House of Cards – Season 2

If the first season of House of Cards made one thing clear it was that Francis and Claire Underwood (Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright) want to be at the top of the political foodchain. They are both predators who together set up their plan of attack and don’t hesitate to use any means necessary to achieve their goals. Criticism is something they don’t allow and opponents (whether political or in the media) have to play along or face the consequences of their lust for power personally. It was exactly the reason which made the first season of House of Cards so fascinating and compelling. Political allies were play things who could be swept aside without emotion if it meant an advantage for the Underwoods. Reporter Zoe Barnes (Kate Mara) knew to gain the trust of Francis, which made her a rising star in journalism because she always received the latest information straight from Capitol Hill.

As Netflix released the whole first season in one day it was possible for fans to devour a whole season in just a few days. The last episode left people hungry for more and since Valentine’s Day the fans have been able to enjoy 13 new episodes. With their ruthless methods Francis and Claire succeeded in creating many enemies. The question is whether they will be a threat to them in this second season.

The second season starts strong with a very unexpected and shocking event which nobody could have predicted. It immediately grabs your attention and proves to the viewer that this is the reason you are watching the show. With Francis Underwood having taken the position of vice-president, he can now use his position as the right hand man of the president. The person who suggested to the president that Francis was the right person for the job, Raymond Tusk (Gerald McRaney) unfortunately has a strong influence on the president. Francis does not like that fact and tries to make sure that the billionaire does not get what he wants. Tusk has a lot of business in China and when trade negotiations start he sees a chance to hit Tusk where it hurts, in his wallet.

Meanwhil Claire Underwood tries to get a grip on the situation with her former employee. She also meets someone during a ceremony which brings up a dark secret from the past. It gives her strength though and gives her the opportunity to get closer to the president’s wife. With a strong team behind the Underwoods they seem to be able to completely control the news, even making sure that attacks through the media do not have a chance of hurting them.

The first season left some plots open and they continue in this season. The journalists, who were finding out that Francis wasn’t playing by the rules continue their investigation. One of them even asks for the help of a hacker. There are other subplots, but unfortunately not all of them work. A lot of time is spent on stories about the trade negotiations with China, building of a bridge and American natives setting up a casino, but these were unfortunately not very interesting. It is clear these are all means for Francis to reach a specific goal, but because they keep coming back in various episodes you start to become less interested. It was only during the final two episodes that things started to become interesting again, but where too much seems to happen in too short a time period.

Season 1 of House of Cards really grabbed my attention (the fact that I finished watching it in only 5 days says enough) and I could not wait for season 2 to start. After a gripping opening I felt the story somehow just did not feel as strong. Too much time was spent on subjects which were not as interesting and some parts of the story (like with Doug Stamper) seemed to go nowhere.

The second season just did not feel as strong as the first one did. With that I do not want to say that it is not worth watching. The show looks beautiful and again various directors did their magic (Jodie Foster, Robin Wright) in the director’s chair. The acting is as strong as it has always been and the dark atmoshpere the Underwoods seem to enjoy shows. The question is where the third season will go now and whether it will manage to keep the viewer’s attention.