discuss America Works, only to be told that they do not want him running for president in 2016. Remy, on behalf of Frank, asks House Majority Whip Jackie Sharp to give information about any talk regarding who will run on the Democratic ticket. In return, Jackie wants to be Frank's running mate when he runs in 2016. Frank and Claire make several calls: Frank to get potential financial contributors for his 2016 campaign; Claire to senators to sway their vote on her nomination. Both are unsuccessful. The next day, the Senate votes against Claire's nomination. Frank meets with the Democratic leadership and proposes that in return for not running in 2016, they will help Frank pass America Works. Frank finally gives more details of America Works, falsely stating that he does not intend to run for office in 2016. Claire decides to challenge her rejected nomination and asks for a recess appointment, to which Frank agrees.
293"Chapter 29"Tucker GatesFrank PuglieseFebruary 27, 2015 (2015-02-27)HOC-303
Protesters surround the White House as Frank prepares to meet with Viktor Petrov, the president of Russia, before a summit meeting. Frank proposes sending UN troops to the Jordan Valley, but Petrov declines immediately after arriving. Secretary of State Catherine Durant and Claire (now UN Ambassador) also work on persuading Petrov to accept. During a state dinner, members of Pussy Riot give an insulting toast to Petrov before rudely leaving. Petrov flirts with Claire all night, eventually kissing her. While Frank and Petrov smoke a cigar in a basement, Durant and Claire have a playful game of beer pong. Claire expresses to Durant her distrust of Petrov. Meanwhile, Petrov wants the entire European missile defense gone in return for sending Russian troops to Israel. Even when Frank presents a compromise, Petrov still declines, so Frank ends the deal. Claire and Durant make plans to bypass Russia’s veto in the United Nations Security Council so they can still send troops to Israel.
304"Chapter 30"Tucker GatesLaura EasonFebruary 27, 2015 (2015-02-27)HOC-304
Heather Dunbar defends the government in a Supreme Court case regarding a soldier who was unintentionally injured in the drone airstrike Frank ordered. Claire presents the Israeli resolution to the Security Council, which Russia thwarts by voting against. One of the Supreme Court Justices, Jacobs, had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and is thinking about retiring. Having no other grounds to deter Dunbar from running against him in 2016, he offers her Jacobs’ seat. Gavin continues to discreetly help Doug find Rachel through his job at the FBI, but is nearly caught when he exceeds the bandwidth of the server. Since Doug cannot provide any leads to help find her, Gavin suggests that he get to know Rachel’s ex, Lisa. Russian authorities arrest Michael Corrigan, a gay rights activist, which is seen as retaliation for the UN resolution. Seth Grayson takes away Ayla Sayyad’s credentials after she embarrasses Frank at a press conference. Dunbar officially announces her candidacy. Sensing that Frank is pushing him away, Doug offers to work for Dunbar's campaign. Frank struggles with what justice really is and seeks religious guidance on the matter. After a tense discussion with a bishop, Frank asks to be left alone in the church to pray. Once alone, he proceeds to verbally reject Jesus and spit on the crucifix. When he tries to wipe the spit away, the crucifix falls and shatters. As he leaves the church, Frank picks up a fragment, claiming to now have God's ear.
315"Chapter 31"James FoleyKenneth LinFebruary 27, 2015 (2015-02-27)HOC-305
Frank enlists the help of the mayor of the District of Columbia to help him kickstart America Works. He appropriates money from FEMA to fund the program. Frank encourages Jackie to run in 2016 and speak out against Frank and America Works to divert Dunbar's pressure regarding Russia. In return, Frank promises Jackie to make her his running mate. Jackie discusses with Remy her fear of not being married or having a family to gain support. Doug makes progress towards his goal of working for Dunbar's campaign. Kate Baldwin fills in for Ayla as the White House correspondent for the Wall Street Telegraph. Palestine follows Israel in withdrawing support from the peace-keeping resolution. Claire withdraws the resolution until the consensus can be regained. Both Mendoza and Birch tell Frank that both parties will fight America Works in Congress. Jackie gets engaged to Alan Cooke, to Remy’s displeasure. Doug shows Dunbar documents that prove Claire lied about her abortion, which he suggests Dunbar use against Frank. Even though Dunbar is appalled and refuses to use the information, she hires Doug. Claire asks Frank to issue an executive order to commit troops in Israel, thus regaining support for the resolution. Russia agrees to peacefully talk over a compromise for the resolution and release Corrigan.
326"Chapter 32"James FoleyMelissa James GibsonFebruary 27, 2015 (2015-02-27)HOC-306
Frank and Claire fly to Moscow. While setting up a booth for the church fellowship, Lisa starts asking Gavin (using an alias) about his past, but he has an emotional breakdown and leaves her. Claire visits Corrigan and tells him that they negotiated the terms of his release, which include him giving an apology to Russia for his unlawful actions. Corrigan forgoes his freedom unless Russia changes their anti-gay laws. Meanwhile, Petrov is unwilling to make any deals with the U.S. unless Corrigan makes the approved statement. Claire stays with Corrigan until he and Petrov can come to agreeable terms. At the suggestion of Lisa, Gavin goes to a local clinic to get tested for HIV and asks her to meet him there. Even though he tests negative, he falsely tells Lisa he tested positive to get her to open up about Rachel. Petrov privately admits to Frank that he does not like or believe in the laws Corrigan is protesting, but he has to uphold them to maintain credibility with the Russian people. Over dinner, Corrigan confides to Claire that his marriage has fallen apart but he cannot divorce, since it would reflect poorly on his cause; he suggests that Claire’s marriage is similar. Frank and Petrov reach a compromise on Corrigan and the UN resolution. While Claire is sleeping, Corrigan hangs himself in the cell. At a press conference, Claire is allowed to speak before moving on to Petrov and Frank announcing the agreements they had worked on. Because of an earlier conversation with Corrigan resounding with her, Claire instead condemns Russia’s laws and storms out of the press conference with a confused Frank following. As a result of her actions, Petrov calls off all the agreements. On the return flight, Frank and Claire argue over the matter.
337"Chapter 33"John DahlBeau WillimonFebruary 27, 2015 (2015-02-27)HOC-307
Frank and Claire renew their marriage vows in Gaffney. One month earlier, tensions between the two following the botched Moscow visit worsen. Claire vows to get the Jordan Valley resolution through the UN General Assembly, which is being hampered by Israeli interference. Tibetan Buddhist monks arrive as part of a cultural exchange; they begin to construct an intricate sand mandala within the White House. Republicans in Congress threaten to amend the Stafford Act to prevent the appropriation of FEMA funds to America Works. Frank accuses Claire of “recoiling” during a photo portrait shoot; the pair’s situation continues to deteriorate. A month ahead, Frank and Thomas Yates visit Frank's childhood home, now the site of a quarry; the two became friends following a late-night drinking session in the White House. Gavin and Doug meet, Gavin having located Rachel in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Stamper, still obsessed with Rachel, rendezvouses with his physical therapist, who soon leaves town. At the White House, Frank issues a firm statement in support of America Works on the anniversary of the New Deal. He visits the FDR Memorial and is impacted by the fact that the statues of Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt are separated by a large stone wall. He shares this fact with Claire back in the residence and gives her authority to promise aid money to Zimbabwe, thereby enabling the peace resolution to pass the General Assembly in spite of Israel’s opposition. The two begin to heal their relationship. Back in Gaffney, Frank and Yates visit the Underwoods’ home. Yates reveals that he is not the true author of his first successful novel, but took all the credit for it. In return, Frank reveals to him that he never felt he was good enough for Claire. The Tibetan monks complete and destroy their sand mandala, a picture of which Frank gives to Claire, along with a note: “Nothing is forever—except us”. Claire returns to Frank’s bedroom in the White House residence, and the two fall asleep, embracing each other.
348"Chapter 34"John DahlBill KennedyFebruary 27, 2015 (2015-02-27)HOC-308
