Spoiler alert! If you haven’t watched Season 3 to the end, don’t read this post.
This past weekend, Igwe and I — and possibly most of America stayed home to binge-watch House of Cards. It started on Friday and ended on Sunday, but we didn’t actually watch any episode on Saturday, so it was just Friday and Sunday. So in this season, Frank Underwood is President of the United States, and his wife, Claire Underwood is First Lady, of course.
Okay, there are two major times that Claire pissed me off in this season. Actually, make that 3 times:
1. When Claire insisted on being the U.N Ambassador: She had no experience being an ambassador or holding any position that was remotely like it, although she seemed to think that her experience running a non profit was just like being a U.N Ambassador. So in spite of her husband’s reluctance, she said she wanted it, and he made it happen. And of course, he was accused of nepotism. Honestly, that’s what it was. Would he have otherwise nominated someone with such limited experience to a position of that caliber? Frank did everything Claire said, but he did not listen to her as a President listening to his Ambassador; he listened to her as a husband listening to his wife, which all married people know is a different kind of listening because happy wife = happy life. This isn’t necessarily how it happens between a President and his U.N. Ambassador, I hope.
2. When Claire insulted Russia’s President Petrov in front of the Russian people: Basically, there once was an idiot. His name was Michael Corrigan, and he was a gay rights activist who was imprisoned in Russia for his activism. Why do I think he was an idiot? Because (1) He’s a non Russian who went to Russia to fight against their laws. Ah, ah, is it by force? (2) And because when a deal was finally made for him to just read a short script, he refused, and (3) After hanging himself, it didn’t change anything.
Allow me to go off topic for a minute: as a non American living in America, I have noticed that sometimes, Americans do not understand that their ways, while sometimes admirable, are not for everyone and cannot be enforced on everyone. This includes whatever anti gay laws Russia has. The people of Russia are not pro gay, so why don’t you stay in America and continue to pursue your gay cause? Why get on a plane and go to another man’s country to demand that they live life like you? How does that even make any sense? So when Claire had to give a speech after Michael Corrigan killed himself, she took it upon herself to insult the Russian President in front of press because of the Russian anti gay laws. Who does that? Who insults a sitting President — in his own country — in front of press [she said, “Shame on you, Mr. President] — and then walks off? And she’s the First Lady of the United States and the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. Who does that??? Clair does.
3. When she refused to campaign for her husband and then said that he’s not enough: Her husband, Frank is running for President, and of course, that comes with a lot of campaigning. During the Iowa Caucas, Claire didn’t show up. Instead, when night came, she slapped him around a few times and demanded violent sex. She went back to Washington D.C. the next morning and when he came home, she told him that they were lying to each other, that their relationship wasn’t 50/50, that she was in his shadows, that she needed him to be able to do things [‘and hated needing him], and that she hated the person she had become. Oh, and that he wasn’t enough for her. Then the next morning, it was time to go to New Hamshire, but she said she wasn’t going. Instead, she told him she was leaving him. And that was the end. So long, Season 3. Waiting for Season 4 in February 2016. Ugh!
Okay, my problem with this? Claire does a lot of complaining about what she doesn’t like, what she doesn’t want, how she feels — but never really gives an alternative. She’s mad that she needed Frank to nominate her before she got the Ambassador job, but it’s crazy that she’s saying this because has this not always been the plan? Have they not been fighting to become the POTUS and FLOTUS? If someone else was the President, would she not still have needed a nomination — or at least support – from him? And if she doesn’t want or like all these things, then what does she want? Guess we’ll find out in Season 4.
Okay, I’m done venting. Anyone else watching House Of Cards?
P.S. Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright are some bad asses!
P.P.S. I like his bloody hands. I don’t know why I find them sexy.
I havent watched House of Cards. Too much going on on TV so I’ve made 2015 my year of reducing the amount of TV I watch.
That doesnt mean I’ll stay away from my regulars – Revenge, How to get Away With Murder, Scandal, The Good Wife. *Sigh*
Dear Lord – 24 hours is just not enough!!
Calabar Gal, what I do agree with you on is that 24 hours just isn’t enough! I don’t watch Revenge, but I watch Scandal and How To Get Away With Murder. I started but never finished The Good Wife.
