6. When Kink Goes Too Far

Season 3 Episode 13

We’re brought into the bathtub with Claire. Her face is darkened by the makeup that she’s wearing, which is probably a reflection of the change taking place within her. Suddenly, she dips under the water. In that instance, she reminded me of a crocodile submerging itself under water in order to stealthily approach, and then seize, its prey. And seize her prey she does.

We’re transported to the bedroom where Francis is working. It’s eerily dark. Claire tells Francis that she wants him to f*** her–but, not in a very nice way; more like in an angry makeup sex with your ex kind of way. She slaps him numerous times–again, not in a kinky, “oh yeah” kind of way; more like a Nick Diaz Stockton Slap kind of way.

Then, what proceeds is a scene you don’t want to watch with your parents.

What we’re left with is a brutal realization of just how animalistic the “civilized, urbane” Underwoods truly are and how deep the rift is that divides them. Surprisingly enough, Claire is the one who leaves the room with her head held high while Frank is left standing in the doorway appearing–for lack of a better word– old.

5. Zoe Violates the Bubble

Season 1 Episode 11

Claire’s gone. Frank invites Zoe to his home. She enters, tosses a few words at him, and then makes her way, somewhat robotically, upstairs. You, the viewer, probably looked at the screen and wondered, “What is she doing?” Frank, probably thinking the same thing, follows. Then, the music is cued, which, in all honesty, helps make this scene and House of Cards what they are. (If you study while listening to film scores and/or classical music, you’re welcome!

Frank seats himself in a corner of the room, and, for that scene, it’s as though Zoe is the true lead role of the series. After this point, Frank is no longer controlling her. Instead, she’s controlling him.

The cinematography, is, as usual, amazing. We follow Zoe into the Underwoods’ bathroom, passing a wall along the way. She sprays Claire’s perfume onto her wrist, and you can’t help but be stuck between cheering for her and hoping that Frank lashes out in defense of his wife… I mean, Claire.

Zoe tries on one of Claire’s dresses and likens it to steel. (How clever, House of Cards). But, I’m still gawking at how weird this is. It’s like really suspenseful cosplay. Zoe disarranges the bed, and in that moment, we see just how much disarray she’s brought into the Underwoods’ marriage in return for Frank’s advancement: a theme that remains relevant throughout seasons 1-3.

4. Did She Just Rape Him?

Season 3 Episode 2

Frank is enervate, sobbing on the side of his desk. He undoubtedly feels insufficient and inept, as not one person has pledged support to his campaign for the presidency. He, quite frankly (pun) looks dead.

Claire has just finished running after a long day of activity. After the day she’s had, she could also be curled up in a ball, but she’s not. She is the proverbial last woman standing. The opera-esque music makes me feel like an epic battle is about to take place. She mechanically pulls down Frank’s pants and then her own with not the slightest tinge of pleasure. Then, the camera pans to her hand on his chest. She is Frank’s defibrillator. But, this isn’t a concerned wife hoping to assuage her husband’s pain by making love. This is a paramedic bringing a patient back to life; it seems to be a strictly commercial interaction. I can’t decide if I’m awestruck or disgusted. This is the only real sexual interaction we’ve seen between them up to this point. That says everything.

3. Russo Roulette

Season 1 Episode 5

Peter has essentially tossed himself at Frank’s feet. He is a broken, weeping mess. Frank stands before him, seemingly uninterested in the life of the man he has just ruined. The look of apathy that Frank wears borders on disgust. “Are you done now?” The camera looks up at him from Peter’s angle. Frank then orders him to the bathroom. Peter’s resolve is destroyed by the all-powerful Frank.

He makes Russo doff his clothes and get in the bathtub, then posits himself as a savior of the man at the Democratic National Convention. “If you do decide to take the coward’s way out, cut along the tracks, not across them…” he says after he provides a blade for Peter Russo to kill himself. Then, he leaves the bathroom. I presume he sleeps just fine.

The next morning, everything’s apparently back to normal. Frank offers Peter coffee and a ride to the Capitol as if he didn’t basically tell the man to kill himself less than 12 hours ago. And, I’m just sitting there like…

2. No Way He Just Did That!

Season 2 Episode 1

Frank throws Zoe into an oncoming train

Yeah, you knew this one would be in the list. And, he got away with it.

1. Dang, Doug

Season 3 Episode 13

Stamper kidnaps Rachel and takes her to the desert, presumably to kill her. She pleads for her life, and he lets her go. It appears that, for once, someone will act ethically in this show. Then, Stamper stops the van. The camera zooms in on his face. There is only silence, except for the running engine. He removes his cap. The engine’s still running. Then, he puts it back on as if he’s returning to work. The van does a U-turn.

There’s a camera lying ahead of Rachel, and we see the van approaching from behind. She slowly turns her head. Then, only dirt covering a grave. This is the loudest statement on human nature in the first three seasons, and it testifies to the charming power of Frank Underwood.