House of Cards season 5: Can the series stay relevant?
With Donald Trump in the White House, critics wonder how Frank Underwood can hope to compete
Netflix's hit political drama House of Cards returns for its fifth series at the end of the month, but can the show that revels in the darker side of politics keep up with real world events?
It has followed the sinister rise of the Machiavellian Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) from party whip to vice president and then president.
However, this will be its first airing since Donald Trump won the Republican nomination and went on to become the US's real commander-in-chief.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
And "how the show will respond" to that will be the biggest question going into season five, says Ryan Bort in Newsweek. The answer, he adds, "is to turn Kevin Spacey's Frank Underwood into a Democratic version of Trump".
A new trailer for the House of Cards shows people outside the White House holding "Never Underwood" placards, echoing the "Never Trump" rallying cry for those opposed to the US billionaire's bid for presidency.Meanwhile, Underwood says: "The American people don't know what's best for them. I do," while he is seen abusing his new role and declaring his intention to hold on to power indefinitely with the support of his wife Claire (Robin Wright) and henchman Doug (Michael Kelly).
It finishes with the ominous catchphrase: "One nation, Underwood".
However, commentators wonder if the drama can continue to capture the imaginations of viewers jaded by recent political upheavals.
Last year, Lili Loofbourow in The Guardian said House of Cards had always been "fun and dark", but its parallels with current events had become "uncharacteristically weak".
The once "venomous riff on the evils of American politics" suddenly seemed "not just retro, but naive", she wrote, and compared to the horrifying realities of Isis, the fictional terrorists in House of Cards seemed like "a sad joke".
Comedian Hasan Minhaj, who took part in this year's White House Correspondents’ Dinner, echoed these sentiments when he joked the real presidency was so stressful he watched House of Cards “just to relax.”
He added: "Oh, man, a congressman pushed a journalist in front of a moving train? That’s quaint," in reference to an earlier scene from the show.
Christopher Hooton in The Independent argues Trump poses "an existential threat" to House of Cards' raison d'etre.
It continues to be "a smart, barbed and menacing as ever", he says, reviewing the first episode, and has responded to "the bullish new real world president", with Underwood's ruthless character "ratcheted up".
But he hopes the series can continue to "up the stakes when it comes to its protagonist". With the end in sight, he says, viewers need to get a sense of how this presidency "is going to wrap up".
House of Cards season five is released on Netflix on 30 May.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Nuclear near-misses
The Explainer From technical glitches to fateful split-second decisions, the world has come to the brink of nuclear war more times than you might think
By Rebecca Messina, The Week UK Published
-
What is cloud seeding and did it cause Dubai's severe rainfall?
The Explainer The future is flooded
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
American Airlines pilots are warning of a 'significant spike' in safety issues
In the Spotlight The pilot's union listed 'problematic trends' they say are affecting the airline's fleet
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The Westbury Hotel review: stunning suites in charming Dublin
The Week Recommends This hotel is the perfect spot to while away a weekend in Ireland's capital
By Kaye O'Doherty Published
-
Drama movies 2024: new films out this year
In Depth Latest reviews include The Boys in the Boat, One Life and Tchaikovsky's Wife
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Best new hotels and places to stay in 2024
The Week Recommends Featuring stylish island resorts, historical properties and wilderness retreats
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Albums of the year: best music of 2023
The Week Recommends A look back at the best pop, rap, jazz, dance, classical and rock releases
By The Week UK Published
-
Savoy Grill by Gordon Ramsay review: an institution reinvented
The Week Recommends Traditions are maintained and the tweaks are clever and modern
By Neil Davey Published
-
Tulum: a Mexican beach town of 'two halves'
The Week Recommends With the 'pueblo' and 'Zona Hotelera', Tulum is home to great hotels, restaurants and beach clubs
By William Leigh Published
-
La Zebra review: beach chic, perfect tacos and secret cenotes
The Week Recommends Enjoy a stylish stay in Mexico at this family-friendly beach hotel and restaurant
By William Leigh Published
-
Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas review: a mythical beachside resort
The Week Recommends Combine the classically simple pleasures of sun, sea and sand with upmarket fun and food
By Adrienne Wyper Published