House of Cards - season 4 (2016, VoD) - Strong ingredients though narrative issues punch in

♥♥♥

 

Frank and Claire Underwood share equal weight on the dark poster for the 4th season of Beau Willimon's House of Cards

 

House of Cards - season 4 is created by Beau Willimon (The Ides of March (2011)), based on the BBC miniseries of the same name from 1990, which in turn was based on the same-titled 1989 novel by Michael Dobbs (Winston's War (2002)).

The following season summary contains SPOILERS:

 

Claire Underwood (Robin Wright (The Congress (2013)) lives with her alienated mother (Ellen Burstyn (The Exorcist (1973))) in Texas, while she hires LeAnn (Neve Campbell (Scream (2022))) to help her get into Congress and upwards from there. US President Frank Underwood's (Kevin Spacey (Hurlyburly (1998))) attempt to threaten them to dissuade unsurprisingly fails. Despite this the two keep up appearances to the outside as a happily married power couple.

Frank eventually obstructs Claire's plan by fully embracing her opponent in his State of the Union address.

Claire gets back at Frank with an image of his late father's Ku Klux Klan past, which she leaks, causing him some trying consequences. Rage flares up between the two again.

An embittered former editor shoots Frank twice at a university appearance, and his intimate bodyguard Meechum kills the assailant but is also himself killed in action. Right before this Claire has asked for divorce. Vice President Blythe takes over governance and immediately overturns Frank's decision concerning delivering a Russian billionaire to the Russian government, instead flying him to China!

While Claire works wonders to pacify a scandal-filled farewell letter from the editor assassin in the media, Frank's Chief of Staff Doug Stamper violently scares press secretary Seth Grayson into submission and silence on other matters.

Secretary of State Dunbar admits on TV to have met with the assassin days before his attack, - and attacks hospital-ridden Frank. A teenage suicide brings a fresh liver to Frank's body, after Stamper has pressured the Secretary of Health and Human Services into bumping him to the top of the donor list, (costing another man his life.) During the operation Claire attends G7 negotiations in Germany and makes a deal with Russian leader Petrov. Once awake again and recuperating, Francis accepts the new balance of strength in their marriage, which is now in Claire's favor.

New Republican presidential hopeful Conway (Joel Kinnaman (The Killing (2011-14))) is introduced. His data powerhouse search machine is, however, second to the services of the NSA that the Underwoods have at hand.

Stamper has to face that he cannot control Seth anyways. Claire helps her mother die with morphine and has sex with Tom, the couple's suave ghost writer confidante, who is coming back into their lives. 

While campaigning for the Underwoods back on the Republican presidential ticket, Claire elaborates on their 'partnership' while carrying on her extra-marital affair behind the spotlight. Frank learns about it and encourages it, as he estimates that Tom gives her something good.

A fraught domestic ICO (a fictionalized version of ISIS) terrorist hostage situation develops with Conway communicating with the terrorist, to Frank's chagrin: "You're a pretender. And if you win you'll go from pretender to fraud", he explains to his young competitor in a typically direct exchange. While an investigative journalist's damaging article is about to come out, the FBI nears the hostage situation, while Frank pushes Conway to communicate again, this time without a manuscript.

In an incredible turn of events, both Conway and Frank talk to the terrorist, and, more incredibly still, a prisoned ICO leader is flown to Virginia to video-link with the terrorist and talk the situation down. This crazy plan backfires with fatal results. While the damaging article is still going to press, the Underwoods' NSA back channel is overtaken by CIA and FBI. Everything is seemingly disintegrating, when Claire hands her husband the solution: Fear. War. In a speech to the nation Frank announces war on ICO, as the last hostage is killed on video before all.

  

The 4th season is an enormous and awesome production with outstanding performances from Spacey as the President, Wright as exceptionally cold Claire, Jayne Atkinson (Free Willy (1993)) as Secretary of State Durant, Michael Kelly (Dawn of the Dead (2004)) as Stamper and Kinneman as narcissistic newcomer Conway. Burstyn is a scoop and intense as Claire's mother. SPOILER Her euthanasia death (episode 10) is the season's most shocking moment.

