House of Cards Season 5 Episode 1 | Review

Warning: This post contains spoilers of previous seasons of HOC.

Here’s good news for the desi House of Cards fans ----- Frank Underwood is coming to India with the television premiere of House Of Cards Season 5 on Saturday, 3rd June, 5 PM onwards, only on Zee Café! And I get the privilege to tell you whether this season is as intriguing as the previous ones or not.

Since you have opened this review, I believe you already know what House of Cards is and have watched the previous seasons. But if you are a lost soul ---- well, House of Cards is an American political drama series and it is dangerously as dark as real politics. The characters are in a never ending greed for power and are ready to go to any extent for their benefit. They manipulate, they murder --- they do everything and anything. The show is fast-paced, shocking, morbid and weirdly satisfying to watch.

Chapter 53 of House of Cards (SO5E01) starts off right where the previous season left. The Underwoods so far have been plotting to get into the positions they want for the last four seasons, but this season is all about protecting those positions. And in order to do so, they have to play their game harder and more viciously than ever. “We make the terror,” a punchline of Frank Underwood from season 4 is at play this season and episode 1 lay the roots for it. The Underwoods try to use Joshua Masterson, the man responsible for the beheading of Jim Miller and the ICO (Islamic Caliphate Organization) crisis to entice fear among the public and divert accusations away from them. A lot of things happen over the episode and it ends with an uncertainty of whether their plans will work or not.

I loved how the episode starts cleverly with Claire Underwood appearing to break the fourth-wall. Judging by that start, it is evident that she is set to become more powerful and cunning this season. In the beginning there is also this scene which shows Frank storming into a congressional floor that was debating about investigating the Washington Herald’s allegations against him. Frank takes over the floor and despite huge opposition, demands a declaration of war between the USA and ICO from the Congress. I think this scene is brilliantly done and Kevin Spacey absolutely nails the role of Frank Underwood. This character is pure evil and I wonder why he is my favourite.

I liked that equal screen space was giving to the subplots too. We get a good peek at rival candidate Conway’s plans to bring Frank down. The Miller family still plays an integral role in the show. Overall, the episode successfully maintains the USP of the show and ends with an intriguing suspense about the events leading to the Presidential election and it's outcome. If there is anything I don’t like, it is how Frank’s character is not growing at all. I would like to see him in more control. 

The episode has a few revelations, a few shocks and creates newer scope to continue the storyline. Chapter 53 promises and lay a strong foundation for another season of this amazing series. 

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