I would have loved that. Then you have FU sweep on sympathy votes because everyone loved her. He grows mad with power and no restraint, gets busted in a rent boy scandal. Wait that would require things of consequence to occur. The writers were specifically instructed to avoid that.
I was kind of leaning between either option, her committing suicide or leaving him. I think season 4 will be both of them as political rivals.
This show has gone downhill two seasons in a row. It's just not as good a show with Claire as the main story, which she's become. It drags and drags. Claire's pace... Boring... Has effected the pace overall. The journalists are boring. Remy is boring. Losing focus...
I think this season was awesome. What was not to like about it? Finally no ridiculous murders by Frank Underwood, and people actually beating him at his own game. The show was a little more realistic with real issues such as the middle east conflict and russia. This is what I wanted the show to always be...not some murdering president that wins every single battle by unrealistic tactics.
I agree, I think compared to last season the pace is a lot slower. But I was not a fan of the second season at all for how absurdly unrealistic it all was. It seems like they scaled back a lot of the pacing which I like. I am giving the writers the benefit of the doubt to explain Claire's behavior throughout this season in season 4. I find it hard to believe a person of her character would have either a) a change of heart with all that they have worked towards or b) so little foresight and understanding about the ramifications of her actions. Frankly, they shifted from portraying her as this ice-cold, master politician to having the personality of a teenage girl. How she "apparently" got played (which I get--maybe she was in over her head), but the amount of times we saw her break down this season was uncharacteristic. I'm all for character development but this sort of came out of left field. I also thought the Yates book writing arc could have been better developed. It was oddly put together. I also thought the new Telegraph journalist was going to play a bigger role in how things shook out. She started strong but fizzled out. I'm still hopeful that this series will come back really strong. It does make you appreciate the writing and character development of shows like Breaking Bad and Mad Men.
Yet the First Lady of the POTUS wants a divorce. That's pretty damn ridiculous. Hell, I also think it's ridiculous for a clear front-running for Supreme Court Justice to give that up to take a shot a running against an incumbent in her own party. The Dems wouldn't even allow that; it almost assures they lose the main election when they have such in-fighting in the primaries. but alas, the shows not about making sense. I really like the Putin character a lot. Tom the writer was good. Remy and the Press Secretary, too. The DC Mayor and Ireali PM was great casting. I miss the evil Koch brother character from past. And I miss the BBQ joint scenes. But Doug, Claire, and the ridiculousness of that mentioned above, blech.
Pretty much sums up my thoughts. The only somewhat confusing thing this season to me is that it took Stamper so long to get back in good graces with Frank. But I loved the Petrov scenes and storyline entirely. I like the inner turmoil of a Presidency being showcased (Remy walking out, Seth angling for Chief of Staff, Jackie "negotiating" with Frank for position on the ticket). And I LOVED the idea of Claire getting played by the Russians. Ultimately, I think that is what is at the heart of why she has changed. She thought she was ready for the big leagues, found out she's an amateur and self reflection made her angry at Frank because she finally begins to understand she's been played this whole time by FU. Frank is ruthless. Period. And he demands ABSOLUTE LOYALTY. Claire walking out is the ultimate betrayal. How that plays out will be fascinating to watch. Looking forward to next season!
Anyone else find the oval office confrontation in between FU and Jackie a bit out of character? He's always been ruthless, but this kind of emotional outburst seemed shortsighted and unnecessarily exposed him
Yeah... FU is more of a sweet talker than a violent screamer. Yeah, the stress is taking its toll but anyone would realize Jackie was on the fence with her minging. And that last episode, more shouting, like he's being slowly growing dementia or something. That's not how I imagine a Nixonian villain would crumble. More like the devil lying to the bitter end spinning up better lies until he has to murder the truth. The way the writers tried to justify it is when FU beat himself up for not "destroying" the SC Justice when the justice refused to resign on the spot, as if Frank had a laspe in "humanity". The Frank of old would've agreed with the SCJ and then start destroying his dignity by lying about things he claimed the Justice agreed to but the Justice not having the capacity to remember. He would've wheeled and dealed a time table for the prosecutor to take his spot, whom she already disclosed they talked (a small curve ball to FU but not insurmountable given there's a hole in the mind of the guy he's giving a boot to), and then slowly close the vice of self doubt and destruction of the SCJ to the point where he couldn't ignore his Alzheimer's. "I know FU and his dubious methods are evil, but his points are valid...and I can't do this anymore! Take my seat lady! ::tears streaming::" But no, that would've taken less than 20 minutes of total air time that is better suited devoted to Claire doing her 180.
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**** self. I didn't even know there was a season 3. I've been waiting forever after the kinda boring season 2. I now have something to binge for the next two weeks while I'm away from work finally.
From what I recall Season 3 dragged along with the same plot lines through much of the season, and I got really tired of the Claire/Frank drama. 1 and 2 were much faster paced and full of new story lines. Hoping it gets back to some of that in 4.
