Back at the White House (House of Cards Season 5) #HOConZCafe

Posted by Antarik Anwesan Friday, June 02, 2017

Back at the White House (House of Cards Season 5) #HOConZCafe

After a 3 month delay from the usual release date, thanks to the recent much-talked-about political setup in the United States, the fifth season of Netflix’s House of Cards is now out. I have just been able to see the first episode due to all the work that is on at home right now, and let’s just say Frank Underwood’s ruthless pragmatism continues right from where the last season left us.

I have been a fan of the show ever since I saw the first season 4 years ago. I wasn’t sure a political drama will be able to hold my attention for long enough, but Frank and Claire sure have cast a spell on my innocent mind. I think apart from Game of Thrones, House of Cards is the only show which can boast of such a long and effortful opening credits sequence and one which I do not skip in any episode. My love for timelapses began right there. (And to think that they removed all humans frame by frame from that 90 second sequence. Wow)

Minor spoilers ahead.

The first episode of the 5^th season begins in the aftermath of the murder of a civilian by an American domestic terrorist. Kevin Spacey as Frank Underwood, the President of the United States, is hell bent on getting his War on ICO policy to vote in the House of Congress, while the opposition keeps demanding an investigation due to the corruption charges reported against him in the Washington Herald. We know they are all true and that is how Frank has been able to reach where he is right now. But Frank does seem to find a way out of every situation that isn’t in his favour and that’s what has kept the series going. So it remains to be seen in the upcoming episodes how he handles the current situation.

The major focus is finding the killer in the entire episode while Frank and Claire (Robin Wright) attend to a funeral and meet people trying to play the political game they have so successfully done for so many years now. Of course there is a twist in the tale at the end of the episode. But then that’s for you to watch and find out. The dogmatism, pragmatism and evilness of the Underwoods continue.

The episode sees the introduction of couple of new characters who probably will be playing important roles through the season. The old characters- Doug, Seth, Tom Yates, LeAnn, Will and Hannah, Tom Hammerschmidt- all remain the same with minor involvement in the plot as usual.

The season is based in 2016 and will perhaps lead up to the elections in the later episodes. Until last season, it was President Obama that Frank was being compared to. Now it is the Trump administration and so perhaps there are going to be similarities and differences to the real world in the next episodes. (Frank has already started immigration reforms in the first episode)

Have you seen House of Cards yet? If not, here is your chance. 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!”

Watch it for its brilliant and ruthless portrayal of politics. And more importantly, for the amazing performances by both Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright as the protagonists.