Written by Robert Weihofen
House of Cards is another show that Netflix made in the past few years, and it recently had its second season released. It is a show that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats each episode, as they have to know what happens next. The premise of show is Frank Underwood (played by Kevin Spacey) trying to make it to the top of the food chain within the government after he was skipped over for Secretary of State. He had served in Congress for over twenty years, and was the House Whip. However, after he was turned down by the president for Secretary, he made it his personal goal to make it to the top by himself.
The first season of the show saw Frank team up with reporter Zoe Barnes (played by Kate Mara) to leak news of the government’s various plans of action before they would happen. He would use this to his advantage to change the public image, leak fake stories to get the votes needed for a bill, get the support of the public he wanted or the hatred that he needed. At his side throughout all of this was his wife Claire (played by Robin Wright) as he used her business to help him in anyway needed and would always try to sway the lobbyist’s in his direction if needed. Frank also had his staff headed by Doug Stamper, played by Michael Kelly, who would do the dirty-work so Frank would not be implicated for any of it. As the first season progressed, Frank was able to play everyone in congress and would have no mercy for anyone, even the people close to him. The entire season kept viewers on edge as each episode would build upon the last, while presenting a new challenge for Frank and his wife to overcome in their conquest of those who betrayed them. Near the end of Season One, a person close to Frank began to betray him and it left the viewers to wonder if he would be able to overcome what they were about to do to him.
Season two opens with a plan set in place to bring Frank down from where he is, but quickly into the first episode of the season that is squashed. Many believe that the second season climaxed excessively soon, but as viewers continue to watch the season, they can quickly see that this is not the case, as many thought. A few new faces become known for wanting to bring Frank down. Frank must work to keep his place of power and move into the position that he wants the most. With problems at home, he must balance what is going on at Capitol Hill with his personal life, and this begins to take its toll on Frank. In the end, he is able to reach his goal and the season ends with him, at a desk, making his signature double tap of his class ring on the table gesture.
