House of Cards Season 2 picks up in the same spot and the shot of the power couple running towards the camera together instantly stands out to me as perhaps a reminder of the fact that this is Claire’s story too. Frank may do most of the dirty work on their way to the top, but Claire has surely proven to be unafraid of twisting the knife when necessary. My thoughts on this bit of foreshadowing are quickly validated via the first episode’s scenes between Claire and Gillian. Gillian wants Claire to reinstate her health coverage so she can get the meds she needs for her pregnancy, never mind the fact that she still intends to take Claire to court. “I’m willing to let your child whiter and die inside you if that’s what’s required.” Yep, this is definitely Frank Underwood’s better half. Zoe’s comments to Frank before her demise about her decision to overstep ethical lines summed up her character perfectly. Zoe was a smart girl. Too smart for her own good. She was too naïve to understand the depths that some in Washington’s power circle are willing to go. And Underwood’s chilling monologue at the end of episode 1 was the perfect reminder that he doesn’t share any of Zoe’s shortcomings. You thought that perhaps Underwood would settle down and be complacent within his new role as VP? Well… “F.U.” We’re reminded of Rachel’s presence, although it seems clear that her and Stamper’s story is going to play out on the sidelines for now. Jackie Sharp shows off a bit of that ruthless pragmatism that has made her so popular with Underwood. One wonders if Frank will one day regret setting Jackie on her current path to the top. If she’s willing to throw a longtime personal friend under the bus for her career ambitions, it’s clear that that no one may be safe, not even Frank. We heard words like “China” and “entitlements” and “quorum” but as with everything else in House of Cards, these are just plot devices for the tense back and forth between the characters that makes the show so riveting. As much as I enjoyed Season 1, I did get a bit tired of the fact that Frank Underwood always came out on top. In most episodes, the question wasn’t whether or not Frank would win, it was simply a question of what he would have to do to ensure the victory. It’s for this reason that I’m thrilled by the emergence of Raymond Tusk. We were given just a taste of what was to come at the end of season 1, but now it is clear that Underwood finally has a worthy adversary for this season. Frank’s march to victory is no longer ensured and the show is better for it. Viewers were kept in the dark most of last season as to the ultimate destination that Underwood was striving for. We watched him pull his strings from the first episode on, but the vice presidency wasn’t the obvious end result. As we watch the President give the State of the Union at the end of the third episode, this season’s objective is officially confirmed. “I used to be on the edge of the frame,” Underwood says. “Now, I’m only three feet away.” Considering the path to his current position involved two murders and countless other heinous acts, it’s a bit frightening to think what Underwood might have to do over these remaining 10 episodes in order to move up that final peg. Read Jason’s review of House of Cards Season 2 Episodes 4-6 HERE! Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for all news updates related to the world of geek. And Google+, if that’s your thing!
