HOUSE OF CARDS: SEASON 5 REVIEW



In its first three episodes, season five of House of Cards plays like a caricature of itself. We’ve seen all the beats on display here. HoC began to fall into a deep dive midway through its third season, but managed to gain some much needed momentum in its fourth. By now all the tricks have been exposed. Underwood is a god, even if at times a struggling one, but his infallibility is the fallibility of the show. Once its strength, it’s now starting to be the show’s weakness.

On many past seasons, the show’s writer could’ve brought Underwood down, even if so slightly, but we forgave them every time they didn’t. Now, it’s beginning to be ludicrous. That said, his infallibility does provide for some great TV still.

Perhaps the best part about the season is the supporting cast in Neve Campbell’s LeAnn Harvey, Campbell Scott’s Mark Usher and newcomer, Korey Jackson’s Sean Jeffries. They play the role that Paul Sparks’ Tom Yates did for the last season adding some much needed juice to the show. And oh, there’s Patricia Clarkson, who although does add some spice, brings it much later in the show, even though she seems unnecessary at first.

Plot-wise, this season suffers more than the last two seasons. HoC was all so simple when Underwood was seeking vengeance for being passed as Security of State; we rooted for him… minus the murder and other atrocious acts, but now that’s he’s in power and fighting to stay there, it’s not really fun watching him crush people, before they even contemplate crushing him. It’s just… sad! I get the whole destroy-your-enemy-before-they-destroy-you thing, but the Underwoods seem to make enemies from thin air.

There is one thing this season of House of Cards will definitely get points for and that’s how it eerily resembles what’s happening in U.S politics right now with the recent election fraud allegations and hearing committees and oh, the end will definitely have you hyped for the next season. Let’s just hope for a more cohesive story-line.

Season rating: 3/5.

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