17. House of Cards: “Only Us. Small. Solitary. Striving.” #CaPC25

Last updated on: December 31, 2013 at 11:08 am by Anita Kobayashi Sung

17. House of Cards: “Only Us. Small. Solitary. Striving.” #CaPC25 2013-12-31T11:08:11-07:00 Anita Kobayashi Sung

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

All this week, the writers of Christ and Pop Culture unveil their 25 most loved things of 2013.

Previous #18: Jason Isbell – Southeastern

#17: House of Cards (Netflix)

Frank Underwood, played by Kevin Spacey, is a Democratic Congressman out for revenge after he is passed over as Secretary of State. This original web drama series produced by and available exclusively on Netflix, is set in Washington D.C.’s political scene, as Frank maneuvers and manipulates people and events to satiate his desire for prestige. The series highlights D.C.’s distinct regional emphasis on reputation and influence and shows how those specific forms of power are as intoxicating and sexy a seduction as any other. Throughout the series, Frank Underwood is both cunning and calculating as he engages and navigates that world in pursuit of a powerful position.

Underwood’s partnership with his wife, Claire (played by Robin Wright), seems to work more like a corporation than a marriage, but their shared value for prominence is what binds them. It’s not the typical romance, but it does have its charm. They constantly watch one another’s back, and often save one another from downright humiliation and failure.

In exchange for sexual favors, Frank catapults up-start reporter Zoe Barnes’ career by giving her insider information. Their relationship is awkward and forced, and portrays not only the desperation a lowly reporter has to make it big, but the role media plays in politics and how it directly influences the public’s perception of ideas, events and people.

House of Cards is summed up in one scene from the last episode. Frank enters a church sanctuary in which he betrays a tiny sliver of guilt over Peter’s murder, but in the end, he mocks God instead. He falls to his knees before the altar and says, “There is no solace above or below. Only us. Small. Solitary. Striving. Battling one another.” He folds his hands in prayer and states, “I pray to myself. For myself.” Then he pulls himself up to his feet and turns away from the altar striding to the back of the sanctuary to the candles lit for the dead. He lights a candle for Peter. Then he bends down and blows all the candles out. As the smoke rises, he walks out.

Frank pronounces himself as his own god. He no longer has any respect or compassion for the good of humanity, but forges ahead to crush anyone that dare get in his way. As most arrogant individuals that fall into that deadly sin of pride, Frank is blinded to the truth, and even small oversights will catch up with him in the end. As Frank Underwood builds an intricate, delicate house of cards, it’s made apparent that character matters. There are always those, like Zoe Barnes, who make it their job to search for the truth, who above anything else want to expose the hypocrites and liars, and yes, break a front page story while they’re at it.

Suggested Reading:
House of Cards: The King is Dead

Next #16: Kentucky Route Zero (PC/MAC)

Of the Moment

Television

capc25

Previous Post

December 31, 2013

18. Jason Isbell - Southeastern: "Some of the Most Powerful Fiction of the Year" #CaPC25

Next Post

December 31, 2013 16. Kentucky Route Zero: "Playing Becomes a Kind of Rest" #CaPC25

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Asides Elsewhere Featured Film Games General Culture Headline Literature Music Of the Moment Podcast Politics RetroPost Sports Technology Television Uncategorized Viral

Select a Month February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz