House Of Cards Season 4 Episodes 1 Thru 8 Reviews: The Underwoods Turn On Each Other (Season Premiere)

We pick up right where season 3 ended. Claire had previously asked Frank's help in attaining a political office (other than Ambassador to the United Nations). When he refused, she exited the White House.

Frank tries various approaches to get Claire back. Does he really love her or just need Claire's help to win the presidency again? Frank got his current position by forcing the sitting President Garrett Walker to resign (thus promoting Frank from VP).

Claire flees to her mother's house in Texas. I thought the two might share a tender moment but Claire (like Frank) doesnt have a tender bone in her body. Even her mother is dying of cancer doesn't bring the two together. Elizabeth Hale has always hated Frank and encourages her wealthy lady friends to secretly support his opponent Heather Dunbar. On a side note: Ellen Burstyn is a delight to watch. She is quite the foil for Claire.

Claire plans to run for office in Texas. She tries to maneuver herself into Doris Jones' seat (but her daughter Celia wants the same position when the Congresswoman retires). Cecily Tyson is a national treasure. I hope she appears on ALL my favorite shows. So far we can check off "House of Cards" and "How To Get Away With Murder"). But the jokes on Claire. Frank goes behind her back and makes an arrangement with Jones. Claire more than anyone knows how ruthless Frank can be. She should never underestimate him.

Frank makes a campaign stop and then goes outside to greet protesters. Who thought that was a good idea? Underwood is shot. Meechum is killed when he throws his body on top of the President. The shooter is Lucas Goodwin. Remember he's Zoe Barne's old boyfriend. Zoe was killed by Frank (death by subway train). When Lucas tried to bring Frank to justice, he was framed and sent to prison on cyber terrorism charges. After some maneuvering, Lucas is released from prison and sent into WITSEC-- the Witness Protection Program. Lucas plans to make Underwood pay and leaves behind a suicide note detailed his deeds.

After Frank is shot, Claire dutifully rushes back to DC to play the caring wife. She does several press conferences. She is a skillful actress as always. With Frank VERY close to death (he needs a liver transplant) she maneuvers her way into providing council to the Vice President. Donald Blythe is ill equiped for the job. He begins to rely on Claire. She brokers an oil deal between the Americans (with Raymond Tusk and Remy), the Chinese and the Russians. Claire travels to Germany for the G8 type summit. Russian president Petrov wont budge but Claire meets with him privately (and eventually convinces him to get on board). Remember Petrov is the reason that Claire lost her ambassadorship.

Doug Stamper continues to be WAY too involved in the President's life. We already know he is obsessive so I guess Chief of Staff is a good job for him. He also saves Frank's life by forcing the head of the organ donor program to bump Frank up on the list. As a result, the person that was at the top of the list dies.

While Frank is unconscious he has some wild hallucinations including having a three way with Peter Russo and Zoe Barnes (two of the people he personally killed). I'm not sure if there are more. Frank eventually recovers and is back to his monstrous self in no time.

Heather Dunbar privately met with Lucas Goodwin (before he attempted to assassinate Underwood). Doug forces the Attorney General to disclose her conversation with Heather about him. Dunbar is called in front of an investigative committee. She waives her right to keep the taped proceedings private. The plan backfires and she is forced to drop out of the race.

Off to the Democratic National Convention Frank and Claire go. Frank initially asks Donald to be his VP (knowing he will pass). Next Underwood publicly backs Secretary of State Cathy Durant. All the while he is working behind the scenes to get Claire nominated instead. A husband/wife President/VP combo? It sounds ludicrous but stranger things have happened on this show.

Leann Harvey (played by Neve Campbell) is a new arrival this season. Claire hires her when she plans to divorce the President. Leann eventually becomes Frank's campaign manager when the Underwoods rejoin forces. Doug of course hates Leeann and is busy trying to ruin her.

Remy is back in town but only because Claire threatens to reveal his relationship with Jackie Sharpe. Remy seems like a decent guy. He should run screaming away from DC as quickly as possible.

Grade: 4 1/2 Monsters (out of 5) The beginning was a bit slow but picked right up after the attempted assassination. I dont think Frank planned to be shot (but I really want to know what he and Meechum talked about before leaving Washington).

Frank has a recurring dream about a vicious fight between he and Claire. She ends up stabbing him. Is it a premonition? He's already almost died once. Hopefully it wouldn't take much to push him over the edge.

Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright continue to fascinate as the ultimate power couple. They are a truly frightening duo.