How to Watch the House of Cards Season 5 Recap Again
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'House of Cards' Flavour 5: Watched It All? Permit'south Discuss
The republic is in crisis, the good guys are expressionless or disempowered, and the bad guys but keep winning. Netflix'southward "House of Cards" has e'er distinguished itself among political thrillers by a worldview so cynical it'due south practically cartoonish, but the prove'due south fifth flavor was mayhap its darkest yet. Now that nosotros've watched all thirteen episodes, it'southward time to assess the damage.
Season four ended just 3 weeks before an election that pitted Frank Underwood against a young, charming Republican upstart, Will Conway. At the time, it seemed probable that the contest would be resolved in only a few more episodes, but when because that real American presidential campaigns stretch across two years and rarely feel settled, even afterward a winner is adamant, it'southward difficult to begrudge "House of Cards" for devoting almost two seasons to a single election. After three episodes of Frank's manipulations and Will'southward publicity stunts, culminating in a 24-hour Skype chat that gives the Underwood campsite an opportunity to cast aspersions on Conway's war-hero reputation, America finally votes in Episode 4.
Voter turnout hits record lows and Will'south victory seems inevitable. Frank even goes then far as to call his opponent and concede — simply, of course, he isn't really surrendering. He simply fabricates a terror plot targeting voting centers, strong arms a few swing-land governors into shutting down the polls and watches equally the entire election grinds to a halt. Nine weeks afterwards, Ohio and Pennsylvania still haven't certified their results and neither candidate has enough electoral votes to win.
In one of the season's near convincing twists, Volition unravels as he watches the presidency skid out of reach. He turns out to exist a fragile character, and it's that weakness more Frank's scheming that undoes him. When Frank invites himself to an all-male billionaires' retreat in a vague effort to influence the nation'south kingmakers, he lucks into a recording of Will, who's having a temper tantrum on an airplane because the pilots won't let him wing it. Information technology's no "Access Hollywood" tape, but it'southward enough to go Frank a second term.
The Underwoods aren't out of trouble yet, though. Tom Hammerschmidt and his team at the Herald are getting closer and closer to connecting Frank with the murder of Zoe Barnes, mode dorsum in Flavour ii, and Rachel Posner's sometime flame Lisa Williams resurfaces and urges them to look into whether Doug Stamper killed her.
Merely the biggest threat to Frank and Claire's reign is Congressman Alex Romero, a immature fellow Democrat who gets ill of their manipulations and reopens an investigation that is bound to end with impeachment. This story line dominates the terminal third of the season, and resolves with a left turn that feels absurd fifty-fifty for "Business firm of Cards." Instead of fighting to stay in the Oval Office, Frank suddenly resigns. Vice President Claire, somehow unsullied past her hubby's many scandals, is promoted to Leader of the Free Earth. Frank explains that he's been planning since the billionaires' camp-out to "requite" her the presidency while he tackles the private sector, where the existent power lies. Plenty of things that happen between the retreat and the finale — like that fourth dimension Frank pushes Cathy Durant down the stairs to proceed her from testifying against him — suggest that he didn't plan every bit far in advance as he'd like his wife to believe. Nonetheless, when she barks "My turn" at the camera in the season'south closing shot, it feels similar nevertheless some other Underwood victory.
"House of Cards" still delivers an addictive binge-viewing fix, but five seasons in, its weaknesses have never been more than apparent. Because the Underwoods and practically everyone else in their world take no core beliefs or values, topical story lines most Russian interference in American democracy, most Syria and about the ISIS-like terrorist organization "ICO" have no emotional impact. A testify that was once shocking in its depiction of a federal regime that wasn't but decadent, but was bloodthirsty, has to keep upping the trunk count to maintain our attention considering its bleak view of American politics no longer feels fresh.
What makes the show worth watching now is the constantly evolving relationship between Frank and Claire. The contrast between Kevin Spacey's broad performance and Robin Wright'due south not-quite-naturalistic but controlled i mirrors the spousal relationship. For all his misanthropy, Frank loves Claire. When an erstwhile lover dies, he shrugs it off because he's only e'er had feelings for Claire. They both have diplomacy, but he insists on keeping his fling with a personal trainer purely sexual. And, although he initially sanctioned it, Claire's relationship with Tom Yates visibly grates on him.
A Few More Thoughts on Flavor 5:
• How did you experience about the way "House of Cards" resolved the election? Personally, I was hoping to come across Congress give Volition the White House and Claire the vice presidency. Information technology would take forced Frank to kickoff scheming equally an outsider again, after two seasons on superlative.
• Nosotros demand to talk most Doug. Oh, how I wish he'd been killed off in the finale instead of LeAnn. He's get an entirely anticipated graphic symbol. He does the Underwoods' behest, takes enormous falls for Frank and has some immensely creepy relationships on the side. Could he resurface to haunt Claire? Sure, but I tin can't imagine the ensuing drama will be worth sitting through the sheer misery of this character's existence.
• Then much of "Firm of Cards" is set in the White House that a alter of scenery can exist refreshing. Maybe that's why I enjoyed Frank's billionaire camping trip so much, or maybe it's because the secret lodge's red cloaks reminded me of "The Handmaid's Tale." Anyway, did you lot know that a retreat similar Elysian Fields really does exist?
• Who was your favorite new graphic symbol this season? Sean Jeffries, the Herald reporter who quickly talks his way into a White House position, felt a bit underdeveloped. Alex Romero was more a plot device than a character. Thanks heavens for Jane Davis, a mysterious power player who'southward intelligent plenty to disturb the Underwoods' domestic bliss. It certainly doesn't hurt that she'due south played by a poker-faced Patricia Clarkson.
• This season, it struck me that "House of Cards" — Netflix'due south first blockbuster original serial — feels much more like a traditional Goggle box drama than well-nigh newer shows released on streaming platforms. From "The Crown" and "Orange Is the New Black" to "Transparent" and "Master of None," the all-time streaming series tend to switch up their formats every once in a while, with stand-alone or flashback or bottle episodes that forestall binge-viewing fatigue. Function of the reason "House of Cards" tin can experience exhausting is that every episode has a similar structure.
• Which over-the-top Frank Underwood bon mot did you love the most? "One nation, Underwood" and "Welcome to the decease of the Historic period of Reason" were stiff contenders. "The proverbial walk in the wood is not for me" was my favorite understatement. But there'southward really no competing with "Meet your new daddy" for sheer ridiculousness.
• Assuming it happens, volition you stick around for "House of Cards" Season half dozen? If then, what do you promise to encounter now that there'due south a new President Underwood in town?
Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/05/arts/television/house-of-cards-recap-season-5.html
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