Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Pre-binging: Everything you need to know before watching the new House of Cards

A Frank-splainer, if you will…

hoc 2 Facebook / HouseOf Cards Facebook / HouseOf Cards / HouseOf Cards

SEASON 3 OF House of Cards has been let loose on a ravenous internet as Netflix repeats its trick of releasing all their new episodes at once.

All 13 episodes were made available on Netflix in Ireland from 8 o’clock this morning.

Perhaps the most conniving and plot-filled show going, if you’ve followed the first two seasons, here’s super-quick recap to remind you of what’s what.

If you’ve never watched it and fancy following Frank and Claire Underwood from Season 3, the below video should also get you up to speed.

OK. So what happened at the end of Season 2.

This is House of Cards, so a lot happened. The upshot of which is that Frank’s revenge mission succeeded and he’s been sworn is as President of the United States.

This only happened after the extraordinarily dim witted President Walker was forced to resign.

There are several indirect reasons for this. Partly because he was found to have knowledge of money laundering through China and partly because the press found out that he’s in therapy.

Mainly though it’s because of Frank. Always Frank.

hoc 1 Twitter / HouseOfCards Twitter / HouseOfCards / HouseOfCards

Who are the other characters and what should I know?

Claire Underwood

Frank’s wife and lifetime Machiavellian partner seemed to be cracking at times during season 2.

After revealing on television that she’d been raped in college by a man who’s now an army general, she then proceeds to use one of the general’s other victims for her own ends.

Leaving the young girl high and dry caused Claire to question the Underwoods’ scheming ways.

That was, of course, before Frank became President.

Doug Stamper

Frank’s closest ally and fixer became somewhat distracted in the last season. He was busy keeping an eye on Rachel, perhaps the only person who could blow the lid on Frank’s first murder, and dropped the ball a few times.

Probably because of his own feelings for Rachel he acted with poor judgement and ended up getting clattered over the head with a rock by Rachel. We don’t know if he’ll be around for season 3.

Remy Danton

Frank’s former press man turned lobbyist has been a constant source of irritation for the Underwood’s. He knows them well and hasn’t been shy in using that against them.

Frank dismissed him as someone who “chose money over power”. Remy insisted to Frank though that “to perfect is to change often”, it sounds like he’ll be around a lot more.

hoc 5 Netflix Netflix

Jackie Sharp

The Democrats’ new House whip since Frank moved up the ladder. Jackie is one of the few characters that hasn’t allowed herself be bullied by the Underwoods.

The former soldier has shown ruthlessness in her ambition but her relationship with Remy has complicated things.

Raymond Tusk

Frank’s most powerful foe last season who was eventually bested, for now.

The billionaire had the ear of the former President Walker and leaked damaging information about the Underwoods.

Seasons 1 & 2 in 9 minutes

Probably the most comprehensive recap you’ll find.

TheFineBros / YouTube

Happy binging…

Read: Thanks to Sesame Street, now you can introduce your 3-year-old to House of Cards… >

Read: Minted Netflix is aiming for global domination >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
29 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Reese
    Favourite John Reese
    Report
    Feb 27th 2015, 7:13 AM

    “I’ve always loathed the necessity of sleep. Like death, it puts even the most powerful men on their backs.” – welcome back Frank

    445
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jason Bourne
    Favourite Jason Bourne
    Report
    Feb 27th 2015, 10:10 AM

    Ha ha, hes some CUNextTusday, isnt he. Cant wait to start it this weekend.

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jake Race
    Favourite Jake Race
    Report
    Feb 27th 2015, 10:22 AM

    OMIGOD-OMIGOD-OMIGOD!

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute adaamm
    Favourite adaamm
    Report
    Feb 27th 2015, 8:57 AM

    Frank Underwood has thought me not to waste time on things that aren’t important to me.
    As a result i have taken the day off school to watch Season 3.

    160
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jason Bourne
    Favourite Jason Bourne
    Report
    Feb 27th 2015, 10:12 AM

    Its the only way to get ahead! <- See what I did there….

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ann-Marie Wallis
    Favourite Ann-Marie Wallis
    Report
    Feb 27th 2015, 7:28 AM

    Damn, I have to go to work and just wanna stay home to binge watch it!

    106
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Setrakian
    Favourite Setrakian
    Report
    Feb 27th 2015, 7:41 AM

    John – I’m surprised you don’t rate Kevin Spaceys performance as he’s widely regarded as being one of the greatest modern villainous characters & makes the most outrageous plot lines / scenes believable. Of course when you continue to support really nasty politicians and their real life actions then perhaps Frank Underwood just isn’t hardcore enough for you!!