A potentially devastating hurricane threatens the East Coast of the United States. Frank faces intense pressure from FEMA, Congress, and several governors; having defunded the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) to pay for the America Works trial in D.C., the President now faces the possibility of thousands of deaths due to lack of a sufficient response by the federal government. Senate and House leaders demand the President sign a bill preventing the future appropriation of funds to AmWorks. In return, the DRF will be replenished ahead of the hurricane’s landfall. In Iowa, Heather Dunbar continues her presidential campaign. She is told by Doug to meet with fellow candidate Jackie Sharp regarding the hurricane. Dunbar complies, and convinces Sharp to suspend her campaign for the duration of the natural disaster, much to Frank’s chagrin. Claire’s peacekeeping resolution having been passed, Frank decides, without Congressional support, to deploy American troops to the Jordan Valley. Yates delivers the prologue of his new novel to Frank, aware of the fact that if AmWorks is defunded, he will be out of a job. Freddy, now employed via AmWorks, comes to Frank’s attention. The President invites him to the White House and offers him a job as a groundskeeper. In the eleventh hour, seeing no alternative, Frank signs the bill, replenishing the DRF ahead of the hurricane, but effectively shutting down the America Works program. Yates and journalist Kate Baldwin begin a relationship. Claire informs Frank that the Russians have decided to commit troops to the Jordan Valley. The hurricane avoids landfall. Frank calls Yates to the Oval Office, and tells him he will stay on; the President wants to show with the world that he “refuses to see the impossible as impossible.” In spite of the AmWorks setback, Underwood will seek a second term as President of the United States.
359"Chapter 35"Robin WrightJohn MankiewiczFebruary 27, 2015 (2015-02-27)HOC-309
Yates and Baldwin continue their liaison as Frank begins to campaign in Iowa. While issuing a rousing speech in support of America Works, Frank is informed that eight Russians have been killed in the Jordan Valley. He cuts the rally short and promptly returns to Washington. Remy and Jackie Sharp meet, their former relationship continuing to haunt the pair. Gavin tells Doug he has discovered that Rachel is dead; Doug, distressed, relapses completely and spends the night drinking. The situation in the Jordan Valley takes a turn for the worse—Israel wants to publicly blame Palestine for the attack, and masses troops near the valley. Russian President Petrov blames the death of Russian soldiers on the United States, and refuses Underwood’s offer of assistance in determining the cause of the soldiers’ deaths. Claire meets with Ambassador Moryakov, who implies to her that the Russian FSB was behind the deaths; the explosion was an attempt by Petrov to sabotage the entire peacekeeping mission, which he opposed from the start. As a result, and in spite of questionable risks, the President approves a mission that will send U.S. operatives to the site of the blast to determine its cause. Remy, shaken by a run-in with police after being pulled over in D.C., visits Jackie’s apartment building; she tells him that she will always be there for him, as a friend. Doug goes to the White House to inform Frank of Rachel’s apparent death. Doug tells Frank that he is drunk, and breaks down in the Oval Office. Frank sends him home, with Meechum to keep an eye on him. Frank places the blame for Doug’s relapse on Heather Dunbar (who Doug had been working for), and threatens her. In the Situation Room, he watches the special operation in the Jordan Valley unfold; it fails, and the mission is aborted. Petrov calls Frank, informing him that footage of the operation has been leaked to the Israelis. Frank, enraged, hangs up—the entire Jordan Valley operation is now in danger.
3610"Chapter 36"Agnieszka HollandFrank PuglieseFebruary 27, 2015 (2015-02-27)HOC-310
Claire tries to negotiate a de-escalation between Israelis and Palestinians, while Israel institutes a no-fly zone. Frank gets confronted about the Jordan Valley mission while campaigning. He wants Jackie to postpone the debate until the Jordan Valley crisis is over. Jackie has doubts about the presidential run, while her husband encourages her. Stamper asks for his brother's family to visit. Yates reaches out to Tim Corbet to learn more about Frank's past, and asks Claire to meet to hear her part of the story. Alexi Moryakov has been recalled by Moscow. Frank decides to meet Petrov in Jordan Valley, as he needs a fast resolution of the crisis or his chance of winning in Iowa are jeopardized. He tells Claire her peace plan is dead.  Petrov demands to both dismantle the peacekeeping mission and to make concessions on missile defense, knowing Frank's position is weak. He also demands that Claire should be removed as the ambassador, bragging about how easily he manipulated her into believing Petrov was behind the explosion. Frank has no choice but to comply. He admits that Claire meeting Petrov was a mistake. Gavin visits Lisa at home and admits his deceptions to her, telling her he is leaving and giving her Stamper's contact in case FBI comes looking for him. He leaves her his guinea pig. Frank meets Yates for late night drinks. Yates reminisces about his past as a prostitute. They share an intimate moment when Frank seems to be attracted to Yates but then sends him home. Claire is asked to change her image to help Frank's campaign. She agrees to do what she has to do.
3711"Chapter 37"Agnieszka HollandMelissa James GibsonFebruary 27, 2015 (2015-02-27)HOC-311
Gavin reveals to Doug that Rachel is not dead and agrees to release her exact location if Doug can help Gavin's friend. Claire begins campaigning on Frank's behalf while Frank prepares for the televised debate ahead, asking Jackie to raise the issue of Dunbar's children's private education. Jackie proposes Dunbar to join forces against Underwood expecting a position on her staff offered in the event of a win, with the deal falling through when Dunbar refuses. Frank wins the televised debate with the help of Jackie's attacks on Dunbar but upsets Jackie with an unprecedented attack on her, to which she has no response. Embarrassed, Jackie confronts Frank about the debate but Frank forcefully refuses to make any concessions. Jackie initially appears to understand Frank but she soon drops out of the race and endorses Heather Dunbar for the nomination. After voicing Jackie's concerns, as well as his own on Frank's treatment of his staff, and being ignored, Remy tells Seth Grayson he is resigning his position as Frank's Chief of Staff. Yates manages to have his first conversation with Claire while she donates blood, where she tells him she re-evaluates her marriage with Frank every seven years and suggests she is not completely satisfied. She passes out and Yates calls Frank, who reschedules to campaign with Claire.
3812"Chapter 38"Robin WrightBeau WillimonFebruary 27, 2015 (2015-02-27)HOC-312
Frank asks Claire to take a more active role in his campaign as she is more popular with the public than he, evidenced by Dunbar's lead over him in the polls. Robert Jacobs meets with Dunbar and asks her to replace him as a Supreme Court Justice and although she refuses Jacobs follows through with his retirement. After Frank reads the first chapter of Yates' book and sees it reveals details of his marriage with Claire, Frank chooses to fire Yates, despite Yates' convictions that the book will be a success if it takes this direction. In his disappointment, Yates threatens to release the chapter to someone else but Frank aggressively advises against doing so - when Yates gives the chapter to Kate Baldwin she is uninterested, much to his frustration. Remy tells Jackie he has chosen to retire from politics and relocate despite being offered a job on her team, which causes Jackie to admit she still has romantic feelings for him and the two sleep together. Dunbar offers $2 million to Doug Stamper for the journal which contains the truth about Claire's abortion. She meets privately with Frank and demands that he drop out of the race, but Frank is unfazed and denies the journal's existence. To demonstrate his loyalty, Stamper burns the page of the journal which could incriminate Claire in front of Frank as they meet, and insists there are no copies. He asks to fill the vacant Chief of Staff position, which Frank accepts (allowing Doug to begin attempting to locate Gavin Orsay), although Claire is disappointed in Frank for not choosing to discuss the matter with her privately beforehand. Claire later indicates doubts about their marriage and mutual trust after Frank says that her decision to resign the ambassadorship was entirely her own.
3913"Chapter 39"James FoleyBeau WillimonFebruary 27, 2015 (2015-02-27)HOC-313
Doug Stamper flies to Caracas and beats Gavin into revealing the whereabouts of Rachel, who is holding two jobs and has bought documents to change her identity to Cassie Lockhart. Doug buys a van and supplies, stalks Rachel, abducts her, and ties her up in the back of the van. Rachel apologises to Doug, explaining she wishes she could take back her actions and was relieved when she heard he was alive. In a remote location, Doug informs Rachel that he intends to kill her painlessly, but Rachel reveals her new identity and begs to be released, explaining that she has no intention of revealing anything of her "old life" to anyone. Doug feels compelled to release Rachel, but realises, shortly after driving away, that the risk is too great, and turns back to kill her and bury her in the desert. In Iowa after campaigning, Claire asks Frank for rough sex but Frank cannot do it and recommends that she goes back to Washington. Claire invites Tom Yates to The White House to talk, and he reveals what she said to him while giving blood. Frank Underwood wins the Iowa vote, giving his victory speech alone. When he returns, Claire complains to Frank that she feels they are no longer equals and that she has become subordinate to him. Frank becomes irate and tells her that without him she is nothing and violently instructs her to go with him to New Hampshire and campaign with him as the First Lady should. However, the next morning, she tells him she is leaving him.

