Review of HOUSE OF CARDS

HOUSE OF CARDS

Political intrigue, ruthlessness.  Released 2009.

FRANK UNDERWOOD (Kevin Spacy) is the majority whip in the House of Representatives. We first meet him when he is looking at an injured dog. He turns to the viewer, laments “useless suffering,” and strangles the dog with his bare hands. Then he lies to the dog’s owner about how the pet died. Thus we see what kind of person he is.

This scene is repeated later, though under much more dramatic circumstances.

Frank had secured the presidential election of GARRETT WALKER in return for the office of Secretary of State, but Walker betrayed Frank and nominated someone else. Is Frank angry?  Does a bear—well, you know. Frank is determined to get revenge and the power of a high office  no matter what the cost...to others.

Frank is a friendly Southerner whose relaxed smile and drawl somehow reminds me of Jack Benny. He has accomplices and coconspirators in his intrigues.  First is his wife of many years, CLAIRE. They have an open marriage with no secrecy about affairs and had decided long ago not to have children, a decision Claire is now revisiting. In addition to helping Frank, Claire is a power broker in her own right and heads a charity that may actually do some good by bringing clean water to Africa. Another important ally is DOUG STAMPER, Frank’s chief of staff and a loyal employee.  He carries out a variety of legitimate, illegitimate and borderline activities for his boss.

Together, these three manipulate Washington, not only to push Frank's legislation, but also to arrange cabinet appointments, gubernatorial candidates and even resignations of high officials. They also ruin countless lives by getting people fired or having their workplaces closed, and in one case, cause someone's death.

Unfortunately, the series is available only on Netflix.

Frank and Clair Underwood are realistic and intriguing. The ruthlessness and single-minded pursuit of their goals is fascinating, and when they have different goals, it gets even better. Yet they manage to be sympathetic. They are never cruel to specific individuals, and at times will even help people in distress, especially if they can get some advantage from helping others. Having finished the first season, I'm looking forward to the second. I give this series