House of Cards season 4 explained

Season Number:4
Bgcolour:
  1. cbb1ab
Showrunner:Beau Willimon
Network:Netflix
Num Episodes:13
Episode List:List of House of Cards episodes

The fourth season of the American television drama series House of Cards was announced by Netflix via Twitter on April 2, 2015. Filming began on June 16, 2015. The season premiered on March 4, 2016.

Plot

Claire relocates to Dallas and runs for Congress in her home district. The incumbent, Doris Jones, plans to retire and endorse her daughter Celia as her successor. Claire offers them federal funding for a key Planned Parenthood clinic in exchange for stepping down, but they refuse the offer. Frank wins back Claire's support by promising not to sabotage her campaign in Texas, but he later publicly endorses Celia in his State of the Union address. Frank and Claire travel to South Carolina for a primary, but a series of scandals causes Frank to narrowly lose the state to Dunbar. Frank discovers that Claire had been leaking information to Dunbar, and she threatens to continue unless he names her as his running mate. Frank refuses.

Lucas Goodwin is released from prison, and seeks revenge against Frank for having him framed and Zoe Barnes killed. He explains his story to Dunbar, but she turns him away. Desperate, he attempts to assassinate Frank, severely wounding the president in the abdomen and killing bodyguard Edward Meechum, but not before Meechum fatally wounds Lucas. While Frank remains comatose, Donald Blythe is sworn in as Acting President of the United States. Blythe is indecisive during a military crisis involving Russia, and turns to Claire for guidance. Claire goes against Frank's wishes by convincing Blythe to involve China and secure a meeting with Petrov, where she brokers an ambitious peace deal. Doug leaks information about Dunbar's secret meeting with Lucas and forces her to suspend her campaign. Frank recovers and resumes his position as president, agreeing to put Claire on the ticket for the upcoming election.

Tom Hammerschmidt, Zoe and Lucas's former news editor, digs deeper into the latter's claims of Frank's misdeeds. He approaches Remy and, with his help, starts to piece together Frank's corruption. Tom also meets with Walker, convincing him to help by appealing to his anger for being forced to resign. Remy Danton and Jackie Sharp also decide to go on the record against Frank to lend credibility to the story. An American family is kidnapped in Tennessee by two supporters of a radical Islamist group called the Islamic Caliphate Organization (ICO), who agree to negotiate only with the ambitious Republican nominee, Governor Will Conway. Frank invites Conway to the White House to assist in the negotiations as a publicity stunt, and Conway helps buy critical time in locating the suspects. However, tensions between the Conways and Underwoods lead to the governor ending his role in the crisis.

Frank and Claire allow the kidnappers to speak to the deposed leader of ICO, Yusuf al Ahmadi, after successfully obtaining the release of two of the hostages. Instead of defusing the situation as he agreed, al Ahmadi urges the kidnappers to kill the remaining hostage and broadcast the killing to the public. Meanwhile, Hammerschmidt publishes his story and threatens to end Frank's campaign weeks before the election. Claire urges Frank to use a heavier hand in the situation, and they decide to fight back by creating chaos. Frank addresses the public declaring that the nation is at total war, ordering the full force of the military be used to combat global terrorism regardless of the cost. The season ends with Frank and Claire watching the live execution of the hostage together, and Claire breaking the fourth wall for the first time by looking into the camera along with Frank.

Production

On April 2, 2015, Netflix announced via its Twitter account that it had renewed House of Cards for a fourth season of undisclosed length, to be released in early 2016. The tweet read: "I will leave a legacy. #Underwood2016".[1] The first casting calls were announced on May 5, 2015, to occur on May 15.[2] Film crews were spotted filming on June 16, 2015.[3]

In December 2015, it was revealed during a 2016 Republican Party presidential debate through faux advertising that the season would premiere on March 4, 2016.[4] In January, show creator, executive producer and showrunner Beau Willimon's departure following the season was announced.[5] The first trailer for the season, which focused on the contentious relationship between the Underwoods, was released on February 10.[6] The press release associated with the trailer said "In an election year, the stakes are now higher than ever, and the biggest threat they face is contending with each other."[7]

Cast

On July 1, 2015, Neve Campbell was announced as having been cast for season 4.[8] In September 2015, Colm Feore was announced as having a recurring role.[9] In February 2016, Joel Kinnaman was announced as having a recurring role.[10] On February 10, Ellen Burstyn and Cicely Tyson were announced as cast members in conjunction with the release of the first trailer for the season.[7]

Episodes

See also: List of House of Cards episodes.