text: Reception[edit]

text: Critical response[edit]

text: The third season has received positive reviews from critics. On Metacritic, the season has a score of 76 out of 100, based on 24 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[34] On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has a rating of 77%, based on 52 reviews, with an average rating of 7/10. The site's consensus reads, "Season three introduces intriguing new political and personal elements to Frank Underwood's character, even if it feels like more of the same for some."[35]

text: Accolades[edit]

text: For the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards, the series received nominations for Outstanding Drama Series, Kevin Spacey for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, Robin Wright for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, and Michael Kelly for Outstanding Supporting in a Drama Series.[36] For the 67th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, Reg E. Cathey won for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series, Rachel Brosnahan was nominated for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, and Jeff Beal won for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series.[37]

text: For the 22nd Screen Actors Guild Awards, the cast was nominated for Best Drama Ensemble, Kevin Spacey won for Best Drama Actor, and Robin Wright was nominated for Best Drama Actress.[38] For the 73rd Golden Globe Awards, Robin Wright was nominated for Best Drama Actress.[39]

text: Home media release[edit]

text: The third season was released on DVD and Blu-ray in region 1 on July 7, 2015,[40] and in region 2 on June 29, 2015.[41]


document_title: Star Wars: The Old Republic

question_text: when does star wars the old republic take place

root

text: Star Wars: The Old Republic

text: Plot[edit]

text: This story takes place in the Star Wars fictional universe shortly after the establishment of a tenuous peace between the re-emergent Sith Empire and the Galactic Republic,[14] 300 years after the events of the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic games, and more than 3,600[15] years before the events in the Star Wars films.[16][17]

tag: p

text: The Jedi are held responsible for the success of the Sith during the devastating 28-year-long Great Galactic War (which led to the Treaty of Coruscant prior to the "cold war"), and thus choose to relocate from Coruscant to Tython, where the Jedi Order had initially been founded, to seek guidance from the Force.[16][18] The Sith control Korriban, where they have re-established a Sith Academy.[19] The game's "Return" cinematic trailer depicts the events where Korriban is re-conquered by the Sith.

text: During these events, a smuggler named Nico Okarr is being led to his prison cell in a jail orbiting Korriban by a Jedi, Satele Shan, and her master, Kao Cen Darach. Suddenly, a Sith named Darth Malgus, and his master Vindican, along with several Sith troops, attack the base. Satele, a trooper named Jace Malcom, and Okarr escape the attack, but Darach is cut down by Malgus. Malgus then kills Vindican, who was wounded by Darach. 10 years later, new conflicts have arisen.[16] In the "Hope" cinematic trailer, Satele and some troops destroy a Sith party that includes Malgus, and Malcom, who has become the troop's commander, states that, despite the losses, there is still hope amongst even "a single spark of courage". Later in the "Deceived" cinematic trailer, however, Malgus, having appeared to survive the earlier attack albeit with a mask covering his nose and mouth, leads an army of Sith into the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, killing many Jedi including the Jedi Master Ven Zallow.

text: After the death of Jedi Grand Master Zym, Master Satele Shan is named the new Jedi Grand Master. The game itself is set in the cold-war soon after these events, with the Jedi Order and Galactic Republic struggling to maintain their control of the core worlds while the Sith plot their downfall and the expansion of the Sith Empire. The conflict opens on many fronts and across many planets, while native factions are engaged in political struggles or civil war.

text: BioWare stated, prior to release, that the game would have a significant focus on the storyline. Each of the eight classes has a three act storyline that progresses as the character levels up. A collaborative effort between BioWare, LucasArts, EA Games and Dark Horse Comics has resulted in webcomics entitled Star Wars: The Old Republic – Threat of Peace and Star Wars: The Old Republic – Blood of the Empire, the purpose of which is to establish the backstory as the game opens and closes.

text: Gameplay[edit]

text: Players join as members of either of the two main factions – the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire. Although each faction is led by a benevolent or malevolent leader, it is emphasized that an individual member may possess a morality at any point along the light/dark spectrum. The project's key focus is to differentiate between the player's faction and morality.[16] For instance, a member with ties to the Galactic Republic may belong to the Darkside while attempting to achieve their own ends, which may be misaligned or dissimilar from the Republic's vision.

text: Player advancement occurs by a combination of mission completion, exploration, and defeating enemies. New skills, unlocked by level, are taught by trainers and can be learned in game at a multitude of locations. Heroic missions exist that require the cooperation of multiple players to complete objectives, and can be repeated normally on a daily basis.

text: While each class in The Old Republic favors a certain play style (ranged/melee damage, healing or support skills, or tanking), customization combined with companion characters allow for a class to be able to tackle many different situations, with or without the support of other player characters, and without requiring specific other classes in order to move forward.[20]

text: Players' choices permanently open or close storylines and affect players' non-player character (NPC) companions.[16] It is intended that the game should provide more context for characters' missions than any previous MMORPG. Every character in the game, including the player character, features full voice dialog to enhance gameplay, and interactions feature a dialogue system similar to that used in the Mass Effect series.[16] Players are able to choose from a variety of NPCs, although spending time with a single companion will help more in developing story and content than dividing time among several,[21] and may even develop a love interest.[22] It is possible for players to "blow it big time" if they fail to meet NPCs' expectations.[21] Players also have access to several planets,[16] including Korriban, Ord Mantell, Nal Hutta, Tython,[23] Coruscant, Balmorra, Alderaan, Tatooine, Dromund Kaas, Taris, Belsavis, Voss, Hoth, Corellia, Ilum and Quesh, and the moon Nar Shaddaa. The planet Makeb was added in Patch 2.0, along with the Rise of the Hutt Cartel Expansion.[24]

text: Every player receives their own starship, which was announced at Electronic Entertainment Expo 2010.[25] Footage of space combat was released at Gamescom. The short clip provided by BioWare revealed that space combat would be a "tunnel shooter."[26] A tunnel shooter, otherwise known as a scrolling shooter or rail shooter, is a flying game where the player is on a predetermined track. Game play includes moving right and left on the X axis and up and down on the Y axis; however, players do not have control of the speed of their space craft. Jake Neri, LucasArts Producer, told PC Gamer in their October 2010 issue that their goal was to "capture the most cinematic moments that we can create. We want players to get in and feel like they're in the movies. It's about highly cinematic, controlled combat moments ... very heroic, action-packed, exciting, visceral and dangerous encounters that'll make you pee your pants." With the December 2013 release of the free expansion, Galactic Starfighter (GSF), players now have a free flight PVP space combat experience, with multiple ships and roles independent of other aspects of the game.

text: Like many other MMORPGs, the game features dungeons and raids in the form of Flashpoints and Operations respectively.

text: Species[edit]

text: A range of playable species are available for the player to choose from, some limited to their factions. Both sides can play Human, Cyborg (human-based), Twi'lek or Zabrak (whose appearances are initially different depending on which side the character is from). The Republic-only races are the Miraluka and Mirialan, while the Empire-only races are the Chiss, Rattataki and Sith Pureblood. Humans and Zabrak can pick any class available, while the other species are restricted to limited choices of classes by default.

