RIANNA SEELIG
Staff Writer
Reader, beware! Spoilers await you.
Any loyal “House of Cards” fan likely binged-watch the entire fourth season in one sitting. The entire season was released on Netflix on March 4, and, within hours, garnered a ton of attention from fans.
The show is a Netflix Original Series that began exclusively streaming on Feb. 1, 2013. It immediately gained widespread popularity, earning itself an astounding 9/10 on IMDb, 8.3/10 on TV.com and an 85 percent on Rotten Tomatoes — ratings otherwise unheard of in the world of television.
First of all, RIP Meechum. We loved you. We supported you. We were all rooting for you. However, we knew the moment you allowed yourself to get naked with Frank Underwood, you likely would tragically perish at some point (RIP season one Zoe). You will be missed, both because your character was great, but also because an awesome threesome between you, Claire Underwood and Frank Underwood will never again be possible.
Arguably, one of the most awesome and jaw-dropping moments of the season was when it was revealed that Claire Underwood was leaking pictures of Frank to jeopardize his campaign. This moment was great for many reasons, showing just how ruthless Claire Underwood was willing to be.
Once the shock of the scandal wore off, viewers were left in awe of Claire Underwood’s power. Viewers had become accustomed to Robin Wright’s character in the accomplice seat; now we get to see her be just as bad-ass and snake-like as Kevin Spacey’s character, which is an awesome development on her character’s part.
Moments like these were frequent for Claire Underwood in Season Four. “Bustle” released an online article titled “9 Feminist Moments From ‘House of Cards’ Season 4 That Show Claire’s Powerful Rise.” Season Four was undeniably packed with feminist-oriented moments.
“The Underwoods may be terrible people, but Claire’s personal story, with Frank finally treating her as his equal and her somewhat finally coming to terms with her mother, is feminism at its finest,” the article read.
Dr. David Kaplin, a professor in the English Department, praised Claire’s character development.
“I’m trying to be more like Claire, but who isn’t?” he said. “Her elegance and purpose with which she moves equal power, and I’m just the opposite — clumsy and quick-moving. I could watch hours of Claire just walking.”
A great contender for “most shocking sub-plotline” may be the role terrorism played in this season. Terrorism in and of itself is both alarming and relevant. But due to the eerie and intentional similarities between this season and current political affairs, the season took on new haunting qualities that stuck with viewers well after the season ended. Kaplin also spoke on said political relevancy.
“This was written months ago and is unnerving for its currency, but in a way gives a strange distance from the immediate political climate because, while fiction, so closely resembles our moment,” he said. “There’s almost a movement toward resolution applicable to the real world within the fictional plot.”
Everyone, it can be assumed, rolled their eyes when Lucas Goodwin attempted to assassinate Frank Underwood. Come on, Lucas! You know Frank can’t be defeated. Frank can never die; he’s basically the Nosferatu of the political world.
It can also be assumed that most cringed in horror during the bizarre appearance of Peter Russo and Zoe Barnes during the President’s odd, subconscious mini-meltdown. Threesomes are a clear theme in the show, but this almost-threesome cannot hold a candle to the original.
Fans are understandably excited at the premise of the Underwoods running together, an idea forced into Frank Underwood’s head by the manipulative (and brilliant) actions of Claire Underwood. The Underwoods have to stick together, as they have proven to be a force to be reckoned with when doing so. The possibility of the two teaming up once again has many viewers impatiently awaiting the premiere of Season Five.
It was no secret that fans were disappointed in the third season. Viewers complained that not much happened, and that the right characters were not focused on. James Lillin, a junior BFA acting, women and gender studies and English major, is pleased that the show bounced back from its season three lull.
“I fucking love ‘House of Cards,’” he said. “It’s finally the show I always hoped it would become. Flawless cinematography, explosive dialogue, and (like the Underwoods) always willing to go three steps further than anyone else.”
A big reason for the popularity of Season Four in comparison to Season Three is inevitably due to Wright taking on the show as an executive producer. Her influence is contributing to some of the strongest character development the show has seen. Kaplin acknowledged the positives of this development.
“It’s no accident that Robin Wright is now a producer and directs some of the episodes. Her character is now so much richer than Frank’s,” he said.
No matter your opinions on the third season, fans are sure to take great interest in the trials and tribulations seen in Season Four. The entire season is available on Netflix. Binge on!