Reception

Critical response

The fourth season has received positive reviews from critics. On Metacritic, the season has a score of 76 out of 100 based on 17 reviews.[16] On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has an 86% approval rating, with an average rating of 7.7/10 based on 36 reviews. The site's critical consensus reads, "House of Cards retains its binge-worthiness by ratcheting up the drama, and deepening Robin Wright's role even further."[17] Matt Fowler of IGN gave the season a rating of 8.6 out of 10 and labelled the season "great" with particular praise given to the performances, the addition of new characters, connections to previous seasons and adding new adversaries to the Underwoods.[18]

Accolades

House of Cards received 13 nominations in the drama categories for the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series, Kevin Spacey for Outstanding Lead Actor, Robin Wright for Outstanding Lead Actress, Michael Kelly for Outstanding Supporting Actor, Reg E. Cathey, Paul Sparks and Mahershala Ali for Outstanding Guest Actor, and Ellen Burstyn and Molly Parker for Outstanding Guest Actress.[19]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 'House of Cards' renewed for a 4th season by Netflix. July 9, 2015. April 2, 2015. Baltimore Sun. Zurawik, David. https://web.archive.org/web/20150709231959/http://www.baltimoresun.com/bal-house-of-cards-renewed-4th-season-20150402-story.html. July 9, 2015. live.
  2. Web site: 'House of Cards' announces first casting call for new season in Bel Air . July 9, 2015. May 5, 2015. Baltimore Sun. Zurawik, David. https://web.archive.org/web/20150520040108/http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/tv/z-on-tv-blog/bal-house-of-cards-announces-first-casting-call-for-new-season-20150505-story.html. May 20, 2015. live.
  3. Web site: Hampden hosts 'House of Cards' shoot. July 9, 2015. June 16, 2015. Baltimore Sun. Costello, Darcy. https://web.archive.org/web/20150709225958/http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bthesite/tv-lust/bal-house-of-cards-hampden-20150616-story.html. July 9, 2015. live.
  4. Web site: House of Cards Season 4: Netflix Announces 2016 Premiere Date. Ausiello. Michael. TVLine. December 15, 2015. December 16, 2015. March 12, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160312035317/http://tvline.com/2015/12/15/house-of-cards-season-4-premiere-date/. dead.
  5. Web site: 'House Of Cards' Renewed For Season 5 By Netflix, Creator Beau Willimon Departs. February 12, 2016. January 28, 2016. Deadline Hollywood. Andreeva, Nellie.
  6. Web site: It's Underwood vs. Underwood in the Latest 'House of Cards' Trailer. February 12, 2016. February 11, 2016. The Wall Street Journal. Leeds, Sarene.
  7. Web site: Ellen Burstyn, Cicely Tyson join 'House of Cards' for Season 4. February 12, 2016. February 11, 2016. UPI. Butler, Karen. https://web.archive.org/web/20160212023649/http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/TV/2016/02/11/Ellen-Burstyn-Cicely-Tyson-join-House-of-Cards-for-Season-4/8651455188920/. February 12, 2016. live.
  8. Web site: Neve Campbell joining cast of 'House of Cards'. July 9, 2015. July 1, 2015. Baltimore Sun. Zurawik, David.
  9. Web site: Colm Feore Joins 'House Of Cards' As Recurring . . Denise . Petski . September 3, 2015 . September 6, 2015.
  10. Web site: 'The Killing' Star Joel Kinnaman Joins 'House of Cards' Season 4. Variety. Laura. Prudom. February 2, 2016. February 3, 2016.
  11. Web site: Video: House of Card Season Four Trailer . . February 10, 2016 . February 11, 2016.
  12. Web site: House of Cards, Season Four, first-look review: a deliciously dark return to form. Power. Ed. The Telegraph. February 24, 2016. February 26, 2016.
  13. Web site: First hour of Season 4 of 'House of Cards' is looking good. Zurawik. David. Baltimore Sun. February 22, 2016. February 25, 2016.
  14. Web site: 'House of Cards' is built on women in Season 4. Zurawik. David. The Baltimore Sun. February 28, 2016. February 28, 2016.
  15. Web site: TV Review: House of Cards - Season Four. Maidy. Alex. JoBlo. February 25, 2016. February 26, 2016.
  16. Web site: House of Cards (2013) : Season 4 . Metacritic . March 3, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160208202413/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/house-of-cards-2013/season-4 . February 8, 2016 . live.
  17. Web site: House of Cards: Season 4. Rotten Tomatoes. March 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20150409071734/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/house-of-cards/s04/. April 9, 2015. live.
  18. Web site: House of Cards: Season 4 Review. Fowler. Matt. IGN. March 5, 2016. March 6, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160306212105/https://ign.com/articles/2016/03/05/house-of-cards-season-4-review. March 6, 2016. live.
  19. Web site: Emmy Nominations 2016: Full List of Nominees. Variety. Laura. Prudom. July 14, 2016. July 14, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160715150837/https://variety.com/2016/tv/awards/2016-emmys-nominees-list-drama-comedy-acting-nomination-1201814021/. July 15, 2016. live.

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