text: More playable species are said to be available in the future through major updates and the Legacy system with the ability to use other classes' abilities through this system.[27] The Cathar were added to the game during Patch 2.1, and is available to all players who unlock the species through the Cartel Market.[24][28][29] The Togruta race was announced in January 2015 as a new playable race to be made available in 2015.

text: The release of the expanded "Legacy" system in April 2012 allows for species to be able to play all classes (both Empire and Republic) by unlocking that species with an infusion of in-game money or by levelling a character of that race to level 50. Under this system, for example, a player may choose Chiss, which by default can only choose the non-Sith classes on the Empire side, as a new Sith character. Likewise, a Sith Pureblood, which by default can only choose the Force-powered classes, could choose to be a non-Force class. Along the same vein, both species, which are restricted to the Empire, could even choose the option of fighting for the Republic, including training as a Jedi. By the same method, unlocking the Zabrak species allows users to play both appearances regardless from which side the character is from.[30]

text: Classes[edit]

text: Each faction contains different classes, each with a distinct backstory and a branching storyline affected by players' moral choices.[16] Classes are exclusive to one faction or the other. However, the classes of one faction mirror the classes of the other (for example, Jedi Knight and Sith Warrior).[31] Eight classes exist: the Bounty Hunter, Sith Warrior, Imperial Agent, and Sith Inquisitor for the Sith Empire; and the Trooper, Smuggler, Jedi Knight, and Jedi Consular for the Galactic Republic. Although each class has a distinct storyline, they are integrated with the game's overall arc.[32]

text: Once a character earns enough experience, each class may also choose from two advanced classes, resulting in a total of 8 advanced classes per faction. Advanced classes share the same storyline as their base class. Lightsaber and blaster colors are not faction or class restricted, but some are restricted based on level and/or Lightside or Darkside alignment. For example, some lightsabers can only be bought if Light or Darkside aligned.[33]

text: Ships[edit]

text: Each class has their own starship, which serves as the player's base of operations. Bounty Hunters have the D5-Mantis patrol craft. Sith Warriors and Sith Inquistors have the Fury. Imperial Agents have the X-70B Phantom. Smugglers have the XS Freighter. Troopers have the BT-7 Thunderclap. Jedi Knights and Jedi Consulars have the Defender. Certain pieces of these ships can be upgraded, allowing them to perform better in space combat missions.[34]

text: Companions[edit]

text: The game features a passive form of crafting, known as Crew Skills, in which a player's companions carry out gathering and crafting tasks asynchronously to the player's adventures out in the world. Each class gets five companions via their storyline. The player can assign up to five companions to perform up to 3 various skills. Crafting skills allow the player's companions to create items, and the player can reverse engineer many items to possibly learn to make a better version. The item is destroyed in the process, but the player gets some of the materials back. Gathering skills allow the player or their companions to gather resources out in the world. Mission skills allow the player's companions to perform acts on the player's behalf, gaining the player Light or Darkside influence and other rewards, such as medical items or companion gifts.[35]

text: During E3 2011, a video was shown with gameplay footage of the Bounty Hunter, along with a Jawa companion named Blizz. The developers stated during the chat that only the Bounty Hunter would be able to get Blizz and that other classes would have unique companions as well, including some companions that are force users. It was also shown that companions would have a similar character screen as the players and can have gear just like a player character.

text: BioWare announced same-sex romance options with companions or other NPCs before release.[36] The options were implemented for some non-companions in Rise of the Hutt Cartel, and expanded with Shadow of Revan. Options for some new companions were implemented in Knights of the Fallen Empire.

text: During patch 1.5, HK-51 was added for all classes on both Empire and Republic factions. He was the first companion added to every classes, and can be obtained through a questline. He is an assassin droid based on the popular HK-47 from the original Knights of the Old Republic series.

text: A female Ewok companion, Treek, was implemented in patch 2.3 and is available to all classes. This companion requires either a purchase from the Cartel Market or a 1,000,000 credit fee along with a Legacy Level of 40.

text: Subscription[edit]

text: The Old Republic required a monthly subscription to play, following a month of play included with the initial purchase. Options are available to pay for one month, two month, three month, or six month blocks, with discounted rates for multiple month blocks.[37] Payment is by credit card or time card. The free-to-play version integrates most of the primary features in the game, but has several restrictions, such as credit limits and reduced leveling speed.

text: After launch, the game's subscribers rose to 1.7 million by February 2012.[38] By May 2012, those numbers fell to 1.3 million.[39] By July 2012, the subscriber base fell below 1 million, prompting EA to convert the game to free-to-play. EA stated that 500,000 subscribers were needed to make the game profitable saying that they were "well above" that number,[40] By May 2013, subscriptions had fallen below 500,000 but at the time, stabilized there.[41] On November 15, 2012, the free-to-play option went live on all servers. As of August 2014 the game has over one million monthly players.[42]

text: Development[edit]

text: The Old Republic is BioWare's first entry into the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) market,[14] and is the second Star Wars MMORPG after Star Wars Galaxies, which was shut down in December 2011.[43] BioWare had long been interested in working on a MMORPG, but waited until they had "the right partners, the right team, and the right I.P."[16] A major focus in the game is on developing characters' individual stories[14] and, in October 2008, BioWare considered this game to have more story content than all of their other games combined.[16] The writing team worked on the project longer than any of the game's other development teams.[32] An October 2008 preview noted some of the 12 full-time writers had been working on The Old Republic for more than two years at that point.[16] Although BioWare has not disclosed development costs, industry leaders and financial analysts have estimated it to be between $150 million and $200 million or more, making it, at the time, the most expensive video game made,[44][45] though if marketing costs are included, it is eclipsed by Grand Theft Auto V, with an estimated cost of $265 million.[46] The game had 1 million subscribers within three days of its launch, making it the world's "fastest-growing MMO ever".[10][11] However, in the following months the game lost a fair share of its subscriptions, but has remained profitable.[12] The game has since adopted the hybrid free-to-play business model with remaining subscription option.[13] It is estimated that the game made $139 million in additional revenues, in addition to the subscription income, in 2013.[47]

text: The game's first cinematic trailer, "Deceived", was shown at the Electronic Arts 2009 E3 Press Conference on June 1, 2009.[48] A public live demo was shown for the first time at the Gamescom. On September 29, 2009, BioWare announced that they would be accepting applications for testers from the game community. Within minutes, the official website was down due to traffic, and BioWare announced shortly after that the site was being changed in order to accommodate the increase in visitors. A second cinematic trailer, "Hope", was released on June 14, 2010, that depicts another battle that happened before the game, the Battle of Alderaan. On June 6, a new trailer "Return" was released at E3 2011 depicting the initial Sith invasion force as it retakes its home world of Korriban. Game testing was officially announced to be underway on July 9, 2010, for testers from North American territories.

text: Although released in most regions of the world, EA have said Australasia will be getting the game at a later date.[49] The reason behind this is to hold back digital and boxed copies for a smooth launch so to avoid any problems encountered during launch.[50] However, BioWare revealed that the game would not be region or IP blocked, allowing players to purchase the game from other regions.[51] Additionally, BioWare allowed Australian and New Zealand players to take part in the beta stages of the game. BioWare community manager Allison Berryman said "Data from this test will be used to inform decisions about the launch of the game in Oceanic regions", however, she was unable to provide any information in regards to the game's launch in those regions.[52]

text: On October 11, 2011, BioWare announced that Star Wars: The Old Republic would be released globally on December 20, 2011.[8] However, this 'global' launch only included North America and a part of Europe, as the launch date had delayed for the Asia and Oceanic regions.[53] On December 21, 2011, BioWare announced that an Australian and New Zealand release date had been set for March 1, 2012.

