House of Cards Season Three Debuts on Netflix

Photo Courtesy / House of Cards / Netflix 

At first glance, the third season of House of Cards seems similar to seasons one and two. Same haunting music, same dark lighting, same strong performances by the leads, and pretty much the same writing that made the first two seasons so popular. However, as the season develops and the remnants of the previous season are shed from the pages of the script, the show takes on a radically different approach to what loyal fans have come to expect.

Almost everything that fans expected is taken away and turned upside down in the new season.

For starters, the show took a daring step into reality when writers decided to incorporate a character that is more than a passable illustration of the controversial Russian president, Vladimir Putin. Rather than stay behind the safety of the fictitious and the abstract, House of Cards goes after heavy topics, both domestic and abroad. The Jordan Valley, entitlement reform, strained relationships with Russia, a weak U.N. and high unemployment rates in America are simply some of the red button topics the show tackles.

Carried by the performances of actors Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright, this season also tries to ditch some of the snaring political drama and get more personal. Character development is seen in almost every major player in House of Cards, as well as some minor characters. Instead of pitting Frank Underwood against Tusk or Walker, the new season deals with the fallout of the decisions that were made in the heat of those battles. Underwood, Stamper, Danton, Sharp and Dunbar all deal with some nasty demons throughout the 13 episodes.

However, the show does suffer due to its deviation from the fast-paced political drama into a more philosophical analysis of the characters have come to know so well. It is not the quality of the acting, the directing or even the writing itself. The show remains good, albeit not the insanely gripping, mind blowing, intense ride fans have come to expect from this show. House of Cards has shot itself in the foot by raising the hype of the show to epic proportions without meeting the expected results from fans that have waited a year for the show to return. Netflix has teased and tortured House of Cards viewers with the promise of a season that was to top the heart attack-inducing season two finale and that actor Kevin Spacey scowl.

Reviews have been more critical of this season as opposed to the first two seasons, but the show remains popular. Rumors of a fourth season are already brewing, and the biggest challenge the show now has is to revive its spark, which kept so many people hooked for two years, while retaining the newly found depth that this season has introduced. Then again, the magic of House of Cards is not knowing where the next punch is going to come from, taking you by surprise and forcing you to click “Play Next Episode.” Knock. Knock.