Jackson Ball reviews the second episode of House of Cards season 3…
After a surprisingly subdued season opener, it’s time to move straight into the next instalment of House of Cards. This episode explores the several ‘certainties’, which we as an audience have developed over the first two seasons… before they are smashed to smithereens.
Warning! Spoilers Ahead – You have been warned!
The Underwoods are the most cool and collected couple of television, and I think it’s undeniable that the lion’s share of the iciness comes from the First Lady. Frank (Kevin Spacey) is equally as cunning, but has been shown to fall prey to his emotions in the past; those emotions usually being hatred, anger and vengeance. In contrast to this, Clare (Robin Wright) is steel; cold, detached, unflappable.
So imagine our surprise when that cool exterior begins to crack, at the worst imaginable time.
During her bid to made America’s United Nations Ambassador, Clare is heavily scrutinised by a board of her peers. This is Clare ‘hard as nails’ Underwood though, and she calmly dispatches their questions and accusations with ease. That is, until Republican candidate Senator Mendoza (Benito Martinez) catches her off guard, causing Clare to inadvertently brand the US military as ‘irrelevant’. Mendoza pounces on her mistake, beating her credentials into submission and making her calm exterior evaporate.
Things are not looking much brighter for her spouse either, as Frank has to deal with issues within his own team. The major players of his Democratic party have removed there backing and told him not to run for the 2016 presidential campaign. Frank isn’t shocked by their lack of faith (he knows what they think before they do!) but is still clearly irritated by it. He literally killed for this position; he isn’t going to give it up without a fight.
And fight he and Clare will.
The Underwoods natural instinct is to attack, and with both of their backs against the wall it’s exhilarating to see them fight side by side once again. It’s a savvy move by the writers too; one of the major concerns prior to this season was a lack of edge. The best element of the first two seasons was seeing the lead characters in the hunt, doing whatever it took to get where they wanted to be. Well, they were so darn good at it they have now got to where they wanted: the White House.
The show’s producers are obviously looking to recapture that ‘thrill of the chase’ excitement, and have the Underwoods start out on the back-foot is an interesting way to go about it.
Jackson Ball – follow me on Twitter
Originally published March 1, 2015. Updated April 13, 2018.