text: On January 18, 2012, the first content patch (1.1) was released, adding a new Flashpoint and adding four bosses to an existing Operation. Patch (1.2) was released on April 12, 2012. The update included the new Legacy system, a new Flashpoint, Operation, a PVP Warzone, as well as improved character textures and advanced options such as user interface customization. Guild banks and player character pets are also introduced. A Weekend Pass Free Trial was made available for new players but has since closed. Patch 1.3 was released in June 2012. The game update featured a New Group Finder, the ability to augment every item, and adaptable social gear. In addition, players will be able to request that their characters are able to transfer to other servers. Subsequent patches have introduced a 'Cartel Market' where players can purchase virtual currency to spend on cosmetic items in-game. These items include armour sets, lightsaber colour crystals, mounts, pets and character-perk unlocks.

text: In January 2012, Star Wars: The Old Republic was officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the "Largest Entertainment Voice Over Project Ever", with over 200,000 lines of recorded dialogue.[54] This feat is recorded in the Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition book. On April 26, 2012, BioWare announced that the game was available in the Middle East and remaining European countries who were excluded from the original launch.[55]

text: Expansion packs[edit]

text:
Title
Launch

Rise of the Hutt Cartel
April 14, 2013

Galactic Starfighter
February 4, 2014

Galactic Strongholds
October 14, 2014

Shadow of Revan
December 9, 2014

Knights of the Fallen Empire
October 27, 2015

Knights of the Eternal Throne
December 2, 2016

tag: table

text: In October 2012, BioWare announced The Old Republic's first digital expansion pack, Rise of the Hutt Cartel.[56] The expansion is centered on the rising threat of the Hutt Cartel, which has arisen to challenge the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire for control of the galaxy.[57] The battle with the Hutts is centered on the planet Makeb, which hides a "powerful secret". Much like the main game, the campaign on Makeb is fully voiced.[56] The level cap was raised to 55, with the leveling from 50 onwards centered on Makeb.[57]

text: Rise of the Hutt Cartel was released on April 14, 2013. Those who pre-ordered the expansion prior to January 7, 2013, were allowed early access on April 9.[56] In late September, Rise of the Hutt Cartel became free after subscribing to the game.

text: In October 2013, BioWare announced a major update, Galactic Starfighter, which introduces 12v12 space-based PvP combat on two maps, with 2 'capture-the-flag' combat missions. Three stock starfighters were made available - a scout, a strike fighter, and a gunship. More are accessible for Cartel Coins. Subscribers began their early access on December 3, 2013, with full subscriber awards if they maintained an active subscription on November 1. "Preferred access" players, those who do not have an active subscription but have purchased items via the Cartel Market, will receive their early access on January 14, 2014, with some rewards. Full access to all players with an account opened on February 4, 2014. A new 'deathmatch' game style was added with the update, as well as a new starfighter class, the bomber.[58]

text: In January 2014, BioWare revealed plans for 2014 including two expansion packs, with one similar to Galactic Starfighter in scope and one more closely resembling Rise of the Hutt Cartel.[59] The first is entitled Galactic Strongholds, introducing player housing and flagships for guilds. Subscribers received early access August 19, 2014, as well as access to the exclusive "Nar Shaddaa Sky Palace"; preferred access players received early access starting in September. Full access to all players with an account opened in October.[60]

text: On October 6, BioWare announced the second planned expansion, entitled Shadow of Revan.[61] The expansion is centered on the Order of Revan, formerly a fringe group that appeared early in Imperial missions, now a great army seeking to establish a new galactic order, led by the reborn Revan himself. The campaign raised the level cap to 60, and takes place on two new worlds: Rishi, a tropical pirate haven on the edge of the galaxy, and Yavin 4 (which first appeared in the original Star Wars film), home of an ancient Sith warrior sect called the Massassi.[61] Shadow of Revan was available for preorder. Players who preordered before November 2, 2014, received an experience boost that granted twelve times multiplicative experience for class-related missions, seven days of early access, a grand statue of Revan for placement in strongholds, and a free edition of Rise of the Hutt Cartel (to give to another player). The expansion was released on December 9, 2014.[61]

text: In June 2015, the third expansion for the game, titled Knights of the Fallen Empire, was announced at EA's E3 2015 press conference.[62] Knights of the Fallen Empire features a renewed focus on cinematic storytelling, as well as new planets, new companions, a dynamic story affected by player choices and a level cap of 65. A cinematic trailer, titled "Sacrifice", was released along with the initial announcement. The trailer, made by Blur Studio, received critical acclaim, and was awarded the "Best Trailer of E3" Award by IGN.[63] The first nine chapters of Knights of the Fallen Empire were launched on October 27, 2015, with additional chapters starting in early 2016. Subscribers received one level 60 character token. After the release of Knights of the Fallen Empire, Rise of the Hutt Cartel and Shadow of Revan became free for those subscribing to the game, and access remains on the account if a subscription is canceled.

text: The release of Knights of the Fallen Empire depicts the story of "The Outlander" - the player character. The expansion introduced new companion characters available to all classes. One feature introduced with the expansion was the Alliance system. It entails recruiting allies, including some companions from other classes that formerly were restricted, from across the galaxy to join the fight against the Eternal Empire. Players were given the ability to strengthen their rebellion by providing resources to "Specialists" that oversee four areas of operation: Technology, Underworld Trade, Military and Force-Usage. Most of the early game content was heavily streamlined, allowing players to level up a character by completing solely story and class-specific missions if they so choose. A solo mode was also introduced for story-critical flashpoints. The new storyline, featuring primarily solo content, has 13 chapters.

text: In December 2016, Knights of the Eternal Throne was released as the sixth expansion that coincided with the game's five-year anniversary. It continues the story of the Outlander. Subscribers received one level 65 character token, with additional tokens available at the cartel store. The storyline has nine chapters of solo content and it raises the level cap to 70. The expansion focuses on defeating Empress Vaylin and the Eternal Empire.

text: Other media[edit]

text: Chronicle Books released The Art and Making of Star Wars: The Old Republic in November 2011, which chronicles the creation of the game and includes concept artwork and interviews from the development team. The book was written by former Star Wars Insider editor Frank Parisi and BioWare writing director Daniel Erickson.[64] The book includes a foreword by Penny Arcade's Mike "Gabe" Krahulik.[65]

text: Leading up to game's release on December 20, BioWare released music tracks from the game each day which were not included with the soundtrack which came with the Collector's Edition of the game.[66] The first track released was titled "The Mandalorian Blockade".[67]

text: Razer released several peripherals based on the game to coincide with the launch date. The peripherals included custom made keyboards, mice, gaming headsets and mouse pads.[68]

text: In August 2012, Lego announced plans to release two sets based on the game, the Sith Fury-class Interceptor and the Striker-class Starfighter.[69]

text: Comics[edit]

text: An internet comic produced by Dark Horse and written by The Old Republic developer Rob Chestney offers backstory to the game.[70] The story spans ten years from the signing of the Treaty of Coruscant to the events that start the game. The comic, titled Threat of Peace, was released bi-monthly, and reached its conclusion in March 2010.

text: A second internet comic titled Blood of the Empire has been released and follows the story of a Sith apprentice on a dangerous secret mission. It is produced by Dark Horse and written by BioWare's senior writer Alexander Freed. The story is set 25 years before the Treaty of Coruscant, and offers readers a new perspective of the events leading up to the start of The Old Republic.[71] A sneak preview of the art was released, followed by the first issue on April 23, 2010.

text: Novels[edit]

text: A 256-page novel called Deceived was released by Del Rey on March 22, 2011. This story, by Paul S. Kemp, tells of Darth Malgus, the Sith Lord responsible for the sacking of Coruscant. Another novel written by Sean Williams[72] called Star Wars: The Old Republic: Fatal Alliance was published on July 21, 2010.[73] Drew Karpyshyn wrote a novel titled Revan,[74] published on November 15, 2011. It features Revan, revealing his fate after the Knights of the Old Republic games. Karpyshyn wrote another novel, The Old Republic: Annihilation, that was released on November 13, 2012.[75]

text: Reception[edit]

text:
Reception

Aggregate scores

Aggregator
Score

GameRankings
84% (46 reviews)[76]

Metacritic
85/100 (73 reviews)[77]

