Anticipation
Since its debut in 2013, each successive season of House of Cards, has
always been very eagerly anticipated by millions of fans. The show has been the
most talked about political drama series over the last four years.
One of the key elements of the last season's finale was an
investigative article on possible crimes committed by the president being
written by Tom Hammerschmidt and published by ‘The Washington Herald’, the leading daily newspaper of the House of Cards
world. Upto the last season, Frank Underwood had the unparalleled ability to
shock us with his unethical ways, thirst for power and seemingly unconventional
or unstatesmanlike behaviour. This year however we are in the Trump era. Just five months into the
Trump presidency we already have Washington Post articles about his unethical
behaviour while his statements and tweets are often far from usual standards
expected of world leaders and always very dramatic.
How to be more dramatic than what is being shown on the daily news
cycle and whether to draw parallels to the Trump presidency was always going to
be a challenge for the House of Cards Season 5.
The season 5 trailer, released earlier this year did manage to add to the excitement in the run up to the season premiere.
Action
The episode picks off from the previous season finale, making it very
clear that ICO (House of Card world's equivalent of ISIS) is going to remain a focus in
this one as well. A significant part of the episode is about the search for the
ICO terrorist. One of the iconic lines of season 4 finale was Frank saying “War. Fear. Brutal. Total.” and in season 5 we have Underwoods
implementing their strategy of fear by ruthless manipulation of the events
around them to fit their own objectives.
The other theme which carries over immediately into the second episode
is the fall out of Tom Hammerschmidt’s article on Frank’s alleged crimes and
Frank’s attempt to keep the story from expanding any further. We are treated to
scene of Frank tossing away the copy of the Herald with that article which was
featured prominently in the season 5 trailer as well.
Analysis
Much of the fourth season was about an embattled Frank trying to cope
with the crises facing his presidency and the election campaign. The
manipulative Russian president, his extremely good looking opponent with a
picture perfect family, and Claire’s increasingly ambitious demands were all
situations Frank was forced into. What feels fresh about the opening episode of
season five is that once again we have Frank setting the agenda and doing
things his way. This also seems to be the way in which the writers are
distinguishing themselves from the Trump administration which is lurching from
crisis to crisis. However, the episode does include a sort of a travel ban
which seems really familiar.
Having become the vice presidential candidate already, Claire also
seems to be aligned with Frank’s objectives in season five and playing a key
role in his plans. In that way the episode brings back the memories of the
initial seasons especially when Claire and Frank go on to the White House
balcony for the final scene of this epsiode.
There is also much to reflect about after watching the episode. Art
afterall so often mimics reality. It made me think of the extent to which
political leaders closer to home are using fear and nationalism to further
their own agenda. Frank Underwood encourages the sort of sentiment which is on
the lines of ‘’Either you agree with me or you are an anti-national”, throughout
the episode. Eerily familiar, isn’t it?
Watch the House of Cards Season 5 premiere on Zee Café and let me know
what you think about it! #HOConZCafe
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!
