Netflix's ground breaking political suspense/drama "House of Cards" has finally come to an end, and like other presidents serving out their last remaining time in office this series ends as a lame duck.
This was a much anticipated show for this writer because there was interest in how they were going to address the Kevin Spacey exit. After all, it was Spacey that was a driving force behind the success of the show with his ability to talk to the camera and interact with characters with such ease. Although Robin Wright continues masterfully as Claire Underwood, her interaction with us the viewers seems forced and not as personal. In a previous season Clair only addresses us once, and that is to let us know she chose to ignore us. Now, in the final season, it seems President Claire Underwood has a lot to say - a little too much at times.
As for the newcomers to the show, Diane Lane (Annette Shepherd) and Greg Kinner(Bill Shepherd), both bring strong performances with Lane's character being the stronger. Although Kinner's performance is right on, his character is underdeveloped and never really fits well with the storyline. This is not the case with Lane's character, as we soon find out there is history between Annette Shepherd and Claire Underwood. But again, it ends up under developed and somewhat forced.
There is, of course, the return of Michael Kelly as Doug Stamper, Derek Cecil as Seth Grayson, Jane Atkinson as Cathy Durant, and Boris McGive as Tom Hammershmidt. All play their rolls well, but fall into a very forced and under- developed script.
In the end, the final season of House of Cards is weak in story and suspense. The final episode shows a final confrontation between Doug Stamper and Claire Underwood that leaves one scratching their and asking "What?"
All this writer can say in conclusion is, Claire should have squished the bird. That would have set a perfect tone to the the rest of the season.
This was a much anticipated show for this writer because there was interest in how they were going to address the Kevin Spacey exit. After all, it was Spacey that was a driving force behind the success of the show with his ability to talk to the camera and interact with characters with such ease. Although Robin Wright continues masterfully as Claire Underwood, her interaction with us the viewers seems forced and not as personal. In a previous season Clair only addresses us once, and that is to let us know she chose to ignore us. Now, in the final season, it seems President Claire Underwood has a lot to say - a little too much at times.
As for the newcomers to the show, Diane Lane (Annette Shepherd) and Greg Kinner(Bill Shepherd), both bring strong performances with Lane's character being the stronger. Although Kinner's performance is right on, his character is underdeveloped and never really fits well with the storyline. This is not the case with Lane's character, as we soon find out there is history between Annette Shepherd and Claire Underwood. But again, it ends up under developed and somewhat forced.
There is, of course, the return of Michael Kelly as Doug Stamper, Derek Cecil as Seth Grayson, Jane Atkinson as Cathy Durant, and Boris McGive as Tom Hammershmidt. All play their rolls well, but fall into a very forced and under- developed script.
In the end, the final season of House of Cards is weak in story and suspense. The final episode shows a final confrontation between Doug Stamper and Claire Underwood that leaves one scratching their and asking "What?"
All this writer can say in conclusion is, Claire should have squished the bird. That would have set a perfect tone to the the rest of the season.