Warning: Contains spoilers for seasons 1-3 of “House of Cards”
“House of Cards” has become a national phenomenon. The show has been nominated for 32 Primetime Emmys and won six. Kevin Spacey and co-star Robin Wright have both won Golden Globes for their roles as Francis and Claire Underwood. Frank Underwood made a guest performance at the 2013 Emmys and a short reference was made by Spacey during the 2014 Academy Awards.
Despite a strong first and second season, the third season lacked the steely resolve that made the Underwoods the anti-heroes we loved to root for. In the first two seasons, Frank and Claire ride high after high, dealing with each unfortunate blow with grace and fortitude. The viewer is under no illusions of virtue. In “Chapter One” we see Frank as he kills a dog, and in “Chapter Fourteen” we watch Claire tell a pregnant rival, “I am willing to let your child wither and die inside of you, if that’s what’s required.”
Those Underwoods were not present in season three. As Frank adjusted to the presidency, he and Claire make mistake after mistake. They show uncharacteristic weakness. Their partnership faltered time and time again, and the season ends with Claire ultimately leaving Frank. The audience is left wanting and frustrated. How could the Underwoods have allowed themselves to fall so far?
Season four brings back the steel-stomached, sharp-minded Underwoods that America loves. This season masterfully balances the humanity and weaknesses of the Underwoods while maintaining the bold, terrifying nature of America’s most ruthless couple. Frank and Claire begin the season separately but, as the narrative unfolds, they each become stronger than ever.
Wright delivers another impeccable performance. Claire has long held a cool-headed public persona with a softer core, and this season perfectly balances that difficult aesthetic. Mrs. Underwood is charming and poised on the outside, but calculating and vulnerable on the inside. After years of protecting her humanity, she finds a way to sharpen her soul into a cold steel dagger, dangerous enough to match that of her potentially soulless husband. Her narrative’s ups and downs give further depth to Mrs. Underwood, and, this season, Claire is better than ever. While Frank is intimidating and heart-stopping, Claire is a scene-stealer.
Likewise, Spacey’s performance is another that will go down in his long history of excellent acting. This man is surely one of the greatest actors of our time. Frank deals with vulnerability in ways that he’s never had to, but we as viewers do not pity him. Instead, we learn how to trust him again. Frank is no longer strong and frustrated; he is weaker and more formidable than ever. He no longer needs subway stations and parking garages to make his moves. Frank and Claire take charge on the election trail and find ingenious ways to defeat all their opponents, from Republican nominee Will Conway to journalist Lucas Goodwin to, as stubborn as ever, Russian President Viktor Petrov.
Wright directs four episodes this season, among which I believe are the most powerful cinematically. Her sense of dramatic timing is keen, and while I understand it is impossible for her to direct every episode, I hope she is allowed to continue directing. Each title sequence, I felt a jump of joy in my stomach each time I saw her credit as director.
The season finale, “Chapter 52,” ends with an incredible “you gotta see for yourself” climax. In that moment, the culmination of depravity and ruthlessness is embodied in ways that have never been explored in the show— which is, frankly, impressive. Over four seasons we’ve watched the Underwoods lie, murder and destroy anything in their path, but only now am I fully aware of how incredibly savage the two can be.
If you have not watched “House of Cards,” consider it your duty as an American. In season four, the Underwoods return better than ever, and Netflix proves that it can churn out quality programs again and again.
– Holly Baer
