House of Cards' Frank Underwood is a bit of a problem character. Normally, we would just run through the best moments of a show's hero and that would be that, but Kevin Spacey's ruthless politician is so Machiavellian that his best moments quite often manage to capture him at his worst. We don't know whether we're coming or going.
With the Netflix original show returning for a third season today (February 27), here's rundown of Frank's best/worst moments. Contains spoilers, of course:
Mercy killing
The opening scene of the very first episode is an unforgettable one. A neighbour's dog lies dying in the road, and Frank puts the poor creature out of its misery. With his bare hands.
It's an unusual act of mercy in many ways - these flashes of kindness, twisted and otherwise, show up rarely and in surprising places throughout the show - but it serves to paint Underwood as a calmly terrifying man.
A wandering eye
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Frank and Claire have an unusual relationship, which includes an understanding that their eyes may wander from time to time. Early on in the show, Frank's wandering gaze falls on reporter Zoe Barnes (Kate Mara), in a photograph that mirrors a famous real-life snap of President Obama.
Zoe uses the picture as leverage which sees Frank help her in a meteoric rise to the top. But unfortunately for Zoe, what goes up must come crashing back down.
From the pulpit
Early on in season one, the congressman is unwillingly called back to his home district to deal with a death he is very tangentially implicated in. Despite knowing his disinterest, we can't help but be swept along by his stirring Sunday sermon, a tale of his father's death that gives the absolute impression of sincerity.
The whole thing is turned up to eleven by one of Frank's signature asides. This scene demonstrates his power, proving that knowing he is untrustworthy and manipulative won't necessarily keep you safe.
You thought I'd forgotten you...
By the first episode of season two, we've travelled deep into the Underwoods' plot. You might be so swept along that you don't notice that he seems to have given up addressing his audience. Don't worry, it doesn't last for long.
"Did you think I'd forgotten you?" he says, turning to look at the camera. "Perhaps you'd hoped I had." The moment is a genuinely chilling one.
"Welcome back."
Past surprises
One of the brilliant things about Frank is that it only takes a moment to make you revise everything you thought you knew about him. On a trip to his military college alma mater - which is naming its new library after him - Frank is reunited with a group of men he was friends with back in the day.
In a night of drunken mischief that is in itself not the sort of behaviour we would expect from Frank, it is strongly suggested that he had been in a romantic relationships with one of his old friends. It doesn't impact on the main narrative, but shows us a tender and surprising side to the conniving career politician that we very rarely see.
Russo's downfall
Congressman Peter Russo desperately wants to be good. Barring a bit of manipulation, he thinks he's on to a good thing with Frank, who sets him up as a candidate for the Governor of Pennsylvania and helps him face up to his addiction problems.
But we come to realise that Russo is being set up for a fall when Frank arranges to have several of Russo's weaknesses land in his lap on the night before a crucial interview. What follows happens with painful inevitability, all orchestrated to perfection by Mr Underwood. For Russo, the realisation comes all too late.
Politicians bearing gifts
President Garrett Walker has a changeable relationship with Frank, and can't seem to decide whether to trust him or not. As viewers, we know that 'not' is probably for the best, but Walker can't help falling back under Frank's spell after every manipulation and betrayal.
When Walker and his wife Patricia finds their marriage in difficult straits, their 'friends' Frank and Claire step in to give them advice. Little do they know that the Underwoods' help might be the lynchpin Frank needs to bring the Walkers down.
House of Cards seasons one and two are available to watch on Netflix now. Season three will arrive in its entirety today (Friday, February 27).
