The American people don't know what's best for them. I do. I know exactly what they need. They're like little children, Claire...We have to hold their sticky fingers and wipe their filthy mouths. Teach them right from wrong. Tell them what to think and how to feel and what to want. They even need help writing their wildest dreams and crafting their worst fears." Connections to real political events aside, House of Cards Season 5 has started in a surreal place in American history - at the point where the Underwoods are attempting to win the presidency for a four year-term, and doing so through any means necessary. As always in the presence of Frank Underwood, if you defy him, he may not pay much attention to you, but behind the scenes, he's plotting ways to destabilise your career, threaten your family and ruin your life. With a backup team like Doug Stamper and Leann Harvey, you'd be hard-pressed to doubt their success so far.
From the first four episodes, this season promises to concentrate on its political aspects rather than the emotional journeys and developments of its characters. Over the past four seasons, we've grown to understand the personalities and intentions of the many characters, now it's time to concentrate on their actions. This is shown really well in the first episode, as we are thrown straight back into the unconventional government of Frank Underwood, one where he feeds off chaos and fear. The scene of him addressing the congress was a strong way to start the season, acclimatising for the audience and shows off the President's inevitable influence in a flawed system. Even the overseeing committee can't find a way to silence the President. There are a few defining scenes, most especially involving a blood-curdling speech from Frank Underwood as he breaks the fourth wall. The scene in which he describes how to build a tower of logs in the Oval Office fireplace symbolised well the burning embers of democracy as it sits under wood (see what I did there?). I wasn't entire sure what film Frank and Claire were watching on the eve of the election, but seeing a usually separated husband and wife share a close moment together, giving the audience a taste of how the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates know each other so well. Their conflict is often startling, but both harbouring hearts of darkness, when they combine, they are a more than formidable force of evil. To see 'The End' of the film at the beginning of the fourth episode was a clever way to lead us into the all-important election day as the Underwoods attempted to hold up the falling walls, claiming enthusiastically that the White House is "Our House". Amongst the political maelstrom there are elements of confusion. As their are so many characters, it can't be difficult to keep track of all the storylines threading through this series. The committee that was established in the first episode which would investigate the terrorism of ICO has quickly evaporated by the fourth episode, leading me to wonder whether the writers forgot about that development or there's some background knowledge the audience isn't party to yet. Also, each episode seems to have its own isolated story, which can be easily forgotten when considering the overarching story, which to be honest is the only important aspect. I do, however, like the continuous connections to Tom Hammerschmidt and the new edition to the New York Herald, Sean Jeffries, and also the illegal work by Macallan in the NSA. He has clearly been an asset in the Underwood's success. Top of the game in this production, as usual, is the acting. Kevin Spacey is as charismatic as he is intimidating. He dominates every scene, apart from when he's with Robin Wright, who balances his predominant aura with her cold stare and under-her-breath insults. They are one of the greatest partnerships in show business, and House of Cards are lucky to have them. But praise must go to their supporting cast too, especially Michael Kelly, Joel Kinnaman and Boris McGiver, who help to transform this show into the bleak and politically-gruelling battlefield it should be. As I've quoted above the article, my favourite scene is the last one in the fourth episode, the best of the season so far. I hope this standard continues and the tension that filled the fourth episode continues. With two great forces clashing together on the political ground, House of Cards is as exciting as it ever was. Frank hasn't unleashed his full powers yet, but you can expect some genuinely terrifying things from him and his associate pretty soon as he attempts to reassert the political rules of the United States of America permanently so that he may remain in power for a very long time - preferably for him, until he dies. Chapter 53: Waterfalls - 8/10 Chapter 54: House of Wood - 8/10 Chapter 55: Our House - 7.5/10 Chapter 56: Underwood - 8.5/10
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