Review scores

Publication
Score

Eurogamer
4/10[78]

G4
5/5[79]

GameSpot
8.0/10[80]

GameSpy
[81]

GamesRadar+
8 out of 10[82]

GameTrailers
8.6/10[83]

GameZone
8/10[84]

IGN
9.0/10[85]

PC Gamer
93/100[86]

Award

Publication
Award

GameSpy
Best MMO in 2011 Game of the Year Awards[87]

text: Star Wars: The Old Republic has received generally positive reviews from critics, with a score of 85 on Metacritic[77] and an 84% on GameRankings.[76] G4TV gave a review of 5/5 and praised the game for "Top notch music and voice acting" and "hundreds of hours of content."[79] PC Gamer gave a 93/100, praising the story, voice acting, and the amount of content available.[86] Gamespy gave a review of 4/5, praising the story lines and companion system but criticising the "standard kill and fetch" quests.[88] GameSpot gave the game 8.0/10, saying "[The Old Republic] isn't the next step in online role-playing games. Instead, it's a highly entertaining refinement of what has come before it."[89] GamesRadar gave the game 8/10 calling it "an extremely satisfying experience that sets the stage for a bright future".[82] The game has received a 9.0/10 "Amazing" rating from IGN.com.[90]

text: During Star Wars: The Old Republic's launch week, long queue times were seen on some servers, with BioWare increasing population caps and adding more servers to attempt to resolve them.[91] Some pre-order users discovered they had invalid registration codes.[92][93] After release, at least one reviewer was less favorable as Eurogamer lowered their rating to a 4/10 from its initial high score.[78]

text: MSNBC awarded Star Wars: The Old Republic as game of the year.[94] In 2012, The AbleGamers Foundation awarded Star Wars: The Old Republic as their Mainstream Game for 2011 for being able to accommodate gamers with special needs. It praised the game's features which included many accessibility options, including full subtitles, queue-able actions, multiple action bars, area looting, auto looting, and built-in mouse sensitivity.[95]

text: One character, a slave companion for the Sith Warrior named Vette, drew controversy. Writing for Kotaku, Mike Fahey, after playing the game, recalled players boasting of their torturing of Vette and her low affection rating for them.[96] The Daily Mail ran an article about Fahey's story on their Mail Online website, remarking on how the option to treat Vette decently did not seem popular, and while noting Star Wars was "no stranger to slavery" said "the idea of playing 'master' yourself is unsavoury".[97] The Mail was criticised for its lack of evidence for its statements and its selective information.[98][99] Forbes's Erik Kain criticised gaming as overly focused on "teenage boys", calling the inclusion of a shock-collar-wearing slave "not so much surprising as it is disappointing" and "really creepy". Kain commented how it enforced how gaming could be a "hostile environment" for girls and felt that the inclusion of choice failed to make the situation better.[100] The Mary Sue contributor Becky Chambers felt Vette's inclusion was less "sexist" than "shortsighted".[101] Religion Dispatches researched the matter, surveying 369 players to ask them how they acted. The survey's findings suggested that most players chose the good options and felt uncomfortable doing any evil ones. They suggested that the presence of characters like Vette influenced the player's actions, making them want to take choices that would gain Affection.[102]


document_title: Sequoiadendron giganteum

question_text: what is the diameter of a redwood tree

question_tokens: what is the diameter of a redwood tree

text: Sequoiadendron giganteum

text: Description[edit]

text: Giant sequoias are the world's largest single trees and largest living thing by volume. Giant sequoias grow to an average height of 50–85 m (164–279 ft) and 6–8 m (20–26 ft) in diameter. Record trees have been measured to be 94.8 m (311 ft) in height. Claims of 17 m (56 ft) diameter have been touted by taking an author's writing[6] out of context, but the widest known at chest height is closer to 8.2 m (27 ft). Between 2014 and 2016, specimens of coast redwood were found to have larger trunk diameters than all known giant sequoias.[7]

text: The oldest known giant sequoia based on ring count is 3,500 years old. Giant Sequoias are among the oldest living things on Earth. Sequoia bark is fibrous, furrowed, and may be 90 cm (3 ft) thick at the base of the columnar trunk. It provides significant fire protection for the trees. The leaves are evergreen, awl-shaped, 3–6 mm (1⁄8–1⁄4 in) long, and arranged spirally on the shoots. The seed cones are 4–7 cm (1 1⁄2–3 in) long and mature in 18–20 months, though they typically remain green and closed for up to 20 years; each cone has 30–50 spirally arranged scales, with several seeds on each scale, giving an average of 230 seeds per cone. The seed is dark brown, 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long and 1 mm (0.04 in) broad, with a 1-millimeter (0.04 in) wide, yellow-brown wing along each side. Some seeds are shed when the cone scales shrink during hot weather in late summer, but most are liberated when the cone dries from fire heat or is damaged by insects.

text: The giant sequoia regenerates by seed. Young trees start to bear cones at the age of 12 years. Trees up to about 20 years old may produce stump sprouts subsequent to injury, but unlike coast redwoods, shoots do not form on the stumps of mature trees. Giant sequoias of all ages may sprout from their boles when branches are lost to fire or breakage.

text: At any given time, a large tree may be expected to have about 11,000 cones. Cone production is greatest in the upper portion of the canopy. A mature giant sequoia has been estimated to disperse 300,000–400,000 seeds per year. The winged seeds may be carried up to 180 m (590 ft) from the parent tree.

text: Lower branches die fairly readily from shading, but trees less than 100 years old retain most of their dead branches. Trunks of mature trees in groves are generally free of branches to a height of 20–50 m (70–160 ft), but solitary trees will retain low branches.

text: Biology[edit]

text: Because of its size, the tree has been studied for its water pull. Water from the roots can be pushed up only a few meters by osmotic pressure but can reach extreme heights by using a system of branching capillarity (capillary action) in the tree's xylem (the water tubules) and sub-pressure from evaporating water at the leaves.[8] Sequoias supplement water from the soil with fog, taken up through air roots, at heights to where the root water cannot be pulled.[9]

text: Distribution[edit]

text: The natural distribution of giant sequoias is restricted to a limited area of the western Sierra Nevada, California. They occur in scattered groves, with a total of 68 groves (see list of sequoia groves for a full inventory), comprising a total area of only 144.16 km2 (35,620 acres). Nowhere does it grow in pure stands, although in a few small areas, stands do approach a pure condition. The northern two-thirds of its range, from the American River in Placer County southward to the Kings River, has only eight disjunct groves. The remaining southern groves are concentrated between the Kings River and the Deer Creek Grove in southern Tulare County. Groves range in size from 12.4 km2 (3,100 acres) with 20,000 mature trees, to small groves with only six living trees. Many are protected in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and Giant Sequoia National Monument.

text: The giant sequoia is usually found in a humid climate characterized by dry summers and snowy winters. Most giant sequoia groves are on granitic-based residual and alluvial soils. The elevation of the giant sequoia groves generally ranges from 1,400–2,000 m (4,600–6,600 ft) in the north, to 1,700–2,150 metres (5,580–7,050 ft) to the south. Giant sequoias generally occur on the south-facing sides of northern mountains, and on the northern faces of more southerly slopes.

text: High levels of reproduction are not necessary to maintain the present population levels. Few groves, however, have sufficient young trees to maintain the present density of mature giant sequoias for the future. The majority of giant sequoias are currently undergoing a gradual decline in density since European settlement.

text: While the present day distribution of this species is limited to a small area of California, it was once much more widely distributed in prehistoric times, and was a reasonably common species in North American and Eurasian coniferous forests until its range was greatly reduced by the last ice age. Older fossil specimens reliably identified as giant sequoia have been found in Cretaceous era sediments from a number of sites in North America and Europe, and even as far afield as New Zealand[10] and Australia.[11]

text: Ecology[edit]

text: Giant sequoias are in many ways adapted to forest fires. Their bark is unusually fire resistant, and their cones will normally open immediately after a fire.[12] The giant sequoias are having difficulty reproducing in their original habitat (and very rarely reproduce in cultivation) due to the seeds only being able to grow successfully in full sun and in mineral-rich soils, free from competing vegetation. Although the seeds can germinate in moist needle humus in the spring, these seedlings will die as the duff dries in the summer. They therefore require periodic wildfire to clear competing vegetation and soil humus before successful regeneration can occur. Without fire, shade-loving species will crowd out young sequoia seedlings, and sequoia seeds will not germinate. When fully grown, these trees typically require large amounts of water and are therefore often concentrated near streams.

