House of Card Season 3: This Means War

"When it comes to controlling human beings there is no better instrument than lies. Because, you see, humans live by beliefs. And beliefs can be manipulated. The power to manipulate beliefs is the only thing that counts."

 

Anytime I read this quote, the name that comes to mind is Frank Underwood. After scheming his way to the oval office, and he needs to do whatever it takes to stay there, which is what season 3 is all about.

 

Unknown to him the challenges he would face is far worse than before and what he needs is people he can trust to make sure he stays President. Unfortunately for Frank this season, no one could be trusted, his allies, aides even his Henchman, Doug, who we thought was dead.

 

The first challenge he faced was his party. Judging by the public perception (6 months in office), his party ADVISED him not to contest in the upcoming election (yea, right). Frank didn't take it lightly, especially when he found out that his replacement is Heather Dunbar, the prosecutor in the corruption investigation that led to the impeachment of former President Garrett Walker. Frank offers her a seat in the Supreme Court but Dunbar was one step ahead when she announced that she will be running for the 2016 election with the support of the party.

 

As if that wasn't enough, he's trying to tackle the challenges on foreign policies and the Russian President Viktor Petrov isn't helping matters, after failed attempts to sign the bilateral pact that will bring peace to the middle East (the Jordan Valley). Claire who became the Ambassador at the UN wasn't in Petrov's good graces, especially when he called him out in a conference, accusing him of been an instrument in the death of Michael Corrigan who arrested on homosexual charges  (one of the conditions agreed in signing the pact). Later in the season, Petrov forced Frank to make Claire resign, one of the conditions they agreed on for the Russians to retreat their troops from the Jordan Valley.
 

Doug, Frank's right hand man, is recovering from the wounds he sustained when he was attacked by Rachael in season 2 finale. He succumbs to alcohol, after 15 year of sobriety and became depressed. Due to the neglect from the white house, he became Dunbar's informat.

 

Frank however, convinced Jackie Sharp, House Majority Whip to run against Dunbar with the plan to drop out few weeks later and becomes Frank's running mate. She married her boyfriend who's a doctor for the sake of the campaign, unfortunately for Remy tho who still has feelings for her.

Everything was going well until the Iowa debate when he called out Jackie and accused her of criticizing Dunbar of allowing her children to go to private schools when her step children are doing the same. Frank's reaction when she confronted him changed her decision, she dropped out of the race as planned but pledged to support Dunbar instead.

 

Doug returns to the White House pledged his loyalty by burning the evidence that proved Claire had an abortion in front of Frank, in which Dunbar was trying to buy and use against him. Doug finally tracks down Rachael and kills her. Unable to bear it any longer, Claire tells Frank he's leaving him.

The season had its ups and downs. For instance, Claire leaving Frank was very predictable, I was surprised she didn't leave him sooner. Frank had everything and she thinking the Ambassador position will give her a sense of security was taken away from her by her husband. She felt left behind, alone and abandoned. Frank who always credit his success to his wife, is now left alone on the day that will determine if he will still be the president or not. Well at least he has Doug to count on.

 

Now we have to lick our wounds for a year to see how it unfolds. Stay tuned for more House of Cards posts.