Warning: This post contains spoilers about House of Cards Season 4. Yes, the whole thing. Don't read if you haven't finished the season.
House of Cards Season 4 began with America's first couple at odds like we've never seen before. After leaving "Francis" at the end of the previous season, Claire started this one by running away to Texas to lay the groundwork for her own political efforts -- and conveniently it meant she didn't have to see Frank's stupid condescending face.
But by the time Season 4 came to a close, their dynamic had changed dramatically.
The big change came after Frank was shot in Episode 4. His near-death experienced changed him dramatically, culminating with an admission to Claire in Episode 6, when he told her, "I said you were nothing without me; it's the other way around."
To prove his point, he even went out of his way to make sure Claire was happy and ... attended to.
Say hello to Tom Yates, speechwriter/author/Claire's live-in cuddle buddy. Yep.
As Season 4 came to a close, not only was Claire Frank's running mate and, thus, the possible future vice president of the United States -- a position she scored by screwing over countless people inside and outside of their inner circle -- but she was already playing a major role in key policy decisions. She helped broker a major deal with Russia in Episode 6, and at the end of the season, was sent to negotiate with an imprisoned head of a terrorist organization called ICO (the House of Cards universe's version of ISIS).
Moreover, when the end of the season left the couple in a rather unfortunate position -- her attempt to reason with the ICO head failed and they were facing backlash from a damning article published by the Washington Herald that exposed Frank's crooked path to the White House -- they refused to back down.
In fact, they decided, it was time for war.
"I'm done trying to win people's hearts," Claire told Frank.
"Let's attack people's hearts," he said.
"We can work with fear."
"Yes we can."
They decided to have a strong hand -- even if it meant sacrificing the life of an innocent American man in the hands of two American terrorists who had sworn loyalty to ICO and sending U.S. soldiers to battle.
They only have three weeks to create a culture of fear -- the only way they see themselves winning the election.
In an address to the American people, Frank promised "a war more total than anything we've waged thus far."
"There will be pain. There will be suffering." Thanks for sugarcoating it, Prez.
Basically, they are the world's most powerful -- and evil -- couple.
And everyone who has finished the season agrees.
And to think, Claire and Frank used to be my relationship goals. #HouseOfCards— Pai-Slay (@heyPAIDA) March 6, 2016
Claire and Frank are savages.— Amber Ray. (@Alynn213) March 5, 2016
Claire and Frank Underwood's relationship is NOT #goals. Claire's wardrobe, however, is a lot of them - #goals — we need new names (@afropolitaine) March 5, 2016
ok well I finished House of Cards and Frank and Claire are terrifying bye— sha (@kanyays) March 5, 2016
Just finished @HouseofCards and all I can say is this is the first time I'm actually scared of Claire and Frank....Dayummmm @netflix— Etoy Ridgnal (@eridgnal) March 5, 2016
There's no doubt that together, Frank and Claire are more powerful than his opponent, Republican nominee Will Conway. But we'll have to wait until next season to see if Frank and Claire think of a way to pull themselves out of a mass of bad press and unfortunate political developments.
The one things viewers seem to agree on, though? Either candidate would be better than a President Donald Trump.
If I was American I'd vote Frank Underwood before Trump! #tvbinge #HouseOfCards— Brandi miller (@Brandi3Dale) March 6, 2016
House of Cards Season 1: wow Underwood is so evil it's kinda ridiculous.
House of Cards Season 4: Would vote for Underwood over Trump.— Phil Hornshaw (@philhornshaw) March 6, 2016
Real life America could do with a selfie-loving Conway as their Republican nominee, rather than Trump #HouseOfCards— Majdie Hajjar (@MajdieHajjar) March 5, 2016
Frank Underwood makes a better president than Donald Trump ever could. #HouseOfCards— Leah Moriarty (@moriarty_leah) March 6, 2016
Rather have Underwood than Trump and that's fucking bad hahaha #HouseOfCards— Allan Ganley (@alla1987) March 6, 2016
Conway is like a bachelor contestant running for prez. Still better than Trump! #HoC— Marco H. (@says_Coco) March 5, 2016
Finished watching @HouseofCards S4. Kinda wish Frank Underwood were real, just to see how he would destroy Donald Trump.— Wonsuk Chin (진원석) (@wonsuk) March 5, 2016
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