I could see someone having a problem with that. It was the moment the series took a huge turn away from reality. Season 1 was semi realistic, S2 went off the rails crazy and unrealistic but was still fun, S3 is when nothing happened.
See, I just like watching two of the best character actors of their generation round out their career in a new format and medium; but harrumphing at make-believe for ten hours seems more meaningful.
Agreed with rhino, in response to Entropy. However, Frank in S1 and S2 could more or less move and scheme in the shadows - as the sitting president with all eyes on him, FU can't really take a scorched earth policy without major disagreement from somebody, whether it's his own party or otherwise. If you, your life and your daily activities are put under a microscope, it's hard to get things done, simple as that. Also, because he is president, there's no where else to go but down. Don't look now, but this could very well be a storyline for S4. If CU and FU don't keep up appearances, there will be speculation on why their marriage has dissolved.
Some of the bits were too predictable like the suicide just because it was something that would go wrong. I don't like the Claire torpedoing her ambassadorship angle because she knew this deal would've solidified her FP chops on her way to becoming Hillary, and she up and decides to grow a conscience? Boo...that inconsistency started the downhill roll which makes it harder for me to get over. Also, 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. That whole Doug Stamper arc was like taking a 5 hour ****. I would've liked a season with Frank, Claire and Doug taking on the world and the world ending up sitting on their face rather than having rumors of next season with Franks face getting sat upon by a male prostitute. I liked how they developed the Putin role and I did enjoy the show until midway where I started wondering what direction it was heading.
Yeah I didn't get this. It was very out of character to me. And that cliffhanger ending....WTF mayne! Can't believe I have to wait another year to see what happens after that type of ending. DAMN!
That is one of the things I do like about House of Cards. When there is a public scene like a political rally, or motor car parade or FU showing up at a public event, I am used to expecting car bombs going off or assassination attempts or other cliche's. FU killing Zoe and Russo put a damper on the show. My favorite scenes of season 3 were the ones that included Freddy. I particularly liked him telling his grandson the reality of life and when he expressed his disdain about FU to Remy.
A season watching Neutered Frank wasnt that entertaining to me, but obviously mileage varies for everyone. I have no doubt that Frank will be his badass self again in the 4th season, which is why this season feels uninteresting and unneeded. It's artificial and formulaic. Its just a pit-stop for Frank to refuel before he goes on to win the race. Because honestly, we know he's eventually going to win, so no need to have useless filler designed to make us think that he won't. Frank showed plenty of humanity and vulnerabilities in the past 2 seasons for use to sympathize with him, season 3 just pile-drives his problems in a way that doesn't convince me.
I agree that he's essentially imprisoned by his position, but watching a show about Frank not being able to do anything isn't interesting. If I wanted to watch an ineffective presidency in action, I'd turn on CNN. This show is about entertainment, not mirroring real life to a T.
I don't think it was a "neutered Frank," he simply had better opponents this season, so he wasn't as powerful. Season 2 was filled with bumbling idiots, that were so stupid, anything Frank did resulted in a win for him. If Walter White didn't fall, his rise would've been boring and meaningless. Same goes here for me. Frank continually sweet talking his way around a room full of morons for multiple seasons is what would be formulaic. Him being knocked down and having to rethink his strategy makes a lot more sense.
Claire's arc doesn't make sense to me at all. She's doing a 180 on her and Frank's "deal" because she was a crap ambassador that only made things worst. Her falling for that stupid bluff killed that soldier yet she feels sad for herself because she got fired.
Honestly, season 1 and season 2 worked quite well for me. I thought Tusk was a convincing opponent for Frank in season 2. Both seasons had their points where Frank gets knocked down and has to figure things out. The problem is, this season felt like half of a season. This season ended at a point with Frank at his weakest position--but not quite defeated, Spoiler he did win Iowa after all --which would have continued with his inevitable victory if it followed the pattern of past seasons. The result is the same--frank wins. I just don't need to watch two seasons to get to that point when I could get it in one.
I'm going slow with my viewing of this season. I'm about 6 episodes in. Really like it so far. I like it because Frank is struggling and he needs to. It was getting boring watching him win every single time. Its also interesting watching him wrangle with losing and some of his schemes backfire. Just finished the episode where Frank and Claire were in Moscow. The scene on Air Force One as they return between Frank and Claire was frickin awesome. Might just watch another couple episodes today. :grin:
Is the whole season out . .. or do they do episodes weekly? Rocket River I know I Know stop being lazy and check for self
House of Cards releases everything same day so people can binge watch it. Haven't finished it yet myself so no clue if they are gonna do another season. Would hate for them to drag it out too long.
I just recently finished the season. Hated it. Season 1 was amazing. Season 2 was... not as good, but at least it held my interest. This season was just abysmal. The whole thing just felt like dumb relationship drama to me.
Finished the season last night. I thought it was solid but lots of time spent on meaningless plot lines like the reporter and Stampers ultimately. Final few episodes got really strong though and it really sucked they ended it were they ended it.
I'm not loving this season and I agree about the stupidity of Claire's decision to sabotage the whole Russian thing. She's one of the coldest characters of all time. I understand why they did it in order to underlie her own feelings of separation from Frank, but it wasn't a very good twist. The metaphors are becoming increasingly obvious. Anyone could have called that suicide happening after FU and the author talked about it earlier in the episode. Then the monks putting together that mural. I mean come on! If you're going to be blunt with foreshadowing, at least make it meaningful. Writing has certainly gone downhill this season.