The phenomenal score (by Jeff Beal (Inside Game (2019))) is as bleak and gloomy as the darkest dark, which seems also to be the area which the characters inhabit. Frank's monologues return with force (episode 7), as data collection as power instrument is introduced along with Kinneman's selfie fanatic politician Conway. The race for Republican presidential nomination is over strangely fast, and these episodes (8-11) are not as strong as one would have dreamt about.

The initially intense, dramatically effective and suspenseful season-closing conflict with the ICO hostage situation ends preposterously (in episode 13) with the unbelievable inclusion of an untrustworthy ICO leader in trying to solve the situation. It is a fittingly dark and cruel end to the season, but it doesn't feel authentic.

Best episodes:

Episode 5: Chapter 44 - Written by Melissa James Gibson (All Is Bright (2013)), Laura Eason (Here and Now (2018)), Bill Kennedy (Sex Ed (2014)), Willimon; directed by Tom Shankland (Ripper Street (2012-13))

The aftermath of the assassination attempt on Frank's life has his inner circle scrambling against attacks with any means necessary on several fronts. 

 

Episode 12: Chapter 51 - Written by Eason, Kennedy, Willimon; directed by Jakob Verbruggen (The Fall (2013, TV-series))

Conway attempts to boost himself by getting involved in a nation-absorbing domestic terrorist hostage situation, and Frank chews him up for it, while also trying to stamp out a detrimental journalistic piece that's about to emerge.

Related posts:

 

Beau Willimon: House of Cards - season 3 (2015, VoD) - Marital crisis in so-far best season of Presidential drama 

House of Cards - season 2 (2014, VoD) - More ruthless power plays from Willimon and Co.

House of Cards - season 1 (2013, VoD) - Mean streaks at the sausage factory

The Ides of March (2011) - Clooney's political thriller looks at the cynical downside of modern politics (screenwriter; based on his play) 

 

Watch a trailer for the season here

Cost: Uncertain but reportedly around 55 mil. $

Box office: None - TV-series

= Uncertain, but considered a hit

[House of Cards - season 4 was released in full on 4 March on Netflix and runs approximately 663 minutes (13 episodes of around 51 minutes each). Shooting took place from June 2015 - ?. The fourth season reportedly cost 55 mil. $ to produce. Netflix regrettably do not report viewership numbers. The season was nominated for 13 Emmys. IMDb's users have rated the TV-series in at #111 on the site's TV Top 250, sitting between The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017) and Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War (2022). House of Cards returned with season 5 in 2017, also Willimon's return as writer; the 4th season was his last as executive producer though. In 2016 Spacey also appeared in Elvis & Nixon, Nine Lives and Tom Odell: Here I Am (music video); Wright did not appear elsewhere that year. House of Cards - season 4 is certified fresh at 86 % with a 7.7/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of House of Cards - season 4?

House of Cards - season 3 (2015, VoD) - Marital crisis in so-far best season of Presidential drama

♥♥♥♥♥

 

The Underwoods are leaving Air Force One on a red carpet against an ominous grey sky on this poster for the third season of Beau Willimon's House of Cards

House of Cards - season 3 is created by Beau Willimon (The Ides of March (2011)), based on the BBC miniseries of the same name from 1990, which in turn was based on the same-titled 1989 novel by Michael Dobbs (Winston's War (2002)).

The following season summary contains SPOILERS:

 

Frank has become US President, and his wife, First Lady Claire Underwood also seeks active service as American UN ambassador. Frank's approval ratings are low, and he wants to improve them by stimulating job growth. His former Chief of Staff Doug Stamper meanwhile is trying to overcome a personal downfall.

Stamper, desperate to get back in the game, accepts helping Claire out with her candidacy. Frank faces opposition from within his own party in his road towards securing their nomination as presidential candidate 1½ years hence.

