Via Netflix.
I’ve come to the realization that if you don’t binge-watch an entire season of House of Cards within a 48-hour period, you are likely to never finish watching it. It’s an all-or-none kind of show. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself, but the more likely answer is that life just gets too busy to keep up with it (by life I mean watching and re-watching True Detective episodes). At any rate, while season two of House of Cards is likely well in the rear-view mirror for most of you, I’m still slowly digesting it, letting Frank Underwood’s slow manipulation and calculated sociopathy seep into my psyche and devour my entire being.
At this point, consider this more of a viewing diary—slowly capturing my descent into madness from this silly show—than a traditional recap. Over the past two weeks, I watched the two episodes of House of Cards, Chapters 16 and 17, which saw Frank’s new position of power compromised by a botched deal with the Chinese and his new nemesis, Raymond Trusk. Meanwhile, Lucas thinks he’s getting closer to obtaining evidence pointing to Frank as Pete Russo and Zoe Barnes’ killer, but is actually walking right into Doug Stamper’s trap, and Claire deals with the repercussions of talking publicly of her rape. To the power rankings!
Doug Stamper: These two episodes certainly established one thing: Doug Stamper is the smartest guy in the room. Well, maybe not the smartest, but certainly the most diabolical. If Frank Underwood is the Hades of Washington, Doug is certainly his Persephone. Over Chapters 16 and 17, Doug sets up a nosey Lucas Goodwin to fall into a hacking trap with the FBI and manages to keep tabs and intimidate Rachel Posner from talking to anyone. I fear the day this dude gets smart and decides to throw Frank under the bus for his own personal gain.
Frank Underwood: You’d think Frank would be unstoppable now that he’s second-in-command, answering only to the President, but it seems like Frank’s new position often has him struggling to topple his enemies. Particularly in his quibble with Raymond Trusk. It’s even more evident how little power Frank can hold over his people without his connections. While quarantined inside Jackie Sharp’s office because of a suspicious white powder mailed to Frank’s office, he comes up empty trying to block Congressmen Donald Blythe on the entitlement bill. Luckily, Jackie Sharp comes to the rescue and avoids a government shutdown.
Jackie Sharp: Having succeeded Frank as Majority Whip, Jackie is quickly proving she’s more resourceful and unforgiving as Frank. Not only does she single-handedly avoid a government shutdown, but she does so when Frank couldn’t. “I’m not Frank Underwood,” she says. She’s not, but could she be something greater? We’ll see.
Claire Underwood: For a fleeting moment, Claire climbed to the top of the power rankings by admitting during a public interview that General McGinnis raped her back in college and she had to have an abortion. However, all that is quickly undone when it’s revealed that her abortion wasn’t because of him. Something that could be kept hidden, except that it may not be, putting her in a very vulnerable position.
Raymond Trusk: Trusk’s petty battle with Frank is definitely not doing him any favors. The guy who, in season one, was the President’s most trusted unofficial advisor is quickly losing his respect and high opinion, thanks to Frank.
Rachel Posner: Though Doug still has her wrapped around his finger, not even letting her talk to another human being, she contacts her mother and makes friends with a Christian girl. Could this lead to a revolt against Doug?
Lucas Goodwin: Poor Lucas, you’re walking straight into Doug’s trap. Seriously, how is this guy a newspaper editor?
The Republicans: This sums it up pretty well:
Via Netflix.
Zoe Barnes: Still dead.
Washington, D.C. Accuracy-o-Meter: 2. Man, I wish someone would have arrested Ted Cruz to avoid that government shutdown last October.
