House Of Cards Season 3 Epis 3-8 Reviews: I Will Not Be A Placeholder President

I know many of you have already finished season 3 of "House Of Cards" but I'm still plodding along since I have so many other shows I watch regularly. Now, onto the review.

Frank swears he wont run for reelection in 2016 but all him machinations indicate otherwise. America Works (the plan to employee 10 million Americans) is his key legislation. The only problem is the money for America Works is from the FEMA budget. This proves to be problematic as in episode 8 a hurricane threatens the East Coast.

Remember When Jackie & Remy Had A Thing?

Underwood continues to bully those in his party and across the aisle. He has made lots of enemies and few real friends. Not even Remy (current Chief of Staff) likes or trusts him. Claire's appointment as UN Ambassador is also causing friction (since congress previously rejected her).

Frank sees Heather Dunbar (former Solicitor General) as a challenger in the 2016 election so he tries to get her nominated to the Supreme Court (in place of a justice that has Alzheimer's). She doesnt bite. Heather instead begins her run for President. Frank has told Jackie she can be his running mate if she supports Team Underwood. She continues to work both against him and for him.

President Petrov Is As Brutal As Frank (If Not More So)

The Underwoods throw their support behind a gay activist who is held in a Russian prison. They visit Russia. Claire tries to convince him to agree to the terms of the release. He must say good things about President Petrov. Instead he hangs himself with Claire's scarf while she slept. This greatly affects Claire. She has a meltdown during a press conference.

Frank hires a writer (Thomas Yates) to embellish the story of his life. He shares lots of the not-so-pretty truths with him as well. As they get friendlier. I wonder if Frank has more than a platonic interest in Thomas. Claire asks Frank not to have him in their private living quarters. Meanwhile another reporter (Kate Baldwin) is hot on Frank's trail.

Good Times

Doug is of course still looking for Rachel. He has Gavin on the job. Gavin weasels his way into Rachel's ex girlfriend life to try to figure out where she went. He gets in her good graces by pretending to have AIDS (or maybe that's true, I dont know). Where is Cashew this season? He's my favorite. Meanwhile Doug has a quickie with his former physical therapist (before she moves to Seattle). Doug is also doing secret work for Heather Dunbar since Frank wont let him return to work. I admire Doug's scheming but I'm tired of the whole Rachel story line. Enough already.

Frank and Claire's marriage hits the skids. They've been sleeping in separate beds for some time. At the end of episode 8 they renew their vows but things are still not great. I've said it previously but the Underwoods have one of the strangest relationships I've seen on TV.

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5). The best part of this show in my opinion in the interaction between Frank and Claire. With 5 episodes to go in season 3, things are coming to a head.