While the Underwoods' favorite personal NSA bodyguard Meechum has gone missing, the Russian President Petrov visits the White House, and Frank boldly decides against appeasing him, when he appears not to be willing to give them any concessions.

Frank's bluff of outwardly saying that he is not interested in running for president gets called by a promising opposing candidate. Claire has become UN ambassador and faces problems dealing with the Russians in the Middle East. Another shocking page is written on Frank's monstrous hidden side, when he spits at a Jesus statue and breaks it on the floor during a church visit. 

Frank spends a large sum from an emergency fund to make jobs (and regain popularity), and he helps Claire with a troop deployment in Jordan. Doug courts opposing Democratic presidential candidate Dunbar.

Frank and Claire head to Russia on a visit that does not go smoothly. The release of an American gay rights activist is botched, and the man commits suicide, while they are in the country, leading to scandal and marital strife.

Realizing that the rift is unbearable for both, Frank and Claire renew their wedding vows.

The ghost writer Tom, who is working on Frank's autobiography with him, and a keen political journalist Kate, who is describing Frank as a tyrant in an opinion piece, start a relationship. A hurricane ends Frank's AmWorks cashflow, and he decides it is time to announce his candidacy for President.

Trouble brews in the Jordan valley, and Doug finally finds proof that the potentially dangerous ex-prostitute that he followed in previous seasons, has died a violent death. He gets hammered and then presents Frank with the evidence, which he instructs Meechum, back on the force, to burn.

Petrov demands withdrawal from the Jordan valley, and Frank travels there and instead secures Russian withdrawal - against a promise that Claire will give up her UN job.

Chief of Staff Remy Danton leaves the office in regret, as the Democratic Presidential race begins with an Iowa debate, in which Frank alienates opposing candidate Jackie Sharp (Danton's ex-lover) the the point where she soon after the debate bows out and offers her support for Dunbar. Doug's 60 days of sobriety are over.

Claire is a good trooper for Frank's candidacy, as Dunbar threatens to release damaging details from her old diary, which Doug attains and destroys, securing himself back the position as Chief-of-Staff. Tom loses his girlfriend over his dedication to the job of writing the autobiography.

The mysterious prostitute who was thought dead turns up alive again in rural Des Moines, where Doug murders and buries her in the wilderness. Claire's anger over their marital problems and her professional breakdown comes to a head, when she notifies Frank that she wants to leave him, and that she implicitly has presidential dreams of her own.

 

Likely the best season up to this point, season 3 sees House of Cards climb to the highest level of quality TV drama, as the show now more or less halfway is really about a marriage under extraordinary pressure, - a stress that Kevin Spacey (Rebel in the Rye (2017)) and Robin Wright (Wonder Woman (2017)) portray with intense vigor. His final inability to tame her anger and ambitions in their negotiation-based sham of a marriage develops to a turbulent climax. The other half of the show is a wicked good political thriller of men (and women) who either stab each other's backs or help wash each other's hands clean.

The political maneuvers, if heightened, are narratively valid, relatively realistic and insightful in their devious machinations. Lars Mikkelsen (Headhunter (2009)) is outstanding as Petrov, a character loaded with Putin connotations. The development of the Underwood partnership also mirrors recent real-world politics, the Clintons, namely. Kim Dickens (Gone Girl (2014)) is another strong new cast addition as journalist Kate; and Paul Sparks (Waco (2018, miniseries)) is excellent as ghost writer Tom, whose polemic writings on the Underwoods cause him to be cast out of their home in episode 12. Although Michael Kelly (Chronicle (2012)) is fascinating as the eerie, plagued Doug Stamper character, the storyline involving Stamper, a hacker and the potentially damaging prostitute is continually mysterious and not the show's strongest in season 3, though over-all it is a very strong season.

 

Best episodes:

 

Episode 3: Chapter 29 - Written by Frank Pugliese (Shot in the Heart (2001, TV movie)), Laura Eason (Here and Now (2018)), Willimon; directed by Tucker Gates (Ray Donovan (2013-19))

Doug is working to secure a return to Frank's inner circle. Russian president Petrov visits the Underwoods at the White House for the first time.