    73
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jason Bourne
    Favourite Jason Bourne
    Report
    Feb 27th 2015, 10:14 AM

    Hes like Walter White but with so much more power to do worse than Walt.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Business Cat
    Favourite Business Cat
    Report
    Feb 27th 2015, 8:17 AM

    I did think S2 got bogged down a bit.

    The Tusk/China stuff seemed a bit too contrived, coupled with a president with the street smarts of an 8 year old.

    I’m angry with myself for not taking an annual leave day today!

    57
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute InvaderSkoodge
    Favourite InvaderSkoodge
    Report
    Feb 27th 2015, 9:20 AM

    Don’t know about Doug, he looked pretty damn dead to me at the end of the episode. He was a bit of an idiot about Rachel but it will be interesting to see how Frank gets on without his cleaner-upper :)

    54
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dónal Ó Maoláin
    Favourite Dónal Ó Maoláin
    Report
    Feb 27th 2015, 8:40 AM

    Raymond Tusk…

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute vv7k7Z3c
    Favourite vv7k7Z3c
    Report
    Feb 27th 2015, 12:10 PM

    Wow, I really need to separate fact from fiction. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Tusk

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Live Long
    Favourite Live Long
    Report
    Feb 27th 2015, 8:58 AM

    Fantastic show and very likely it isn’t too far from the truth in American politics.

    Russo for Governor!

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Business Cat
    Favourite Business Cat
    Report
    Feb 27th 2015, 11:17 PM

    Poor old Russo.

    Never stood a chance.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute shane carr
    Favourite shane carr
    Report
    Feb 27th 2015, 8:39 AM

    I won’t be binge watching it… Want to enjoy it … But it will be watched befor Monday morning :) (greatest show on Netflix)

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andrew Cosgrave
    Favourite Andrew Cosgrave
    Report
    Feb 27th 2015, 10:04 AM

    Nice one, off til tuesday after today and have zero wkend plans(apart from the match). I guess I have plans now

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute RI Twing
    Favourite RI Twing
    Report
    Feb 27th 2015, 8:16 AM

    The 90s UK version was superior. Original and best.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Live Long
    Favourite Live Long
    Report
    Feb 27th 2015, 8:56 AM

    But it’s English. Pass.

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ross O'flaherty
    Favourite Ross O'flaherty
    Report
    Feb 27th 2015, 9:39 PM

    just started watching this today, wasn’t expecting much of it to be honest but im hooked on it now ! Great series.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute michaelhenry
    Favourite michaelhenry
    Report
    Feb 27th 2015, 11:08 AM

    A great show so far- and now frank has a finger beside the Nuclear switch -looking forward to the third series-

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Irene Millar
    Favourite Irene Millar
    Report
    Feb 27th 2015, 10:56 AM

    Just finished fringe this week, 7 episodes of breaking bad left, will finish that at the weekend. Never seen one bit of house of cards yet, will start that on tues after better call Saul, I love Netflix. Even more so since I discovered hola to watch US.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute johngahan
    Favourite johngahan
    Report
    Feb 27th 2015, 7:08 AM

    Kevin Spacey is the weakest part of this program. He just doesn’t seem anything other than Kevin Spacey putting on a southern drawl.
    Everything else is great, particularly Robin Wright.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute I LOVE MY COUNTY
    Favourite I LOVE MY COUNTY
    Report
    Feb 27th 2015, 7:20 AM

    The man who first said “everybody is entitled to their opinion” would have probably never said it if he had read your comment first.
    Kevin Spacey’s performance is what makes the show work!!

    288
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute johngahan
    Favourite johngahan
    Report
    Feb 27th 2015, 7:27 AM

    I might have been spoiled by the BBC original version. For me Ian Richardson was a much more believable menacing slimeball character than Spacey.

    32
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mr Phil Officer
    Favourite Mr Phil Officer
    Report
    Feb 27th 2015, 7:31 AM

    Its a great show, KS is one of the finest actors of his generation, my favorite bit of HoC is when YFG compared a scheming Frank Underwood to FG politicians, well done yfg.

    69
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute MGrey
    Favourite MGrey
    Report
    Feb 27th 2015, 8:06 AM

    IR from the original series edges it for me with the FU character but overall the American version is much better.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Canning
    Favourite Tony Canning
    Report
    Feb 27th 2015, 9:47 AM

    John, you’re entitled to your opinion – but you’re wrong!

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alison Lopez
    Favourite Alison Lopez
    Report
    Feb 28th 2015, 1:36 AM

    Spellcheck please – the word is bingeing with an ‘e’, unless it’s a surfeit of Chandler from Friends, then it’s binging.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Sands
    Favourite Michael Sands
    Report
    Feb 27th 2015, 6:16 PM

    It is stacked against you?

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.