text: Fires also bring hot air high into the canopy via convection, which in turn dries and opens the cones. The subsequent release of large quantities of seeds coincides with the optimal postfire seedbed conditions. Loose ground ash may also act as a cover to protect the fallen seeds from ultraviolet radiation damage.

text: Due to fire suppression efforts and livestock grazing during the early and mid 20th century, low-intensity fires no longer occurred naturally in many groves, and still do not occur in some groves today. The suppression of fires also led to ground fuel build-up and the dense growth of fire-sensitive white fir. This increased the risk of more intense fires that can use the firs as ladders to threaten mature giant sequoia crowns. Natural fires may also be important in keeping carpenter ants in check.

text: In 1970, the National Park Service began controlled burns of its groves to correct these problems. Current policies also allow natural fires to burn. One of these untamed burns severely damaged the second-largest tree in the world, the Washington tree, in September 2003, 45 days after the fire started. This damage made it unable to withstand the snowstorm of January 2005, leading to the collapse of over half the trunk.

text: In addition to fire, two animal agents also assist giant sequoia seed release. The more significant of the two is a longhorn beetle (Phymatodes nitidus) that lays eggs on the cones, into which the larvae then bore holes. This cuts the vascular water supply to the cone scales, allowing the cones to dry and open for the seeds to fall. Cones damaged by the beetles during the summer will slowly open over the next several months. Some research indicates many cones, particularly higher in the crowns, may need to be partially dried by beetle damage before fire can fully open them. The other agent is the Douglas squirrel (Tamiasciurus douglasi) that gnaws on the fleshy green scales of younger cones. The squirrels are active year round, and some seeds are dislodged and dropped as the cone is eaten.[13]

text: Discovery and naming[edit]

text: The giant sequoia was well known to Native American tribes living in its area. Native American names for the species include wawona, toos-pung-ish and hea-mi-withic, the latter two in the language of the Tule River Tribe.

text: The first reference to the giant sequoia by Europeans is in 1833, in the diary of the explorer J. K. Leonard; the reference does not mention any locality, but his route would have taken him through the Calaveras Grove.[14] This discovery was not publicized. The next European to see the species was John M. Wooster, who carved his initials in the bark of the 'Hercules' tree in the Calaveras Grove in 1850; again, this received no publicity. Much more publicity was given to the "discovery" by Augustus T. Dowd of the Calaveras Grove in 1852, and this is commonly cited as the species' discovery.[14] The tree found by Dowd, christened the 'Discovery Tree', was felled in 1853.

text: The first scientific naming of the species was by John Lindley in December 1853, who named it Wellingtonia gigantea, without realizing this was an invalid name under the botanical code as the name Wellingtonia had already been used earlier for another unrelated plant (Wellingtonia arnottiana in the family Sabiaceae). The name "Wellingtonia" has persisted in England as a common name.[15] The following year, Joseph Decaisne transferred it to the same genus as the coast redwood, naming it Sequoia gigantea, but again this name was invalid, having been applied earlier (in 1847, by Endlicher) to the coast redwood. The name Washingtonia californica was also applied to it by Winslow in 1854, though this too is invalid, belonging to the palm genus Washingtonia.

text: In 1907, it was placed by Carl Ernst Otto Kuntze in the otherwise fossil genus Steinhauera, but doubt as to whether the giant sequoia is related to the fossil originally so named makes this name invalid.

text: The nomenclatural oversights were finally corrected in 1939 by J. Buchholz, who also pointed out the giant sequoia is distinct from the coast redwood at the genus level and coined the name Sequoiadendron giganteum for it.

text: The etymology of the genus name has been presumed—initially in The Yosemite Book by Josiah Whitney in 1868[3]—to be in honor of Sequoyah (1767–1843), who was the inventor of the Cherokee syllabary.[4] An etymological study published in 2012, however, concluded that the name was more likely to have originated from the Latin sequi (meaning to follow) since the number of seeds per cone in the newly-classified genus fell in mathematical sequence with the other four genera in the suborder.[5]

text: John Muir wrote of the species in about 1870:

text: "Do behold the King in his glory, King Sequoia! Behold! Behold! seems all I can say. Some time ago I left all for Sequoia and have been and am at his feet, fasting and praying for light, for is he not the greatest light in the woods, in the world? Where are such columns of sunshine, tangible, accessible, terrestrialized?' [16]

text: Uses[edit]

text: Wood from mature giant sequoias is highly resistant to decay, but due to being fibrous and brittle, it is generally unsuitable for construction. From the 1880s through the 1920s, logging took place in many groves in spite of marginal commercial returns. The Hume-Bennett Lumber Company was the last to harvest giant sequoia, going out of business in 1924.[17] Due to their weight and brittleness, trees would often shatter when they hit the ground, wasting much of the wood. Loggers attempted to cushion the impact by digging trenches and filling them with branches. Still, as little as 50% of the timber is estimated to have made it from groves to the mill. The wood was used mainly for shingles and fence posts, or even for matchsticks.

text: Pictures of the once majestic trees broken and abandoned in formerly pristine groves, and the thought of the giants put to such modest use, spurred the public outcry that caused most of the groves to be preserved as protected land. The public can visit an example of 1880s clear-cutting at Big Stump Grove near General Grant Grove. As late as the 1980s, some immature trees were logged in Sequoia National Forest, publicity of which helped lead to the creation of Giant Sequoia National Monument.[citation needed]

text: The wood from immature trees is less brittle, with recent tests on young plantation-grown trees showing it similar to coast redwood wood in quality. This is resulting in some interest in cultivating giant sequoia as a very high-yielding timber crop tree, both in California and also in parts of western Europe, where it may grow more efficiently than coast redwoods. In the northwest United States, some entrepreneurs have also begun growing giant sequoias for Christmas trees. Besides these attempts at tree farming, the principal economic uses for giant sequoia today are tourism and horticulture.

text: Cultivation[edit]

text: Giant sequoia is a very popular ornamental tree in many areas. It is successfully grown in most of western and southern Europe, the Pacific Northwest of North America north to southwest British Columbia, the southern United States, southeast Australia, New Zealand and central-southern Chile. It is also grown, though less successfully, in parts of eastern North America.

text: Trees can withstand temperatures of −31 °C (−25 °F) or colder for short periods of time, provided the ground around the roots is insulated with either heavy snow or mulch. Outside its natural range, the foliage can suffer from damaging windburn.

text: A wide range of horticultural varieties have been selected, especially in Europe, including blue, compact blue, powder blue, hazel smith, pendulum—or weeping—varieties, and grafted cultivars.[18]

text: Europe[edit]

text: The giant sequoia was first brought into cultivation in Britain in 1853 by the horticulturist Patrick Matthew of Perthshire from seeds sent by his botanist son John in California.[19] A much larger shipment of seed collected from the Calaveras Grove by William Lobb, acting for the Veitch Nursery near Exeter, arrived in England in December 1853;[20] seed from this batch was widely distributed throughout Europe.

text: The tallest giant sequoia ever measured outside of the United States[21] is a specimen planted near Ribeauvillé in France in 1856 and measured in 2014 at a height between 57.7 m (189 ft)[22] and 58.1 m (191 ft)[23] at age 158 years.