 

Episode 5: Chapter 31 - Written by Kenneth Lin (My America (2012, TV-series)), Eason, Willimon; directed by James Foley (The Corruptor (1999))

Frank regains popularity around the 4th of July with his AmericaWorks initiative. Claire as new UN ambassador faces Russian intimidation.

 

Episode 6: Chapter 32 - Written by Melissa James Gibson (The Americans (2013-14)), Eason, Willimon; directed by Foley

The Underwoods travel to Russia, but the visit goes anything but smoothly.

Related posts:

 

Beau Willimon: House of Cards - season 2 (2014, VoD) - More ruthless power plays from Willimon and Co.

House of Cards - season 1 (2013, VoD) - Mean streaks at the sausage factory

The Ides of March (2011) - Clooney's political thriller looks at the cynical downside of modern politics (screenwriter; based on his play)

 

Watch a short teaser for the season here

 

Cost: Uncertain but reportedly around 55 mil. $

Box office: None - TV-series

= Uncertain, but considered a hit

[House of Cards - season 3 was released in full on 27 February on Netflix and runs approximately 663 minutes (13 episodes of around 51 minutes each). Shooting took place in from June - December 2014 in Maryland, including in Baltimore, New Mexico and in Washington DC. The third season reportedly cost 55 mil. $ to produce. Netflix regrettably do not report viewership numbers. The season was won 1/7 Emmy nominations and was nominated for a Golden Globe. IMDb's users have rated the TV-series in at #108 on the site's TV Top 250, sitting between Friday Night Lights (2006) and Berserk (1997). House of Cards returned with season 4 in 2016, also Willimon's return as writer/producer. In 2014 Kevin Spacey did not appear elsewhere prior to season 4; Wright in 2015 also starred in Everest. House of Cards - season 3 is certified fresh at 73 % with a 7.00/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of House of Cards - season 3?

House of Cards - season 2 (2014, VoD) - More ruthless power plays from Willimon and Co.

♥♥♥♥

 

Sombre, ominously dark, the stars of Beau Willimon's House of Cards - season 2 reflect the show's ruthless power theme on this poster

House of Cards - season 2 is created by Beau Willimon (The Ides of March (2011)), based on the BBC miniseries of the same name from 1990, which in turn was based on the same-titled 1989 novel by Michael Dobbs (Winston's War (2002)).

The following season summary contains SPOILERS:

 

Claire Underwood threatens an ex-employee, as her husband Frank gets nearer to attain the Vice President's position and finds his candidate as House Whip in Molly Parker's (1922 (2017)) Jaqueline Sharp. Frank's Chief of Staff Doug Stamper (Michael Kelly (Everest (2015))) works his dark magic to keep reporter Zoe Barnes' nose out of stinky matters. SPOILER When Frank realizes that the young Barnes has him found out nonetheless, he pushes her in front of a train in the episode's surprising climax.

Frank is sworn in and manipulates Secretary of State Durant into a confrontation with China, and the weak President Garrett Walker into backing her up. As VP Frank's first job is to honor a general, who turns out to be the man that raped his wife Claire many years ago. As Sharp elbows her way forward, Zoe's ex is investigating her mysterious death.

This leads him to the Dark Web and a hacker. Frank shows his true chameleon-like colors in securing support for a pension reform.

Frank, Sharp and lobbyist Remy Danton gather votes to avoid a government shutdown during a white powder scare that locks down the White House. Claire conducts an intense interview alone, wherein she admits an abortion and relays her rape story, naming the guilty general.

Zoe's ex-boyfriend's investigation is thwarted, when he gets arrested. Frank meets with a Chinese representative during a Civil War reenactment in the South, and President Walker holds him and billionaire supporter Raymond Tusk to blame when the talk ends in mutual enmity. Claire attains her deceased abortion doctor's diary, trying to hide her true number of abortions from becoming known.

