North Texas Daily

Dalton LaFerney / Views & Digital Editor

This column contains spoilers for “House of Cards” seasons one and two.

I cannot wait for Friday, Feb. 27. It’s the day President Francis Underwood returns to the Oval Office in Season 3 of “House of Cards.” I just really like the show, so I want to write about Season 3 because I have watched the season teaser more times than one should.

Judging from the teaser, I see Underwood, played by 2015 Golden Globe winner Kevin Spacey, paying for the momentum that carried him to the presidency. Underwood’s “I almost feel sorry for him, he didn’t chose to be put on my plate” attitude may come back to haunt him in Season 3.

The most glaring issue will be Underwood’s missing chief of staff Doug Stamper, played by Michael Kelly. The grand theft of his government-issued vehicle and, oh yes, the blunt-force trauma that led to his death will likely raise flags. Stamper was already being tracked by hacker Gavin Orsay toward the end of Season 2.

Take a moment: Frank is the president of the United States. I love the setting of the majority of the show: classy Washington D.C., executive-style amenities and access. Imagine how the Underwood White House will be portrayed.

Lucas Goodwin, the investigative journalist trailing Underwood, played by Sebastian Arcelus, was locked up, but is still alive, and his story likewise is eager to get out. Whether or not Goodwin’s story makes print, computer hacker and FBI errand boy Orsay leveraged some freedom from the FBI, blackmailing the agent — and close friend — Nathan Green, played by Jeremy Holm, with knowledge of Stampers’ happenings. There is plenty of room for Underwood to come under heavy scrutiny from the press and, well, enemies.

First Lady Claire Underwood, played by Robin Wright, was depicted in the teaser in front of a Congressional hearing, most likely answering questions relating to her husband becoming the highest executive in the world. So what, he didn’t kill anybody, right?

No matter what Mrs. Underwood is questioned about, based on the tension over the course of Season 2 and stressed in the teaser, the next chapter of “House of Cards” will exemplify in some respects the turmoil of being the U.S. president. It appears Underwood will meet with foreign dignitaries, one resembling a particular, very anti-West Russian president. I predict it’ll set up a nice diplomatic struggle for the new administration.

Speaking of foreign diplomacy, billionaire Ramond Tusk, Underwood’s main antagonist so far, played by Gerald McRaney, was taken into custody after a conspiratorial fight with Underwood. Tusk could potentially be useful to the president, opening possibilities for Underwood to use executive powers on the issue, again creating storylines and newsworthiness for a hopefully curious press. Nevertheless, Tusk could sell out Mr. President, or just get out of federal lockup because he’s really rich and powerful.

No matter the possible legal storylines, what about First Lady Claire Underwood? Wright has come a long way from “Forrest Gump,” as she now plays a beautiful, cunning wife to the president of the United States. Claire’s father contributed to Frank’s political campaigns. She had an affair and she now sleeps in the same bed as the most powerful man in the world. She says in the teaser, “We’re murderers, Francis,” suggesting to me her dissonance. Don’t forget about the deep Frank Underwood lies only she knows — she beholds tremendous power herself, a constituent of Frank’s. 

I have a difficult time seeing President Underwood coming in second place at the end of a series like this one, but Claire is an intriguing character, one I don’t yet understand. After all, she and her husband both know the grand scheme together, the entire time. The only difference between the two is Frank shares his intentions and thoughts to the audience, while Claire keeps to herself, listening to her husband’s tactful leadership. 

This show is one of the best out now, and I was glad to see Spacey finally win for this role after being nominated eight times. I heard this show described as “The West Wing” mixed with “MacBeth” on an “On The Media” podcast. That is the best description to my mind, save perhaps “The West Wing” and “Julius Caesar.” It’s the kind of show that is entertaining and provocative because it darkens the maxims of American politics. We hope all the show’s boundaries are pushed, and leaps stretched. Beside that, it’s a fast show, which makes for an easy Netlflix binge.

There are many storylines throughout the series — enough to keep it interesting. Again, the Frank-Claire duo is fantastic. Mrs. Underwood pushes her husband, and is beloved by him, but I could see Frank pushing her aside in a moment’s notice. Other than Claire, he answers to nobody, only working for himself and his goals.

A haunting burden now solely on Underwood’s plate is the duty Stamper was in charge of, which I speculate were the press office, and deputy of planning. Frank’ll manage on his own, I bet.

Featured Image: Actor Kevin Spacey plays Frank Underwood in “House of Cards.” Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons