It's Frank's world, we just live in it

Robin Wright and Kevin Spacey

There’s no doubt that the last season of House of Cards was the televisual equivalent of the ‘difficult third album’. The first two seasons had reached new heights of television drama as Frank and Claire Underwood – the ultimate Washington power couple – cut a Machiavellian swathe through the American political establishment.

The third series on the other hand managed to jump the shark; that moment that indicates a TV show is about to begin its death spiral. All of that business with Claire in Russia was so out of character and looked to have given the glacial heroine an unwanted and unnecessary sentimental side. Claire does not do sentiment. This is the woman of whom Frank memorably said ‘I love that woman like a shark loves blood’; not a lot of softness there.

Shows that recover from jumping the shark are few and far between but the latest series of House of Cards – season 4 – takes the programme back to its best and, in its final episode, arguably reaches new heights.

It’s all down to what screenwriters refer to as ‘character wants’. In the first two series it was plain what was at stake; Frank Underwood, the Chief Whip, wanted to be President of the United States. His wife Claire was Lady M to his Thane of Cawdor and she wanted to help him. He wanted power, she wanted influence; together they would stop at nothing. No one was safe and their progression to the White House left a trail of bleached bones of those sufficiently ill-advised to get in their way.

But in series three with Frank in the top job there is something of a vacuum. Frank is like a dog chasing a motor car; now that he’s caught it he doesn’t know what to do with it. The result was a series that wallowed somewhat as it searched for a new direction.

I would suggest that in Season 4, they have found their new direction by redefining Frank’s want. He is President, but unelected. Now that he faces losing the top job he will do anything he can to hang on to it. Claire too has had a taste of influence and not only is she reluctant to give it up, she wants more.

In addition the tone of the show has shifted making it a little soapier, but in a good way. It is still a high quality drama but it is prepared to introduce sub-plots that reflect the current political environment. This series deals with terrorism at home and abroad, campaign finance, political horse trading, intelligence oversight, and other hot button issues.

There are intriguing character developments too. While Kevin Spacey as Frank and Robin Wright as Claire are outstanding, Michael Kelly continues to make his mark as Doug Stamper who takes loyalty to new heights at Frank’s time of greatest crisis. Sadly there are missteps too, not least in the casting of Joel Kinnaman as Frank’s Kennedyesque Republican opponent. Kinnaman was very good in The Killing and Robocop and I’m sure he will be fine in Suicide Squad but he is not cut out to play smooth politicians in suits. He looks ill at ease throughout and this is reflected in the performance.

The real star of Season 4 however is Robin Wright who is terrific in front of the camera but a revelation behind it. Wright directs four episodes of this series and she does a marvellous job.

The problem with directing a show like this is that you have to abide by the visual template established by the big name director/exec producer who does the pilot – in this case David Fincher – but also try to put your own stamp on it. Fincher set the tone for this show with the pilot episode which was full of Fincher tropes; static set ups, no hand held or steadycam shots, wide frame, minimal close-ups. However Wright has managed to work within these constraints and still exert her own directorial authority.

This is most effectively seen in the series’ most emotional moment – a three-handed scene involving Wright, Ellen Burstyn, and Paul Sparks. By clever use of blocking Wright manages to shoot the whole room but still convey a sense of intimacy and drama which makes the scene genuinely affecting.

By the end of Season 4 House of Cards has pulled things out of the bag with a barnstorming finish which I guarantee will mean that not only will you want to see Season 5, but you want to see it now!