Recently I happened to watch the second season of “House of Cards.” As always, Netflix brings to the table a show that brings home those quality family values such as adultery, murder and corruption. “House of Cards” has taken elements from classic political drama, anti-heroism and Machiavellian principles and made them into an addicting mess of politics, mystery and American ingenuity.
Generally I don’t condone binge watching of any sort, it’s unhealthy. However, there are some exceptions when the series is as insidious as season two of “House of Cards.” I also don’t like to spoil a good story, and there are no exceptions to that particular rule, so you may fearlessly read on.
Frank Underwood is a power hungry minority whip in the beginning of season one. Complete with a southern drawl, he controls the congress as well as several members of the executive branch. While some people read the bible, congressman Underwood reads Niccolo Machiavelli’s “The Prince,” as evidenced by his ruthless ways of dealing with problems within his term. An example: in perhaps my favorite exposition to a series ever, Underwood takes the life of a dog which was recently a victim of a hit and run accident, with the justification that he had no need for “useless pain.”
While Underwood may be powerful and ruthless in his own right, he would not be complete without his wife, Claire. Claire is the CEO of a non-profit water organization, and she lobbies and extorts congressmen as easy as her husband does.
At the end of the last season, Frank is brought higher up to the ranks. This second season begins exactly where season one left off. Frank will have to deal with pressure from the White House, the press, the law, other countries, and even his own wife in order to gain more power politically and monetarily, and it makes for some great television.
Granted, the show was not as merciless as some audience members would like it to be. While not as many people die as you think, there is enough blood spilled to keep the mob happy and wanting for more.