I’m not sure if I’d classify Frank Underwood as an evil man: underneath all the sneering and posturing, he’s not a bad person, just blinded by anger. He’s got plenty of good reasons, many of which are on display in ‘Chapter 3’, the first non-Fincher directed episode in the series (directed instead by James Foley). An interesting episode that separates the Underwood couple for its entirety, ‘Chapter 3’ explores the couple at the heart of the show, and what might be pulling them in different directions.
Frank spending the episode in Gaffney brought a different tone to the episode – one I think it needed, with its odd combination of Frank’s snarky inside jokes with the audience and Serious Face Drama at its foundation. Things like the roundtable conversation about whether the Peachoid had a sphincter or a clitoris (“but if you imagine a girl laying on her belly”…) brought some needed humor to House of Cards, particularly in scenes full of obvious Kevin Spacey scene-chewing. The eulogy scene is a highlight of the episode, both as an example of why he’s such a loved politician, and just how much hubris is underneath the fancy suit.
Politicians tend to be arrogant – at least all the ones we see on TV are, and Frank Underwood’s no different. But part of what drives him to be so ruthless and calculated comes from his childhood. As he eulogizes a girl who died texting while driving, he talks about his father and what a great man he was. In the middle of the speech, he breaks the fourth wall and sneers at his father’s timidness, and how it was probably a good thing he wasn’t long for this world. What he perceives as a lack of masculinity in his father has translated into bitter vendettas against anyone who crosses him, especially someone like the President of the United States.
There are hints at Underwood’s larger plan in ‘Chapter 3’ – but what’s more the focal point are the things that can derail him. The peachoid incident might’ve only been a one-episode sideshow, but Zoey’s sexuality is one that Frank’s only going to be able to deny for so long. Which is a little disappointing – the up and coming woman blinding a seasoned political veteran and master manipulator is not an easy pill to swallow. It’s going to take more than a few looks and suggestive texts before I believe Frank’s willing to throw it all away over an uppity reporter whose only connection to any kind of professional success is dependent on Frank. If this is just another show about a powerful man jeopardizing it all with his power boner, I’ll be disappointed.
The other threat is, of course, another woman – his wife Claire, who is starting to struggle with whatever master plan her and her husband are orchestrating with her non-profit and Congress. That part of the puzzle hasn’t been revealed at all yet, but Claire gutting her staff just to hire one highly sought after up and comer smells like something else is going on. Claire’s proven in the first two episodes to be as ruthless and calculating as her husband, but experiences like those in the graveyard (a homeless woman yells at her for being disrespectful jogging through the cemetery), and trying to pave the way for another young woman to do great work suggests that maybe Claire isn’t quite on board with whatever plan is in motion right now.
I wondered after the second episode when House of Cards would finally present Frank with some worthy roadblocks, and a few of those are teased out in the events of ‘Chapter 3’. He’s not out of the clear with the education bill just yet (two unsatisfied unions does not make for a well-received piece of legislation), and it looks like the trouble is only beginning for the Majority Whip.
Grade: B
Other thoughts/observations:
– Zoey’s character is almost laughable at this point: she talks about integrity with owner of paper, and two scenes later is sexualizing herself for possible advantages with Frank in the future. She’s clearly not going to be at the Washington Post long, and once that happens, maybe she’ll chill out a bit.
– “Anything for you, Frank” is probably a phrase we should get used to hearing.
– the girl who dies driving into the peachoid while texting, was texting about how fruit-themed water tower looked like a c-word. Oh, the irony!
– Part of my issues with the narrative thus far are personified in the endlessly boring credit sequence, which just suggests “look, business as usual” for two LONG minutes of orchestration.
– after Zoey asks her boss not to speak to her like a child, he punishes her: “No TV for a month!”
(Note to readers: episode by episode reviews of House of Cards will appear every day through the next week and half, with final thoughts on the season to follow. To keep up to date on when new reviews publish, follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, or good old Facebook).
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I don’t understand the motif when Claire walks in to the cemetery and sees the couple lying down among the graves making out.. What was that about? Oh, I don’t have to feel bad now jogging through the graveyard..? Look at them, they’re worse..!? lol
Here’s how I read it (not having watched Ep. 10-13 as of writing this):
Claire’s running through the graveyard is like a reflection on her life: she’s been so active, so focused on what’s she’s been doing, she hasn’t paid attention to the important things that give us satisfaction in life: love, children, true happiness.
(the graveyard can also represent Claire’s dying womb, with the couple and other things she sees in it drawing a parallel between the life reflections caused by the onset of menopause).
The homeless woman calls her out for being ‘disrespectful’. In the context of the graveyard, this can hold multiple connotations: she’s not respecting the important shit in life, she’s being ignorant about her own situation, that she’s disrespected herself by compromising herself personally for so long, denying herself her genetic ability to have a family.
It’s certainly an odd scene: in a show that exclusively works in overt and obvious tones (those annoying asides by Frank to the camera, explaining everything in snarky monologues for the audience), that scene definitely sticks out as deeper visually (and thematically) than most other things House of Cards does.
*jogging through the cemetery..
I am looking for that eulogy text done by Frank at the church. Any idea where I can find the excerpt?