The latest season of House of Cards was launched on Netflix on Friday. It’s been a long, cold year waiting for this season so if you need a quick recap read on. If not, skip ahead to the next paragraph.
Simplified: Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey), who after knocking out Walker had a tough time with hurricanes, failed job programs and Russia. Heather Dunbar (Elizabeth Marvel) was tempted by Frank’s offer to have a seat in the Supreme Court but said no way and ran for President anyway. Through all this chaos Claire Underwood (Robin Wright) had her chance at the United Nations finally, but squanders it after the death of an LGBT activist. Frank punishes her gaffe by forcing her to resign, and shrink herself to campaign trail trophy-wife. Doug Stamper (Michael Kelly) and Jackie Sharp (Molly Parker) both betray Frank and support Heather Dunbar. Stamper sees the grim light and loyally returns to Frank once more. At last, we see Stamper ‘umm’ and ‘ahh’ before murdering Rachel (with forced-help from hacker Gavin Orsay). Lucas (Sebastian Arcelus) is now back on the rise after we thought he was done for good, and Claire is now coming back with a vengeance too. She tells Frank she is leaving him, and they’re in for their own game of cat and mouse.
The stark contrast between Frank and Claire’s relationship in Season 1 and their relationship in Season 4 is harrowing. We had to watch the first few episodes to make sure the separation at the end of Season 3 wasn’t a publicity stunt. Remember how Betty in Mad Men got fat for one season, and then reverted to her normal skinny self? To their credit, January Jones was pregnant at the time. But regardless, it was a pointless plot arc. The risk of Claire’s outburst being a pointless plot arc for the sake of a cliff-hanger finish was quite real at first. But after watching through three, dark-lit, slow and scheming episodes of Frank and Claire interacting it’s clear their relationship is headed south for good.
Lucas is now being presented to us in drips and drabs too. It’s clear the show is psyching us up for his big comeback. But if he’s the comeback kid what will happen with Gavin Orsay (Jimmi Simpson)? Last time he was seen Stamper forced him to reveal Rachel’s location. It is unclear what will happen next.
Jackie and Remi continue their sly, strained relationship. But the first impression is their relationship has cooled off. There are bigger things to focus on, at least in the first few episodes. So far Claire and Frank are keeping it civil in public. They have new rules to their relationship now – what they can and can’t say, who they can and can’t see.
The question is will Season 4 hit the deafening peak that Season 3 did, or will this be a stepping-stone for the confirmed Season 5?
House of Cards Seasons 1-4 are available on Netflix.
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