In 1999, American audiences sat glued to their television screens to watch President Josiah Bartlet, played by Martin Sheen, and his presidential Democratic administration work its way through crisis and grapple with Congress.
Roughly seven years after the final “West Wing” episode aired, another Democrat has come into power.
But viewers are not given the ideal world of Bartlet and company, where decisions were made for the good of the American people.
Instead, the audience is treated to the vengeful world of Francis “Frank” Underwood on the Netflix original series “House of Cards,” where cameras follow a spurned congressman on his path to power.
“House of Cards,” which released its second season on Valentine’s Day, centers on Underwood, the House majority whip from South Carolina. Though the first episode of season one shows the congressman coldly suffocating an injured dog, it’s only after the president has decided to break a promise and give the position of secretary of state to a Colorado senator that the audience sees the full extent of Underwood’s political scheming.
Underwood, played by Oscar winner Kevin Spacey, spends the first season establishing Washington, D.C., as his personal chessboard.
The show reveals the dark side of politics, the blackmailing and underhanded conniving similar to that of the Grant presidency in ABC’s “Scandal.” However, it’s Underwood’s breaking of the fourth wall, confiding his opinions of his colleagues in the audience, that really makes the show one of the best political dramas on “television.”
With the second season released, viewers can now binge-watch another 13 episodes and see where Underwood’s ambition takes him.
Trailers hinted that Underwood’s underhanded dealings might be uncovered, but Frank Underwood is always two trademark knuckle taps ahead.
TV show return dates:
How I Met Your Mother — Feb. 24
Glee — Feb. 25
New Girl — Feb. 25
Modern Family — Feb. 26
Community — Feb. 27
Scandal — Feb. 27
Once Upon A Time — March 9
Revenge — March 9
Game of Thrones — April 6
Orange is the New Black — June 6
The Newsroom — July 14
[A version of this story ran on page 7 on 2/20/2014 under the headline “Fan-favorite corrupt politician returns for second season"]