text: Growth in Britain is very fast, with the tallest tree, at Benmore in southwest Scotland, reaching 56.4 m (185 ft) in 2014 at age 150 years,[24] and several others from 50–53 m (164–174 ft) tall; the stoutest is around 12 m (39 ft) in girth and 4 m (13 ft) in diameter, in Perthshire. The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in London also contains a large specimen. Biddulph Grange Garden in Staffordshire holds a fine collection of both Sequoiadendron Giganteum and also Sequoia sempervirens (Coast Redwood). The General Sherman of California has a volume of 1,489 m3 (52,600 cu ft); by way of comparison, the largest giant sequoias in Great Britain have volumes no greater than 90–100 m3 (3,200–3,500 cu ft), one example being the 90 m3 (3,200 cu ft) specimen in the New Forest.

text: Numerous giant sequoia were planted in Italy from 1860 through 1905. Several regions contain specimens that range from 40 to 48 metres (131 to 157 ft) in height. The largest tree is in Roccavione, in the Piedmont, with a basal circumference of 16 metres (52 ft). One notable tree survived a 200-metre (660 ft) tall flood wave in 1963 that was caused by a landslide at Vajont Dam. There are numerous giant sequoia in parks and reserves.[26]

text: Growth rates in some areas of Europe are remarkable. One young tree in Italy reached 22 m (72 ft) tall and 88 cm (2.89 ft) trunk diameter in 17 years (Mitchell, 1972).

text: Growth further northeast in Europe is limited by winter cold. In Denmark, where extreme winters can reach −32 °C (−26 °F), the largest tree was 35 m (115 ft) tall and 1.7 m (5.6 ft) diameter in 1976 and is bigger today. One in Poland has purportedly survived temperatures down to −37 °C (−35 °F) with heavy snow cover.

text: Two members of the German Dendrology Society, E. J. Martin and Illa Martin, introduced the giant sequoia into German forestry at the Sequoiafarm Kaldenkirchen in 1952.[27]

text: Twenty-nine giant sequoias, measuring around 30 m (98 ft) in height, grow in Belgrade's municipality of Lazarevac in Serbia.[28]

text: The oldest sequoiadendron in the Czech Republic, at 44 m (144 ft), grows in Ratměřice u Votic castle garden.

text: United States and Canada[edit]

text: Giant sequoias are grown successfully in the Pacific Northwest and southern US, and less successfully in eastern North America. Giant sequoia cultivation is very successful in the Pacific Northwest from western Oregon north to southwest British Columbia, with fast growth rates. In Washington and Oregon, it is common to find giant sequoias that have been successfully planted in both urban and rural areas. In the Seattle area, large specimens exceeding 90 ft (27 m) are fairly common and exist in several city parks and many private yards (especially east Seattle including Capitol Hill, Washington Park, & Leschi/Madrona, as well as Tacoma's Jefferson Park).

text: In the northeastern US there has been some limited success in growing the species, but growth is much slower there, and it is prone to Cercospora and Kabatina fungal diseases due to the hot, humid summer climate there. A tree at Blithewold Gardens, in Bristol, Rhode Island is reported to be 27 metres (89 ft) tall, reportedly the tallest in the New England states.[29][30] The tree at the Tyler Arboretum in Delaware County, Pennsylvania at 29.1 metres (95 ft) may be the tallest in the northeast.[31] Specimens also grow in the Arnold Arboretum in Boston, Massachusetts (planted 1972, 18 m tall in 1998), at Longwood Gardens near Wilmington, Delaware, in the New Jersey State Botanical Garden at Skylands in Ringwood State Park, Ringwood, New Jersey, and in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Private plantings of giant sequoias around the Middle Atlantic States are not uncommon, and other publicly accessible specimens can be visited at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. A few trees have been established in Colorado as well.[32] Additionally, numerous sequoias have been planted with success in the state of Michigan.[33]

text: A cold-tolerant cultivar 'Hazel Smith' selected in about 1960 is proving more successful in the northeastern US. This clone was the sole survivor of several hundred seedlings grown at a nursery in New Jersey. The U.S. National Arboretum has a specimen grown from a cutting in 1970 that can be seen in the Gotelli Conifer Collection.

text: Australia[edit]

text: The Ballarat Botanical Gardens contain a significant collection, many of them about 150 years old. Jubilee Park and the Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve in Daylesford, Cook Park in Orange, New South Wales and Carisbrook's Deep Creek park in Victoria both have specimens. Jamieson Township in the Victorian high country has 2 specimens which were planted in the early 1860s.[34] In Tasmania specimens are to be seen in private and public gardens, as they were popular in the mid Victorian era. The Westbury Village Green has mature specimens with more in Deloraine. The Tasmanian Arboretum contains young wild collected material. The National Arboretum Canberra has begun a grove. They also grow in the abandoned arboretum at Mount Banda Banda in New South Wales.

text: New Zealand[edit]

text: Several impressive specimens of Sequoiadendron giganteum can be found in the South Island of New Zealand. Notable examples include a set of trees in a public park of Picton, as well as robust specimens in the public and botanical parks of Christchurch and Queenstown.[35] There is also a tree at Rangiora High School, which was planted for Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee and is thus over 125 years old.[36]

text: Superlatives[edit]

text: Largest by trunk volume[edit]

text: Some sequoias, such as the Mother of the Forest, were undoubtedly far larger than any living tree today.[citation needed] However, as of 2009, the top ten largest giant sequoias sorted by volume of their trunks are:[6][note 1]

text:
Rank
Tree Name
Grove
Height
Girth at ground
Volume

(ft)
(m)
(ft)
(m)
(ft³)
(m³)

1
General Sherman
Giant Forest
274.9
83.8
102.6
31.3
52,508
1,486.9

2[note 2]
General Grant
General Grant Grove
268.1
81.7
107.5
32.8
46,608
1,319.8[note 2]

3[note 2]
President
Giant Forest
240.9
73.4
93.0
28.3
45,148
1,278.4[note 2]

4
Lincoln
Giant Forest
255.8
78.0
98.3
30.0
44,471
1,259.3

5
Stagg
Alder Creek Grove
243.0
74.1
109.0
33.2
42,557
1,205.1

6
Boole
Converse Basin
268.8
81.9
113.0
34.4
42,472
1,202.7

7
Genesis
Mountain Home Grove
253.0
77.1
85.3
26.0
41,897
1,186.4

8
Franklin
Giant Forest
223.8
68.2
94.8
28.9
41,280
1,168.9

9
King Arthur
Garfield Grove
270.3
82.4
104.2
31.8
40,656
1,151.2

10
Monroe
Giant Forest
247.8
75.5
91.3
27.8
40,104
1,135.6

text:
The General Sherman tree is estimated to weigh about 2100 tonnes.[39]
The Washington Tree was previously arguably the second largest tree with a volume of 47,850 cubic feet (1,355 m3) (although the upper half of its trunk was hollow, making the calculated volume debatable), but after losing the hollow upper half of its trunk in January 2005 following a fire, it is no longer of great size.

tag: ul

text: Tallest[edit]

text:
Redwood - Redwood Mountain Grove - 95 metres (311 ft)[6]
tallest outside the United States:[21] specimen near Ribeauvillé, France, measured in 2014 at a height between 57.7 m (189 ft)[22] and 58.1 m (191 ft)[23] at age 158 years.

text: Oldest[edit]

text: Muir Snag - Converse Basin Grove - more than 3500 years[6]

text: Greatest girth[edit]

text: Waterfall Tree - Alder Creek Grove - 47 metres (155 ft) - tree with enormous basal buttress on very steep ground.[6]

text: Greatest base diameter[edit]

text:
Waterfall Tree - Alder Creek Grove - 21 metres (69 ft) - tree with enormous basal buttress on very steep ground.[6]
Tunnel Tree - Atwell Mill Grove - 17 metres (57 ft) - tree with a huge flared base that has burned all the way through.[6]

text: Greatest mean diameter at breast height[edit]

text: General Grant - General Grant Grove - 8.8 metres (29.0 ft)[6]

text: Largest limb[edit]

text: Arm Tree - Atwell Mill, East Fork Grove - 3.9 metres (12.8 ft) in diameter[6]

text: Thickest bark[edit]

text: 0.9 metres (3 ft) or more[6]