Warning: This post discusses in detail episodes 10 and 11 (Chapters 36 and 37) of House of Cards Season 3. Read with caution. You can find coverage of other episodes here.
The most important moment of House of Cards Season 3 has finally happened. And, no, I'm not talking about Claire going back to blonde after a brief flirtation with life as a brunette.
I'm talking about the grand return of everyone's favorite squeaking bundle of adorable, Cashew.
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Fittingly, he got a big unveiling.
The long-haired guinea pig made his long-awaited reappearance after Gavin, who's been leading an undercover op to find Rachel, showed up to the house of his pawn-turned-friend Lisa to come clean. He admitted to not being who he said he was and gave her Doug's number -- just in case.
Cashew could, I suppose, be considered his other parting gift before leaving the country.
Before you make fun of me -- but you're welcome to, anyway -- I was not the only one waiting for Season 2's breakout star to reappear.
CASHEW!!!!!!!!!! @HouseofCards— Sarah Jane (@SarahJaneSays) February 28, 2015
House of Cards spoiler: Good news, CASHEW IS BACK— Amogh Kambale (@AmoghKambale) February 28, 2015
Yo @HouseofCards where's Cashew? That guinea pig was the star of the show.— Nar (@narsundar) February 28, 2015
Nearly 3 episodes in to House Of Cards and still no cashew. This is a let down.— Orla (@thatsMsHtoyou) February 28, 2015
Now, as excited as I was to see this fuzzy nugget of joy once again, it admittedly wasn't the biggest plot point as Season 3 barreled toward a conclusion. In fact, some huge stuff went down.
For one, Petrov continued to secure his spot as one of the best TV villains by forcing Frank to fire Claire as U.N. Ambassador in exchange for making some moves that would make the peacekeeping mission feel a little less like the huge failure it was. Frank caved after Petrov told him that they had all played Claire by making her believe Russia killed their own troops.
In other news, Petrov is a psychopath.
Frank's problems didn't end with Petrov, though.
Back at home, Jackie was giving the president a hard time during debate prep because he wanted her to make some low blows against Dunbar that she felt uncomfortable with.
She ultimately did what he asked, and what did she get as a thank you? Totally butchered by him in the debate.
Embarrassed, she angrily approached him the next day and told her that she would not stand for this. Frank reacted exactly how you'd expect him to and after their meeting, he seemed to believe he'd put her in her place.
Wrong again, Frank.
On the day she was set to drop out of the race, Jackie did exactly that, but put her support behind Dunbar instead, despite Dunbar telling Jackie earlier that she would not buy her support.
Noble, Jackie.
Remy seemed impressed too and stepped down from his position at Frank's side.
#hoc less doug, more jackie and remy, please— evil trash source (@evilshadowcats) February 28, 2015
Okay so Jackie endorsed Dunbar & Remy quit smh http://t.co/y2UCZzBovf— Cereal Killer .-. (@soul_chiild_) February 28, 2015
TBD how all that turns out.
Meanwhile, in the land of Doug, episodes 10 and 11 brought some big stuff: A visit from his niece and nephew (who he'd never met) and news that Rachel is still alive.
Yes, Gavin had played him and only told him she'd died so that Doug could fast-track his passport clearance.
The revelation caused Doug to go ballistic and sparked what can only be described as a brutal killing spree -- of sorts.
His freakout concerned his brother, who has been staying with Doug, but Doug assured him that while his technology paid the price, his sobriety stayed intact. That was important.
Feeling like his brother would finally be OK, he headed back to his home, but not after a super touching moment first.
My question: Was Doug saying goodbye to him for now or goodbye for good?