“House of Cards” has always been good with beginnings.
Protagonist Frank Underwood’s first monologue expertly defined his character. The second season premiere was one of the most memorable starts to a television season I have ever seen.
The season four premiere is a fast-paced and well-acted return to this world of political intrigue and darkness. Claire Underwood, Frank’s wife, has left him and is considering a run for Congress. Frank is trying to get re-elected as the President of the United States, but the release of an old enemy from jail promises to complicate his efforts.
The characters in “House of Cards” are far from moral, but they are interesting. They’re intelligent, quick-witted people who are good at political maneuvering. It’s always a pleasure to see them wheel and deal.
That’s why one of my favorite scenes takes place between Claire and Congresswoman Doris Jones, played by Cicely Tyson. Tyson’s a natural for the blunt yet layered dialogue written by “House of Cards” showrunner Beau Willimon. On the surface, Claire is just trying to get her endorsement to run for her old district, but their conversation turns into an interesting rumination on class.
One of the best scenes in the first episode takes place between Underwood and an older woman.
Frank and his mother-in-law argue with a great, restrained fury that seems like something from a lost Tennessee Williams play. Kevin Spacey alternates between crushing emotion and much quieter moments in that scene with great precision.
The filmmaking in this episode is a reminder that the craftsmanship of “House of Cards” is still excellent.
The yellow lighting is a great leftover from when David Fincher was directing episodes. A Fox News broadcast is used to comment on the episode’s action in the way minor characters did in Shakespeare’s plays.
The story of Lucas Goodwin, a journalist Frank had jailed, is finely threaded through the episode.
He hasn’t been seen since season two and seeing him again is like seeing a friend you lost touch with after they have moved. His release from jail promises to bring some conflict to an interesting season.
One of my favorite lines from the musical “Hamilton” is sung by Aaron Burr about his political ambitions. When he sings “I want to be in the room where it happens,” it is to express his desire to be a part of national decision making.
Most of us will never be in that room, but “House of Cards” is a good portrait of the cutthroat people who live there.
Jesse Pasternack
@jessepasternack