Stamper harasses the prostitute he has some trouble getting rid off, and Sharp carries on an affair with Danton. Frank increases his opposition to Tusk, resulting in an energy crisis.

Stamper heads a criminal money-laundering scheme involving a Montana casino and a Chinese representative. Claire continues to create a rift between the President and the First Lady.

Claire's attempt to become an issue spokesperson (against rapes in the military) loses momentum when her case victim gets cold feet. Frank pressures the President into accepting a Chinese bridge project in exchange for quelled support for the opposing (Republican) party.

Sharp ends her problematic affair with Danton and goes against Claire's rape legislation to Frank's consternation. Frank shows appreciation for his closest Secret Service protector Meechum but fails to commend Stamper, who is embittered.

The Chinese support through a casino story breaks out, and Frank gets Garrett to hand over his calendar, hoping that the recent therapist sessions with wife Trisha will emerge to the public. Claire and Frank literally take Meechum to bed with them.

Garrett realizes that his Vice President is eying his position, confronting him. Frank denies this and lures secretary Durant to his side. Tusk is subpoenaed in the corruption case but pleads the 5th. Carrie and Frank request Sharp to gather votes for them against the President.

The presidential couple elope to Camp David as the news worsen until the point that he resigns and hands over power to Frank Underwood, the wolf in sheep's clothing.

 

Robin Wright (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)) gets more room to shine and assert her character, First Lady Claire Underwood in season 2, and she is phenomenal. Parker is equally eminent as season newcomer fellow Democratic politician Jacqueline Sharp, who carries on a sexy affair with Mahershala Ali's (Green Book (2018)) lobbyist Remy Danton.

Some of the show's refinement falls by the wayside in exchange for more violence in the storylines, including a surprising murder in the first episode. A long-running storyline involving Frank's Chief of Staff Douglas Stamper and a prostitute goes on with its relevance to the main plot becoming ever more murky. The casting of chilly, uncharismatic Michel Gill (Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2003, TV-series)) as President Walker comes to make sense, when his character turns out to be another unfortunate subservient for Frank Underwood to conquer.

At the show's best it portrays and inhabits modern paranoid anxiety very well. The intro credit sequence and theme is fantastic. Season 2 has several good performances and timely themes but is over-all less astonishing and successful than the first season.

Best episode:

Episode 2: Chapter 15 - Written by Willimon; directed by Carl Franklin (Ray Donovan (2017, TV-series))

Frank is sworn in as VP and immediately causes trouble for weak President Walker. Claire must face a pain from her past, and Frank's House Whip candidate Jackie Sharp maneuvers her way forward.

Related posts:

 

Beau Willimon: House of Cards - season 1 (2013, VoD) - Mean streaks at the sausage factory

The Ides of March (2011) - Clooney's political thriller looks at the cynical downside of modern politics (screenwriter; based on his play) 

Watch a short trailer for the season here

Cost: Uncertain but reportedly around 55 mil. $

Box office: None - TV-series

= Uncertain, but considered a hit

[House of Cards - season 2 was released in full on 14 February on Netflix and runs approximately 663 minutes (13 episodes of around 51 minutes each). Shooting took place in from April - November 2013 in Maryland, including in Baltimore, and in Washington DC. The second season reportedly cost 55 mil. $ to produce. Netflix regrettably do not report viewership numbers. The season was nominated for 13 Primetime Emmys and won 1/3 Golden Globe nominations. IMDb's users have rated the TV-series in at #108 on the site's TV Top 250, sitting between Friday Night Lights (2006) and Berserk (1997). House of Cards returned with season 3 in 2015, also Willimon's return as writer/producer. In 2014 Kevin Spacey (Rebel in the Rye (2017)) also narrated Nature Is Speaking (TV-series) and co-starred in Horrible Bosses 2; Wright also starred in A Most Wanted Man and narrated Until We Could (short). House of Cards - season 2 is certified fresh at 83 % with a 7.90/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of House of Cards - season 2?