This season has proven to me one thing, I’ll never understand white women.
Froman a story standpoint, I think they ruined the character and I think it’s irreprable. She went from being the type of woman I like(strong, capable and able to work with me) to just some woman.
BlackHandJack … hahahaha at not understanding white woman. I’m hoping that Claire’s character will be repaired next season. She will come back to her senses and be the strong woman we have come to “know” and love. Lol.
First of all, it took all the amount of strength possible for me to not read this before I completed the season. To be frank, I wasn’t to happy with the entire season. Frank had a very terrible season. In reality, I doubt he could ever win that election, but I am sure they will find a way around it in the show. Claire, UGH!! I really do not understand the dynamics of their relationship. They used to be very good partners and team but meh, Claire relly messed up. I agree with everything you and BlackHandJack said; Claire was just impossible, and has now been reduced to some petty woman. Like Frank said, there is only one chair in that white house. We all know that, so why was she just pouting and whinning at every freaking instance. nah mehn. Nope. P.S: I don’t think Doug killed that twisted girl. the only thing weirder than Frank and Claire’s relationship is Doug haha. But, Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright are goodddddd!
Omg, Doug is so freaking weird! I wanted to reach through the screen and beat him up several times. They showed him burying her, but I won’t be surprised if he just knocked her out and buried her without killing her.
I’m looking forward to next season. Gosh, February is too far away!
Gosh Claire! I used to love her so much ehn…I’m just confused about the state of my heart now :'( I hope she pulls it togehter in season 4…
Ultimately, the writers do a good job of showing us the weakness and flaws in the characters. Great show.
I get your being pissed at Claire but I believe the storyline is
1) Before they moved into the White House, Claire and Frank Underwood had both done their own things. They plotted together but they ruled different fiefdoms.
2) While plotting to get to the White House, Claire overlooked the fact that in the White House, there is only 1 chair (as Frank pointed out) and she could no longer do whatever she wanted.
3) Now they are in the White House and Claire has come to realize – Omo, I’m no longer independent; I can’t do things on my own or use my own skills to get what I want (like blackmailing her assistant, or going off to be with her boyfriend as she did in Season 2). This rude awakening is why she told Frank that she hates the fact that she needs him. It was her misunderstanding of this that made her insult the Russian President (she didn’t get her way so she threw a tantrum).
4) The moral of the story is – There is a price to pay for everything especially fame; when you’re pursuing something, better sit down and think about it very well cos you might end up getting the thing and then realize it wasn’t all you thought it was.
5) Frank is learning the same thing. He was used to bullying people as the Whip because congress typically wanted something from him. He carried the behavior over to the White House and Raymond (his Chief of Staff) warned him he was alienating his staff. Frank no gree. Look at the way Jackie and the guys just dumped him. If not for Doug, Frank would have been toast.
Hi Webround!
I agree with everything you’ve written. I think that Frank also realizes that contrary to what it may seem like, the President technically isn’t the most powerful man. If anything, there are now things that he cannot do. But as for Claire, I still don’t like what she did. She should have known a long time ago that the Oval Office only has one seat. They cannot both be Presidents.
I am hoping that Claire is killed. The public feels so much sympathy for the poor grieiving president that he wins the election.
Good idea.
I’m a American living in America and I thought the activist was an idiot. You don’t go to another country and spit on there beliefs and the president that’s a symbol of the people. If you expect others to respect your beliefs you need to respect yours. If your beliefs truly have a merit you can try to slowly explain or work on changing things. Do it where you live though, no one wants an outsider telling them how to live. He deserved what he got. Then he refused to apologize and then tried to martyr himself?!?! All he did was hurt relations and help no one. It was a selfish arrogant move.
Thank you, Silver999, I’m glad you agree that it was foolish what he did.
I agree 100% with your assessment. The first lady has been completely out of line all season and as such was a frustrating character to deal with. If this continues to escalate in season 4, I’m not sure I will be able to make it through all 13 episodes.
She gets ever worse in Season 4. Claire KNOWS better than to cross Frank….but does so anyway because she’s blinded by her own ambitions.