House of Cards is not a show about several different characters that simply live and work in a semi-connected world; it is about Frank Underwood, the House Majority Whip, and how everything and everyone exists to serve his ambitions. Everyone in the series is defined by their relationship to Frank, which makes them not individuals but rather the pawns in his plan. He speaks directly to the audience during each episode, guiding us through his story and his use of the other characters as idle play things, puppets he can manipulate at his whim. Be that as it may, even with the breaking of the fourth wall, the story is not told entirely through Frank's point of view. In fact, he often misconstrues his circumstances, forcing him to work with others, and thus creating a unique relationship with the female lead, his wife, Claire. Throughout House of Cards, the blurred nature of marriage, relationships, and agreements remains a prevalent theme. Claire is a major force, and her importance as Frank's partner is quickly established, but the principal question about Claire is what kind of marriage bargain she struck with Frank and how this compares to the general concept of conventional marriage.
The Underwoods' marriage is a curious, yet admirable union: two educated elites operating like a close, successful partnership of equals. This seems like a stable, prosperous marriage, but the price for such a cozy partnership is often a sad form of domesticated romance and the forgotten passion a relationship is meant to command. As a political couple in Washington, their marriage could be perceived as a cold, calculated convenience. However, this is a crude and unsatisfying description because we can sense that the Underwoods' relationship is much more than just instrumental. While it is true we never see them have sex, there is an erotic thrill between them, or at least a sincere intimacy, symbolized by their nightly shared cigarette. Frank's sexual impulses are based on pure desire, and the object of that desire can take many forms. Nevertheless, it is safe to say that Claire is not one of those forms. Claire intuitively understands this, and both she and Frank have implicitly agreed to live and work with someone who more or less understands the benefits of their partnership.
[...] Claire's affair is with a former lover, photographer Adam Gallaway. In Chapter when Claire returns home from Adam's hotel room, Frank does not ask where she has been, rather she offers up the information in mild and mannered exchange: she tells Frank they just had dinner together, and when he asks her where she will be sleeping, she says she will be sleeping at home with him. Frank is well aware of the previous liaison and is seemingly okay with the idea that the affair might still be taking place. [...]
[...] Willimon, Beau. “Chapter House of Cards. Netflix Feb Television. Willimon, Beau, and Rick Cleveland. “Chapter House of Cards. Netflix Feb Television. [...]
[...] Claire is a major force, and her importance as Frank's partner is quickly established, but the principal question about Claire is what kind of marriage bargain she struck with Frank and how this compares to the general concept of conventional marriage. The Underwoods' marriage is a curious, yet admirable union: two educated elites operating like a close, successful partnership of equals. This seems like a stable, prosperous marriage, but the price for such a cozy partnership is often a sad form of domesticated romance and the forgotten passion a relationship is meant to command. As a political couple in Washington, their marriage could be perceived as a cold, calculated convenience. [...]
[...] He said, “Claire, if all you want is happiness, say no. I'm not going to give you a couple of kids and count the days until retirement. I promise you freedom from that. I promise you you'll never be bored.” You know, he was the only man—and there were a lot of others who proposed—who understood me. (Chapter 00:37:19-00:37:38) The question is, what does this promise come to mean in the everyday reality of their marriage? Frank is someone who knows how to take what he wants, and Claire values that in him, particularly because he strengthens her ability to go farther and likewise aims to do so himself. [...]
[...] Claire is afraid of being left out and uninformed, as it could eventually lead to their downfall. Frank assures Claire that he knows what he has to do, and that it will require lot of nights like this” (Chapter 00:17:22-00:17:27). Claire readily accepts as they finish the cigarette together. This scene comes to embody the nature of their relationship: the two share everything and thoroughly value each other's companionship and collaboration as a team. They are two adults with their own agendas, but there remains an undoubted commitment to each other in their unconventional agreement. [...]
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