WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Season 1 and Season 2. We advise you only read on if you are ready to start Season 3. Don’t worry though… We won’t give away anything from this third instalment, so read on to get excited about Netflix’ newest addition…
The road to the top has been a long and perilous road for Francis J. Underwood, but now he’s finally made it, just how much further is he willing to go to stay there?
The latest helping of the hit Netflix political drama House of Cards aired in full on Friday (February 27th) with the entire series made available to stream in Full HD and stunning 4K Ultra High Definition – cue the sweatpants, pizza delivery on standby and phones switched to silent.
First things first, if you haven’t yet watched seasons 1 and 2 then I recommend you bookmark this page and get to it – we’ll meet again in about 48hours. Secondly, if you have ignored the previous instruction then be prepared for some spoilers!
Season 3 sees us reacquainted with Frank Underwood (played superbly by Kevin Spacey), six months into his term he has found that the hot seat he fought so ruthlessly to acquire is far from comfortable. The American public are unemployed and angry at a President that has only made it in through a series of abhorrent underhand tactics, his own Democratic Party are in two minds and there’s the small matter of having to work with Cold War cohorts, the Russians, on establishing peace on the middle east. This adds more of the “bigger picture” missing from the first two seasons.
Aside from his leading role, Kevin Spacey is also an Executive Producer of the show.
Spacey’s performance is emphatic in conveying Underwood’s softer, fragile nature beneath the bull-like exterior we’ve grown accustomed to in previous seasons. His passion to actually do good by the American people is warming but mostly surprising considering he’s only ever shown empathy for his own ascent to power. However, his goods deeds have previously resulted to be a poisonous endeavour. The cracks are beginning to show as President Underwood struggles to slither or bully his way out of what’s becoming an increasingly sticky situation…
Even unity with his closest ally and wife Claire (played by Robin Wright) seems disparaged and the strains of running the country have not escaped the private quarters of the White House. What plans does she have, now she is First Lady? How far can she push herself? There’s a notable new face too, look out for Lars Mikkelsen who makes for a fantastic Russian President named Viktor Petrov. Equally power hungry and despicable, he’s an uncomfortable adversary to Underwood throughout.
This all makes for an enthralling but often frustrating watch if, like me, you vehemently support Frank Underwood despite his obvious foibles (many of which would result in a considerable jail sentence). As a man who is so good at being bad, trying to be good seems to expose his greatest weaknesses. Despite all of this however I am still left wanting, there are continuous teasers and glimpses into the compelling psyche of one of Kevin Spacey’s most intriguing characters to date, but that’s all they ever really amount to. However, in the age of viewer retention, the trick of drip-feeding hidden character traits did keep us glued to our TV for the whole series.
Netflix has no doubt done it again by continuing its knockout run of supremely stylish and substantially exciting dramas. But season 3 of House of Cards is a slow burner and supporting the Underwoods is becoming a long term commitment, it could be the point at which some viewers wash their hands of this fiendishly gritty drama.
